What’s On in Paris – May 2026

May 1st (Fête du Travail- Labor Day), May 8th (Fête de la Victoire de 1945, V-Day), May 14th (Ascension) and May 25th (Pentecost Monday) 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 122nd 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) takes over the entire Paris Expo Porte de Versailles with 1,200 exhibitors, 3,500 brands, and more than 1,000 hours of free events, concerts, workshops, demonstrations, and performances. France’s largest fair combines four major sections under one roof: home and interior design, French gastronomy and craftsmanship, world cultures and travel, and automobiles and mobility. Expect everything from food and wine tastings to artisan goods, home renovation ideas, inventions from the famous Concours Lépine, live music, and cultural performances tied to this year’s tropical-themed festival atmosphere. 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 9th). Buy your tickets in advance and avoid lines; entry €14 (€16 at the door); €7 at night (€9 on the late night opening May 9th).

May 1-17
Espace Notre-Dame des Artistes (6 rue Corot, 16th) is hosting “Hommage à Claude Monet”, a collective exhibition by 40 members of the Seizièm’Art association marking the centenary of Claude Monet’s death. Painters, sculptors, photographers, mosaic artists, and textile artists present works inspired by the theme of the garden, in tribute to Monet’s enduring influence on modern art and landscape imagery. Opening reception May 5 from 6pm. Open daily 11:00am–6:00pm. Free entry.

Through May 3
The Théâtre du Châtelet presents Top Hat, the stage musical adapted from the beloved 1935 Hollywood film starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, for a limited run of just 20 performances. Featuring Irving Berlin’s iconic songs (“Cheek to Cheek,” “Let’s Face the Music and Dance”) and a large live orchestra with spectacular tap-dance numbers, this lavish stage adaptation recreates the glamour of Hollywood’s golden age; it is performed in English with French surtitles and runs 2h40 (with intermission). Tickets €12–€119. Théâtre du Châtelet, 1 place du Châtelet, 1st.

May 3 (and every 1st Sunday)
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, Arts-et-Métiers, La Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine, Musée Guimet, Musée Picasso, Cluny Museum, gardens of the Musée Albert Kahn, Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature, La Monnaie de Paris, and l’Orangerie. 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 5, 12, & 19
Lost in Frenchlation is hosting screenings of the award-winning 1990s triptych, Trois Couleurs, in French with English subtitles. The first, Bleu, starring Juliette Binoche, will be May 5th; Blanc starring Julie Delpy on May 12th; and Rouge starring Irène Jacob on May 19th, all showing at L’Epée de Bois cinema (100 Rue Mouffetard, 5th) with drinks at the Tournebride Bar next door from 7pm, the film screening at 8pm. Tickets €9.90.

May 7
Guitarist and vocalist Romain Vuillemin returns to the JASS Club (141 rue de Tolbiac, 13th) with a quartet devoted to the Great American Songbook, trading his usual jazz manouche repertoire for classic American standards from Broadway’s golden age of swing to the sounds of New Orleans. A regular on the Paris jazz scene and an exceptional live performer, Vuillemin is joined by a stellar lineup including pianist Amaury Faye, bassist Edouard Pennes, and drummer David Grebil. Two one-hour sets at 7:30pm and 9:30pm; tickets €19 online, €22 at the door. Restaurant or bar seating/standing.

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 8-17
The 29th annual 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 9-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.

May 9
The annual 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; food trucks from different countries; and free evening concerts featuring artists from across Europe, including Valeria Stoica, Postman, and Solann.

May 9
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 5pm (last entry 4pm). 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? You must get one of the reserved time slots (which open May 5th). Or pay the €15 entrance fee (€25 if you live outside the EU) to visit any other day.

Through May 10
Photographer and activist Yann Arthus-Bertrand takes over the Place de la Concorde for a month-long free outdoor event“Vivre Ensemble” (Live Together) combining a large-scale photography exhibition, talks, concerts, film screenings, workshops, and more. The centerpiece is 185 outdoor prints from his project France, un album de famille, a portrait of contemporary France built from nearly 90 photography studios set up across the country between 2023 and 2026. A public photography studio designed by Renzo Piano will also be on site, where visitors can be photographed by Arthus-Bertrand himself. The packed daily program ranges from concerts and stand-up to meditations, cooking demos, and talks by figures including François Hollande, Erik Orsenna, and Christophe André. Free, no ticket required. Full program at goodplanet.org.

May 16
Ground Control is hosting “La Grande Brocante du Multivers #5”, a secondhand board game market dedicated to giving used games a new life, with curated selections, bargain finds, and advice from the Multivers team. Casual players and serious collectors alike can browse complete, good-condition games or sell their own ahead of the event. Saturday 2:00pm–8:00pm. Free entry. Ground Control is a “third space” with an excellent food court at 81 rue du Charolais, 12th.

May 21
FFRandonnée Paris’s monthly “Panamée” urban walk is a fascinating way to see the city with the locals. The May walk is a free, three-hour cultural stroll dedicated to the city’s “balcons” (balconies). These walks often attract large groups (sometimes a few hundred people), but it’s not a tight tour format: the group naturally spreads out, there’s no obligation to interact, and many people come alone simply to listen and walk. Think of it as a moving, open-air lecture (en français!) through the city rather than a small guided tour. The walk departs at 7pm from Place du Père Teilhard de Chardin (4th, metro Sully-Moreland) and ends around 10pm at Place Salvador Allende, 7th, metro La Tour – Maubourg. Free, no registration required, and open to everyone: just show up, dress for the weather, and be ready for a long evening walk, entirely en français.

May 21–June 28
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 28-31), Salon des Antiquaires (June 11-21), Journées de l’Estampe (June 8-9), Marché de la Poésie (June 3-7), and Saint-Sulpice Céramique (June 25–28). Open daily from late morning to evening. Entrance at 78 rue Bonaparte. Free entry.

May 22-24
K-Plus Festival returns for its fourth 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 22-24
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 2026 theme, A Thousand and One Plants, celebrates botanical gems such as Auricula primroses from the National Primrose Collection, unexpected succulents like Haworthia ‘Iceland’ with translucent leaves, and unusual citrus fruits such as the ‘Cara Cara’ orange tree which can withstand below freezing temperatures. 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 23
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 €17-€23, “After Prestige” an additional €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.

May 23
The 22nd annual Nuit Européenne des Musées (European Museum Night) takes place on Saturday, May 22nd, 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 24
U.S. Memorial Day Ceremonies organized by the American Battle Monuments Commission take place across France on Sunday, May 24th. If you’re in the Paris area, you can attend ceremonies honoring fallen U.S. service members at Suresnes cemetery at 2:30pm, and at the French-US Lafayette Escadrille monument in Garches at 10am. Each location will feature flyovers, military bands, and wreath-laying ceremonies. Free and open to the public. You can read more about visiting the Lafayette Escadrille in this article, The Lafayette Escadrille Memorial: A Tribute to French-American Solidarity Near Paris

May 25-31
The 13th annual Paris Beer Festival takes place this week in pubs around Paris each evening, but the big event is the weekend of 30th-31st 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 28
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”: “Glazed pork ribs, smoked sausages, marinated drumsticks, braised vegetables, melting eggplants, grilled mushrooms, roasted fruit or even fire-toasted bread… this edition explores all the richness of the barbecue”. It can get quite crowded, so get there early to avoid waiting (there are huge tables to sit and eat).

May 28-31
The 37th annual Artists’ Open Studios in Belleville takes place for four days in over 100 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 2026 in this exclusive article: Portes Ouvertes : Visiting Artist Studios in Paris

May 29-31
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.

Through May 29th (possibly longer)
LV DREAM (26 Quai de la Mégisserie, 1st) is hosting “Louis Vuitton Art Deco Exhibition,” a free, reservation-only exhibition tracing the house’s role in the 1925 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts. Spread across eight rooms and featuring over 300 archival pieces, it explores the brand’s connection to the Art Deco movement through rare objects and immersive displays. Extend your visit with pastries or cocktails at Le Café Maxime Frédéric, and stop by the Gift Store for limited-edition items. Open Wednesday-Sunday from 11am-7pm.

Through July 14
The National Archives Museum presents Lafayette: Between France and America, a free exhibition marking the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence and exploring the life of the Marquis de Lafayette, the “hero of two worlds.” Through rare documents, caricatures, and memorabilia, the show traces his role in the American Revolution and the political upheavals of France, highlighting his enduring — and sometimes controversial — legacy. Text in French and English, free entry. At Le Musée des Archives Nationales – L’Hôtel de Soubise (60, rue des Francs-Bourgeois, 3rd). Closed Tuesday.

Through September 6
The Picasso Museum ‘s newest exposition is The Metamorphoses of Guernica, a 15-minute virtual reality experience exploring the creation and legacy of Guernica by Pablo Picasso. This immersive journey moves from the 1937 Paris International Exposition and the bombing of Gernika to Picasso’s studio and the painting’s later travels to Madrid, narrated through the voices of Juan Larrea and Dora Maar. Designed as both a sensory and historical experience, it offers a new way to understand one of the 20th century’s defining anti-war works. Tickets €7, in the museum auditorium during opening hours (Tue–Sun 10am–6pm).

Planning Ahead

June 5–11
Author Stephen Clarke leads a week-long residential creative writing course at the Château de Missery in Burgundy, designed to help participants develop their voice through daily writing sessions, readings, and discussions. The program includes six nights’ accommodation and meals at the château, a visit to the wine capital of Beaune, and a concert, with a maximum of 10 participants. Contact organizers for pricing and registration details.

June 6-7
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.

June 13
Inspirelle Magazine’s 10-Year Anniversary Soirée “a decade of inspiring connections, bold conversations, and building a vibrant community of international women in Paris.”

June 21
Fête de la Musique!