May 1, 2025: A Misstep

We were unaware that May Day is Labor Day and is a public holiday in France.

Post offices, banks, stores and other businesses are closed. Outside of tourist areas, restaurants and cafes may be closed. However, some stores in Paris, as well as at airports and railway stations and along major highways, may be open. Public transport service schedules vary depending on where one lives and intends to travel. Parades and demonstrations may cause disruption to traffic in the centers of large cities, particularly Paris.

One thing is for sure: no one is picking up the trash.

People in many areas give bouquets of lily-of-the-valley to loved ones. This custom is particularly common in the area around Paris known as Île-de-France. Families with children in country areas get up early in the morning and go into the woods to pick the flowers. Also, bouquets of lilies of the valley are sold on the streets on May 1.

Background

King Charles IX of France was presented with lily-of-the-valley flowers on May 1, 1561. He liked the gift and decided to present lily-of-the-valley flowers to the ladies of his court each year on May 1. Around 1900, men started to present a bouquet of lily-of-the-valley flowers to women to express their affection. The flowers are a more general token of appreciation between close friends and family members these days.

The eight-hour working day was officially introduced in France on April 23, 1919, and May 1 became a public holiday called Fête internationale des Travailleurs (International Worker’s Day).

Fortunately, we didn’t plan much today only an evening visit to the romantic Eiffel Tower. We did not set an alarm since we didn’t have plans this morning and we woke up at 11:30.

Buying Tickets for the Eiffel Tower

They open up one day at a time to purchase tickets 60 days in advance. Tickets go on sale at midnight Paris (Central European Time) time which is 6pm on the East Coast. Rob got ready to purchase and nothing happened. He found out later that he needed to change his computer calendar to Central European Time so that your calendar would roll over to the next day and sync with the time of purchase.

By the time he figured that out, only tickets close to closing time were the ones left on the day that we could dedicate to seeing the Eiffel tower.

Originally, Rob wanted to walk up but the only ones left were riding the elevator. However, this must have been God’s intervention as we are trying our best to preserve the number of steps that we take each day.

Rob wanted to buy a baguette, cheese and wine for a picnic. The boulangeries, fromageries, and wine shops were all closed … so we had to go to one of the few convenience stores open. We purchased a package of Swiss cheese, and a miniature bottle of red wine for Rob.

We continued walking up to Sacre Coeur. WE WERE NOT ALONE!! Everyone and their grandmother, grandkids, school groups, Asian tourists, etc., were celebrating.

We found a spot but it was on a steep hill and we struggled to keep from sliding into a chain link fence. Well, now we know why this piece of shade was available.

Tongue Twister: Can you say: Parisian Pigeons 5 times fast. We can’t.

Do you know what La belle et la bête means? I will tell you at the bottom of the post.

Inside the Sacre Course, the priest demanded complete silence and said a long Shhhhhhhh!

Montmarte

When one thinks of the sounds of Paris, an accordion comes to mind. This man plays to a full house in Montmarte.

I have my eye on him!

Eiffel Tower

We took an Uber to the Eiffel tower.

We drove in the tunnel where Lady Diana died. The tunnel is very wide and they hit the concrete median. So sad.

There are so many people!!! We got there a little early to walk around and take pictures.

We found the spot to queue up for our time slot. All of a sudden, a panicked Rob noticed that our tickets were for the previous night. OH NO!

Not to worry! We explained our situation and they allowed us to buy tickets for tonight. It remains to be seen if all turns out by getting a refund or if our visit cost us double!!