The warmer weather makes it perfect for outdoor activities, a visit to Monet’s gardens at Giverny or the French Open at Roland Garros. Let’s take a quick look at what to expect for the May weather forecast to help you know how to pack for all the fun events in May!
Weather: Temps of 51°- 67°F with an average rainfall of 2.5” Think cool & crisp in the morning and evening, so have a light coat or blazer and a light scarf that’s easy to take off once the sun is up. Did you know we have 15.2 hours of daylight during May!
May Holidays in Paris that may affect your trip:
In addition to La Fête du Travail (Labour Day) there are four more big French National Holidays in May that cause shops and museums to be closed when you might not expect it!
La Fête du Travail – May 1
World War II Victory Day – May 8
Ascension Day – May 9
Whit Sunday – May 19
Whit Monday – May 20
May Event Highlights:
- Labor Day May 1
- French Open Tennis at Roland Garros: May 19 – June 8
- Paris Jazz Fest in St. Germain des Pres: May 12 – 19
- Night at the Museums: May 17
- Taste of Paris Food Event: May 8 – 11
- Moulin Rouge Artists at the Musee d’Orsay: May 24 – 25
Listing of what’s open & closed on public holidays in May: https://parisjetaime.com/eng/article/museums-and-monuments-open-on-public-holidays-in-the-month-of-may-a1018
Discover the enchantment of Paris in May, a month brimming with vibrant energy and exciting events! Second only to Bastille Day in national significance, May Day (May 1st) stands out as a major Parisian holiday. Keep an eye out for the charming lily-of-the-valley flowers, a beloved French symbol of good luck, which you’ll find on nearly every street corner at flower stalls. While most shops and museums observe France’s Labor Day with closures, it presents a perfect opportunity to indulge in unique experiences like a delightful lunch cruise along the Seine or a flavorful gourmet walking tour of the city’s culinary hotspots.
For all the tennis fans, the French Open in Paris is a highlight on the city’s spring calendar. This Grand Slam tennis tournament, the only one played on red clay, begins in late May at the iconic Roland Garros stadium. • May 19 to June 8, 2025 https://www.rolandgarros.com/en-us/
The Paris Jazz Festival, created in 2001, is held in Saint-Germain-des-Prés and is another reason to go to Paris in the Spring. While we haven’t attended this yet, we did some research online and it’s definitely not New Orleans style jazz, but think more smooth jazz, as Nora Jones is a past performer. • May 12 to 19, 2025 https://festivaljazzsaintgermainparis.com/
Nuit Européenne des Musées – Night at the Museums!
May 17, 2025 Here’s a list of some of the top museums participating. Check their websites for more info:
- Musée de l’Homme
- Musée Rodin
- Musée d’Orsay
- Musée de l’Armée
- Petit Palais (Fashion Shows & Workshops!)
- Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris
- Click here to book tickets to many of the museums in Paris!
Taste of Paris (Major Foodie Event!)
A four day festival where you can sample some of the most delicious food in Paris in taster sized portions, served by the chefs themselves at their pop-up restaurants. Whether Michelin-starred, trend setters or future young talents, Taste of Paris warmly welcomes today’s most sought-after chefs to bring you a gourmet experience to remember. There’s also a gourmet market to buy souvenirs for your foodies back home. Shopping in the aisles of the festival is a foodie’s dream come true. Over a hundred producers and artisans will be present and visitors can sample and purchase all kinds of preserves, caviar, bottarga, smoked salmon, cured meats, olive oil, wines and more! You will be sure to take home a basket full of the finest French produce and gems from further afield! May 8 to 11, 2025
Website home: https://paris.tastefestivals.com/en/
Informative FAQ page: https://paris.tastefestivals.com/en/ticket-information
Explore the many foodie themed tours in Paris here!
Musée d’Orsay meets Moulin Rouge!
For a weekend, the famous Moulin Rouge cabaret will be setting up in the Musée d’Orsay for an immersion in the Belle Époque, in the heart of the museum’s nave and its sculpture collection! On May 24-25, with a standard museum entrance ticket, the public will discover performances by cabaret artists and unlock the secrets of the legendary establishment of Montmartre. This event accompanies the exhibition ‘Art in the Street’, which explores the artistic effervescence of Paris in 1900. On May 25, an exceptional evening offers an even more immersive experience: a unique show among the museum’s masterpieces and privileged access to the ‘Art in the Street’ exhibition at night. A unique opportunity to celebrate Parisian culture, between heritage and celebration, in one of the capital’s most emblematic venues. We haven’t yet figured out where to buy tickets for the evening event, but we’re still searching! You can click below to check out more Paris museum ticket offerings!
