Paris over May 1 weekend?

I planned a trip to Paris over the May 1st Weekend, not thinking about May day. I have since found out that a lot of the stores, restaurants and museums are closed on May 1st.

This year May 1st lands on a Saturday, will the holiday affect stores/restaurants on Sunday and Monday too?

What are the festivals are there on May day?

Will I be able to do much that day/weekend with my 13 year old?

I was planning on going to the Eiffel Tower (which should still be open) and other tourist stuff, but I would also like to take her shopping and go to some good restaurants-in the 4th and 6th arrondissements.

Thanks so much for the help!

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I have been in Paris for VE Day (May 8th) prior to now and it does effect quite a lot of shops/businesses/restaurants in my experience. Some close on the day, or on the next day. I would say that compared to Britain they do take their public holidays (and Sundays,actually) pretty seriously:

http://about-france.com/holidays-sundays.htm

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P.S. %26#39;May Day%26#39; is in fact %26#39;Labour Day%26#39; and can be a popular time for stirkes and industrial action in France, too.

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Thank you so much. I was also thinking about the protests and strikes on this day. Thanks for the confirmation. I think I am going to move the holiday to the next week, we%26#39;ll bump into May 8th on Saturday and leave on Sunday. I am getting the feeling that less businesses are closed on VE day (may 8th) than May 1st.

Do you agree?

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we haven%26#39;t been in Paris on May 1 -- but the very first trip my husband and I took together to Europe we arrived in Venice on May 1 --- to discover none of the boats were running except a shuttle from the train to the Rialto --

we walked with far too much luggage (before wheelies and it was our first trip) for over a mile and a half to our hotel -- dragging bags up and over the countless bridges to get there) it was a stunningly beautiful day which made it pleasant if arduous

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You%26#39;re welcome.

I would say overall you might be safer changing to the week after, yes.