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, the head of state also lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Commemoration of the Victory of May 8, 1945: The program for the ceremony in Paris
On May 8, 2025, Paris and France commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of 1945. The program for the official ceremony on Place de l'Etoile is packed. Discover the highlights. [Read more]
May 8, 2025 is a public holiday for the French. To help you prepare for the holiday, we take a look at the disruptions and station closures throughout the RATP public transport network in Paris and the Île-de-France region. [Read more]
To mark the commemoration of May 8th, the Préfecture de police de Paris has issued an order temporarily modifying parking and traffic in several Paris streets in the 8th, 16th and 17th arrondissements, on May 7, 8 and 9, 2025. [Read more]
France Télévisions is organizing a special musical evening to mark the 80th anniversary of May 8, 1945. To be followed live on France 2 this Thursday, May 8, 2025, from the Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris, this grand concert will feature French and international artists, including Zaz, Calogero, Angélique Kidjo, Nana Mouskouri, Natasha St-Pier, Renaud Capuçon, Khatia Buniatishvili, Olivia Ruiz and Hiba Tawaji. [Read more]
Which Paris museum or monument to visit this Thursday, May 8, 2025? On this beautiful French 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 Thursday, May 8, 2025? Many shopping centers and department stores in Paris and the greater Paris region are keeping their doors open even on this public holiday. Find out which ones! [Read more]
This Thursday, May 8, 2025, is a public holiday for the French. An opportunity to enjoy the capital and take some time for yourself. However, closures can thwart the plans of gourmands in search of a good restaurant. Don't panic, here's a selection of good addresses open this Thursday, May 8, 2025. [Read more]
How about a trip to the pool on May 8, 2025? Even though it's a public holiday, the pools aren't necessarily closed, and you can take advantage of the opportunity to swim and splash around in the water on your own or with your family! [Read more]
Commemoration of the Victory of May 8, 1945: The program for the ceremony in Paris
May 8 public holiday in Paris: Metro, RER, Transilien, Tram stations closed this Thursday
May 8 ceremony: Parking and traffic restrictions in Paris
The Peace Concert on France 2 this Thursday: the list of guest artists for this special evening
May 8, 2025: museums and monuments in Paris and the Île-de-France region open on this public holiday
Shopping centers and department stores opening on May 8, 2025 in Paris and the greater Paris region
May 8: our selection of restaurants open in Paris on this public holiday
Which pools in Paris will be open on this Thursday, May 8, 2025, a public holiday?
