Between May 1st, May 8th, Ascension and Pentecost, the month of May has ideal holidays to treat yourself to a long weekend. But this rush on the bridges quickly increases the price of tickets and hotel nights. Hotels.com and Abritel, which closely follow the French’s research, nevertheless provide tips for traveling at a low cost during this period. By varying the dates, destinations and type of accommodation, they ensure that it is still possible to leave without spending too much.
May bridges: what the figures say about prices
According to Hotels.com, the French are taking advantage of the May holidays to extend their vacations, and searches for stays in May 2026 have jumped by almost 60% compared to May 2025. Xavier Rousselou, spokesperson for Hotels.com, summarizes: “With a very favorable bridge calendar this year, the French have more opportunities to get away in May, including for longer stays. We are seeing a clear increase in searches for hotels in distant and sunny destinations”he explains, quoted by Cosmopolitan. Among the booming destinations, the platform cites in particular the Maldives and Madeira, which are taking advantage of this desire for sun before summer.
An OpinionWay study carried out for the Liligo comparator shows that the most requested bridge remains the pont du 1st Maywhich concentrates the most searches and sees prices soar. THE May 8 bridge is on average 15% cheaper than the others, making it the best candidate for low-cost travel. Specialists also recommend combining May 8 and Ascension: with only four days off, it becomes possible to align up to ten days of vacation on slightly less busy dates.
Destinations and accommodation: tips from specialists
To reduce the budget, specialists advise staying close to home or in France. Abritel is observing a return to greenery, towards the Atlantic coast, the Alps and the countryside near the cities. Xavier Rousselou, spokesperson for Abritel, sums it up:
“For these school holidays, families are favoring destinations that are easy to access, close to nature and suitable for outdoor activities, a sign of a desire for calm and slower, more disconnected tourism”.
In terms of accommodation, a shared Abritel rental allows you to split the costs. For stays spanning multiple decks, the Hotels.com loyalty program offers a bonus night for every ten nights booked. Something to enjoy in May without breaking the budget.
