France celebrates 11 public holidays each year. The country’s lone statutory holiday is May Day. The right to additional paid holidays, as well as the conditions for working on French national holidays (such as greater pay), are determined by the employer-employee contract or the union.
The majority of national holidays apply throughout the country, except in two areas (Alsace and Lorraine), which enjoy two additional public holidays: Good Friday and Saint Stephen’s Day. When the former German area rejoined France after World War I, these two additional national holidays remained in place.
If a national holiday in France comes on a Sunday, the following Monday is typically designated as a day off. On the other hand, if it falls on a Saturday, no additional day is granted throughout the week. Employees generally take a bridge holiday (faire le pont) if their day off falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, resulting in a long weekend. In addition, some establishments may choose to close altogether during a bridge holiday.
You may also examine which vacation days correspond with the best French festivals; this is an excellent excuse to visit the nation and enjoy local cuisine and culture.
The largest holiday in France
France’s two most popular holidays are Bastille Day (14 July) and All Saints Day (1 November). The former commemorates the assault on the Bastille in 1789 and is a celebration of national identity, complete with communal fireworks, tricolor flags waving, and moules frites at the Mairie.
The latter, known as the Catholic holy day of La Toussaint, or All Saints, is a more private celebration. Families place flowers on graves, most typically chrysanthemums, in memory of their deceased loved ones before returning home for a large meal. The country celebrates All Saints Day the day after Halloween, a contentious holiday. However, it is gaining popularity, particularly in large cities.
Furthermore, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are popular French holidays. However, in sections of northern and eastern France, some youngsters get presents on the morning of St Nicholas’ Day, December 6th.
Public holidays in France in 2024
| Date | National holiday |
| 1 January (Monday) | New Year’s Day (Jour de l’an) |
| 29 March (Friday) | Good Friday (Le Vendredi Saint – only celebrated in Alsace and Lorraine) |
| 1 April (Monday) | Easter Monday (Lundi de Pâques) |
| 1 May (Wednesday) | Labor Day (Fête du premier mai) |
| 8 May (Wednesday) | World War II Victory Day (Fête du huitième mai or Jour de la Victoire 45) |
| 9 May (Thursday) | Ascension Day (Jour de l’Ascension, 40 days after Easter) |
| 20 May (Monday) | Whit Monday – also known as Pentecost Monday (Lundi de Pentecôte) |
| 14 July (Sunday) | Bastille Day (Fête nationale) |
| 15 August (Thursday) | Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (L’Assomption) |
| 1 November (Friday) | All Saints’ Day (La Toussaint) |
| 11 November (Monday) | Armistice Day (Jour d’armistice) |
| 25 December (Wednesday) | Christmas Day (Noël) |
| 26 December (Thursday) | Boxing Day/Saint Stephen’s Day (Deuxième jour de Noël – only celebrated in Alsace and Lorraine) |
Important dates in France in 2024
| Date | Important occasion |
| 31 March (Sunday) | Clocks go forward one hour as daylight saving time starts |
| 26 May (Sunday) | Mother’s Day (Fête des Mères) |
| 16 June (Sunday) | Father’s Day (Fête des Pères) |
| 27 October (Sunday) | Clocks go back one hour as daylight saving time ends |
Public holidays in France in 2025
| Date | National holiday |
| 1 January (Wednesday) | New Year’s Day (Jour de l’an) |
| 18 April (Friday) | Good Friday (Le Vendredi Saint – only celebrated in Alsace and Lorraine) |
| 21 April (Monday) | Easter Monday (Lundi de Pâques) |
| 1 May (Thursday) | Labor Day (Fête du premier mai) |
| 8 May (Thursday) | World War II Victory Day (Fête du huitième mai or Jour de la Victoire 45) |
| 29 May (Thursday) | Ascension Day (Jour de l’Ascension, 40 days after Easter) |
| 9 June (Monday) | Whit Monday – also known as Pentecost Monday (Lundi de Pentecôte) |
| 14 July (Monday) | Bastille Day (Fête nationale) |
| 15 August (Friday) | Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (L’Assomption) |
| 1 November (Saturday) | All Saints’ Day (La Toussaint) |
| 11 November (Tuesday) | Armistice Day (Jour d’armistice) |
| 25 December (Thursday) | Christmas Day (Noël) |
| 26 December (Friday) | Boxing Day/Saint Stephen’s Day (Deuxième jour de Noël – only celebrated in Alsace and Lorraine) |
Important dates in France in 2025
| Date | Important occasion |
| 30 March (Sunday) | Clocks go forward one hour as daylight saving time starts |
| 25 May (Sunday) | Mother’s Day (Fête des Mères) |
| 15 June (Sunday) | Father’s Day (Fête des Pères) |
| 26 October (Sunday) | Clocks go back one hour as daylight saving time ends |
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