City Event Guide

Must-See Gardens

With flowers coming up wherever you look, try and see some of Paris' historic sites. Most of these just happen to have pristine gardens and no matter the day or the holiday, they'll always be open.

Champ de Mars is one of the city's most serene parks and happens to take you right to the base of the Eiffel Tower. It's a great place to have a picnic or just relax in the sun. It also has some of the only live grass that you're allowed to sit on in the French capital. Surrounding the Eiffel Tower is a little man-made lake, surrounded by beautiful, flowering cherry trees and tulips. Not only is this a perfect place for a photo-op, it's also great for a little nap after all your exploring! Metro: École Militaire or Champ-de-Mars.

Perhaps the typical Parisian's favourite place to spend an afternoon is le Jardin du Luxembourg. This offers a little bit of something for everyone. If you're into live music you can always find someone playing in one of the many gazebos and if you're looking to indulge your inner child, then check out the amazing playground or the merry-go-round. The garden itself centres around the Senat, which houses the actual French Senate. In the direct centre is a pond where children often sail miniature boats. Included in the park is a free art gallery in the Orangerie - where you can get a taste of up and coming artists. Metro: Luxembourg

If you have the time then definitely check out the Parc des Buttes Chaumont. This is a gorgeous park named for its rolling hills and the ‘bald mountain'. If you climb to the top of this mountain you can see all of Paris and a breathtaking view of Sacré Coeur. Astounding features of this park include cliffs, bridges, a grotto enclosing a waterfall, a lake and English and Chinese water gardens. Metro: Buttes Chaumont.

May Holidays

May is the best time to be outdoors but beware of the French National Holidays - jours feriés, as they can close some of your favourite historical sites. If you happen to be in France on any of the following days, you most likely won't be able to do much. The nice part about these days however is the spectacular insight they offer into French culture.

Thursday - May 1: Labour Day (Fête du Travail)

If you're lucky to be here, catch the Parade de Travailleurs - a huge manifestation of all the local labour unions. This is best seen from la Batille! Everything but the Eiffel Tower will be closed on this day. Try and buy yourself a lily of the valley flower as this is the official flower for the labourers and for the welcoming of Spring.

Thursday – May 8: VE Day or WWII Victory Day (Fête de la Victoire 1945)

Watch the huge military parade held on the Champs-Elysées, where the President of the Republique ceremonially revives the Eternal flame at the base of the Arc de Triomphe.

Sunday – May 11: Pentecost or Whitsun (Pentecôte)

A Catholic holiday which is still observed as a National Holiday.

A word of warning. Often when a holiday falls on a Thursday many shops and small businesses will also close on the Friday – but not major chains or banks. Also be aware that May is the month to: “faire greve” and you will often see different labour syndicates protesting. Please keep aware of current developments because there could well be a transport strike - which will affect your ability to get from A to B in the city.

A-May-Zing Activities

Throughout Paris on May 17, several museums will be holding La Nuit des Musées, where the museums remain open and FREE, from 5pm until late at night. For some museums this means midnight. Many of the museums will include special guided exhibitions - just for the night. Recommended must-sees include the exposition at the Musée d'Orsay (impressionism), Musée Picasso and the Petit Palais (beaux-arts).

One of the oldest country fairs in France - le Foire du Trone, dates back to 957 A.D. when merchants would trade with farmers for grain. These days a modern travelling carnival - complete with Ferris wheels and the country fair, incorporates aspects of yesteryear with acrobats, fire-eaters and jugglers. This is a perfect family outing in Paris, and it's on until the end of May! From Monday to Thursday it's 14:00 – 00:00 and from Friday to Saturday it's 14:00 -01:00. Metro: Porte Dorée. 

- Jessie Heckman