Paris Events In May 2023 – Food, Jazz, Tennis & A Night At The Museums

Spring is in the air and in May, Paris events 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. If you're into home decoration you'll want to make your way to the Porte de Versailles for spring edition of giant home show, Foire de Paris.

La Fête du Travail

This is one of the most important national holidays in France and it is taken very seriously. La Fête du Travail is celebrated in Paris 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 1 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

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 officially surrendered to the Allies, with the the last battle taking place on May 8th, marking the end of the World War II. Although it was celebrated for decades, it was 1981 when President Francois Mitterrand declared Victory Day a French National Holiday.

• French National Holiday
• May 8
• Arc de Triomphe

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 for outstanding concerts and see 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.

• Saint-Germain-des-Prés
• Information…

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). 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 slow-playing surface, and is considered the most physically demanding tennis tournament in the world.

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

Taste of Paris

In 2024 Taste of Paris is cancelled to make way for the Paris Olympics. It will be back in 2025 when the Grand Palais will be transformed into a showcase for the best restaurants and artisan food producers during four days of gourmet food tastings, cooking shows, and meet-and-greets with the top chefs of France. Sample signature dishes in taster-size portions, served by young, emerging chefs as well as Michelin-starred chefs at pop-up restaurants under the iconic glass dome of the Grand Palais.

Famous French chefs sporting Michelin stars are always on hand at the Theatre des Chefs to deliver masterclasses and special workshops. Taste of Paris also features 100 artisan food & wine producers along with the very popular Laurent-Perrier champagne bar where glasses of bubbles will be poured all day long. You know where you can find us.

• Grand Palais
• Information…

Foire de Paris

The biggest home show in France, held in Paris, takes place two times a year, once in the fall and again in the spring. Just like Fashion Week, the Foire de Paris spring edition will showcase the latest trends in home and garden. This is the place to learn about Arts & Crafts, Fashion, Leisure and Wine & Gastronomy. There are hundreds of exhibitors plus many cooking classes and events.

• Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles
• Information…

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…

Yoga Festival Paris

The Yoga Festival Paris is an annual event and one of biggest of its kind in France. Visitors will be able to meet experts in yoga, Ayurveda, and similar disciplines. Ninety free yoga classes will be offered in three studios. Also on the agenda are conferences focusing on self-care and nutrition. There are also healing workshops and master yoga classes.

• Porte de la Villette Convention Center
• Information…