Hi, I will be learning French in Nice, France for 12 weeks. While I'm there, I'm planning on going from Nice to Paris (return trip) for the weekends by train. So far, there are 3 options: 1. Long weekend of April 22-25 (Fri-Mon), in which the Sunday falls on Easter Day and the Monday falls on Easter Monday. 2. Weekend of April 29 - May 1 (Fri-Sun), in which the Sunday falls on Labor Day.
3. Weekend of May 6-8 (Fri-Sun), in which the Sunday falls on Victory Day. The first bound train will arrive in Paris around 11pm in the evening, while the return train will leave Paris around 5pm in the afternoon. This will be my first time to Paris, and I'm planning on going to the major tourist attractions there by walking or metro/bus. Can anyone please help make a suggestion what is the situation during those 3 public holidays in Paris? Will the major tourist attractions (like Notre-Dame, Eiffel Tower, Versailles, Louvre, etc) be open or close during the public holiday? And can someone advise on what the best period is to go between those 3 options? Or should I just visit other places near Nice during that period? Thanks a lot!
Posted by
Los Angeles, California
1986 posts
Cant comment on the effect of holidays- but if I were flying all the way from Singapore I would do everything in my power to see Paris. Practicalities aside, i would suggest taking the first opportunity. there is so much to see there you may want to go back, OR decide you have seen enough and be comfortable trying other areas on your remaining long weekends. Also you can/will cover closer areas on your other (short) weekends
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
4684 posts
In general in France tourist attractions stay open on Sundays and public holidays - museums often close on normal Mondays, but stay open on holidays.
Posted by
Grapevine, TX, USA
875 posts
The crowds in Paris are amazing on Labor Day weekend. If you plan to go at that time, you should definitely make reservations now for a place to stay during your visit. Paris is wonderful even with the heavy crowds!
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9440 posts
I'd be there all three weekends! I can never get enough of Paris.
Posted by
OP
Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
56 posts
Thanks all for the replies. Yeah, I'm worried that in the Labor Day most of the museums and monuments will be closed, or that the public transportation is scarce. This is actually will be the second time to go to Paris. I have also planned on going to Paris in the first or second weekend of April. If the train ticket is cheap, of course I will go many weekends, but that doesn't seems to be the case here :( And for Easter Monday, as it will be a holiday, that might be a good long weekend. However, as I will be staying with a host family in Nice, I thought I want to experience how they celebrate Easter in French family. That is assuming they will be celebrating Easter traditionally in Nice.
Posted by
Columbus, OH, USA
2169 posts
We were in Paris and environs during this very period and there were more 3 or 4 day weekends than you could throw a stick at. We encountered large crowds and long lines just about everywhere. We thought we'd miss the summer crush and go early. The French were out in droves. In Notre Dame, we were literally swept along by the crowd, and long lines to many other sights. Long lines throughout the Loire chateaux region, too. But, weather was beautiful, people were festive, and everyone's a bit happier when they're not at work, the French included. We had a great, great time. The only "problem" I recall was some car rental offices closed for Pentecost, so we went to Plan B.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
11041 posts
Tourist season in Paris begins in early spring, especially Easter week, when other Europeans start visiting.
Posted by
OP
Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
56 posts
Thanks all for the reply. I was late in booking the TGV train tickets, so I missed the cheap PREM fare. I moved the date to 20-22 May 2011.