France, Europe
Paris in May
Peak spring beauty. Watch the many May public holidays: closures cluster around them.
The straight answer
May is one of the best months of the year to visit Paris. Peak spring beauty. Watch the many May public holidays: closures cluster around them.
- Weather
- Lovely, highs near 67F (19C), long evenings
- Crowds
- 4 of 5
- Prices
- 4 of 5
What May is like in Paris
May is peak spring beauty. Highs are near 67F (19C), evenings are long, and gardens are in full flower. Crowds and prices are high but not yet at July levels. The catch is public holidays: May 1 closes nearly everything, including the Louvre, and May 8, Ascension, and Pentecost bring closures and long weekends. Roland-Garros starts late in the month.
It suits nearly everyone, from first-timers to families to tennis fans. Book flights and hotels two to four months ahead. If you want the same weather with fewer holiday hiccups, September is the equal alternative.
Make the most of May
What is especially good about Paris this month.
French Open begins
Roland-Garros starts in late May. Even without tickets, the city has a tennis buzz, and rooms in the southwest of Paris get pricier.
Long, light evenings
Sunset slips toward 9:30pm by late month, perfect for walks along the Seine.
Gardens at their peak
The formal beds at Versailles and the Tuileries are in full show.
What to pack for May
- Light layers and a sweater
- A packable rain jacket
- Comfortable walking shoes
- A tote for picnic supplies
Our timing tip
Look up the May holiday dates for your year and avoid building a museum day around May 1, when almost everything is closed.
Book Paris for May.
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- Hotels for May
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in ParisOpens a hotel search for Paris in May, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in ParisWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in ParisTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Paris for May. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
What's on in May
French Open (Roland-Garros)
Late May into the first week of June
Tennis on clay and a citywide buzz. Hotel rates in the southwest of the city jump.
Things to do in Paris
The Louvre
Book the first timed slot and go straight to what you came for; Wednesday and Friday evenings run late and calmer.
Musee d'Orsay
The Impressionist floor is the best single museum floor in Europe. Thursday evenings stay open late.
Eiffel Tower
Summit tickets sell out weeks ahead in season. The classic photo is from Trocadero at sunrise.
Notre-Dame and the islands
Reopened after the fire restoration; entry is free but the timed-entry app queue moves fast in the morning.
Montmartre at first light
Sacre-Coeur steps before 9am belong to locals and bakers. By noon in season it is a scrum.
Luxembourg Gardens
The city's living room: toy sailboats, chess games, and the chairs you are actually allowed to move.
Beat the crowds
- Book the Louvre's first entry slot of the day, enter at the Carrousel or Porte des Lions entrances, and see your must-list in reverse order from the crowds.
- Do headline sights before 9:30am or in the last two hours before closing; spend the middle of the day in gardens, food streets, and lesser museums that never queue.
- Museums with timed reservations reward booking two to four weeks out in spring and fall; same-week almost always works in November through February.
- The first Sunday of the month is free at many museums: wonderful for the budget, terrible for the lines. Know which trade you are making.
Know before you go
- August: many family-run restaurants and small shops close two to four weeks for annual vacation. Major museums, department stores, and sights all remain open. Check any specific restaurant before you build a day around it.
- Most museums close one day a week: the Louvre on Tuesdays, Orsay and Versailles on Mondays. Plan the pairings accordingly.
- May is a minefield of public holidays (May 1, May 8, Ascension, Pentecost). May 1 in particular closes nearly everything, including the Louvre.
- December 25 and January 1 close most sights; the days around them are open but run holiday hours.
Paris in May, quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Paris?
May is one of the best months of the year to visit Paris. Peak spring beauty. Watch the many May public holidays: closures cluster around them.
What is the weather like in Paris in May?
Lovely, highs near 67F (19C), long evenings.
Is Paris crowded in May?
Paris is busy in May, though mornings and late afternoons stay workable.
What is happening in Paris in May?
French Open (Roland-Garros) (late may into the first week of june).
Keep planning Paris.
The months either side, and the best one if this is not it.
Also at their best in May
Before you book.
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