Paris Insiders Guide
Paris Insiders Guide
  • What's On

    What's On in Paris

    June 2025 in Paris
    July 2025 in Paris
    August 2025 in Paris
    September 2025 in Paris
    Paris Activities Month by Month
    • What's On

      What's On in Paris

      June 2025 in Paris
      July 2025 in Paris
      August 2025 in Paris
      September 2025 in Paris
      Paris Activities Month by Month
      Paris Events Calendar
      Museum Exhibitions Calendar

      Performances

      Paris Ballet Calendar
      Paris Opera Calendar

      Holidays

      Christmas in Paris
      Christmas Day in Paris
      New Years Eve
      New Years Day in Paris
      Easter in Paris
      Valentines Day in Paris
      Bastille Day Celebrations
      Christmas in Paris

      Christmas in Paris

    • What to See

      The Eiffel Tower

      Skip-the-Lines at the Eiffel Tower
      Visiting The Eiffel Tower
      See all…

      Paris Attractions

      The Top 8 Tourist Attractions
      5 Paris Itineraries
      See all…

      Monuments in Paris

      The Arc de Triomphe
      The Panthéon
      See all…

      Landmarks

      Palais Garnier Opera House
      Hotel de Ville – The City Hall
      See all…

      History Museums

      Cluny Museum Paris
      Arts et Metiers
      See all…

      The Louvre Museum

      Louvre Art Museum Tours
      Mona Lisa In The Louvre
      See all…

      Musée d'Orsay

      Get the Most from Your Visit
      Top 10 Van Goghs at d'Orsay
      See all…

      The Top Paris Museums

      Musée de l'Orangerie
      Centre Pompidou
      See all…

      Artist Museums

      Musée Picasso
      Rodin Museum Paris
      See all…

      Unusual Paris Museums

      Guimet Asian Arts Museum
      Galliera Fashion Museum
      See all…
      Louvre Art Museum Tours

      Louvre Art Museum Tours

    • What to Do

      Visiting Versailles

      Skip-The-Line Tours
      Guided Versailles Tours
      Versailles Bike Tours

      The Essential Day Trips

      Visit the Champagne Region
      D-Day Landing Beaches
      Monet's Gardens at Giverny
      See all…

      More Iconic Day Tours

      Mont Saint-Michel
      Monet + Van Gogh
      VIP Private Day Trips
      See all…

      What to Do in Paris

      10 Ways to Skip the Paris Lines
      5 Top Activities In The Marais
      1st Time Visitors Guide
      See all…

      Seine River Cruises

      Top 6 Paris Dinner Cruises
      Lunch & Brunch Cruises
      Cruises with Extras!

      Paris Hidden Gems

      Les Halles Paris
      Impressionists In Paris
      Arcades of Paris
      See all…

      Night In The City of Light

      The 6 Best Evenings In Paris
      Moulin Rouge
      See all…

      Paris City Tours

      The 6 Best City Tours
      Hop-on, Open-Top Buses
      See all…

      Walking Tours

      Top 10 Walking Tours
      Mysterious Walking Tours
      See all…
      Romantic Dinner Cruises

      Romantic Dinner Cruises

    • Where to Stay
      The Top Left Bank Hotels

      Where to Stay in Paris

      Where to Stay in Paris

      Top-Rated Hotels in the Marais
      The Best Left Bank Hotels
      10 Affordable 4-Star Hotels
      See All …

      Preferred 5-Star Hotels

      Fouquet's Paris
      Hotel Napoleon Paris
      Hotel Le Burgundy
      See All…

      Top Hotels Near…

      Saint-Germain-des-Prés
      The Eiffel Tower

      Small Hotels of Paris

      Latin Quarter Hotels
      Top-Rated Montmartre Hotels
      Favorite Designer Hotels
      See All…

      The Palaces of Paris

      Shangri-La Paris
      Hotel George V Paris
      The Royal Monceau
      See All…

      Affordable Hotels

      Ibis Hotels
      Les Hotels de Paris
      Best Western Hotels
      See All…
    • Eat & Drink
      Food & Wine Tour in Montmartre

      The Foods of Montmartre

      Food & Wine Activities

      Top 10 Food Experiences
      Paris Wine Tastings
      Chocolate Tours
      See All…

      Most Popular Paris Food

      10 Best Cheese Shops
      The Best Baguette in Paris
      Food Markets of Paris
      See All…

      Memorable Paris Dining

      L'Assaggio
      Best Paris Terraces
      Seine Dinner Cruise

      Best Paris Restaurants

      Le Jules Verne
      Astrance Paris
      Il Carpaccio
      See All…

      Paris Restaurant Guide

      How to Choose a Restaurant
      Bistros & Brasseries
      The Best Paris Bars
      See All…

      Bistros & Brasseries

      In the Marais
      On the Left Bank
      Historic Brasseries of Paris
      See All…

      Top-Rated Restaurants

      Michelin 3-Star Restaurants
      6 Michelin-Star Restaurants
      See All…
    • More Paris Fun
      Visit the Champagne Region

      Visit the Champagne Region

      Historic Churches

      Notre Dame Cathedral
      La Sainte Chapelle
      See all…

      Paris Miscellanea

      Napoleon's Paris
      Hemingway's Paris
      Medieval Paris
      See All…

      Visiting Burgundy

      VIP Burgundy Wine Tour
      Burgundy Hotels
      See all…

      You Ask, We Answer

      Paris Hotels for Christmas?
      Best Restaurants in the 8th?
      Best Way To Visit Versailles?
      See All…

      Paris Gardens & Parks

      Jardin des Tuileries
      Jardin des Plantes
      Palais Royal
      See all…

      Unusual Paris Sights

      Pere Lachaise Cemetery
      The Catacombs
      See all…

      Top Ten Lists

      10 Tips For Visiting Paris
      7 Vestiges of Roman Paris
      13 Hidden Places In Paris
      See All…

      Your Own Private Paris

      Private Tours of Paris
      Champagne & Shows
      See all…
    • Essentials
      Things to do in Paris

      What's On When You're Here

      Airports & Transfers

      Airport Transfers
      Paris Airports
      Airport Taxis

      Getting Around Paris

      The Paris Metro
      Paris Metro Tickets
      Paris Taxis
      See All…

      Paris Travel Guide

      Where To Stay In Paris
      Top 10 Tips For Travelers
      Choose The Perfect Hotel
      What to Pack for Paris
      See All…

      Paris Essentials

      What's On When You're Here
      Where to Stay in Paris
      Seine River Dinner Cruises
      Paris Restaurant Guide
      Visiting Versailles
      The Eiffel Tower
      The Louvre Museum

      Train Travel

      Train Travel From Paris
      Eurostar: London & Paris
      See All…

      Paris Arrondissements

      The Marais
      The Latin Quarter
      Saint-Germain-des-Pres
      See All…

    Paris Events In May 2025 – Food, Jazz, Tennis & A Night At The Museums

    Spring is in the air while Paris events in May explode. The month starts out with Fête du Travail, Labour Day, one of the most important holidays of the year, and follows with the St-Germain Jazz Festival, the French Open, and one of our favorites, Taste of Paris at the Grand Palais. And, if you're feeling a little stiff from attending all of those Paris events in May, head out to the Porte de la Villette Convention Center for the Yoga Festival!

    Our Top-Rated Paris Experiences – May 2025


    Chateau de Chenonceau in the Loire Valley beautifully lit at night, seen during a Day Trip From Paris Glorious Day Trips From Paris Two young women pose for a selfie with the Eiffel Tower in the background Esprit de Paris — Experiences Visitors marvel at a glorious painted ceiling in the Chateau de Versailles The Wonders Of Versailles
    A young woman examines a wine bottle while seated at a long table during a Paris wine tasting Top Food & Wine Experiences A tiger illustrated in a colorful graphic to annouce one of the Top Paris Events The Hottest Events In Paris A self portrait of artist Vincent van Gogh What's On At The Museums

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    French workers gather to celebrat May Day in front of Opera Garnier

    La Fête du Travail

    This is probably the most important national holidays in France and one of the biggest Paris events in May. Labor Day is taken very seriously and is celebrated in the city with a handful of peaceful rallies along with a big parade at Bastille.

    In 1886, socialists celebrated the anniversary of the French Revolution by declaring May 1 International Workers Day. Their original symbol, a red triangle, symbolized eight hours of work, eight hours of sleep. and eight hours of leisure. In 1907 it was replaced by the Lily of the Valley (called muguet in French). May 1 was officially declared Fête du Travail in 1941 and is now a national holiday in France.

    May 1st is also celebrated as the real arrival of spring. You'll see many pop-up sidewalk stalls selling muguets, since it's the only day when flowers can be sold on the street without a permit. In France, muguets have long been a symbol of good luck; it's said that the tradition started with Charles IX in 1561, when he was given the flower as a gift. He was such a fan that he started giving them to all the ladies of his court on the same day each year. Expect many restaurants, museums, and services to be closed.

    • French National Holiday
    • May 1

    The Best May Activities

    The Top May Activity

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    La Fête de la Victoire

    During this World War II Victory Day ceremony the President of France lays flowers on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arc de Triomphe to honor the liberation of France.

    It was May 7, 1945 when the Nazis unconditionally surrendered to the Allies in Reims, and May 8th when Russia accepted Germany's surrender, marking the end of the World War II. Although Victory Day had been celebrated for decades, it was only in 1981 that President François Mitterrand declared Victory Day a French National Holiday.

    • French National Holiday
    • May 8
    • Arc de Triomphe

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    Poster for Jazz at Saint-Germain-des-Prés with that title superimposed on an image of Saint-Germain-des-Prés church.

    Jazz Festival at Saint-Germain-des-Prés

    Created in 2001, the Festival Jazz à Saint-Germain-des-Prés is a hallmark event held in Paris every spring. Check out the schedule to catch outstanding concerts and listen to emerging young artists and international jazz stars perform.

    In the past, notable musicians like Dee Dee Bridgewater, Norah Jones, Michel Legrand, Kyle Eastwood, Paolo Fresu, Kenny Barron, Kurt Elling, Lucky Peterson, Richard Galliano, Raphael Gualazzi and Hugh Coltman have performed at iconic locations like Église Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Odéon Theater, Paris-Sorbonne University, and the Cluny Museum. You can tell by that list that you don't want to miss this year's concerts.

    • Saint-Germain-des-Prés
    • Information…

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    Hotel sign in St-Germain-des-Pres, Paris

    Hotel Deals Across France

    From Paris to Provence, Burgundy to Bordeaux, find hotel deals with current sale prices. Save up to 20% in cities, villages, beach towns, and storybook countryside escapes.

    Find Your Room…

    Hotel Deals Across France

    Discover today's sale prices on hotel rooms in every village & city in France. Save up to 20%. Find hotels in Paris, Burgundy, Provence, the Loire Valley, Normandy, and everywhere else!

    Find Your Room…

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    The famed red clay courts of Roland Garros where the French Open is played.

    Paris Events in May – The French Open

    The French Open, or Championnats Internationaux de France de Tennis,is held at Stade Roland-Garros in Paris every year between late May and early June. (The stadium is named after the famous French aviator Roland Garros). It's one of the biggest sporting events in France — after football (soccer), of course!

    The two-week tournament is the second of the four tennis Grand Slams — the others are the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. The French Open is the only Grand Slam event held on clay, famous for its slower playing surface, and is considered the most physically demanding tennis tournament in the world.

    • Stade Roland-Garros
    • May to June
    • Information…

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    A purple carpet unrolled at the Petit Palais with a giant fork stuck in it, celebrating the Taste of Paris event

    Taste of Paris

    Taste of Paris is four days of pure food bliss, where some of the city's top chefs — along with a few rising stars — set up pop-up restaurants to serve tasting portions of their signature dishes. Think of it as a whirlwind culinary tour, minus the long waitlists and impossible reservations. And it all takes place under the iconic glass dome of the Grand Palais.

    You can sample a little of everything, from haute cuisine to modern bistro fare, all in one place. And it's not just about eating — there are live cooking demos, workshops, and masterclasses where you can pick up a few tricks from the pros (or just watch in admiration while they make it all look effortless).

    The festival also features a buzzing gourmet market packed with artisan producers offering everything from charcuterie and cheeses to caviar and champagne. If you like to snack while you shop, this is your kind of place. If you're a die-hard food love or just seek out the bubbly, Taste of Paris is the best of the Paris events in May.

    • Grand Palais
    • Information…

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    The main gallery of Musee d'Orsay, where train tracks used to run

    See the Best of Musée d’Orsay

    Skip the lines and join an expert-led tour through the Musée d'Orsay — home to Van Gogh, Degas, and Monet. It’s the ultimate walk through 19th-century art in a grand old train station.

    Meet the Impressionists…

    See the Best of Musée d’Orsay

    Skip the lines and join an expert-led tour through the Musée d'Orsay — home to Van Gogh, Degas, and Monet. It’s the ultimate walk through 19th-century art in a grand old train station.

    Meet the Impressionists…

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    Musician play, an acrobat peforms inside a Paris museum as the audience watches during Nuit des Musée

    Nuit des Musées

    Art lovers unite! Two million visitors, 1,200 museums and 3,000 events make this free night at the museums a sensational success across Europe. During one night in May, Paris museums fling open their doors for a free late-night experience.

    Paris Museum Night is a great time to stay up and catch some art action. The idea started in Berlin in 1997; in Paris we have the former mayor Bertrand Delanoe to thank for grabbing the idea and making it even bigger with guided tours, workshops, screenings, tastings, and live entertainment.

    • Information…

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    Yoga Festival Paris

    Last but not least on our list of Paris events in May, the Yoga Festival is an annual event that's the biggest of its kind in France. Visitors get to meet experts in yoga, Ayurveda, and similar disciplines. Ninety free yoga classes are offered in three studios. Also on the agenda are conferences focusing on self-care and nutrition. Then there are the healing workshops and master yoga classes. Ahh!

    • Porte de la Villette Convention Center
    • Information…

    Paris Planning Guides

    Link to Left Bank Paris Hotels Left Bank Hotels All About Paris Airport Transfers Book an Airport Transfer Historic D-Day Day Trips From Paris Historic D-Day Tours The Top Seine Dinner Cruises Glorious Dinner Cruises

    Discover What's On When You're Here

    • July 2025 Things to Do in Paris…
    • Bastille Day Celebrations…
    • August 2025 Things to Do…
    • September 2025 Things to Do…
    • October 2025 Things to Do…
    • November 2025 Things to Do…
    • December 2025 Things to Do…
    • Month-by-Month Calendar…

    Paris Essential #1:
    Romantic Dinner Cruise

    Marais Food Tour
    Evening Seine River Cruise +
    A Classic French Meal

    Paris Essential #2:
    Chateau de Versailles

    Visit Chateau de Versailles
    Visit the Magnificent Chateau & Gardens of the Royal Estate

    Paris Essential #3:
    The Louvre Museum

    Visit The Louvre Museum
    Take in the Best of the Louvre,
    Bypass the Long Lines

    Paris Essential #4:
    The Eiffel Tower

    The Eiffel Tower
    Skip the Line and Enjoy the Views of Paris from Above

    Paris Essential #5:
    The D-Day Beaches

    The D-Day Beaches
    Visit the Historic That
    Changed the Course of WWII

    Paris Essential #6:
    Delectable Food Tours

    Marais Food Tour
    Discover the Best
    Food & Wine of Paris

    Paris Events

    • Paris Events in January…
    • Paris Events in February…
    • Paris Events in March…
    • Paris Events in April…
    • Paris Events in May…
    • Paris Events in June…
    • Nuit Blanche Paris…
    • Paris Events in July…
    • Bastille Day Celebrations…
    • Paris Events in August…
    • Paris Events in September…
    • Paris Events in October…
    • Paris Events in November…
    • Paris Events in December…
    Plus d'Info

    Vacations in France
    Free Paris Planning Guides
    411

    French for Travelers
    Ask Your Paris Questions
    About

    About
    Praise From Our Readers
    Paris Insiders Guide

    Contact
    Website Information

    Copyright © 2010-2025 Voconces Culinary Ltd, all rights reserved. Original photos © Mark Craft, all rights reserved.

        • June 2025 in Paris
        • July 2025 in Paris
        • August 2025 in Paris
        • September 2025 in Paris
        • Paris Activities Month by Month
        • Paris Events Calendar
        • Museum Exhibitions Calendar
        • Paris Ballet Calendar
        • Paris Opera Calendar
        • Christmas in Paris
        • Christmas Day in Paris
        • New Years Eve
        • New Years Day in Paris
        • Easter in Paris
        • Valentines Day in Paris
        • Bastille Day Celebrations
        • Skip-the-Lines at the Eiffel Tower
        • Visiting The Eiffel Tower
        • Eiffel Tower Information
        • See all…
        • The Top 8 Tourist Attractions
        • 5 Paris Itineraries
        • Gardens & Parks
        • See all…
        • The Arc de Triomphe
        • The Panthéon
        • The Bastille
        • See all…
        • Chateau de Versailles
        • Palais Garnier Opera House
        • Hotel de Ville – The City Hall
        • See all…
        • Get the Most from Your Visit
        • Masterpieces of the Louvre
        • Paintings of the Louvre
        • See all…
        • Get the Most from Your Visit
        • Top 10 Van Goghs at d'Orsay
        • See all…
        • Musée de l'Orangerie
        • Centre Pompidou
        • See all…
        • Musée d'Orsay
        • Musée Picasso
        • Rodin Museum Paris
        • See all…
        • Cluny Museum Paris
        • Arts et Metiers
        • See all…
        • Guimet Asian Arts Museum
        • Galliera Fashion Museum
        • See all…
        • Skip-The-Line Tours
        • Guided Versailles Tours
        • Versailles Bike Tours
        • Visit the Champagne Region
        • D-Day Landing Beaches
        • Monet's Gardens at Giverny
        • See all…
        • Mont Saint-Michel
        • Monet + Van Gogh
        • VIP Private Day Trips
        • See all…
        • 10 Ways to Skip the Lines
        • 9 Most Romantic Things to Do
        • 5 Top Activities In The Marais
        • See all…
        • Romantic Dinner Cruises
        • Lunch & Brunch Cruises
        • Cruises with Extras!
        • See all…
        • The 6 Best Evenings In Paris
        • Moulin Rouge
        • Paris at Night
        • See all…
        • Hop-on, Open-Top Buses
        • The 6 Best City Tours
        • See all…
        • Private Tours of Paris
        • Champagne & Shows
        • See all…
        • Top 10 Walking Tours
        • Mysterious Walking Tours
        • See all…
        • Top-Rated Hotels in the Marais
        • The Best Left Bank Hotels
        • 10 Affordable 4-Star Hotels
        • See all …
        • Latin Quarter Hotels
        • Left Bank Hotels
        • Top-Rated Montmartre Hotels
        • Favorite Designer Hotels
        • See all …
        • Shangri-La Paris
        • Hotel George V Paris
        • The Royal Monceau
        • See all…
        • Fouquet's Paris
        • Hotel Napoleon Paris
        • Hotel Le Burgundy
        • See all …
        • Ibis Hotels
        • Les Hotels de Paris
        • Best Western Hotels
        • See all …
        • Saint-Germain-des-Prés
        • The Eiffel Tower
        • Top 10 Food Experiences
        • Paris Wine Tastings
        • Chocolate Tours
        • See all …
        • 10 Best Cheese Shops
        • The Best Baguette in Paris
        • Food Markets of Paris
        • See all …
        • Le Jules Verne
        • Astrance Paris
        • Il Carpaccio
        • See all …
        • How to Choose a Restaurant
        • Bistros & Brasseries
        • The Best Paris Bars
        • See all …
        • In the Marais
        • On the Left Bank
        • Historic Brasseries of Paris
        • See all …
        • Michelin 3-Star Restaurants
        • 6 Michelin-Star Restaurants
        • See All…
        • L'Assaggio
        • Best Paris Terraces
        • Seine Dinner Cruise
        • Notre Dame Cathedral
        • La Sainte Chapelle
        • Sacre-Coeur Paris
        • See all…
        • Les Halles Paris
        • Impressionists In Paris
        • Arcades of Paris
        • See all…
        • Napoleon's Paris
        • Hemingway's Paris
        • Medieval Paris
        • See all…
        • Hidden Landmarks
        • The Catacombs
        • Pere Lachaise Cemetery
        • See all…
        • Jardin des Tuileries
        • Jardin des Plantes
        • Palais Royal
        • See all…
        • VIP Burgundy Wine Tour
        • Burgundy Hotels
        • See all…
        • 10 Tips For Visiting Paris
        • 7 Vestiges of Roman Paris
        • 13 Hidden Places In Paris
        • See all…
        • Paris Hotels for Christmas?
        • Best Restaurants in the 8th?
        • Best Way To Visit Versailles?
        • See all…
        • Airport Transfers
        • Paris Airports
        • Airport Taxis
        • Train Travel From Paris
        • Eurostar: London & Paris
        • Paris Train Stations
        • See all…
        • The Marais
        • The Latin Quarter
        • Saint-Germain-des-Pres
        • See all…
        • Where To Stay In Paris
        • Top 10 Tips For Travelers
        • Choose The Perfect Hotel
        • What to Pack for Paris
        • See all…
        • The Paris Metro
        • Paris Metro Tickets
        • Paris Taxis
        • See all…
        • What's On When You're Here
        • Where To Stay In Paris
        • Seine River Dinner Cruises
        • Paris Restaurant Guide
        • Visiting Versailles
        • The Eiffel Tower
        • The Louvre Museum