May 1st: A Holiday of Closures and Openings in France’s Transportation, Businesses and Services

In France, public transportation will operate on a reduced schedule on May 1st, known as Labor Day. However, outside of Île-de-France, cities like Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, Lille, Nice, Strasbourg and Rennes will have no public transport. There are no major disruptions expected in transportation nationwide with trains, planes and buses running as usual. Some employees in essential services may have to work and will be paid double for their time.

On May 1st, shopping centers and most stores will be closed except for small businesses such as bakeries, butchers and florists. Restaurants, museums and cultural venues may also remain open depending on the location and individual circumstances. Gyms will mostly be closed but some swimming pools and recreational facilities may be open so it’s advisable to check online or call ahead to confirm. Overall, May 1st will be a mix of closures and openings in different sectors with the holiday affecting businesses and services differently based on location and type of establishment.