The 45 Best Paris Experiences | May 2024 | Paris Insiders Guide (2024)

We love May in Paris — it feels like we're in the City of Eternal Spring. Walking almost anywhere in the city is a delight. With the warmer weather, you might want to plan for a day trip to Versailles, or to Monet's gardens at Giverny. And don't forget about a glorious dinner cruise on the Seine — one of the city's top-rated activities.

Bateaux Parisiens VIP Dinner Cruise

This VIP dinner cruise gets you a prime table in the front of the boat for the best views of the city's must-see attractions. As you dine aboard the classy bateau, performers entertain you with live music while you take in the city lights. It costs more, but choose the Service Privilège option for the best seating, the best meal, and champagne — the ultimate experience.

Experience the Magnificence of Versailles

A symbol both of grandeur and of royal decadence, the chateau and gardens of Versailles are don't-miss destinations when you're in Paris. Instead of worrying about trains, maps and guidebooks, we recommend you go the royal route with this tour. The past will come alive as your guide explains the intricacies of life at the royal French court. Includes round trip transportation from central Paris... and lunch!

Maxim's of Paris Seine Dinner Cruise

On this dinner cruise you will discover why Maxim's of Paris is an iconic symbol of France. On a bateau on the Seine Maxim's delivers the ultimate Paris experience. You'll appreciate the VIP treatment with guaranteed window seating for an unforgettable romantic evening and a menu featuring lobster, truffle, and fresh seafood.

Discover the Masterpieces of the Louvre

With millions of visitors a year, the Louvre is very popular place in Paris; the lines are long. But a small-group, VIP tour leads you right past the lines to the most famous works of art, with fascinating explanations by your art expert guide. When the tour is over, you can stay in the museum as long as you want. Don't wait for hours in long lines!

Skip the Lines at the Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is another Paris place where the lines are always long, and particularly during the lovely days of May. Since we know you don't want to spend your valuable time in Paris standing in line, we recommend you book a guided tour that walks you past the long ticket line and right up the tower.

Eiffel Tower + Dinner Cruise + Moulin Rouge

There's a lot to do and see in Paris when the sun goes down. This action-packed tour combines the things that you simply must do — starting at the Eiffel Tower where you go to the top for the best views of Paris. Then, drift along the Seine river on a bateau while you enjoy a classic French dinner. But it's not over yet! Final stop is the historic Moulin Rouge, for the cabaret & champagne

Champagne & Food Tour of St-Germain-des-Prés

Your adventure begins in the historic neighborhood of St-Germain-des-Prés where you'll explore the ancient streets with a champagne & food expert at your side. Get off the beaten track and immerse yourself in French food, culture, and the best of French bubbly. Each of the champagne tastings (and there are several) are paired with French cheeses, pâtes, and delicate chocolates & pastries.

Classical Music in Paris

One of the most memorable things to do in Paris is to attend a classical music concert in an historic venue. This month there's a stellar lineup including the ballet Giselle performed at Palais Garnier and Richard Strauss' Salome at Opera Bastille. There are also concerts at Sainte Chapelle and other spectacular venues.

Dine on the Eiffel Tower at Madame Brasserie

Travelers to Paris are delighted with the easy access to restaurant Madame Brasserie on the Eiffel Tower, skipping the long lineup. They're also giving glowing reviews about the service and the stellar multi-course French meal. To our way of thinking, dining on the Eiffel Tower is an essential Paris experience. Lunch is also available.

Musée d'Orsay Impressionism Tour

Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir, Manet. Musée d'Orsay is absolutely packed with the gems of the Impressionist painters. Since the lines are almost always long, the best way to see the art is on this priority-access tour. You'll get inside quickly and learn the stories, the struggles, and legacy of the world's most iconic artists.

Sainte-Chapelle, Conciergerie, Notre Dame Tour

Explore the ancient heart of Paris, Île de la Cité, on a guided tour that takes you to the iconic sights including La Sainte-Chapelle and Notre Dame. An expert guide leads this captivating exploration of the rich history of Paris; you'll have the privilege of witnessing the city's breathtaking beauty.

Private Airport Transfers

We like to know what's going to happen after we land in Paris. So we always arrange private transfer from the airport into the city. Readers also love these services where your driver meets you on arrival, helps with your luggage, and takes you directly to your Paris hotel in a private, air-conditioned sedan. Start your vacation with a touch of luxury… and relaxation.

The Top Left Bank Hotels –

Who doesn't love the Left Bank of Paris? It makes you think of Hemingway and the Jazz Age and seems to emanate the very essence of Paris. We think it's the best district in the city to call home. The Saint-Germain neighborhood is charming, and so are the best of the hotels in the quartier. Let's take a look at our top Left Bank hotel picks, updated for 2024, with new ratings and current prices.

Versailles + Claude Monet's Gardens in One Day

Start the day with a visit to the chateau and gardens of Versailles. You then visit the luscious gardens of Claude Monet in nearby Giverny. Here you will see his Impressionist world blossom in front of your eyes. This small-group tour includes transportation from central Paris to both locations, along with guided tours and a classic French lunch.

Priority-Access Tour of Versailles

If you don't have a full day, this popular half-day tour of Versailles includes priority access with an expert guide. The small-group ensures personal attention and includes transportation right from your hotel. By the way, a private tour is also available.

Versailles Bicycle Tour

Make your visit to Versailles just a little bit different. Cycle the idyllic countryside around Versailles and shop the local markets for picnic supplies. You stop for an al fresco lunch in — you guessed it — the gardens of Versailles! Then use your priority-access ticket to explore the palace. Book early, this activity is likely to sell out.

Your Own Private Versailles

If you'd like a royal experience, book this private tour of Versailles that begins with a private driver meeting you at your Paris address. At the estate connect with a professional guide who takes you through the Versailles experience. It's a day of luxury for just you and your party, and perfect if you don't want to spend a full day at the royal estate.

The D-Day Landing Beaches

Eight decades have passed since the Allied Forces arrived at the D-Day beaches of Normandy. Starting out from Paris, spend the day exploring the beaches, monuments and museums that mark the beginning of the end of World War II. Take a day to step back in time on a trip that returns you to Paris the same day. This activity also includes a tasting of the region's famous ciders.

Spend a Day in the Champagne Region

Visit the Land of Bubbly as your driver whisks you from your Paris address along the route des vins. At Reims, capital of the Champagne region, you tour the historic city, and visit the famous cathedral. A classic French lunch is served along with plenty of sampling of bubbly at famous champagne producers! Can you think of a better way to spend a day?

Monet's House & Gardens in Giverny

Spend a day at Claude Monet's house & gardens in Giverny and learn how he inspired a generation of painters and the Impressionist art movement. The gardens will be at the peak of perfection, as will the waterlilies on the idyllic pond where Monet painted for 43 years. This small-group (8 people max) tour includes transportation from Paris and priority access to the gardens.

The Loire Valley – Chateaux & Wines

The beautiful Renaissance valley is known for more than just its famous chateaux. The Loire Valley also produces world-renowned wines. On this guided tour you see three of the most famous castles plus taste the best wine varietals of the region during a classic multi-course French lunch. It's like two trips in one glorious day!

Mont Saint-Michel

The magnificent "floating" island of Mont Saint-Michel off the coast of Normandy is a sight to behold, and you will see it all on this day trip from Paris. The drive takes you through the picturesque Normandy countryside. This small-group tour of just eight people ensures a personal & memorable experience. The fun-filled day ends with a cider tasting before you're whisked back to Paris.

Cheese & Wine Tasting in a Paris Cheese Cellar

What better place than Paris to learn about the cheese of France? Descend into a private cheese cellar in the Marais with an affineur (expert in aging cheeses) to learn all about the proper way to age French cheeses and how to to pair them with wines. Discover how cheese became one of the most important foods of France. The small group is limited to 10 to ensure there's more cheese for you.

A Taste of Montmartre Food & Wine Tour

Take a guided walking tour of Montmartre to visit 8 food shops where you taste delicious French cuisine, sampling fresh cheeses, charcuterie, pastries, and chocolate paired with French wine. Explore the cobblestoned streets, the café terraces, and private mansions, and visit Place du Tertre, world-famous for painters, cafes, and its iconic Parisian ambiance.

Bateaux Mouches Dinner Cruise + Live Music

This evening spent on the Seine is wildly popular, and for good reason. On a magical evening cruise you view the city from a private table while enjoying a classic 4-course classic French dinner, accompanied by live music. Your bateau slowly floats past the most famous illuminated landmarks — Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower.

The Food & Wine of the Marais

The #1 food tour in Paris takes you through the Marais, stopping to visit the top food & wine shops in the quartier, tasting the best of French foods like cheese, charcuterie, baguettes, chocolate, and wine. You start your tour at the oldest food market in the city. This one is garnering high praise from satisfied travelers.

Chocolate & Patisserie Tour of Saint-Germain

You'd be forgiven for thinking that, in Paris, chocolate & patisseries are two major food groups. There are high-quality shops everywhere. This tour takes you to the iconic chocolate & pastry addresses of legendary St-Germain-des-Prés, to hear about the secrets and techniques of these delicacies. It's a small-group tour with hands-on attention and lots of sampling!

French Food Highlights Private Tour

It's a good feeling being be an insider. This private tour gets you to the most exquisite culinary destinations in Paris, all in one evening. François, your French food & wine guide, ushers you to insider's restaurants, boulangeries, and cheese shops to taste the best of the city's culinary treasures. Bring your walking shoes and your appetite! This is one of our new favourites and the reviews are spectacular.

Bateaux Parisiens Gourmet Lunch Cruise

Travelers love this fun, casual, and affordable lunch cruise along the Seine — you see so much of Paris while dining on a classic 3-course meal. A cruise down the city's famous river is something you must do while in Paris, so why not have lunch at the same time? Combine great dining with a tour of Paris. Be sure to choose the Service Premier option for the ultimate experience.

Learn the Art of Croissants with a Parisian Chef

Flaky, buttery croissants are a culinary treasure of France. Sure, you can simply eat lots of croissants and pains au chocolat during your time in Paris. But why not, instead, learn how to bake them yourself during this hands-on, small-group pastry class. In this fun class, you learn how to make croissants from scratch using only the finest French ingredients.

Paris Cooking Class & Food Market Tour

Hone your French cooking skills in a small-group cooking class in Paris. Sign up to join a local chef to tour a local fresh food market, then return to the Paris cooking studio to create a stellar three-course meal. You will prepare a delicious lunch — including entree, main course and dessert — and enjoy the fruits of your labor with a glass of wine. Class size is limited to 8.

Louvre + Orsay Museums Skip-the-Line Tour

What we love about this combo tour is the efficiency! In a few hours you'll be able to get a better understanding of the two most popular museums of Paris. First up is the Louvre where you'll see the highlights of this historic palace turned museum. Then, it's over to the d'Orsay to enjoy the masterpieces by Monet, Renoir, and Van Gogh.

Paris 1874: Inventing Impressionism

2024 is the the 150th anniversary of Impressionism! On April 15, 1874, the first exhibition by Monet, Renoir, Degas, Morisot, Pissarro, Sisley, Cézanne and 28 other painters was held outside of the official Paris Salon exhibition. See 130 works by these legendary artists and discover details about Paris in 1874.
• Musée d'Orsay
• Ends July 14, 2024
• Information…

1874 – The Immersive Experience

Experience the first Impressionist exhibition through virtual reality. It's Paris, April 15, 1874; 30 painters are presenting 165 of their works, all rejected by the official Paris Salon. Claude Monet, Renoir, Berthe Morisot, Cézanne, and Edgar Degas changed the history of art. This immersive experience brings together architectural plans, aerial photographs, studio archives as well as reviews by journalists and critics of the time

• Musée d'Orsay
• Ends August 11, 2024
• Information…

Hector Guimard & the Paris Metro

In 1899 Architect Hector Guimard won the competition held by the Compagnie Générale du Métropolitain to design the entrances to the stations of the brand-new Metro system, le plus modern mode of transportation. His inspired designs set the tone of Paris for the 20th century. Learn about the history of Guimard and see his original drawings exhibited for the first time!

• Musée d'Orsay
• Ends July 14, 2024
• Information…

Shaman Visions from the Peruvian Amazon

Art under the influence. Ayahuasca — a hallucinogenic drink used by indigenous societies in the Amazon — was popularization by the Beat Generation of the 1950s. Traditionally administered by a shaman for therapeutic or religious purposes, the psychedelic beverage is also linked to artistic creation. View visionary images created under the influence by indigenous artists and by Beat legends William S. Burroughs & Allen Ginsberg.

• Musée du Quai Branly
• Ends May 26, 2024
• Information…

Robert Ryman: The Eye in Action

This is American artist Robert Ryman's (1930-2019) first large-scale exhibition in France since 1981. Regarded as the founder of the American Minimalist movement, Ryman’s unique approach focussed on surface, space and light.

• Musée de l'Orangerie
• Ends July 1, 2024
• Information…

La Collection – Revoir Picasso

In 2014 Pablo Picasso's most important public collection was permanently installed in the lavish setting of the Hôtel Salé, a mansion in the Marais. A decade later, the museum pays homage with a three-year retrospective starting with a tribute to Françoise Gilot. Beyond her famous book — Living with Picasso, published in 1965 — Gilot's own artistic career spanned from Réalités Nouvelles to her large compositions of the "emblematic paintings" of the 1980s.

• Musée Picasso
• March 12, 2024 to March 12, 2027
• Information…

La Fontaine des Innocents

Delve into the story of the Fountain of the Innocents during its large-scale restoration. Built during the Renaissance, this monument, originally called the Fountain of the Nymphs, was sculpted by Jean Goujon and designed by the architect Pierre Lescot. Learn about the history and restoration of this famous fountain of the Marais.

• Musée Carnavalet
• April 24, 2024 to August 25, 2024
• Information…

Near Eastern Antiquities in Dialogue

See ten ancient artworks from central Asia, Syria, Iran and Mesopotamia on loan from New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. Dating from the 4th millennium BCE to the 5th century CE, this remarkable exhibition pairs ancient sculptures reunited for the first time in modern times.

• Louvre Museum
• Ends September 29, 2025

A New Look for Van Eyck

The first exhibition since 2014 to focus on Jan van Eyck's masterpiece, the Madonna of Chancellor Rolin. During the past decade, conservators have removed layers of varnish restoring the oeuvre to its former glory.

• Louvre Museum
• Ends June 17, 2024
• Information…

Olympism: Modern Invention, Ancient Legacy

Discover the roots of the first modern Olympic Games, and how the sporting competition of ancient Greece was reinvented in modern times. The exhibition will show how history and archaeology came together to create the world's greatest and most-watched sporting event.

• Louvre Museum
• Ends September 16, 2024
• Information…

Fête du Travail – May Day

Next to Bastille Day, May Day — May 1st — is the most popular holiday of the year in France. Be on the look-out for lily-of-the-valley flowers which are a symbol of good luck in France. You'll see them for sale at flower vendors on nearly every street corner. Most shops and museums are closed to celebrate France's Labor Day, so it's a good day to plan an activity like a lunch cruise or a gourmet walking tour.

The French Open

This Grand Slam tennis tournament is the only one played on red clay. The French Open starts during the last week of May at Roland Garros stadium. If you're a tennis fan, this is one of the most dramatic tournament of the year. Expect to see plenty of red clay flying. Still scheduled to start in mid-May, be sure to check the information link for updates.

• May 20 to June 9, 2024
• Information…

Jazz Festival at Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Hear top jazz performances in the heart of Paris. Created in 2001, this Paris Jazz Festival is held in Saint-Germain-des-Prés and is another reason to go to Paris in the Spring. Doesn't get much better than this!

• May 13 to 21, 2024
• Information…

Champagne Tasting in Paris by Terre de Vins

Immerse yourself in the secrets of French champagne! Enjoy a day of learning, tasting and experiencing all-things-French champagne with masterclasses, workshops and tastings. Since its creation in 2017 by Terre de Vins, the Champagne Tasting event has become the unmissable event for champagne enthusiasts! Explore an enriching program, punctuated by excellent master classes and innovative workshops.

Meet with more than 60 exhibitors, from Grand Champagne houses to small Champagnes de Vignerons and cooperatives. Whether you are an enlightened amateur or a connoisseur, this day devoted to champagne will amplify your devotion to bubbles. explore the diversity of champagne, and be surprised by its endless nuances.

• 16 Place de la Bourse 75002
• May 25, 2024
• 11 AM to 7 PM
• Information…

French National Holidays

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
• Victory Day – May 8
• Ascension Day – May 9
• Whit Sunday – May 19
• Whit Monday – May 20

Foire de Paris – The Grand Paris Expo

It's the largest home show in Paris and has been for 112 years. Discover the latest French decorating trends (who doesn't want in on that one?). More than 3,500 brands from Europe give you a chance to discover all the latest French house and home trends.

• Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles
• Ends May 12, 2024
• Information…

La Fête de la Victoire

On this French National Holiday, remembering the end of World War II in Europe, the President of France will lay flowers on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to honor the liberation of France.

• May 8, 2024
• Arc de Triomphe

Nuit des Musées

It's an all-nighter at Paris museums. Free museum entrance, plus they stay open until the wee hours.

• May 12, 2024 (check website for confirmation)
• Website…

Taste of Paris

Join top chefs along with food and wine producers in a line-up of dazzling cooking demonstrations and tastings. While the Grand Palais is undergoing renovation, the 2024 edition of the food fest will take place in the temporary Grand Palais venue on Champ de Mars.

• Grand Palais Éphémère
• May 8 to 11, 2024
• Information…

MakeUp Paris 2024

This is the festival of cosmetics, attended by trendsetters, manufacturers, and lovers of makeup.

• Carrousel du Louvre
• May 29 to 30, 2024
• Information…