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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Disneyland Paris Vs Disney World Florida

We all have happy memories of Disney. Whether it’s a favorite film growing up, seeing a live Disney show or perhaps witnessing our children discover Disney for the first time. It’s also likely that at some point we begged our parents to take us to Disneyland – or were begged by our own children! It’s a place of fantasy, fun and dreams coming true – who wouldn’t want to go there? But the prospect of a family visit to a Disney theme park can be daunting – where do you stay, how do you get there – and above all, which one do you choose? That’s why we’ve put together this handy guide to compare two of the most popular Disney parks: Disneyland Paris and Disney World Florida. We’ll cover things like: Which park is bigger How long to stay When to go The best rides Options for youngsters How to get there and purchase tickets What’s the main difference between Disneyland Paris or Disney World Florida? The most obvious difference between the two parks is the size. Paris Disneyland has two parks: Disneyland Park, which has most of the rides and themed areas, and Walt Disney Studios Park, which explores the world of movie production and its Pixar creations in particular. Disneyland Paris can easily be covered in a day if you just want to see Disneyland Park, two days if you want to see both parks, or possibly more if you want to take your time or have children of different age groups who’ll want to do different things. Disney World Florida is approximately five times larger and comprises four separate parks –Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Epcot. There are also two water parks, Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon. If you want to see all of them, six days is the recommended time – in other words, one day for each. When’s the best time to visit? Both Disneyland Paris and Disney World Florida experience busy and quieter times, and queues for rides may impact how much you can see. Summer holidays are the busiest times, when temperatures can reach around 70 degrees in Paris and around 80 in Orlando – so if you visit in July and August you may need to stay a little longer, and be prepared to stand in the sun while queuing. Both parks get quieter in early spring and late autumn, when the days are shorter, but pick up around Christmas when the shows and décor take on a holiday theme. It’s a magical time, but be aware that the temperature can drop as low as 40 degrees in Paris and 60 in Florida, and most of the queues are outside. Which one has the coolest rides? Let’s get to the most important question! Both parks have their own version of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, the Tower of Terror, and a selection of Star Wars themed thrills: the Hyperspace Mountain in Paris and the Millennium Falcon Smuggler’s Run in Florida, as well as 3D immersive experiences at both. The Orlando park has more rides on account of being bigger – around 170 compared to about 50 in Paris, and its highlights include the Avatar-themed rides Na’vi River Journey and Flight of Passage, the Animal Kingdom attractions Kilimanjaro Safaris, Kali River Rapids and Expedition Everest, and the rapid water rides of its two water parks. On the other hand, Paris has the only Big Thunder Mountain set on an island, accessible via underwater tunnels, the PanoraMagique Balloon ride and the Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast, which is great for the competitive types because you get to shoot all the little green men you can see and try and score more than your buddies. Fun for the young ones Whichever park you choose, there’s going to be plenty to keep the little ones entertained. Both have numerous parades to see during the day, chances to meet and take photos with beloved Disney characters, firework displays and illuminations at night, and live action shows based on film favorites like The Lion King and Frozen. Each park has rides to suit all ages, including gentle flying pod rides in various themes like Dumbo flying elephants, spaceships or dinosaurs. For unique experiences, Paris has the Casey Jr Circus Train, the immersive Peter Pan’s Flight Over London, the fun boat ride It’s a Small World and the ever-popular Alice’s Curious Labyrinth, in which children young and old can run around and get lost in the world of Alice in Wonderland. Disney World has more live animal encounters, Toy Story Mania, which is a carnival style games area at Hollywood Studios, the enormous, toy-themed roller coaster the Slinky Dog Dash, and the instantly recognizable spinning cups of the Mad Tea Party. 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Experience the magic with Go City Whether you choose Paris or Florida, there’s plenty you can enjoy with a Go City All-Inclusive or Explorer Pass. Be sure to check out the many attractions you can enjoy with your whole family!
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5 Days in Paris Itinerary

You’ll have very little trouble filling a 5-day Paris itinerary, thanks to the City of Love’s swoonsome selection of bucket-list landmarks, must-see museums, gorgeous galleries and romantic river walks. And that’s just for starters! Dive in for our suggestions on how to spend five days in Paris, including: The Eiffel Tower The Louvre  Père Lachaise Cemetery Montmartre The Marais  Galeries Lafayette Haussmann The Picasso Museum … and much more! Day 1: Tick Off a Big-Hitter or Two The Eiffel Tower is hands-down the most famous monument on the planet, so it makes sense to make a beeline for it on your first day in Paris. There are stacks of ways to see this wrought-iron masterpiece of Victorian latticework: you can queue for the elevator to the top, or if you fancy braving the queues (and the climb), you can walk up 674 stairs to the viewing platform on the second floor. If, however, you’d prefer to dodge the crowds and just enjoy the views of this architectural marvel, hit up the Montparnasse Tower – Paris’s only skyscraper – for some of the best in town. You can also catch a glimpse of the Iron Lady at her best from the Jardins du Trocadéro just across the Seine, or from the steps of the glorious Sacré-Cœur Basilica in Montmartre. And, now that you’re in Montmartre, you might as well stick around for the afternoon. Sure, it’s all gone a bit ‘Paris theme park’ up here at the highest point in the city, but that’s all part of the fun. Wander the atmospheric cobbled lanes and scratch your selfie itch in front of the famous red neon sails of the Moulin Rouge windmill, by the Wall of Love and outside (or indeed inside) the café featured in the movie Amélie. Heck, you can even have your best facial features mocked, distorted and exaggerated in perpetuity, thanks to the caricature artists on the picture-postcard Place du Tertre. Now that's what we call a souvenir! Day 2: A Spot of Culture City of Love, City of Light, City of Culture… Paris is home to some of the finest galleries and museums on the planet, and no mistake. Be sure to see at least one of ‘the big two’ (i.e. the Louvre or Musée d’Orsay) while you’re here. Can’t decide whether to tick the Mona Lisa or van Gogh’s equally enigmatic Self Portrait off your bucket list? Check out our guide to the best (and worst) of these Paris sightseeing titans here. Feeling suitably cultured, amble over to the Marais for a decidedly lazy déjeuner before exploring this charming district’s maze of cobbled lanes that lead to enchanting garden squares and oh-so-tempting pâtisseries. Pause at Paris’s oldest planned square, the Place des Vosges, where formal gardens flanked by 17th-century townhouses and atmospheric arcades provide a lovely location to just stop and watch the world go by. If you’re not already all cultured out, hit up the nearby Picasso Museum to ogle thousands of pieces – paintings, sculptures, illustrations, engravings – from one of the all-time greats. Pro-tip: the Picasso gift shop, just next door, boasts some of the coolest souvenirs in town. Day 3: Picnic and a Walk Whaddya mean you’re halfway through your 5-day Paris itinerary and you haven’t experienced the sensory joy of a street market yet? Well, now’s the time to rectify that. Make a beeline for one of these foodie meccas – Marché Mouffetard in the 5th arrondissement, Marché Raspail in the 6th, and Marché des Enfants Rouge in the Marais are among the very best – and stock up on still-warm baguettes, pungent cheeses, glorious local charcuterie and, heck, maybe even a bottle of fine Bordeaux for a gratuitously decadent pique-nique in the park. Jardin des Tuileries by the Louvre is the vibe if it’s formal gardens, tranquil lakes and sculptures by Mailliol and Rodin that float your boat. Or bag a few #humblebrag snaps as you tuck in on the manicured lawns of the Champs de Mars, where the Eiffel Tower provides that essential picnic-selfie backdrop. If you want to make a whole day of it, you could do worse than the wooded valleys, secluded hills and colonnaded Temple de la Sybille of Parc des Buttes-Chaumont on the edge of town. Then there’s the Bois de Boulogne and Bois de Vincennes, the city’s largest public parks, which promise relative seclusion and room to roam (and picnic) amid botanical gardens, grottoes, chateaux, boating lakes and more. Heck, you could even consider finding a suitable lunch spot among the permanent residents of Père Lachaise, Paris’s biggest cemetery. This atmospheric stretch of parkland is chock-full of ornate headstones and gothic tombs, including such luminaries of the entertainment world as Oscar Wilde, Édith Piaf, Chopin, and Jim Morrison of The Doors. There’s a great guided tour you can take while you’re there, too! Day 4: Shop Til You Drop There are plenty of ways to lighten your wallet in Paris. Why not spend day four of your trip doing precisely that? Bonus: because Paris is so achingly pretty, you can effortlessly combine it with a little sightseeing and a lot of café culture. Hit up the iconic Galeries Lafayette Haussmann where the ornamental galleries and soaring atrium topped by a huuuuge steel-and-glass cupola vie with 65,000 square meters of prime retail space as the star attraction. You could easily spend a whole day in here, but that would be to overlook Paris’s equally charming 19th-century shopping arcades. These atmospheric throwbacks to a more gentile era are all stained-glass ceilings, old-school wood-fronted stores and intricate mosaic tiling. Some even have iron-and-glass domes and canopies, pure masterclasses of Victorian architecture and engineering. There are around 20 to explore across the city, each promising hip boutiques, antique emporia, old-school watchmakers, jewelers and bookstores, as well as any number of tempting beautiful bistros and cute cafés from which to take it all in over espresso and croissants. Day 5: Bonus Bucket-Listers You want your last day in Paris to be as special as the first, am I right? With that in mind, consider the big-ticket items you’ve missed and whether now’s the time to fit them in. Didn’t go to Musée d’Orsay on day 2? Now’s your chance. Been lured Quasimodo-style by the bells of Notre-Dame Cathedral? Get yourself down to Île de la Cité, the tiny island in the middle of the Seine that’s also home to the remarkable Conciergerie and medieval Sainte-Chapelle, as well as a must-visit flower (and sometime bird) market. Or you could meander around the storied lanes of the Latin Quarter, following in the footsteps of such legendary wordsmiths as Gertrude Stein, F. Scott Fitzgerald, James Joyce and Ernest Hemingway. This left bank enclave still exudes literary cool, thanks to hip cafés with book-lined shelves, the unmissable Shakespeare and Company Bookshop, and the army of Bouquinistes (open-air booksellers) that line the banks of the Seine. Or just soak it all in (and much more besides) on a relaxing sightseeing cruise that takes in the Pont Neuf, Jardin des Tuileries, Louvre and Grand Palais. Save on Paris’s most popular tourist attractions Save on admission to Paris attractions with The Paris Pass. Check out @TheParisPass on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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