I'm looking at going to paris in early november. the 1st is a national holiday...

Question

does this affect anything from opening or running? (eg shops, cafes, galleries, the metro underground system...)

Answer 1

As Khaled A said. I just wanted to add that around highly touristic sites most places will be open as usual (except for regular stores, but tourist stores will be open). The Eiffel tower, the boat cruises as well as a lot of museums are open every day of the year including holidays. Check the tourist office website, they have a list of all the attractions with opening days and times:

http://en.parisinfo.com/museums-monument...

So don't worry, there will still be a lot of things to do and you will find some restaurants open (stick to touristic districts). Holidays is when people have time to go to attractions so most of them are open.

Answer 2

Yes, I'm guessing most shops will be closed, and a lot of cafes as well. As for buses, subways and train they run on the sunday schedule during national holidays, which usually means half as many as during weekdays (i.e subways and buses will come about every 10mn during the day, local/suburbian trains every half hour) and they usually also stop earlier (around 11:30-12:00 for paris and close suburbs).

Answer 3

yes many shops  well be closed but the bus well run so well the metro some cafes well close just depend who decide to stay open or not