I'll be in Paris in a few weeks (the week of May 18th) and I'm wondering if anyone can tell me from experience what the crowd levels are like?
This question could also be rephrased: Should I bother avoiding Notre-Dame on a Tuesday because the Louvre & other museums are closed that day so everyone goes there? :)
I don't think Notre Dame will be affected significantly by the Louvre being closed -- lots of other museums aren't closed on Tuesday.
Paris is not like Disneyland in that you can measure "the crowds". In addition to normal tourism, lines develop as much from school groups and other everyday situations of big city life. Mid-May is busy, but not overly so.
I was there mid-May last year and the crowds weren't that bad. It was only mildly more crowded than when I visited in the end of October.
Mike, just a note, the line in front of Notre Dame often looks insanely long,, but, it moves quickly,, the line at the side of the building for the Towers looks and long and moves insanely slowly,, so if you want to go up Towers go just before it opens, if you want to go inside church ,, just go,, the line will move, and it IS worth going in..
I agree with Pat. I enjoyed going to the top of Notre Dame, but it could easily be skipped, especially since I waited probably at least an hour to be reminded how out of shape I am while climbing all the stairs.
Thanks everyone. I'll be getting to Notre Dame just as it opens to visitors, though it seems that's half an hour before the tower itself opens. Hopefully I should be okay. :)
Marilyn
Miami, Fl 5-01-09
I will be in Paris on 20th of May for 10 days and just found out that the french open tennis is on. How do you think this will affect the crowds and also at restaurants? Anyone ever been to Paris during this event?
Like in any big city there are always big events going on like sport tournaments, trade shows, and conventions; often running at concurrently. Thus, you shouldn't notice anything out of the ordinary.
We went to Paris last May, arriving on the 1st. That was May Day. Then Liberation Day, and then (I think) Ascension Day or some religious holiday. I didn't think there were that many 3 and 4 day weekends in a week and a half, but we seemed to hit them all. They seem to love their holidays, and celebrate them with surprising frequency :-). Crowds were quite large everywhere, but c'est la vie in the most beautiful city I have ever visited. In Notre Dame we literally were carried through by the moving throng. I wouldn't skip anything...just join the crowds and have a ball.
