What’s On in Paris – May 2025

May 1st (Fête du Travail- Labor Day), May 8th (Fête de la Victoire de 1945, V-Day), and May 29th (Ascension), are official “bank holidays” in France. Aside from some smaller restaurants and shops, most places will be open as usual except on May 1st, when most museums and stores are closed.

April 30th – May 11
The 121st annual Foire de Paris (Paris Fair) is one of the biggest events of the year, occupying the entire Paris Expo Porte de Versailles (15th arrondissement) with hall after hall of food and wine, home and garden, fashion and accessories, travel and world cultures, arts and crafts, the famous Concours Lepine inventions contest, and a ‘Makers Fair’. This year’s theme (especially for entertainment) is the Festival of the Tropics. It’s chaos, it’s fascinating, and there’s always something interesting to learn (or buy, or eat). Just don’t go on the weekend unless you like being trampled! Open 10am-7pm (until 10pm the 10th). Buy your tickets in advance and avoid lines; entry €13 (€15-€16 at the door for weekdays/weekends); €7 at night (€9 on the late night opening May 10th).

May 1-4
Buy art for a good cause! The fourth edition of Solid’Art Paris takes place over four days in the Carreau du Temple (Marais), featuring 110 artists who are selling their works to benefit the Secours Populaire Français charity, particularly to fund vacations for children in need. The sponsor of this edition is one of my favorite Parisian street artists, Jef Aérosol. Free entry, open Thurs 6-10pm, Friday 2:30-7:30pm, Saturday 11am-8pm, Sunday 10am-6:30pm. Check out the website for the catalog of artists participating.

May 1-11
The Fête du Pain returns to the square in front of Notre-Dame Cathedral to honor the French baguette and the art of traditional baking. Organized by the Boulangers du Grand Paris, this free 11-day celebration includes live demonstrations, tastings, baking competitions, and awards. Professional bakers, retirees, and apprentices from across Île-de-France will be on hand to share their skills and passion. The festival highlights the baguette’s status as an icon of French culture, recognized by UNESCO as part of the world’s intangible heritage. Open daily.

First Friday – May 2
Tonight is the Free First Friday at the Louvre, where the evening visit (from 6pm-9pm) is free the first Friday of the month (except July-August). Tickets are required, and are only available two weeks in advance, and time slots fill up fast! Book online here: https://www.louvre.fr/expositions-et-evenements/evenements-activites/les-nocturnes-du-mercredi-et-du-vendredi

First Sunday – May 4
For this first Sunday of the month, many Paris museums and monuments are open free to the public, including the Musée du Quai Branly, Musée d’Orsay, Centre Pompidou, gardens of the Musée Albert Kahn, La Monnaie de Paris, l’Orangerie, and the Château de Versailles. But be forewarned: reservations are a must. Three chateaux don’t require reservations: Château de Fontainebleau, Château de Malmaison, and Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye.

May 8
Today commemorates the end of WWII on May 8th, 1945, aka “Victory Day” throughout Europe. In Paris, two ceremonies are organized each year: the President of the Republic lays a wreath at the foot of the statue of General de Gaulle, Place Clemenceau (Champs-Elysées) then rekindles the flame of the unknown soldier under the Arc de Triomphe, both broadcast live on French TV 2 from 10am (and news websites like FranceInfo). Each arrondissement’s mayor will also lay a wreath or other memorial ceremony at a monument in their district.

May 10–11
Paris Follies: Pin-Up Girl takes over the Dancing de La Coupole (102 boulevard du Montparnasse, 14th arrondissement) from 10pm on Saturday, May 10 until 4am Sunday. Hosted by La Baronne de Paname, this retro-glam soirée invites you to dress to impress and swing the night away in one of Paris’s most iconic Art Deco venues. Entry €30 at the door, or €26 in advance. Dinner reservations at La Coupole: 01 43 20 14 20. More info via event link.

May 10
Fête de l’Europe takes place at Place de la République from 10am to 10:30pm. This festive, family-friendly day features debates, food trucks, interactive games, and concerts celebrating European solidarity, democracy, and culture. Highlights include roundtables on EU careers, climate policy, and global politics; activities from 30+ organizations; and free live music by Oxford Drama (Poland), Alo Wala (Denmark), and Terrenoire (France) from 7pm. Free entry.

May 10
For the annual Tous à l’Opéra event, the Palais Garnier (Place de l’Opéra, 9th arrondissement) opens its doors to the public for free self-guided visits from 10am to 3:45pm (last entry). It’s a rare chance to visit this 19th-century architectural masterpiece by Charles Garnier — including its marble grand staircase, gilded foyers, and richly decorated salons — for free. The catch? No reservation required, entry is first come, first served. If you want to be sure to avoid lines or disappointment, suck it up and pay the €15 entrance fee to visit any other day.

May 11
Grande Brocante aux Jeux #3 takes place at Ground Control (Halle Event, 81 rue du Charolais, 12th arrondissement) from 2pm to 7pm. This playful secondhand market is hosted by Multivers, the board game bar inside Ground Control. Browse or sell used board games, card games, and more—sellers receive store credit in exchange for sold games. Free entry.

May 15
Le Food Market is a monthly open-air food festival on Boulevard Belleville (between metro Ménilmontant and Couronnes) with over a dozen stands serving up tasty dishes of all kinds at affordable prices (kind of like a gathering of static food trucks, but without the wheels) from 6pm-10:30pm. This month’s theme is “BBQ”. It can get quite crowded, so get there early to avoid waiting (there are huge tables to sit and eat).

May 16–17
K-Plus Festival returns for its third edition on the Esplanade Pierre Vidal-Naquet (Campus Grands Moulins, 13th arrondissement), open from 11am to 7pm each day. This free, two-day celebration offers a deep dive into Korean culture, with a bustling Korean market, food tastings (K-food), beauty trends (K-beauty), pop culture, traditional arts, live performances, and interactive workshops. Talks and demos will highlight sustainable practices and ancestral know-how. Entry is free. Full program at kplusfestival.com.

May 15-18
The 36th annual Artists’ Open Studios in Belleville takes place for four days in over 120 ateliers in Belleville (centered on the 19^th and 11^th arrondissements). It’s a great chance to see some typically Parisian neighborhoods that haven’t been completely gentrified, meet local artists, and of course purchase some lovely artworks! See a map of all the open studios, or visit the HQ at Galerie des AAB (1 rue Picabia, 19^th, metro Couronnes). Free entry. Studios are open 2-8pm over the four days of the event. Secrets of Paris Community members can read more about visiting the major open studio events around Paris in 2025 in this exclusive article: Portes Ouvertes : Visiting Artist Studios in Paris

May 16–18
Journées des Plantes de Chantilly returns to the gardens of the Château de Chantilly. This renowned garden fair features over 200 leading European exhibitors offering rare plants, gardening tools, outdoor decor, and expert advice. The spring 2025 theme, Jardins inattendus (Unexpected Gardens), celebrates creative botanical surprises. Enjoy free workshops, biodiversity-themed activities, and family-friendly events in a stunning historic setting. Open 10am to 7pm, tickets €14. Chantilly is just 40 minutes from Paris Gare du Nord by train. Free parking and shuttle service from Chantilly train station. More info at domainedechantilly.com.

May 17
The 21st annual Nuit Européenne des Musées (European Museum Night) takes place on Saturday, May 17th, offering free evening access to museums across Paris and Europe. Some venues require reservations, while others offer open visits with potential long wait times. Here are my tips and recommendations for making the most of the evening. https://secretsofparis.com/featured-events/european-museum-night/

May 18
Le Bal Guinguette takes over the Butte-aux-Cailles starting at 3pm at the corner of rue de la Butte-aux-Cailles and rue des Cinq-Diamants (13th arrondissement). Free and open to all, this joyful afternoon of music and dance invites participants to relive the spirit of the Belle Époque. Hosted by the Paris qui Danse company and the local neighborhood council, the event features traditional dances in the open air. Period costumes (from the late 19th century to 1914) are encouraged for full immersion.

May 19-25
The 12th annual Paris Beer Festival takes place this week in pubs around Paris each evening, but the big event is this weekend at Ground Control (12th arrondissement) to celebrate local, craft and independent beers, with 60 breweries from Paris, France, and Europe. There’s live music, conferences, and tastings (of course). Entry €7, and all beer tastings are payable through a “cashless” bracelet system. Open from noon until 11pm Saturday and 7pm Sunday (entry only guaranteed if you come before 4pm, otherwise if it’s too crowded you can’t come in, even with a ticket…which seems a bit odd).

May 20 (tickets go on sale)
Tickets go on sale today for the highly anticipated annual event, Les Créateurs ont du Cœur – Summer 2025 Braderie (June 19–23), at the Bastille Design Center (74 boulevard Richard Lenoir, 11th arrondissement), for five days of designer shopping at bargain prices, all for a good cause. This solidarity sale supports Arcat’s fight against HIV/AIDS. Expect high-end clothing, accessories, cosmetics, jewelry, home décor, and more, all new (donated by designers for the event). Entry is €2 (donated entirely to Arcat), but the spots go fast! Open Thursday and Friday from 10am to 7pm, Saturday from 10am to 5pm, and Sunday and Monday from 10am to 3pm. Closest metros: Richard-Lenoir (line 5), Saint-Ambroise (line 9). Most of the best items go the first day, so get there early if possible.

May 21–25
Révélations 2025 takes place at the newly renovated Grand Palais (Avenue Winston Churchill, 8th arrondissement), showcasing the international biennial of fine craft and contemporary creation. This 7th edition brings together 550 creators from 35 countries, with Italy as the guest of honor. Highlights include works in marble, Murano glass, and Florentine stone, plus dedicated stands from Paris’s art schools and incubators. Open to collectors, art lovers, and design professionals. Tickets from €24, advance booking recommended. More info at revelations-grandpalais.com.

May 22
Best-selling British author Stephen Clarke is launching his latest book — Charles Frederick Worth, The Englishman Who Invented Parisian Haute Couture — tonight from 7pm at the Abbey Bookshop (29 rue Parcheminerie, 5th), free entry.

May 22–June 29
Foire Saint-Sulpice returns to Place Saint-Sulpice (6th arrondissement) with six weeks of rotating cultural and artistic fairs, from rare book dealers and antiques to ceramics and contemporary printmaking. Each themed week features artisan stalls, demonstrations, roundtables, and activities, all with free entry. Highlights include the Salon de la Bibliophilie (May 22–25), Salon des Antiquaires (May 29–June 8), Journées de l’Estampe (June 9–10), Marché de la Poésie (June 18–22), Journée de l’Écologie (June 23), and Saint-Sulpice Céramique (June 26–29). Open daily from late morning to evening. Entrance at 78 rue Bonaparte. Full program: foire-saint-sulpice.fr

May 23–25
Paris Gallery Weekend transforms the city into a free open-air museum, with more than 70 galleries across Paris and Île-de-France (including the Marais, Saint-Germain, Matignon, Belleville, and Romainville) welcoming visitors from 10am to 7pm daily. With over 150 artists featured, this festive three-day art event includes thematic “Zoom” routes (photography, female artists, emerging voices), artist meetups, surprise performances, workshops, brunches, and free guided tours. A chance to explore contemporary art without the pretense—or the price tag. Full details at parisgalleryweekend.com.

May 23–25
The Championnat de France Elite, Équipes et Ensembles in rhythmic gymnastics takes place for the first time in Paris this weekend at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin (Avenue Georges Lafont, 16th arrondissement). This national championship gathers the top French gymnasts competing across several categories—Avenir, Espoirs, Juniors, Seniors, and National Ensembles—in a display of elegance, technique, and performance. Day passes range from €20–€25 (discounted for licensed participants), with 2- and 3-day packs also available. Tickets must be reserved in advance online.

May 23-25
Do you know the Cité Universitaire? It’s an international campus built in 1925 across the street from the Parc Montsouris (14th) where each pavilion (a pretty word for “dormitory”) was built by a different country, in different architectural styles, to house students and cultural events from that country. For three days they’re open to the public for the Fête de la Cité, this year celebrating their centennial! Check out the full program to take a tour around the world from Korea and Sweden to Mexico and the United States, including artist expositions, live music performances, cultural food specialties, etc. Most events are free, some require registration, but you can also just show up and stroll the campus to see what’s happening throughout the weekend. Highlights include Indian Express at Maison de l’Inde on Saturday, May 24, from 11am to 7pm, featuring Indian street food, Bollywood dance workshops (12–4pm), Rangoli art, Mehandi henna (12–4pm), cultural performances at 5pm, and a photo exhibition on traditional textiles. On Sunday, May 25, join Holi – Rang Barse, starting at 11am on the Grande Pelouse with percussion, Bollywood music, and clouds of color, followed by a musical gathering at the Maison de l’Inde until 5pm. Free entry. See the full program here.

May 24
Champagne Tasting 2025 takes place at Maison de la Mutualité (24 rue Saint-Victor, 5th arrondissement) from 11am to 7pm. Organized by Terre de Vins, this annual event brings together major Champagne houses for tastings, free workshops, and paid masterclasses with brands like Dom Pérignon, Taittinger, Bollinger, and Henriot. Advance tickets €32, full info and booking at champagnetasting.fr.

May 24–25
Tout à fait Thaï 2025 takes over the Parc de Bagatelle (Bois de Boulogne, 16th arrondissement) for a weekend festival celebrating 340 years of Thai-French friendship. Open Saturday from 1pm to 9pm and Sunday from 10am to 6pm, this free-entry event (with €2.70 park access fee) transforms the gardens into a Thai village with food stands (cash only), concerts, dance, Muay Thaï classes with champions, Nuad Thaï massage sessions, and DIY workshops. On Saturday at 4:15pm, don’t miss the 4-hands cooking demo by chefs Phoo Sirirat and Fabrice Danniel. Highlights include a costume exhibition, cultural performances, and chances to win round-trip tickets to Thailand.

May 24-25
Les Lézarts de la Bièvre – The artists’ studios in this Portes Ouvertes are generally located between the Rue Mouffetard in the 5^th and the Butte aux Cailles and Gobelins districts of the 13^th. This Portes Ouvertes is unique in that it’s an indoor/outdoor exhibit, with 73 artists in 35 studios, and one street artist chosen each year to decorate the walls around the neighborhood and in the tunnels on Rue Pascal and Rue Broca that connect the arrondissements (for 2025 it’s Charles Leval, alias Levalet). They make it easy to plan your visits by organizing them into four circuits, with info points in each one: Maison de la Vie Associative (25 rue Linné; this is where you can purchase small artworks for €60), Foyer des Jeunes Travailleurs (21 rue Daubenton), Atelier Sophie Dressler (9 Rue Val de Grace), Le Fil Rouge (4 rue Wurtz), Atelier de Mosaïque (13 rue Nicolas Fortin) and Césure (13 rue de Santeuil). Visits open 1-8pm both days, vernissage opening Friday at the Maison de la Vie Associative.

May 24–25
Paris City Pop returns for its 5th edition at the Mairie du 13e (1 Place d’Italie, 13th arrondissement), a celebration of modern pop illustration with over 70 artists. The weekend includes talks, panels, artist interviews, live drawings, and book signings. Visitors can explore stands and purchase limited edition artbooks and collector cards. Open Saturday from 10am to 7pm and Sunday from 11am to 7pm. Free entry. Full program: pariscitypop.com (in bizarre code font, and in French).

May 24-26
Visit the open studios of the Ateliers du Père Lachaise Associés (20^th arrondissement) for their annual Portes Ouvertes event of 33 participating artists. Open 2-8pm, free entry, maps available at the Mairie Du XXème (20th arrondissement Town Hall), and at galleries at 9 Rue Monte-Cristo, 12 Rue des Rondeaux, 98 Boulevard de Charonne, 10 Rue de Buzneval, and 122 Rue de Bagnolet. Secrets of Paris Community members can read more about visiting the major open studio events around Paris in 2025 in this exclusive article: Portes Ouvertes : Visiting Artist Studios in Paris

May 24–June 28
The Portuguese street artist Bordalo II’s latest show, Irréversible, is on view at Galerie Mathgoth (1 rue Alphonse Boudard, 13th arrondissement) from Wednesday to Sunday, 2:30–7pm. Free admission. It’s “a bold and urgent manifesto on the environmental cost of overconsumption and globalized waste.” Known for his large-scale portraits of endangered animals made entirely from plastic trash, Bordalo II also debuts a more intimate new series titled Provocs, using urban furniture and everyday materials to critique societal norms and contradictions. The opening vernissage is Saturday, May 24 from 3pm, with the artist present.

May 25
Embroidery Workshops with Rebecca at Au Ver à Soie (102 rue Réaumur, 2nd arrondissement). Join textile artist and professional haute couture embroiderer Rebecca for beginner-friendly embroidery classes hosted in a historic Parisian silk thread shop. A second “Vintage Floral Fancies” session takes place May 25 at 10am. Workshops include hands-on instruction, all materials, and light refreshments, with the bonus opportunity to purchase silk threads directly from the 5th-generation Au Ver à Soie family. €150 per workshop, registration required, classes fill fast!

May 25
Memorial Day Ceremonies organized by the American Battle Monuments Commission take place across France on Sunday, May 25, 2025. The public can honor fallen U.S. service members at cemeteries including Suresnes, Belleau Wood, Normandy, Meuse-Argonne, and others. Each location will feature flyovers, military bands, and wreath-laying ceremonies—many of which include tributes to Afro-American soldiers. Attendance is free, but RSVP is required by emailing veterans@democratsabroad.fr with your chosen cemetery. Donations to help offset the cost of wreaths (75€ each) are welcome.

May 31
Le Rendez-vous Grand Siècle returns to Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte (about an hour southeast from Paris). Step into the 17th century for a day of baroque pageantry, including costumed promenades, carriage rides, falconry, stilt artists, historical dance, water displays, and a candlelit garden. Costumes encouraged but not required for general access; evening “After Prestige” event (costume mandatory) offers exclusive access and entertainment. Entry from €16–€22, After Prestige from €60. Children’s costume rental, food stalls, and elegant dining available. Château opens 11am with events starting at 3pm, last entry at 9:30pm and a fireworks finale at 11pm. Advance booking required via vaux-le-vicomte.com.

June 5–8
The Grande Braderie de la Mode returns to BETC – Les Magasins Généraux (1 rue de l’Ancien Canal, metro Église de Pantin) for a four-day designer sale benefiting the HIV/AIDS charity AIDES. Open from 11am to 7pm (closing at 6pm Saturday and Sunday), this fashion charity event features pieces from over 100 top brands including Isabel Marant, A.P.C., Chloé, AMI Paris, and Dries Van Noten — all at up to 70% off. Entry is €2 with reservation, time slots fill up fast, reserve here: https://www.billetweb.fr/grande-braderie-de-la-mode1

June 14
Pique-nique en Blanc (White Picnic) returns to the Château de Chantilly (45 minutes north of Paris) from 7pm to 12:30am for its sixth festive edition in the castle’s formal French gardens. Participants must dress entirely in white (no prints or stripes) and bring their own picnic and white tablecloths. The evening features a dance floor, vinyl DJ sets, vintage wooden lawn games, food trucks, drink stands, and a final illumination show over the Volière garden. Admission is €20 (free for children under 7, ticket required). Last entrance at 9:30pm, and the event ends promptly at 12:30am. Tickets must be reserved online in advance. Safety guidelines include no alcohol over 15°, no metal cutlery or flames (LED candles allowed), and no animals (except guide dogs). In case of bad weather, the event will be postponed to July 19, 2025, with no refunds.

Through June 22
Fighting in Exile: Artists and France 1939–1945 is on view at the Musée de l’Armée (Hôtel National des Invalides, 129 rue de Grenelle, 7th arrondissement) in the third-floor temporary exhibition hall, daily from 10am to 6pm. Included with general museum admission. This powerful show marks the 80th anniversary of the Liberation through the lens of artists, intellectuals, and political figures who fled Nazi-occupied France and used art to uphold the values of liberty and resistance. Featuring works and stories from major figures such as Picasso, Calder, Fernand Léger, and Anna Marly. Only in French, so you may need a translator app on your phone.

Through June 30
Paris Noir: Artistic Circulations and Anti-Colonial Resistance, 1950–2000 at the Centre Pompidou (19 rue Beaubourg, 4th arrondissement) is the final exhibition before the museum closes for five years of renovations. The exhibit explores the influence of Black artists in France from the 1950s to 2000. Featuring works by over 150 artists from Africa, the Americas, and the Caribbean—many never before shown in France—it traces the rise of diasporic creativity in Paris through abstraction, surrealism, and political figuration. Highlights include new commissions and a circular matrix inspired by Édouard Glissant’s concept of the “Whole-World.” Open daily (except Tuesday) from 11am to 9pm, and Thursdays until 11pm. Closed May 1. €17, concessions €14. Advance booking recommended.

Through September 7
The Bibliothèque Nationale de France (5 Rue Vivienne, 2nd) presents Le monde pour horizon, a year-long, three-part exhibition showcasing rare maps, prints, manuscripts, photos, costumes, and stage jewelry. Highlights include Hokusai’s The Great Wave and Toulouse-Lautrec’s Divan Japonais poster. With rotating exhibits every four months, visitors can return for new discoveries throughout the year. Open Tuesday 10am-8pm, Wednesday to Sunday 10am-6pm. Tickets €10, reduced €8.

Through September 21
Musée d’Art et d’Histoire Louis-Senlecq (31 Grande Rue, L’Isle-Adam) presents Trois siècles à L’Isle-Adam, an exhibition showcasing the town’s history through paintings, sculptures, watercolors, engravings, vintage posters, postcards, and historical photographs. Visitors will explore L’Isle-Adam’s evolution from the 18th century to the mid-20th century. Highlights include works by artists like Jules Dupré, depictions of the Oise River landscapes, and a focus on the town’s industrial and leisure history. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-6pm. €6.

Through October 12
“Instants Données” is the latest exhibition at the Musée Maillol featuring 400 carefully selected photographs by the legendary French photographer, Robert Doisneau. Although best known for his post-card photos of Paris taken from the 1930s through the 1980s, the lovers kissing in front of the Hôtel de Ville, the “curved” Eiffel Tower, or even Picasso with “hands” made of petits pains. But he also documented the lives of Parisians we don’t normally see on camera: factory workers, poor children playing in the street, the homeless, prostitutes, miners, labor unionists on strike, humble café owners…. I loved him images of the suburbs of Paris, both the pre-war shanty towns and the post-war housing projects, “each ugly, but in different ways”, and the photos he took of artist and writer friends and their ateliers. Allow at least an hour to fully enjoy! Open daily 10:30am-6:30pm (Wednesdays until 10pm). Reserve online in advance, tickets €16.50 (€12.50 for ages 6-25).