May is a month with many public holidays in France. There's May 1st, of course, whose origins are well known, but there's also May 8th. And here, you'll have to go back to your childhood memories to recall exactly why this day is so historic in France, but also a public holiday.
May 8 refers to May 8, 1945, which marked the end of the Second World War in Europe. On that day, the Allies won the war and Nazi Germany capitulated. At 3 p.m. on May 8, 1945, bells began to ring throughout the country. " The war is won. Here is victory..." announced General de Gaulle in a radio message.
Representatives of the German High Command signed a new act of surrender in Berlin at 11:01pm on May 8, 1945, in the presence of representatives of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), the United States, the United Kingdom and France.
May 8 was declared a public holiday on March 20, 1953. However, on April 11, 1959, the famous General de Gaulle decided to abolish the public holiday in the context of Franco-German reconciliation. It was not until 1981, with the arrival of François Mitterrand as President of the Republic, that May 8 was reinstated as a public holiday, with a law dated September 23, 1981.
As with November 11th, commemorations and tributes to the victims of this war follow one another in France on May 8th. The President of the Republic usually drives up the Champs-Élysées avenue to the Arc de Triomphe, escorted by the Republican Guard. Surrounded by military leaders and representatives of World War II veterans, resistance fighters and deportees, he also lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
May 8, 2024: museums and monuments open on this public holiday in Paris and the Île-de-France region
Which Paris museum or monument to visit this Wednesday, May 8, 2024? On this beautiful public holiday, many cultural venues are keeping their doors open, much to our delight. Let's make the most of it! [Read more]
Feel like doing a little shopping on Wednesday, May 8, 2024? Many shopping centers and department stores in Paris and the Paris region are keeping their doors open even on this public holiday. Find out which ones! [Read more]
Ah, the month of May and its delightful public holidays... We're off to a great start with Monday, May 1, a public holiday to celebrate Labor Day, but we're keeping the momentum going with the following Monday, May 8, 2024, a public holiday to commemorate the Armistice of the Second World War. Okay, but what are we doing in Paris with the kids on May 8, 2024? [Read more]
May 8, 2024: museums and monuments open on this public holiday in Paris and the Île-de-France region
Shopping centers and department stores opening on May 8, 2024 in Paris and the Île-de-France region
What to do with the kids on May 8, 2024? Our 10 ideas for family outings
