Contrary to popular belief, most of the city stays open on Sunday, including restaurants and cafes, museums, monuments, bakeries, etc. Most shops and some supermarkets are a noteworthy exception, as explained further down.
Sunday is a Funday for restaurant workers (it's their day off!), but for most of us, Sunday is a problem. Paris restaurants are usually closed two days every week, and most take off Saturday/Sunday or Sunday/Monday. That doesn't leave a lot of options open on Dimanche.
The majority of shops are open all day from 9am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday. Some smaller shops may close over lunchtime between midday and 2pm, or all day on Monday. Sunday and public holidays are the usual closing days, although there are some exceptions ...
Sundays are quiet for the French — typically, the day is devoted to rest, family, and a time-honored commitment to relaxation. Most businesses shut their doors after about noon, and many don't open them at all. Don't worry about lost time, though; in many ways, this is when Parisian joie de vivre is in its truest form.
Why are French restaurants closed Sunday and Monday?
Yes, it is true in France and many other countries. The day of the week varies from restaurant to restaurant, but the opening times are posted outside the restaurant. Sunday and Monday are the most common "Ruhetag" (as it is called in German speaking areas) as they are the least popular nights.
10 Fine Dining Restaurants in Paris to Celebrate (€€ to €€€€)
What is closed Sunday in Paris?
Department stores and shops
Shops are open from 9:30am to 7pm, and sometimes closed during lunchtime. Shops and department stores are closed on Sundays, except for certain neighborhoods (Le Marais, Beaubourg...). Please also note that some shops are closed on Mondays.
In France, as a general rule, shops are not allowed to open on Sundays. However, there are exceptions to this rule, and certain businesses can open on Sundays under certain conditions.
Contrary to popular belief, most of the city stays open on Sunday, including restaurants and cafes, museums, monuments, bakeries, etc. Most shops and some supermarkets are a noteworthy exception, as explained further down.
Ironically, if you want to see the French capital without the crowds, then Sunday morning is probably the best time to head out and explore thanks to the fact that many people are having a lie in post a Saturday night outing!
Saturdays and Sundays are the busiest days of the week. When it is not peak season, school vacation or a public holiday, attendance is usually lowest on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The Eiffel Tower is open on Tuesdays, unlike museums in Paris.
Avoid visiting on Sundays and any public holidays as the place remains closed. If you are planning to your visit to champs elysees in Paris on Mondays, then note that closing timings shifts to 6 pm from 10 pm. Plan your visit accordingly.
Buses run Monday through Saturday from approximately 7:00 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. Some lines stop running around 8:30 p.m. Almost half of the lines operate on Sundays and public holidays. The line number and direction are indicated on the front, above the driver's cabin, and on the sides of the bus.
Cafes usually open around 7-8 am (but it can as well be 5 am or noon). Most of them have croissants (though they can quickly run out) and buttered bread. A lot of them serve eggs and omelettes (plus others food items, but we're talking about breakfast).
That's because the city's most highly-prized tourist attractions—museums and restaurants—are closed on certain days of the week. So before setting off on a Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday, check to see if your 'to-dos' can in fact be done. A large number of restaurants are shuttered on Sunday.
I actually grew to love the fact that shops were shut on Sunday and every day for two hours so that the workers could have a long lunch break. Shops have been closed on Sundays in France for more than a century due to a 1906 law.
Why are restaurants in Paris closed Saturday and Sunday?
--and also paying government expenses for employees' health insurance, etc. is very high. It's often because of these legal requirements and the expense that restaurants are closed a couple of days a week. Or some restaurants might be open for dinner on Saturday but not open for lunch.
With 3 days in Paris, you have enough time to take in the view from the Eiffel Tower, say hi to Mona Lisa in the Louvre, eat street food crepes, climb the Arc de Triomphe, explore several Parisian neighborhoods, and visit the amazing Palace of Versailles.
First-time travelers should try and plan around 4-5 days—ample time to enjoy some classic Parisian highlights and visit a few of the 20 arrondissements (neighborhoods).
March to May and September to October are the best times for a bit of everything. Spring (especially April and May) and autumn (particularly September and October) are ideal for visiting Paris – crowds are thinner, but the weather is temperate and lovely.
Free only on the first Sunday of each month: The Louvre, Musée Rodin, Musée Picasso, Musée d'Orsay and others. Always free: National museums (such as the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay, etc.)
Traditionally speaking, shops do not open in France on Sundays; however the rules have changed in recent years, and now across France you will find supermarkets, DIY and gardening shops open on Sunday morning. In tourist areas the rules are more flexible, and all sorts of shops can now stay open all day.
Champs-Elysées shop list. Most shops are open 7 days a week from 10am to at least 9 or 10pm (can be 12pm). On Sundays, many shops open at 12am. The Champs-Elysées have mid-size shopping malls, extending the shopping area.
French families traditionally spend long Sunday lunches together, with lots of verve and scrumptious food. Sundays can get a bit gloomy in France: shops are shut so people tend to head to the movies.
What should you say when you enter a store in France?
Upon entering a shop – When you first walk in, scan the shop to see if you can spot the proprietor. When you do, immediately smile and greet him or her with a pleasant “Bonjour Monsieur/Madame,” and also nod to include in your greeting any other customers that may be in the store within earshot.
Need for a break. Small, owner-managed restaurants have limited staff. That usually means that there are some people that have to do lunch and dinner - meaning arriving at the restaurant in the morning and staying there working (and it's physically very demanding work!) until the early morning hours.
