Which cultural sites in Paris are open on 1 and 8 May, Ascension Thursday and Whit Monday?
To discover in this article:
Many cultural venues in Paris are open on 1, 8 and 29 May 2025 and Whit Monday (9 June 2025)! On 1 May, Labour Day, enjoy a family outing at the Parc zoologique de Paris, the Jardin d'Acclimatation or the Aquarium de Paris, an incredible visual experience at the Atelier des Lumières or in the world of Dalí Paris. On 8 May, treat yourself to a visit to the Panthéon, the Louvre or the Château de Vincennes, unless you prefer the more confidential atmosphere offered by the Musée Maillol or the Palais de Tokyo. On Ascension Thursday and Whit Monday, many museums and monuments also remain open, such as the historic Conciergerie, the exotic Musée national des arts asiatiques - Guimet or the National Museum of Natural History and its Grande Galerie de l'Evolution (Great Gallery of Evolution), not to mention the plethora of chateaux to discover the region's heritage, such as Vincennes, Fontainebleau, Maisons or Vaux-le-Vicomte.
The Parc Zoologique de Paris: a whole world to explore.
The Parc Zoologique is open to visitors year round, …
Before Versailles, there was Vaux le Vicomte !
Located 50 km southeast of Paris, Vaux le Vicomte offers the …
One museum, 4 continents
The museum is located at the foot of the Eiffel Tower and was designed by architect …
The monument
The Palais de la Porte Dorée was built for the 1931 International Colonial Exhibition. Its …
The Parc Zoologique de Paris: a whole world to explore.
The Parc Zoologique is open to visitors year round, …
Before Versailles, there was Vaux le Vicomte !
Located 50 km southeast of Paris, Vaux le Vicomte offers the …
A royal residence on the edges of Paris.
The Château of Vincennes was used as royal residence from the 12th …
Let yourself be dazzled by the 1,113 stained glass windows in this gem of Rayonnant Gothic architecture.
The …
The last residence of the kings and queens of France.
The earliest masterpiece of French Gothic architecture, …
An iconic French heritage site and a stunning view over Place de la Concorde.
Once the Garde-meuble de la …
A truly unique monument and collection.
Located in the very heart of Paris, the Bourse de Commerce is …
A unique view of the Champs-Élysées, the world’s most beautiful avenue.
The Arc de triomphe was begun in …
The Parc Zoologique de Paris: a whole world to explore.
The Parc Zoologique is open to visitors year round, …
Before Versailles, there was Vaux le Vicomte !
Located 50 km southeast of Paris, Vaux le Vicomte offers the …
A royal residence on the edges of Paris.
The Château of Vincennes was used as royal residence from the 12th …
Let yourself be dazzled by the 1,113 stained glass windows in this gem of Rayonnant Gothic architecture.
The …
The last residence of the kings and queens of France.
The earliest masterpiece of French Gothic architecture, …
The monument
The Palais de la Porte Dorée was built for the 1931 International Colonial Exhibition. Its …
One museum, 4 continents
The museum is located at the foot of the Eiffel Tower and was designed by architect …
A truly unique monument and collection.
Located in the very heart of Paris, the Bourse de Commerce is …
An iconic French heritage site and a stunning view over Place de la Concorde.
Once the Garde-meuble de la …
The Parc Zoologique de Paris: a whole world to explore.
The Parc Zoologique is open to visitors year round, …
Before Versailles, there was Vaux le Vicomte !
Located 50 km southeast of Paris, Vaux le Vicomte offers the …
A unique view of the Champs-Élysées, the world’s most beautiful avenue.
The Arc de triomphe was begun in …
A royal residence on the edges of Paris.
The Château of Vincennes was used as royal residence from the 12th …
The last residence of the kings and queens of France.
The earliest masterpiece of French Gothic architecture, …
Let yourself be dazzled by the 1,113 stained glass windows in this gem of Rayonnant Gothic architecture.
The …
A truly unique monument and collection.
Located in the very heart of Paris, the Bourse de Commerce is …
An iconic French heritage site and a stunning view over Place de la Concorde.
Once the Garde-meuble de la …
The banks of the Seine are dotted with architectural wonders: iconic museums such as the Musée d'Orsay and the Louvre, iconic monuments such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Conciergerie, the Palais de Chaillot, the Place de la Concorde, the Tuileries, not to mention the charm of its many bridges and footbridges... A daytime or evening cruise offers you the opportunity to admire the splendour of these treasures from a completely different angle as you glide along the river.
From Labour Day on 1 May to the commemoration of 8 May 1945, including Ascension Thursday and Whit Monday, May and June are punctuated by a series of public holidays which, according to the annual calendar, allow you to enjoy long weekends or even several days off. Many museums and monuments are closed on 1 May but remain open on other public holidays. It is best to check before travelling.
There are lots of things to do and see in Paris during these long weekends! Visit museums or monuments, take a panoramic bus tour, cruise along the Seine or the canals, relax on the terrace of a café or restaurant, stroll through the picturesque streets of the Latin Quarter, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the Marais or Montmartre... it's up to you to create your own itinerary!
Museums and monuments do not all have the same weekly closing day. Some cultural sites are closed on Mondays or Tuesdays. During the weekend, several cultural sites are only open on Saturdays and are closed to the public on Sundays. Finally, many museums and monuments are open every day without exception.
Spring and its milder temperatures are the perfect time to discover Paris in the open air. Walk or cycle through Parisian neighbourhoods, admire the street art scattered across the city's walls and buildings, enjoy a drink or lunch in the sun on one of the trendiest rooftop terraces, treat yourself to a breathtaking 360° view of Paris from the top of one of its monuments... there's no shortage of things to do!
