From three holidays to possible railway strikes, tax limit dates, vehicle registration changes and the Cannes Film Festival, this is what is happening in France in May 2025.
Parties
Depanding in the year, three or four holidays fall in May. This year, there are three, thanks to May (the Fête du Travail) on May 1, VE Day (La Victoire on 1945) on May 8 and the Ascension, which this year falls on May 29.
Read more: 5 reasons to wait in May in France
As for May, wait for manifestations and union marches and the donation of the lucky flowers of Lily of-The-Valley.
Meanwhile, on May 8, military parades and memory events involve in towns and cities of France. This year will mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe.
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Spring rail strikes
French unions threaten several railway strikes from Monday, May 5. These could lead to a great interruption on the days surrounding the holiday of the day, since many families travel to take advantage of a long weekend.
Read more: explained: spring rail strikes that could reach train services in France
French vehicle registration rates
As of May 1, electric vehicle owners will also have to pay the vehicle registration fees, or the Larta Grise.
Previously, electric vehicles were exempt from this expense, but May also have to pay. The exact amount stands out in the French region, since local authorities can establish their rates, but the costs may vary between € 150 to € 750, depending on the power of the vehicle, said Merci pour l’Ono.
France attracts researchers
The French president, Emmanuel Macron, has asked the researchers “from the world to choose France and Europe”, with a meeting on May 5.
The meeting will bring together “the broader research community”, but the focus of the event is not yet at all clear. Until now, France has been transmitting to researchers based in the United States after the budget cuts and threats of the Trump administration.
Read more: Call in France to create a new status of ‘refugees’ for US researchers
Tax deadlines
May also brings the first deadlines for the Annual Tax Declaration, mandatory for almost all in France.
If you cannot submit the online statement, you can use a paper statement. This must be sent by mail before May 20.
For online statements, it has until May 22 (at 11.59 pm) if you live in departments 1 to 19 (or if you live outside France), and until May 28 for those aged 20 to 54. For the sending deficits and the territories abroad in France, it has until June 5.
Read more: The Bumper French Guide for 2025
European Museum Night
On Saturday, May 17, museums will keep their doors open, for free, all night as part of the “European Museum Night”. Several Paris museums participate, outside Paris, you can find more information on the website for your local town hall. For Paris, more information here.
The Cannes Film Festival
The 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival will take place from May 13 to 24 at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès in Cannes. This year, the duration of the opening ceremony, the honorary ‘Palme d’Or’ will be granted to Robert de Niro.
Eurovision
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You can see France compete in the Eurovision song contest in Basel, Switzerland this year. The semifinals are established for May 13 and 15 (although France passes directly to the finals every year as one of the ‘greats’ that finances the contest). The final is Saturday, May 17. France will be represented by singer Louane.
Read more: 5 things that must be known about Louane, Maman and France
Mother’s Day and neighborhood
There are a couple of important days that he won because he will lose this May.
Mother’s Day in France will fall on May 25, he thought that if his mother is in the United Kingdom, it is possible that he has already lost it (it was March 30). For Americans, Mother’s Day always falls on the second Sunday of May, so be sure to score on May 11 on their calendar.
Then there is also the day of the neighbor, or Fête des Voisins, which is the perfect opportunity to greet their neighbors. This year will take place on Friday, May 23.
Read more: Fête des Voisins: Everything you need to know about ‘Neighbors Day’ in France
Roland-Garros tennis tournament
The France Open begins on Sunday, May 25 and will run until Sunday, June 8. You can see the provisional schedule on the Roland-Garros website.
Imminent deadline for VAT rules changes
France’s 2025 budget, which approved in February, included a new VAT threshold for all companies, which would force many people themselves (micro entrepreneurs) to pay Vesse for the first time.
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This change has been controversial, and a few hours to approve the budget, it was announced that the reform of the Vesse reform stopped until at least the end of May.
Read more: France micro-understanding in limbo on changes in VAT rules
New flights
As of May, there will be several new flights to and from France, since tourists prepare for the high summer travel season. For example, Air France announced that it would add a new direct flight from Paris to Orlando from May 21.
Read more: List: all new flights from and from France in the spring of 2025
French films to see
Lost in Frenchlation, the film club that detects French films with English subtitles in Paris, has seven films, more questions and answers with a director, two walks on foot and a comedy show in the store by May 2025.
Read more: French films with English subtitles to see in May 2025
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