May 1st is Labor Day, and although the name doesn’t suggest it, for many people this day is a public holiday. If that’s the case for you, and you’re planning to spend your day off shopping, be careful! Most stores will be closed… Here’s a (non-exhaustive) list!
Which stores are closed on May 1?
Shopping malls like Printemps or Galeries Lafayette, hypermarkets, and home improvement and home decor stores like Leroy Merlin or Gifi will be closed all day.
However, neighborhood convenience stores like Franprix, Carrefour City, and Vival will be open. Most of them will be open in the morning, so be sure to check the hours in advance.
What about bakeries and florists?
In practice, bakeries and florists can open on May 1, but only if no employees are working…. Last year, a bakery opened despite the restrictions and was fined 78,000 euros.
Museums and monuments open on May 1
Unlike department stores, a handful of museums and most monuments will remain open to visitors. This includes, in particular:
- The Eiffel Tower
- The Grévin Museum
- The Jacquemart-André Museum
- The Jardin d’Acclimatation
- The Museum of Illusions
- The Maillol Museum
- The Paris Zoo
- The Montmartre Museum
- Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris
- The castles (Vaux-le-Vicomte, Versailles, Chantilly, Vincennes…)
- Parks and gardens (Domaine Saint-Cloud, Jardin d’Acclimatation)
As for movie theaters, they’ll be open as usual!
