May is one of the most appealing months for a stay in Paris. Days grow longer, terraces come alive and the cultural and music calendar reaches a level of intensity that is hard to match. With public holidays, major concerts and free cultural events, May 2026 offers a packed programme — and several standout moments. From Hôtel R de Paris in the 9th arrondissement, almost all of these outings are easy to reach, on foot or within a few metro stops.

The main highlights of May 2026

Museum Night — 23 May

Paris’s most popular spring cultural event returns on Saturday 23 May 2026. For one evening, some of the finest museums in Paris and the wider region open their doors free of charge until late at night. Several museums in the 9th arrondissement and nearby take part every year, including the Musée Gustave Moreau (14 rue de La Rochefoucauld) and the Musée de la Vie Romantique (16 rue Chaptal) — both less than a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Entry is free and, for most venues, no booking is required; for the most popular museums, arriving early in the evening is recommended.

Roland-Garros — from 24 May

The French Open begins on Sunday 24 May 2026. One of tennis’s four Grand Slams, Roland-Garros draws hundreds of thousands of spectators every year to the clay courts at Porte d’Auteuil. The outside courts can be accessed with reasonably priced tickets — ideal for soaking up the atmosphere without overspending. For dates, schedules, ticket tips and directions from the hotel, see our Roland-Garros 2026 guide.

Jul and Aya Nakamura at Stade de France

Jul takes over Stade de France for two dates on 15 and 16 May 2026, before Aya Nakamura makes history there with three evenings on 29, 30 and 31 May. The most-streamed French female artist in the world, three consecutive nights at Stade de France at the end of the month — it is the music event of late spring. These concerts are part of an exceptional season at Stade de France: find the full programme and practical advice in our article dedicated to spring 2026 concerts at Stade de France. Tickets are in very high demand, so booking ahead is essential.

Exhibitions and culture in May

Nan Goldin at the Grand Palais — until 21 June

Until 21 June 2026, the Grand Palais is showing This Will Not End Well, the first major French retrospective devoted to Nan Goldin. A world-renowned American photographer, Goldin transformed documentary and intimate photography, especially in the way she portrayed life and marginalised communities. This is a major exhibition for lovers of contemporary photography, just 15 minutes from the hotel by metro line 9 to Champs-Élysées – Clemenceau.

Mummies at the Musée de l’Homme — final days

The exhibition on Mummies at the Musée de l’Homme ends on 25 May 2026. One of the season’s major exhibitions, it combines science, archaeology and the history of funerary practices around the world. For visitors who have not yet had the chance to see it, this is the last opportunity. The museum is in Trocadéro and can be reached by metro line 6.

Beyond the Streets at La Villette — from 27 May

From 27 May until 30 August 2026, the Grande Halle de La Villette hosts Beyond the Streets, an exhibition dedicated to the legends of graffiti and street art. With more than 100 major artists, historic works and brand-new installations across more than 3,600 m², it is one of the most ambitious exhibitions of the Paris summer. Ideal for families or a trip with friends, via metro line 5 to Porte de Pantin.

Seasonal activities in May

  • Foire du Trône (Pelouse de Reuilly, 12th arrondissement) — until 25 May: a major traditional funfair with more than 200 rides, a Ferris wheel and ghost train. Ideal for families.
  • The terraces of the Grands Boulevards — the hotel’s neighbourhood, between Opéra and Montmartre, is home to some of Paris’s liveliest terraces as soon as the sun comes out. Perfect for a coffee or an aperitif before a show.
  • Opéra Garnier (15 minutes on foot) — the season runs until June, with ballet and opera through the final spring performances. An evening at the Palais Garnier remains an incomparable Paris experience.

For more ideas near the hotel, our guide to activities in Paris lists some of the best addresses in the neighbourhood and across the capital.

Paris in May depending on your style of stay

As a couple: an evening at Opéra Garnier combined with dinner in the 9th arrondissement, followed by a Museum Night visit on 23 May — a perfect Paris programme, entirely accessible on foot from the hotel.

With family: Foire du Trône for fun, and Beyond the Streets at La Villette for teenagers. The long days of May make it easy to combine several activities without rushing.

With friends: concerts at Stade de France (Jul, Aya Nakamura) or a daytime visit to Roland-Garros for the atmosphere, followed by an evening in the bars of Saint-Georges or Pigalle — just a 10-minute walk from the hotel.

Paris in May is the city at its best. If you are planning a stay this month, accommodation and tickets for the biggest concerts sell quickly: an early booking guarantees the best conditions for enjoying the capital with peace of mind.