Paris on Memorial Day: Must-Try Experiences and Local Gems

Celebrate Memorial Day with Paris’ history, food, and so much more.

Published: March 20, 2026
American Flags in Ground at Sunset

Taking a trip to Paris over Memorial Day? Lucky you! The city’s late spring energy makes everything feel lively, from market stalls bursting with flowers to long evenings perfect for riverside strolls. While Memorial Day is an American holiday, it offers the perfect excuse to embrace history, savor seasonal flavors, and experience the French capital at its best. Whether you’re craving grand museums, open-air adventures, or meals that make your tastebuds sing, we’ve put together the ultimate Paris Memorial Day itinerary—guaranteed to pack your long weekend with everything you’ll remember. 

Our top Memorial Day picks in Paris include: 

  • Musée d'Orsay 
  • Bateaux Parisiens River Cruise 
  • Gourmet Chocolate Museum 
  • Big Bus Paris Hop-On Hop-Off Tour 
  • Les Caves du Louvre 
  • Palace of Versailles 
  • Picnic at Jardin du Luxembourg 
  • Walk along Canal Saint-Martin 
  • Browse the Marché Bastille 

Musée d'Orsay: Art With a View 

Immerse yourself in Parisian history, culture, and creativity with a visit to the Musée d'Orsay. Housed in a stunning former train station, the museum is famous for its world-class collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art—think Monet, Degas, Van Gogh, Renoir and more. Strolling through the sunlit galleries is a treat, especially in late May, when the grand clock windows frame the Seine and city rooftops in seasonal bloom.  

It’s the perfect spot to combine learning and leisure; join a guided tour or wander solo to find your new favorite masterpiece. Don’t miss the café for pastries and people-watching, or the terrace for awe-inspiring views. A Memorial Day visit to Orsay lets you admire some of the world’s most beloved paintings while soaking up pure Parisian atmosphere. 

Bateaux Parisiens River Cruise: See Paris from the Water 

Make the most of Paris’s spring sunshine with a Bateaux Parisiens River Cruise—a must-do experience that brings the city’s beauty to life. Drift along the Seine, passing grand bridges and famous landmarks like Notre Dame, the Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower. Cruises offer both open-air views and comfortable indoor seating, so you’re set for sunshine or a passing shower. Listen to fun commentary as you sip a glass of champagne and snap photos you’ll cherish forever.  

Early evening cruises are especially magical, with golden hour lighting up classic Paris scenes. Memorial Day is all about honoring the moment, and there’s no better way to appreciate the city’s charm than from the gently rocking deck of a riverboat, wind in your hair, camera in hand. 

Gourmet Chocolate Museum: Treat Yourself

Chocolate Pouring into Mold

There’s no reason Memorial Day shouldn’t come with a sugar rush. Head to the Gourmet Chocolate Museum for a journey through the world of chocolate, from its ancient origins to the finest Parisian creations. This interactive museum is a feast for all senses, with displays of chocolate-making tools, delicious smells wafting through every room, and—yes—plenty of tasting. You can watch artisans craft bonbons right in front of you, or get hands-on in a chocolate-making workshop.  

Around Memorial Day, look out for fresh spring flavors and themed workshops. The atmosphere is both informative and indulgent, making it a delicious way to blend culture and fun. Whether you’re a connoisseur or just have a sweet tooth, you’ll leave happy (and maybe with a box of edible souvenirs). 

Big Bus Paris Hop-On Hop-Off Tour: Easy Exploring 

Ready to see it all but not sure where to start? Hop aboard the Big Bus Paris tour for a breezy, no-stress sightseeing adventure. With stops at all the must-see attractions and lively narration in English, it’s a fantastic way to get your bearings and soak in the energy of Memorial Day weekend across the city. Use it as your personal shuttle between museums, shopping districts, and riverbanks, or simply kick back on the open-air top deck and let Paris unfold below.  

Buses run regularly, so you can customize your route and schedule—no rush, no fuss. It’s especially handy if you want to savor a bit of everything without trekking all over town on foot, helping you make the most of every sunny hour. 

Les Caves du Louvre: Wine Tasting in the Heart of Paris 

Wine and Paris are practically synonyms, and Memorial Day is the perfect time to dive into the city’s vinous heritage. Les Caves du Louvre offers a guided journey through historic wine cellars hidden just steps from the Louvre itself. Discover the story of French wine with interactive sensory workshops, expert-led tastings, and tours through atmospheric stone vaults where kings once stashed their favorite bottles.  

Whether you’re already a keen oenophile or just curious to try something new, you’ll find welcoming sommeliers eager to share sips, stories, and tips on pairing wine with food. The vibe is both educational and fun, and tastings include several varieties, letting you toast your trip in true Parisian style. 

Palace of Versailles: Regal Day Trip 

If you’re up for a grand adventure, make Memorial Day memorable with a day trip to the Palace of Versailles. In late May, the palace gardens burst into bloom, fountains dance in the sunlight, and the grand Hall of Mirrors glows with historic opulence. Tour the vast palace rooms filled with royal treasures and wander outside along scented pathways lined with statues and flowers.  

Don’t miss the musical fountain shows if they’re running—they turn the grounds into a full sensory experience. A day at Versailles immerses you in French history and architectural splendor, giving you stories (and Instagram moments) that last long after your Paris weekend ends. 

Picnic at Jardin du Luxembourg: Classic Parisian Leisure

Woman Having Picnic in Luxembourg Gardens

Memorial Day was made for picnicking, so do it the Parisian way at the Jardin du Luxembourg. Spread out under statuesque chestnut trees, tuck into a baguette loaded with local cheese, and watch rowboats glide across the ornamental pond. The gardens are elegant but always filled with life—kids playing, artists sketching, and couples strolling through fountains, flower beds, and grand promenades.  

Grab a takeaway pastry from a nearby boulangerie, breathe in the spring air, and soak in the sights and sounds. The Luxembourg is both a neighborhood hangout and a timeless Paris experience—the essence of relaxation and a perfect way to enjoy your long weekend. 

Walk along Canal Saint-Martin: Trendy, Laid-Back Fun 

Eager to see a hip, local side of Paris? Spend Memorial Day afternoon wandering the leafy banks of Canal Saint-Martin. This neighborhood buzzes with creative energy, street art, bookshops, and effortlessly cool cafés. As the sun shines, Parisians flock to the water with picnics, guitars, and bottles of rosé.  

Pause on an iron footbridge to watch boats navigate the old locks, or duck into a café with a housemade lemonade and views of the canal. It’s a great change of pace from the grand boulevards, offering urban style, relaxed energy, and lots of opportunities for people-watching and making spontaneous memories. 

Browse the Marché Bastille: A Foodie’s Paradise 

Round off your Memorial Day adventure at the Marché Bastille—one of Paris’s liveliest outdoor markets. Open on Sundays and Thursdays, this riverside market brims with farm-fresh produce, fragrant flowers, cheese from every corner of France, and pastries that practically leap into your basket.  

Mingle with locals, learn some French food lingo, and taste your way from stall to stall, sampling strawberries, olives, and fresh oysters. Don’t be shy—vendors love introducing curious travelers to their specialities. Stock up on delicious finds for a picnic or souvenirs to savor later. A stroll through Marché Bastille captures the best of Paris in one bustling, friendly, and mouth-watering stop. 

 

Whether you’re craving world-class art, leisurely afternoon sun, foodie adventures, or just a scenic stroll, Paris delivers a Memorial Day weekend full of discovery and delight. The city is waiting—make your Memorial Day weekend truly memorable! 

Enjoyed this? Check out Things to Do with Friends in Paris or Best Food Markets in Paris 

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Romantic Things to do in Paris

Wander the streets of the City of Love and you’ll soon discover how Paris earned this most romantic of nicknames. Charming tree-lined squares, couples holding hands at pavement cafés, secret flower gardens and swoonsome Art Deco architecture are just a handful of reasons among many. Read on to discover our pick of the most romantic things to do in Paris, from sunset cruises on the Seine to dining in the Eiffel Tower. Romantic Walks and Cruises in Paris Is there anything more romantic than bobbing along gently in a rowboat, basking in sunshine and gazing lovingly into the eyes of your favorite human? Bois de Boulogne is one of Paris’s biggest parks (over twice the size of Central Park!) and contains a chateau, a botanical garden and several ponds and lakes. It’s on the largest of these – the Lac Inferieur, or Lower Lake – that you can rent old-fashioned wooden boats and row out onto the tranquil waters. 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Tradition dictates that visitors to Oscar Wilde’s final resting place should plant a lipsticky kiss on the celebrated author’s grave, though you might be advised to give your relatively germ-free significant other a smooch here instead. A sunset Seine cruise is a great way to see the sights of Paris from the water. Go all gooey-eyed at landmarks including the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral and Louvre Museum as dusk falls and thousands of lights start to twinkle across the city. Grab a glass of champagne to enhance this perfect moment, as your bateau sails gently beneath the soaring arch of Pont Alexandre III, with its gorgeously ornate Art Deco lanterns. I Heart Montmartre Of all the places in Paris that can legitimately lay claim to being the city’s most romantic, Montmartre is arguably the one true holder of the title. 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You could easily spend a day here, wandering the palace’s vast interior and experiencing the multitude of impossibly opulent rooms that include the Hall of Mirrors and the King’s private apartments. Don’t miss Marie Antoinette’s quaint Hamlet, a ‘rustic’ retreat with a working mill, and of course the palace’s perfectly manicured formal gardens. Wander among the endless paths, ponds, sculptures and fountains with your own king or queen, admiring this landscaping masterwork that has remained largely unchanged since Louis XIV’s reign in the 17th Century. Not without merit, the Palace of Versailles is one of the world’s most popular attractions. So, if you prefer your chateau sightseeing a little more intimate, Fontainebleau and Vincennes also come highly recommended as alternative options. Both are just as captivating, and equally accessible from central Paris. Paris boasts plenty of romantic restaurants and hotels that will make you feel like royalty yourself. 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Save on romantic things to do in Paris Save on admission to Paris attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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