International workers' day (or fete du travail in french) falls on May 1st and is a very important public holiday in France. Most of the main museums, monuments, shops, and restaurants in Paris will be closed. The city is quiet, but you will see a lot of locals and visitors spending time walking around the city (if the weather permits it). You might also spot in the streets a lot of people selling lily of the valley. At the beginning of the 20th century, it became custom to give a spring of lily of the valley, a symbol of springtime, to loved ones on May 1. The tradition dates back to King Charles IX of France, who on May 1, 1561, received a lily of the valley as a lucky charm. He decided to offer that flower each year to the ladies of the court. Coming back to May 1st, we thought we would give you the list of the very few museums or monuments that will be open on that day. If the weather permits it, we recommend that you take the day strolling around Paris and visiting our many parks. MUSEUMS AND MONUMENTS Sacré Coeur The Basilique du Sacré-Coeur was inspired by churches such as Saint Sofia in Constantinople and San Marco in Venice. The entire city of Paris is visible from the forecourt of the Basilica. It is the highest point in Paris after the Eiffel Tower. While there, make sure to walk around the Montmartre area. From 6am to 10:30pm 35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre, 75018 Paris, France http://www.sacre-coeur-montmartre.com Père Lachaise Cemetery Although it may seem a bit morbid to go visit a cemetery, about 2 million people visit the famous Père Lachaise cemetery every year. Nestled in the 20th district, it is the biggest cemetery in Paris. A lot of famous celebrities are buried there such as: Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison, Balzac, Edith Piaf, Ernst, Molière, Chopin... From 8am to 6pm 16 rue du Repos 75020 Paris Tour Montparnasse The skyscraper tour Montparnasse is located in the 14th district and offers a 360degree view of Paris. Although, not as famous as the Eiffel tower for obvious reasons, the panoramic floor on the 56th floor, offers a beautiful view of the city. If the weather permits, you also have access to the terrace at an altitude of 210 meters above the city. There is also a café and a restaurant in the tower. From 9:30am to 11:30pm 33 avenue du Maine 75015 Paris Eiffel Tour The famous Tour Eiffel will be open, but beware of the long lines. From 9:30am to 11pm Musée Jacquemart-André The museum was created in the private home of Édouard André (1833–1894) and Nélie Jacquemart (1841-1912) to display the art they collected during their lives. The visit is divided into five major parts: the State Apartments, the informal Apartments, the winter garden, the Italian museum, and the private apartments. You will find works by Botticelli, Gainsborough, Botticini, Perugino... The current exhibition is: "From Watteau to Fragonnard...les fetes galantes" From 10am to 6pm 158 Boulevard Haussmann, 75008 http://www.musee-jacquemart-andre.com Musée Maillol The museum opened its doors in 1995. Dina Vierny, the model of sculptor Aristide Maillol, presents her art collection and the works of Maillol (sculptures,paintings, engravings...). The current exhibition is: "The treasure of San Gennaro" From 10:30am to 7pm 61 Rue de Grenelle 75007 Paris http://www.museemaillol.com Pinacothèque The current exhibition is "The myth of Cleopatra". The exhibition invites you to dream: it starts off with the discovery of outstanding archaeological works from the Ptolemaic period and continues with the birth of the myth in Ancient Rome (Pinacothèque 2). Paintings, sculptures and film costumes then illustrate the blossoming of the myth within art history (Pinacothèque 1). From 2pm to 6:30pm 28 place de la Madeleine, 75008 Paris http://www.pinacotheque.com Notre Dame de Paris From 8am to 7pm 6 Parvis Notre-Dame - Place Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris OUTSIDE OF PARIS Château de Versailles From 8am to 8:30pm Château de Vaux le Vicomte From 10am to 6pm Château de Breteuil From 10am to 8pm Château de Chantilly From 10am to 6pm FOR CHILDREN Musée en Herbe From 10am to 7pm 21 Rue Hérold, 75001 Paris http://www.musee-en-herbe.com/ The Paris Aquarium From 10am to 7pm 5 Avenue Albert de Mun, 75016 Paris http://www.cineaqua.com/ Parc Zoologique de Paris The newly renovated Vincennes zoo just reopened in April. We heard that it is not as great as what was marketed. From 9:30am to 7:30pm http://www.parczoologiquedeparis.fr Jardin d'Acclimatation The Jardin d'Acclimatation is a 20-hectare children's amusement park with a zoo, the Exploradôme museum, and other attractions located in the northern part of the Bois de Boulogne, in Paris. It is a big favorite among locals. From 10am to 7pm http://www.jardindacclimatation.fr/ Jardin des PLantes The botanical garden of Paris From 1:30pm to 6pm 57, rue Cuvier 75005 Paris Musée Grevin It is one of the oldest wax museums in Europe. From 9:30am to 7pm 10 Boulevard Montmartre 75009 PARIS http://www.grevin-paris.com