We arrive in Paris the Tuesday before Easter and leave the afternoon of Easter Monday. Does anyone have advice for activities on Easter that are open and maybe not insanely crowded? We were thinking of maybe the Louvre or Versailles (open but probably crowded)? And maybe walking through the Jewish district. We are not interested in attending any religious services (we're Jewish).
Posted by
roswell, ga, usa
1501 posts
I was in Paris last year on Easter -- it was such a "no big deal" that we forgot to go to Church.........and we are Catholic! No problems with anything, except maybe a few restaurants
were not open -- but again, so few we didn't even notice.
Posted by
Fort Wayne, IN, USA
2349 posts
I was in the Marais on a Sunday afternoon in October. Around the Place des Vosges, Rue de Rosier, etc. It was very busy. Fun, with lots of families walking around. But if you're looking to avoid crowds you might look elsewhere.
Posted by
OP
New Haven, CT, USA
46 posts
Thank you very much for your replies. I know crowds are unavoidable in Paris any time of year. I hadn't really thought about the time around Easter being vacation time for Europeans also (though now it seems obvious). I'm glad to hear it may not be that different from any other day.
Posted by
Napa, CA
3580 posts
I've been in Paris Easter week several times. Schools are out and crowds are bigger. The area around Notre Dame is especially crowded that week. The archaeology site there usually isn't crowded; I love to visit. On Easter Sunday, rue Cler is especially busy with the bakery overflowing with goodies and restaurants open. I attended a Protestant church service on Easter once. It was an overflow crowd, with security guards outside. I sat in an overflow room. I had thought that only the Catholic churches would be crowded. The Jewish district would be a good choice, but I don't know about Versailles that week. Probably crowded. The trick with Versailles is to arrive early, before the tour buses, and move thru quickly before being overtaken by hundreds of noisy crowds. I think the tour buses arrive around 10am. If you enter the Louvre thru the Metro entrance, it should be easier. Once inside, the place can absorb vast crowds. Seeing Mona Lisa can be difficult because of her popularity and the room never seems large enough to accommodate all who want to see. There are areas of the Louvre that are lightly visited. Maybe go there. I like the Carnavalet Museum (Paris history). It's interesting, free, and usually not crowded. You might want to visit the Holocaust Memorial in the Marais. The museum, not the place near Notre Dame. It's walking distance from the Jewish district.
Posted by
Fort Wayne, IN, USA
2349 posts
I want to amend my earlier answer. The Marais would be a lot less crowded than Versailles, if those are your choices. Also, look into a Paris Walks tour of the area. I think there's one on Sunday.