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Paris on May 1st (May Day)....will anything be open?

Posted by (M.T.) on

We will be in Paris on May 1st, which I understand to be a holiday. I didn't realize it at the time we booked our trip and there is no way now to change our plans.

Can you please give me an idea of what might be closed that day? It will be our final day in Paris and I had planned for us to spend time walking through Montmarte and visiting Sacre Couer, as well as possibly walking through the Marais neighborhood. However if nothing will be open, I don't want to spend time walking around if we won't be able to truly experience the neighborhoods. Perhaps we would be better off saving more of the touristy things (like the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Louvre) for that day (as far as I have been able to tell they will be open).

Thanks in advance for any help or advice.

Posted by
3313 posts

Well, in exchange for a lot of places being closed, there are a variety of celebrations in the street. It would be a great day to stroll some of the main market streets to see special street performances, etc. It's not like it's a day of penance and reflection. People go out to enjoy the day.

Posted by
445 posts

I was in Paris on May Day in 2002. Most of the museums were closed (including the Louvre) but the
Picasso Museum a few other small places were open. The Caroussel part of the Louvre (shops + food) was open. It is a custom on May Day to give bunches of muguet (lily of the valley) and you will find it for sale even on the streets. We ate lunch in the Cafe Marly on its terrace overlooking the Pyramid at the Louvre (not cheap, but not exorbitant)and there was a definite holiday air..Parisiens dining with their children et al. Afterwards we strolled in the Tuileries gardens. I should think walking around the Marais would be good. Check Museum websites for a list of days they are closed.

Posted by
506 posts

The Eiffel Tower will be open, Scre Couer will be open - because there is daily mass at 11h15 etc.

Notre Dame will be open.

The Louvre for example such as the other museums will be closed (unions allow it given this is like Labor Day in the US).

, tourist areas will still have servicesShops will vary - as well as restaurants. Typically - like on Sundays when few shops are open.

Boulevard Raspail - is a great place to watch the marches.

Posted by
16 posts

Thank you so much for starting this post. I too will be in Paris on May Day and didn't think about it being a holiday at all. Thankfully, as my itinerary stands now, I was planning on doing all outdoor things. Does anyone know of a website that identifies the events in Paris on that day?

Posted by
102 posts

Chartes will be open if you want to do a day trip at least it was May 1st 2004

Posted by
13 posts

Thank you for the replies. I guess I had this irrational fear that the streets would be empty and nothing would be open! Glad to know it's not a holiday where people stay indoors.

Posted by
12172 posts

Plenty will be open to occupy you. As I recall, this is a labor holiday with organized parades/rallies. They are likely to be in a nasty mood because their government isn't in power. Use some caution.

Posted by
1 posts

I will also be in Paris on May 1st. What I've found so far is that the museuems will be closed (it mentions on their websites that they are closed that day), and from what I can see, Notre Dame, Ste. Chapelle and Sacre Couer will all be CLOSED. It specifically says on their websites that they are closed May 1.

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