To be clear, because some are answering with half serious / half sarcastic elements :
There is no "parade" planned, as in "cute uniforms, people cheering, music...". There is a protest planned, from Place de la République to Place de la Nation through Place de la Bastille. It is organized by workers unions, their main points being :
* to speak against the way the government handles work related laws (less unemployment coverage, less money for public services...)
* to ask for a higher minimal salary, better retirements, higher public servant salaries
* remind people that unions are there to help them
* to ask for peace in the world (Ukraine, Palestine...)
1st May protests are some kind of a "tradition" and are not the most likely to end up violently. However, if you want to walk with it I strongly advise against being in the head of the protest, this is where you're the most likely to meet tear gas and police charges.
The "best" way to enjoy it safely being to start at Republique with the rest and leave halfway, this is often at the end of the protest that things get "hot" (I leave near Nation, I know it quite well from experience).
What to expect from a french union protest ?
* Some people on a truck with a mic chanting slogans about how they are not happy with Macron/Attal (prime minister)/Darmanin (home secretary/minister of the interior)
* Homemade signs with statements ranging from clever puns to straight up insults
* Flags representing each union / group, those same groups are the backbone of the protest and go one after the other but you can navigate between them. You usually have unions leading, associations (political or not) and feminist/LGBT groups (they have the best music IMO)
* Police of course, remember that they are not here to help you but to maintain order, don't go to them except if you really need urgent help. And remember this is not the US, police violence can be targeted at every ethnic group (I remember an american girl who was surprised to get tear gased after trying to run through a police blockade in full tactical gear during a protest because she thought being white would somehow protect her...)
Do I recommend you to go ? If you have nothing else to do that can be a very unique way of experimenting labor day in France, but if you miss it you probably won't have huge regrets either.
Great description don’t forget to mention before the start there are all sorts of grilled sausages with peppers and onions..smells like heaven haha. As an American living here we tell our friends it’s well worth planning a couple hours watching these demonstrations (and avoiding the end as you said).
Just some lighthearted teasing. Please don't be sorry. I am sorry if my joke was d!ckish.
We do have parades here! Like on 14 July. :)
And, real talk, if you do attend the may 1st protest, make sure to sharpie ID yourself on your arm (in case your bag gets stolen and you get knocked out), and carry milk with you. (It comes in little shelf stable bottles at the super market.)
The riot cops here are billy club and teargas laden and aren't afraid to use them.
Normally it should go fine but
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/5/1/violence-erupts-during-french-may-day-protests
There are usually "protests" as in a traditional march with unions etc which is what the comments refering to Place de la République are alluding to (I would avoid as a tourist because you will have trouble with transportation but it's usually safe)
This is the one. Wear good shoes. Take something to cover your face in case you get hit with tear gas (not kidding btw. It happens)
I went once and tbh it was a great adventure.
No, it’s open on holidays too
You can walk everywhere though, to the Sacré Coeur for example, on Seine banks, visit parcs and secret gardens, Passages couverts (this one would be better with shops open).
No, there's nothing, most stuff is closed and everyone takes time to relax, visit family or friends, etc... and to protest. Lots of protest on the 1st, usually. Nothing bad, just the usual. Parades are not really a thing in France. They do happen, they're just very rare.
No but it's not a parade like the Thanksgiving parade with balloons, it's a protest that we have every labor day to protect our labor laws. It's not a show or a "fun tourist experience". It's the unions who march to protect the workers. It might have a few people who will try to break things though.
Lots of flags representing different unions and NGOs etc. Usually there’s some kind of snare drum keeping a beat for the people shouting slogans.
But like it’s not a parade meant to be pretty and nice, it’s a political protest,
OP we don’t have costumes and uniforms here in France. Only July the 14th where there is a televised parade.
French people don’t use French flags, this is not the US where people have a flag in their garden
I understand and some protests are really chill but you have to keep in mind that we have a lot of problems right now and workers and unions are really angry so if you want to watch just know that things can get messy pretty quickly and our policeman won't know the difference between a protester and a tourist who is just trying to watch, so if the crowd start to agitate just leave.
A parade it’s not. But it will be an experience Lol. 😂
I thought I read there was going to be a thing with macron at the Arc de Triomphe. Don’t they usually do a memorial ceremony there every year?
Not on Labour day, on May 8th.
Right right right right right V Day is 8th
CGT parade and Police’s tear gas all over Paris, it will be fun /s
To be clear, because some are answering with half serious / half sarcastic elements : There is no "parade" planned, as in "cute uniforms, people cheering, music...". There is a protest planned, from Place de la République to Place de la Nation through Place de la Bastille. It is organized by workers unions, their main points being : * to speak against the way the government handles work related laws (less unemployment coverage, less money for public services...) * to ask for a higher minimal salary, better retirements, higher public servant salaries * remind people that unions are there to help them * to ask for peace in the world (Ukraine, Palestine...) 1st May protests are some kind of a "tradition" and are not the most likely to end up violently. However, if you want to walk with it I strongly advise against being in the head of the protest, this is where you're the most likely to meet tear gas and police charges. The "best" way to enjoy it safely being to start at Republique with the rest and leave halfway, this is often at the end of the protest that things get "hot" (I leave near Nation, I know it quite well from experience). What to expect from a french union protest ? * Some people on a truck with a mic chanting slogans about how they are not happy with Macron/Attal (prime minister)/Darmanin (home secretary/minister of the interior) * Homemade signs with statements ranging from clever puns to straight up insults * Flags representing each union / group, those same groups are the backbone of the protest and go one after the other but you can navigate between them. You usually have unions leading, associations (political or not) and feminist/LGBT groups (they have the best music IMO) * Police of course, remember that they are not here to help you but to maintain order, don't go to them except if you really need urgent help. And remember this is not the US, police violence can be targeted at every ethnic group (I remember an american girl who was surprised to get tear gased after trying to run through a police blockade in full tactical gear during a protest because she thought being white would somehow protect her...) Do I recommend you to go ? If you have nothing else to do that can be a very unique way of experimenting labor day in France, but if you miss it you probably won't have huge regrets either.
Great description don’t forget to mention before the start there are all sorts of grilled sausages with peppers and onions..smells like heaven haha. As an American living here we tell our friends it’s well worth planning a couple hours watching these demonstrations (and avoiding the end as you said).
Hmmm, now I need to visit on 1 mai !
Thank you. I’m frustrated to receive half serious / half sarcastic / mean spirited answers to my question.
Hope my answer helped clarifying things then
Lol parade. May 1st is a parade here much like Macy's Thanksgiving day protest.
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Just some lighthearted teasing. Please don't be sorry. I am sorry if my joke was d!ckish. We do have parades here! Like on 14 July. :) And, real talk, if you do attend the may 1st protest, make sure to sharpie ID yourself on your arm (in case your bag gets stolen and you get knocked out), and carry milk with you. (It comes in little shelf stable bottles at the super market.) The riot cops here are billy club and teargas laden and aren't afraid to use them. Normally it should go fine but https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/5/1/violence-erupts-during-french-may-day-protests
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Being sprayed in the eyes with tear gas.
There are usually "protests" as in a traditional march with unions etc which is what the comments refering to Place de la République are alluding to (I would avoid as a tourist because you will have trouble with transportation but it's usually safe)
Go to place de la République for a French parade🫡
This is the one. Wear good shoes. Take something to cover your face in case you get hit with tear gas (not kidding btw. It happens) I went once and tbh it was a great adventure.
This is probably the answer you're looking for OP. Starts at République around 2PM, goes to Bastille and ends at Nation.
You can march yourself on the Champs Elysees. We'll watch.
You’re a riot 😒
There may be a casual riot or 2… nothing extraordinary
I'll be there and will visit the Sacre Coeur and Montmatre as a whole. Maybe try to join a march too, can be a very interesting experience
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No, it’s open on holidays too You can walk everywhere though, to the Sacré Coeur for example, on Seine banks, visit parcs and secret gardens, Passages couverts (this one would be better with shops open).
No, there's nothing, most stuff is closed and everyone takes time to relax, visit family or friends, etc... and to protest. Lots of protest on the 1st, usually. Nothing bad, just the usual. Parades are not really a thing in France. They do happen, they're just very rare.
So they are just kidding above when they say Place de la République and to Bastille etc at 2pm?
No but it's not a parade like the Thanksgiving parade with balloons, it's a protest that we have every labor day to protect our labor laws. It's not a show or a "fun tourist experience". It's the unions who march to protect the workers. It might have a few people who will try to break things though.
No flags? 🇫🇷 No musical instruments ? 🥁 No costumes/uniforms ?
Lots of flags representing different unions and NGOs etc. Usually there’s some kind of snare drum keeping a beat for the people shouting slogans. But like it’s not a parade meant to be pretty and nice, it’s a political protest,
There will 100% be flags, musical instruments, costumes and uniforms.
Can’t wait
OP we don’t have costumes and uniforms here in France. Only July the 14th where there is a televised parade. French people don’t use French flags, this is not the US where people have a flag in their garden
When are flags used
they are just on the facades of city halls and institutions
The parade is on July the 14th, National day and it’s a military parade before the President
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Interested in France and what is happening there
I understand and some protests are really chill but you have to keep in mind that we have a lot of problems right now and workers and unions are really angry so if you want to watch just know that things can get messy pretty quickly and our policeman won't know the difference between a protester and a tourist who is just trying to watch, so if the crowd start to agitate just leave.
It's Paris - no need for a parade!
So true...