Croissants in Paris are flaky, butter‑rich pastries, and the baguette tradition is a crusty, slow‑fermented loaf. Both anchor daily breakfasts and snacks. The best versions use high‑quality French butter and flour and are baked several times a day. Try them at award‑winning boulangerie Du Pain et des Idées, known for meticulous baking and a short morning queue.
Paris’s falafel is a staple of quick, filling street food, especially in the historic Jewish quarter of the Marais. A pita stuffed with crisp chickpea balls, salad, and tahini suits vegetarians and meat‑eaters alike and is inexpensive for central Paris. L’As du Fallafel on Rue des Rosiers is a long‑standing favourite; expect a takeaway line but fast service.
In Paris, savoury Breton‑style galettes made from buckwheat flour are filled with ham, cheese, or egg, while sweet wheat‑flour crêpes carry toppings like sugar, lemon, or Nutella. They work for any season, from a quick winter snack to a late‑night bite. Crêperie Josselin in Montparnasse is known for generous, crisp‑edged galettes in a cosy room, with prices that suit most budgets.
Steak frites consists of grilled steak served with French fries and often a simple pan sauce. While available year-round, it remains a dependable winter mainstay in Paris brasseries.
May is delightful, with mild to warm weather and a packed events calendar. Public holidays bring closures and parades, while café life and festivals are in full swing. The French Open and Nuit des Musées add to the city’s cultural buzz.
Pro tips for visiting Paris in May
Multiple public holidays mean some closures; plan visits around May 1 and May 8.
Book ahead for French Open tickets and popular restaurant terraces.
Take advantage of Nuit des Musées for free late-night museum visits.
Weather can be summery by month’s end; pack a mix of light and warm layers.
Europe’s largest funfair takes over Pelouse de Reuilly in Bois de Vincennes for about eight weeks. With more than 300 rides and food stands, it is a major draw for families and teenagers, especially evenings and weekends. Entry to the grounds is free, but rides and attractions are paid individually.
Foire de Paris is a huge trade and lifestyle fair at Porte de Versailles, covering home design, gadgets, crafts, and food halls. It includes the Lépine invention contest and dozens of regional stands. Expect long days available for browsing and heavy traffic on exhibition days, especially on weekends and public holidays.
Held in historic Left Bank venues, this jazz festival programmes established names and new artists in churches, clubs, and theatres. Concerts range from intimate piano sets to larger ensembles in Église Saint-Germain. Some shows sell out quickly, so jazz fans should secure tickets early for preferred nights.
Hosted at the Grand Palais, Taste of Paris brings together renowned chefs and restaurants serving signature dishes in tasting portions. Visitors buy an entry ticket then pay per plate, making it a compact way to sample high‑end cuisine. It is popular with food‑focused travellers, so evening sessions can be crowded.
May 1 is a public holiday in France. In Paris, trade‑union marches usually proceed between central squares such as République and Nation, while street vendors sell small lily‑of‑the‑valley bouquets. Many shops and some museums close or run reduced hours, so sightseeing should be planned accordingly.
Over one May weekend, Paris’s opera houses open their doors with free or low‑cost behind‑the‑scenes tours, open rehearsals, and workshops. Queues form early at Palais Garnier and Opéra Bastille. It is ideal for visitors curious about stagecraft and architecture who do not necessarily want to attend a full performance.
Nuit Européenne des Musées (European Museum Night)
On one Saturday night in May, many Paris museums open free from evening until around midnight with special programming. Major sites like the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay can have long queues, while smaller museums offer calmer experiences. It’s a cost‑effective way to sample multiple institutions after dark.
Paris in May at a glance
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Weather
Maximum temperature: 21°C
Minimum temperature: 11°C
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Daylight
Around 15 hours 21 minutes of daylight
Sunrise: 6:06am
Sunset: 9:27pm
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Key events
Foire du Trône (Paris spring funfair), Foire de Paris, Labor Day Demonstrations & Lily of the Valley, Tous à l’Opéra! (Everyone to the Opera)
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Crowds
Tourist-heavy, with long queues at attractions, crowded streets, and seasonal events adding to the buzz.
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What to pack
Light clothing, sweater for evenings, sunhat, umbrella, comfortable shoes.
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Seasonal treats
Asparagus and strawberries at markets, picnic cheese and baguette, festival street food
Plan ahead: must-visit experiences for Bali in May
