10 Best Things to Do in Paris in May

Whether you’re in the mood for some excellent brunch or prefer a quiet visit to a museum, there’s room for both in this spring month that marks the end of Paris’s green season.

The City of Light always has plenty to offer all year round, but May is a month packed with fun, art and entertainment. The Foire du Trône, May Day or the Bread Festival are just a few of the many events exclusive to this month. Let’s get started!

With everything in bloom and summer in Paris on the way, there’s perhaps no better time to enjoy the Loire Valley without the crowds than in May. Remember that spring in Paris doesn’t last forever, and taking in the beauty of the Loire Valley in May isn’t the same as doing so in the height of summer, and even less so if you’re visiting Paris in winter.

Best known for its world-famous abundance of French châteaux, all the châteaux are actually open, whilst there are still far fewer tourists than in the peak season.

If you decide to book a tour of the Loire Valley châteaux, you’ll discover the three most popular Renaissance châteaux on the banks of the River Loire: Chenonceau, Chambord and Amboise, and you’ll also visit Leonardo da Vinci’s tomb.

1 May is a very special day in Paris, when the Pelouse de Reuilly park is lit up in its entirety by fireworks. The fountains also join in the celebrations with some water shows. Without a doubt, the park becomes one of the best places to be in Paris at night. What’s more, given the park’s proximity to the Seine, you can make the most of this celebration by taking a cruise on the river.

Here is a list of all the options:

• Cruise on the River Seine, from £17
• Cruise on the River Seine and the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris, from £22
• Cruise on the River Seine with French crêpes, from £23
• Evening cruise on the River Seine with music and aperitif, from £31
• Cruise on the River Seine with a gourmet dinner, from £79
• Cruise on the River Seine with lunch and live music, from £70

Nowadays, La Fête du Travail is a public holiday, which means that almost everything is closed. In France, one of the loveliest traditions taking place on 1 May is the gift of lily of the valley flowers, known as ** ‘muguet’** in French. This tradition dates back to Celtic times, when giving these flowers meant that summer in Paris was just around the corner.

During this ceremony marking Victory Day in the Second World War, the President of France lays flowers at the Arc de Triomphe to honour the liberation of France.

It was on 7 May 1945 that the Nazis officially surrendered to the Allies, and the final battle took place on 8 May, marking the end of the Second World War.

Although it had been celebrated for decades, it was in 1981 that President François Mitterrand declared Victory Day a French national holiday. So don’t forget to book your tickets for the Arc de Triomphe if your trip coincides with 8 May, and bring a small bouquet of flowers to symbolise peace.

The festival is held near Notre Dame in Paris, with live demonstrations, tasting stations and the chance to buy award-winning bread throughout the festival.

Held annually during the first weekend of May, the Paris Bread Festival celebrates everything to do with the baguette, the croissant and French bread.

If there’s one thing that makes Paris’s neighbourhoods stand out in the morning, it’s the wonderful smell of homemade bread, so just imagine what it’s like to wander those streets in the middle of the Bread Festival – you simply can’t miss it! What’s more, you can take the opportunity to go on a tour of Paris’s patisseries and mark the day in the sweetest possible way.

Chic boutiques, historic cafés and world-famous hotels: Saint Germain des Prés is known for many things, but above all for its annual jazz festival.

The annual event is usually held in mid-May and you can enjoy performances by jazz legends at the Odéon - Théâtre de l’Europe; for more information on prices and timings, visit the event’s official website. It is undoubtedly one of the must-see events in May. And if you love jazz, regardless of whether you’re visiting Paris for just a day, you should definitely consider it.

Some of the concerts are free to attend, so don’t forget to visit the event’s website for more information.

A night in Paris is truly special, and if you have the chance to be in the City of Light during Museum Night, you’ll be amazed. On this day, the best Parisian museums open their doors for free. The event takes place on 18 May and features many of the city’s most famous cultural venues.

If you love art and are looking for an inspiring evening stroll through some of Paris’s most interesting museums, be sure to visit the event’s website to stay up to date.

I’ve also listed a few options below in case you’d like to consider them:

• Musée d’Orsay in Paris, from £35
• The Louvre Museum, from £20
• Picasso Museum in Paris, from £14
• Marmottan Monet Museum in Paris, from £14
• Rodin Museum in Paris, from £14
• Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac Museum in Paris, from £13
• Grévin Wax Museum in Paris, from £21
• Orangerie Museum in Paris, from £11
• Museum of Illusions in Paris, from £19

At the Foire du Trône, you can enjoy a variety of circus attractions, from the gentlest to the most energetic, from bumper cars to the most eye-catching Ferris wheels and rollercoasters. Entry is completely free; however, you’ll need to pay to go on the rides, with prices ranging from €2 to €10.

The Foire du Trône takes place between April and May, so if you missed the opening in April, you shouldn’t miss the highlight of the event, where you can enjoy the 350 attractions spread across more than 10 hectares.

The Foire du Trône is, without a doubt, the oldest fair in France. Its history dates back to the time of Lothair in 957, but it wasn’t until 1805 that a small amusement park appeared, which gradually gained fame until it became the fair we know today. It takes place at the Pelouse de Reuilly (Bois de Vincennes) from 12 noon to midnight. If you’re travelling by metro, I recommend line 8, and if you’re taking the tram, line T3.

The Grand Palais will be transformed into a showcase for the finest restaurants and artisan food producers during four days of gourmet food tastings, cooking demonstrations and meetings with France’s top chefs. The event usually takes place in mid-May.

You’ll be able to sample exclusive dishes in small portions, served by both young, up-and-coming chefs and Michelin-starred chefs in restaurants beneath the Grand Palais’s iconic glass dome.

Famous chefs such as Anne-Sophie Pic, Frédéric Anton, Grégory Marchand and Kei Kobayashi will be at the Théâtre des Chefs to give masterclasses and special workshops. For more information, do check out the event’s website – you’re sure to enjoy it!

This annual festival celebrates the art of street performance along the Canal Saint-Martin and throughout the 10th arrondissement. The wonderful performances and festive atmosphere make this a fantastic way to spend the day. If you’re in Paris at the end of May, be sure to take a detour to check out this event! Also, if you’re travelling to Paris with children, don’t forget to bring them along to this event.

This free festival features street performers of all kinds: clowns, circus acts, magicians, puppet shows, music, theatre and more. Near the canal there are several places to eat, including Parisian crêperies.

The energy of the open-air event also spreads to the 18th and 19th arrondissements, particularly near the banks of the Canal Saint-Martin, an area through which Paris’s tourist buses also pass. In any case, if you’d like more information, I recommend visiting the event’s website.

The Paris Yoga Festival is an annual event and one of the largest of its kind in France. Over four days, visitors will have the chance to meet experts in yoga and related disciplines.

What’s more, they’ll have access to ninety free yoga classes offered across three studios! The programme also features talks focused on self-care and nutrition, as well as healing workshops and masterclasses in yoga.

The programme is absolutely brilliant and takes place at the Porte de la Villette Convention Centre.

Summer is finally on the horizon, the days are getting longer and the weather is finally warmer. Average temperatures in the French capital for the month of May range between 11 and 19 degrees Celsius, which means that, whilst the temperature is pleasant, it isn’t warm enough to walk around in summer clothes.

Just like the rest of spring, rain showers are always likely, so make sure you bring your umbrellas!

With warmer temperatures, it’s best not to bring thick jackets or coats – make the most of your space! Whilst temperatures can reach 20 degrees, the evenings remain cool, so it’s essential to bring a warmer jacket so you don’t end up stuck indoors watching TV at night. Skirts with tights, T-shirts with light cardigans and flat, comfortable shoes are some of the most common outfits in Paris at this time of year.

You can’t visit Paris in spring without enjoying a Parisian picnic – or two (or three!). And when it comes to Paris in May, there’s no shortage of good weather to make the most of the late spring flowers and green, grassy meadows.

Whilst many people claim that Paris lacks parks compared to other European cities such as London, you’ll see that this isn’t entirely true!

Whilst it’s true that this isn’t the month with the lowest tourist numbers —as the winter months in Paris tend to see fewer visitors—it’s a world of difference compared to the summer months in Paris, when tourist numbers skyrocket. So, if you like to enjoy good weather without the overwhelming crowds, May is undoubtedly a great option for making the most of all the essential things to see and do in Paris.