Like elsewhere in Europe and many other countries around the globe, May 1st is Labor Day in France. Here it’s called La Fête du Travail or simply Le 1er Mai, and it’s a public holiday all about celebrating workers’ rights. In practical terms, that means a lot of places in Paris shut their doors for the day, so that means most museums, shops, and restaurants. But don’t panic, Paris isn’t completely asleep today. But if your trip lands on May 1st, it just means you’ll want to do a little planning. Keep reading for my suggestions on the best things to do on May Day in Paris (and what you’ll need to save for another day).
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What’s closed on May 1st
Here’s a quick rundown on what’s closed on May 1st:
- Most restaurants, except for some places in touristy areas (around the Louvre, Latin Quarter, Montmartre, Eiffel Tower, maybe the Marais).
- Virtually ALL museums and historic sites (a few exceptions are below).
- Most shops, including the big department stores AND food shops like bakeries.
What’s open on May 1st
- Public transport (all forms), the wait time might just be a tad longer.
- The Eiffel Tower.
- Most churches.
- Gardens, including the gardens of Versailles (the inside of the castle is closed)
- Some casual cafés (we’ve got some great non-touristy café recommendations here).
- Some supermarkets are open just in the morning, little convenience stores tend to be open.
Buy a sprig of lily of the valley
If you’re in Paris on May 1st, one of the first things you’ll notice is these little pop-up stands selling lily of the valley (muguet in French). It’s a sweet tradition to give the delicate white flowers to friends or family, as a little token of luck for the year ahead. So picking up a tiny bouquet is the most classic thing to do on May Day in Paris.
May 1st is actually the only day of the year when citizens can sell something on the street without having to declare the income, which is why so many people are out there selling them. A small bouquet usually costs about €3–€5, while a potted plant goes for around €8–€10. They smell incredible and look adorable, so even if you don’t have anyone in particular to buy one for, consider it your official Parisian souvenir of the day.
Watch (or join) the May Day unions’ parade
The French famously LOVE going on strike and holding demonstrations (manifestations or manifs for short), and since May 1st is Labor Day, a big one is held today. Trade unions team up for a huge march through Paris that’s actually pretty lively and festive. It usually kicks off around 2pm and wraps up in the late afternoon at a big square in eastern Paris, such as Place de la République, Nation, or Bastille.
If you’re curious to see it, just Google “le parcours de la manifestation du 1er mai à Paris” and you’ll find this year’s route. You can swing by to watch, soak up the atmosphere, or even walk along with the crowd for a bit.
Toward the end of the day, a few non-union troublemakers sometimes show up, and that’s when you might see tensions with the riot police. It’s usually easy to avoid and nothing to stress about, just good for you to know so you can plan your timing.
Find open cafés in Montmartre
When I first moved to Paris about 20 years ago, May 1st felt like a full-on ghost town. These days, it’s improved a tiny bit, and you can usually find cafés open here and there around the city, but Montmartre is the happy exception.
Because it’s both touristy and genuinely popular with Parisians, a good number of places stay open in this charming hilly neighborhood. So if you were planning to visit the area, May Day is actually a great moment to wander up. I’ve included a great walking route around the district and my favorite shops and restaurants on Day 3 of our Paris Itinerary, so you might want to follow that and make the most of the day.
Have a picnic in a Parisian park
An easy way to skip the “what’s open?” food hunt on May 1st is to plan a picnic. Most Paris parks stay open on May 1st, and the Seine riverbanks are always fair game since they never close. You might want to grab your picnic supplies the day before, since a lot of food shops will be closed on the day itself. But you can usually still find a few convenience stores open in a pinch. This is the perfect excuse to slow down, snack, and enjoy a very Parisian afternoon.
Here are of my favorite picnic spots in Paris:
- Le Parc Monceau – this gorgeous historic park in western Paris has lovely lawns shaded by trees and funky fake ruins.
- Le Parc des Buttes Chaumont – A pretty big park in northeastern Paris, much loved by Parisians that has big grassy areas and nice views in some places.
- Le Parc de Bercy – This large park in eastern Paris has big flat lawns, many that are shady and some cool scuptures to track down.
- The Luxembourg Gardens – You can simply have a casual picnic on a bench in this beautiful historic park, but you can only sit on the grass in the big lawn on the south side of the park.
Stroll along the Seine or Canal St-Martin
As I mentioned, the Seine riverbanks never close, and since I’d suggest at least one stroll along them during your trip, May Day is the ideal day for this. My favorite stretches are the Quai de la Tournelle in the 5th (great views of Notre-Dame), the Parc Rives de Seine (from Châtelet to the Louvre), and the Berges de Seine (from Quai d’Orsay to the Eiffel Tower). Visiting one or all of these spots will give you the chance to admire many of Paris’s top sites and soak in the great views along the river.
Or, if you want something a little different, wander over to the Canal Saint-Martin. It was built in the early 1800s under Napoleon I, and today it’s one of the coolest areas in the city. You’ll see Parisians picnicking, chatting by the water, and a few of the cool cafés and boutiques along the canal may even be open. So you get that “living in Paris” vibe rather than just sightseeing.
Soak up the city on a Seine River cruise
The boat cruises that go along the Seine are one of the few activities that stay open today, so taking one is definitely one of the best things to do on May Day in Paris. I don’t tend to recommend the large cruise boats on the Seine, but the smaller boat companies, like this one that has electric boats, are a fantastic way to experience the city from the water.
They leave from the foot of the Eiffel Tower and glide past many of Paris’s most-loved sites, like the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, and Notre-Dame. Their early evening cruise includes a tasting of three champagnes, which adds some extra sparkle to your ride.
Photo courtesy of Musée Jacquemart-André
Tour the glamorous Musée Jacquemart-André
Pretty much all Paris museums are closed on May 1st, but this gorgeous little private one stays open. Included in Day 5 of our Paris Itinerary, the Musée Jacquemart André is one of my favorite smaller museums in Paris. It used to be the lavish home of a banker and his artist wife who dedicated themselves to creating an amazing art collection.
So, you get to wander through a really stunning mansion and also take in art by big-name artists like Botticelli, Rembrandt, and Canaletto. The museum also has a beautiful tea salon, so you can finish your tour over a tasty drink and snack (and not have to worry about where to find one nearby).
Go up the Eiffel Tower – BUT be sure to book in advance
If climbing the Eiffel Tower is on your list and you’re in Paris on May 1st, you’re in luck. The world-famous tower is open every single day of the year. So while a lot of other sights are closed, you can still get your big panoramic Paris moment.
The views are gorgeous, and by May, the trees are full of leaves, which makes everything look extra lush compared to winter. Tickets go on sale three months in advance, and they disappear fast, so it’s definitely one to book as early as you can.
After checking out my suggestions of things to do on May Day in Paris, are you looking for other unique activities in Paris? Read these next:
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