May in Paris
All you need to know for your trip to Paris in May 2025. What to expect from the weather, what to pack, and local tips. If you’re in a hurry, jump directly to what to do in Paris in May here.
May is a wonderful month to visit Paris. If you are looking to find a balance between good weather and crowds, you will not find it any better than Paris in May. In May, spring is in full flow, days are longer, and you will find plenty to do in and out.
May in Paris is a great time to stroll through the city, enjoy the colors of the numerous parks, and have a drink in a sunny café.
So, what is Paris like in May? Overall, Paris in May is a combination of city perfection & good weather with busy crowds (but not like in the summer!). Keep reading for my top tips to get the most out of your spring trip to Paris.
Are You Planning a Trip to Paris Last Minute?
If you are booking a last-minute trip to Paris, I’ve got you covered! Below are our must guides, top tours, hotels, and more:
» Plan: Paris Travel Planner; Paris Arrondissements Guide; Check out the best Paris Metro tickets for tourists
» Book your flight tickets with Omio; book your train tickets with Omio
Book your transfer from the airport to the city with Welcome Pickups.
» Where to Stay: Best Districts to Stay in Paris
- Le Pavillon de la Reine (historical 5-star hotel in Le Marais)
- Hotel La Comtesse (mid-range hotel with Eiffel Tower view from all the rooms!)
- Hotel Ducs de Bourgogne (super central 4-star hotel near the Louvre)
» Top-Rated Paris Tours & Tickets:
- Louvre Museum Skip-the-Line Ticket
- Eiffel Tower Summit Access Ticket
- Seine River Night Cruise
- Château de Versailles and Gardens
- Catacombs Skip-the-line tour with VIP access to restricted areas
Want skip-the-line access at museums & attractions in Paris? Get your hands on a Paris Museum Pass!
» Don’t leave without travel insurance! SafetyWing Essential plan works well for long and short trips (from 5 days up). Can also cover electronics theft through their add-on.
Is Paris Busy in May? Crowds Forecast
May in Paris is high season, so it is a busy month. May also comes with many public holidays (there are three holidays in France in May this year!), and the city becomes especially appealing for the French for weekend getaways.
If you visit Paris in May, the crowds are still moderate, but booking accommodation and tickets to the main attractions in advance is paramount, especially during the long weekends.
Below I list the main Paris attractions you will need advance tickets for and have added links to my favorite trusted providers for your convenience:
Tips for Visiting Paris in May 2025
Paris in May is a great cultural destination. If you visit Paris in May, purchasing skip-the-line tickets for Paris’s main attractions may be a good option.
If you plan on visiting many tourist sights, consider a Paris tourist pass to save time and money. The Paris Museum Pass is the most popular, but there are many more. Check out this Paris Tourist Pass Comparison and choose the one that is the best for you.
A week before leaving for Paris, check out this Transportation Strikes in Paris post, which is always updated with the latest information. You never know with the French ; -)
Need travel insurance for your trip to France? Be sure to check rates and coverage with my recommended provider, SafetyWing. SafetyWing – Essential or Complete – works well for long and short trips (starting with a minimum of 5 days) and covers unexpected medical and travel issues while abroad. It also includes coverage at home, and you can sign up at any point during your travels! Check out plans and prices.
List of Public Holidays in France in May 2025
May is a month with many public holidays. While Paris is an attractive destination for a European getaway, Parisians like to travel elsewhere. Therefore, expect higher prices for train and flight tickets and less availability for last-minute bookings.
- 1 May – International Workers’ Day
- 8 May – The Armistice, end of the WW2 in France
- 29 May – The Ascension, a religious festival
What is Open in Paris on May 1st?
May 1st is a public holiday in France, so many attractions in Paris are closed.
Also, expect to find restaurants closed in Paris’s less touristy neighborhoods. If you have a particular restaurant in mind, check out its website.
Monuments open in Paris on 1st May 2025:
- Eiffel Tower
- Sacré Coeur in Montmartre
- Arenas of Lutetia
- Domain of Saint-Cloud
- Notre Dame Cathedral
- Château de Malmaison
Museums open in Paris on 1st May 2025:
- Atelier des Lumières
- Musée Jacquemart-André
- Museum of Montmartre
- Grévin Museum
- Maillol Museum
- Musée en Herbe
- Dali Paris
Other attractions open in Paris on May 1st 2025:
- Seine River Cruises
- Canal de Saint-Martin Cruise (La Villette to Orsay Museum)
Best Things to Do in Paris in May 2025 (and Events in Paris May 2025)
What to do in Paris in May? If this is your first time in Paris, perhaps you will want to visit some of the most famous landmarks in Paris. The itineraries below are great for a first trip to Paris, and they are planned around the main neighborhoods and top tourist attractions:
- Paris in one day
- Paris in two days
- Paris in three days
- Paris in four days
- Paris in five days
- Paris in six days
- Paris in 7 days
Combine these itineraries with some seasonal events for a unique trip to Paris. Here’s the list of the best things to do in Paris in May 2025: seasonal activities and temporary exhibitions with something for everyone. Some events (or the dates of certain events) are not confirmed yet, so keep clicking for the latest updates.
CLIMB UP TO THE EIFFEL TOWER
When the sun shines and the sky is blue, climb up to the top of the Eiffel Tower for one of the best views of Paris. See the Seine River from above and admire Paris’ iconic landmarks like the Invalides, the Sacré-Coeur, or Notre Dame. It is amazing!
On the west, you can see the business neighborhood of La Défense and the (already) iconic building of the Louis Vuitton Foundation.
When you visit the Eiffel Tower you can also learn its history and some quirky facts related to its design and construction. The exhibition area, with models, information panels, and videos, is excellent.
And there’s always something going on up in the Eiffel Tower! From a sunset toast with champagne to performances, treasure hunts, or marriage proposals, the Eiffel Tower is always full of surprises – Click here to buy your tickets to the Eiffel Tower
ENJOY YOUR FAVORITE DRINK ON A SUNNY CAFÉ
In Paris in late May, the first café terraces pop up, and it is great to stop by and enjoy your favorite drink under the sun. After the cold winter months and the early spring showers, summer terraces are idyllic spots to enjoy spring in Paris.
CELEBRATE THE MUSEUMS AT NIGHT (NUIT DES MUSÉES)
On the third Saturday in May (this year, on 18 May), many museums in France open their doors for a special cultural night called “La Nuit des Musées” (Museum Night). Apart from the usual exhibitions, expect side activities such as performances, readings, or concerts.
This is a great opportunity, for example, to visit the Louvre Museum for free OR discover some lesser-known gems, which usually have shorter or no lines.
Some museums require advance booking for these activities, with limited spots, and you need to be very fast when they open the bookings. However, there’s always something fun to do on the go.
TIME FOR MUSIC FESTIVALS
If you are looking for musical events in Paris, May is a good month. In May, Paris kicks off the music festival season with some cool proposals of all genres. I recommend the Jazz Festival in Saint Germain-des-Prés (12 to 19 May) and Supersonic’s Block Party Festival (29 to 31 May).
TAKE A STREET ART TOUR
May is a great month for walking tours in Paris. These tours allow visitors to explore a particular neighborhood or a specific topic.
If you are interested in Street Art, this (self-guided) Street Art Walking Tour in Paris 13 is perfect for a leisurely day off the beaten path. Along the main avenues of the 13th Arrondissement, there is a good collection of big murals by famous street artists from all over the world, with plenty of colorful photo opportunities.
If you prefer to be guided by an artist or expert, this Urban Art Murals walking tour and this Belleville Street Art walking tour are always top-rated.
TREAT YOUR TASTE BUDS AT TASTE OF PARIS
Taste of Paris is one of the most famous food festivals in France. It offers the best food in Paris through ephemeral cuisines, gastronomic meetings with professionals and amateurs, and plenty of recipes and cuisine secrets.
Organized by Taste Festivals, Taste of Paris is part of a worldwide network of more than twenty food events in top cities like London, Sydney, Toronto, and Hong Kong. This year, Taste of Paris changes the scene, and it will be held at the Grand Palais Ephemère in Champs de Mars.
After a one-year break, Taste of Paris will be back from 8 to 11 May at the Grand Palais!
CELEBRATE THE FRENCH BREAD AT THE FÊTE DU PAIN
In May, Paris celebrates La Fête du Pain (the bread festival) to honor one of France’s most precious foods.
For this food festival, the city invites bakers to show their know-how and best pains through outdoor events around this theme, always in a festive atmosphere. Of course, the traditional Parisian baguette is represented together with more elaborate bread.
This celebration takes place each year around 16 May (Saint-Honoré), the patron saint of millers, flour merchants, bakers, and pastry chefs. During this event (dates 2025 to be confirmed), the city also chooses the best baguette in Paris, which is a very important contest. Indeed, the winner has the honor of serving his baguettes to the Elysée for a year!
CHECK OUT THE TEMPORARY EXHIBITIONS IN PARIS IN MAY 2025
If you visit Paris in May for a cultural weekend, you may want to check the list of temporary exhibitions, especially if you are a frequent Paris traveler and you already know the permanent collections in the main museums.
Here’s the list of the best exhibitions in Paris May 2025, with something for everyone. It’s still a bit early to have the full list, so keep clicking for the latest updates!
Suzanne Valadon – Centre Pompidou, from 15 January to 25 May 2025
Dance – Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie, until 28 June 2025
Au Fil de l’Or – Musée du Quai Branly, from 11 February to 6 July 2025
Degenerate Art-The Trial of Modern Art Under Nazism – Musée Picasso, from 18 February to 25 May 2025
Migration-A Human Odyssey – Musée de l’Homme, until 8 June 2025
Wax – Musée de l’Homme, until 7 September 2025
Body and Soul – Bourse de Commerce-Pinnault Collection, from 5 March to 25 August 2025
Fashion on the Move #3 – Palais Galliera, until 12 October 2025
Douanier Rousseau: A World of Dreams – L’Atelier des Lumières, until 29 June 2025
Picasso: Art in Motion – L’Atelier des Lumières, until 29 June 2025
Louvre Couture – Musée du Louvre, until 21 July 2025
A New Look at Cimabue – Musée du Louvre, until 12 May 2025
Here’s the full list of exhibitions, shows, and concerts for your dates in Paris (use the calendar on the left side to select a date range).
NEED MORE IDEAS ON WHAT TO DO IN PARIS IN MAY?
This list of suggested things to do in Paris in May 2025 is just a glimpse of what Paris offers at this time of the year. For more activities, check out my articles about April in Paris and Paris in June. Some of the activities suggested in these pieces are also great for May in Paris.
Where to Stay in Paris in May
As you make your bed, so you lie. Find the right accommodation in Paris – whether it’s a hotel or guesthouse, holiday apartment, or private apartment – I have them all! Book your accommodation by using the map below.
I recommend Booking.com for booking your hotel in Paris. They have a wide variety of accommodation of all kinds and good rates. In addition, they propose the option to cancel for free, most of the time up to 24 hours.
WAKE UP WITH AN EIFFEL TOWER VIEW
If you have the budget, why not treat yourself to the pleasure of waking up at an amazing hotel with an Eiffel Tower view? Some of the best hotels in Paris also have awesome views of the Eiffel Tower, which is especially beautiful during its night show! – Check out the best hotels with Eiffel Tower Views
HOTELS AT LE MARAIS
Le Marais is a central neighborhood in the Seine’s Right Bank, perfect to set your base in Paris, especially if you are visiting Paris for the first time. It is beautiful, well connected by the metro, and with many beautiful cafes and restaurant options – Click here for the best hotels in Le Marais
- Hotel de Josephine de Bonaparte (charming 4-star hotel inspired by Napoléon’s wife)
- Hotel France Louvre (mid-range hotel in a typical Haussmanian style)
HOTELS AT SAINT-GERMAIN-DES-PRÉS
The neighborhood of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, on the Left Bank, is a great place to put your luggage down in Paris, especially if you are visiting Paris for the first time. It is picturesque and central, with many entertainment, beautiful cafes, and restaurant options – Click here for the best hotels in Saint-Germain
- Relais Christine (4-star hotel in a 16th-century private mansion)
- Hotel Chaplain Paris Rive Gauche (mid-range hotel a few meters from Luxembourg Gardens)
Weather in Paris in May
How is the Paris weather in May? Overall, the weather in Paris in May is good. If you visit in early May, you might have occasional showers, but generally, expect sun and blue skies.
The temperature changes significantly throughout the month. Although it can be hot in Paris in late May, it is not unpleasant for walking or sightseeing.
The average temperature in Paris in May is 19C maximum (66F) and 10C minimum (50F), with a 14% chance of rain.
What to Wear in Paris, May 2025
What to wear in Paris in May? May in Paris is usually warm and overall dry. In Paris in early May, you may still need a slight scarf in the evening or early morning, but you will be fine without a jacket during the day.
Don’t forget your sunglasses! Paris in May is sunny, and you will need your sunglasses for sightseeing.
You will also need good walking shoes (sneakers are perfect; it is still too early for sandals), socks, and long trousers. If you visit Paris in early May, pack long-sleeved tops, a light sweater, and perhaps a mid-season jacket.
Here’s the ultimate guide to packing for Paris in May, with a packing list at the end of the post.
If you need some guidance on what to wear in Paris for this time of the year (or how to combine things to blend in with the locals), check out my style guides for men and women:
Before leaving for Paris, check out the weather forecast and review your packing list if necessary.
And there you have it – what to do in Paris in May 2025 and seasonal events to help you plan your Paris trip. Bon voyage!
