List Of Public Holidays In France

In France, there are 11 public holidays each year. Half of the holidays are Christian holidays, the other half are historic commemorations. It is best to know if your planned travel dates fall on a jour férié or public holiday.

Are you planning to visit France soon? Here’s a look at all the public holidays in France, their history, and what to expect if you go.

List Of Public Holidays In France

Jour de l’an or New Year’s Day – January 1

In France, January 1st is the first public holiday of the year.  New Year’s Eve and the public holiday New Year’s Day is typically spent with friends and family in France.

Aside from the traditional meals, parties, and fireworks, the French have their unique way of celebrating the New Year. Countdown on the Champs Elysees, as well as the very complicated yet entertaining La Bise, are must-sees.

This occurs at midnight celebrations, as everyone rushes around saying Bonne Année kissing everyone on the cheek with a French kiss known as “la bise”.

Easter weekend 

• Easter Sunday – Easter Sunday is always the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox on March 21st. This is a Christian holiday commemorating Christ’s resurrection. In French households, a special dinner with lamb (roasted or stewed) is served, and chocolate is traditionally given.
• Easter Monday – The day after Easter, also known as Le lundi de Pâques, is a national holiday in France. Like Easter, this holiday occurs anywhere between March 22 and April 25 because it is a movable feast. The dates were calculated using a centuries-old ecclesiological formula.

Fête du Travail or Labor Day – May 1

Employers in France are only required to pay workers for the day off on Labor Day. The other days are at the employer’s discretion. May 1st is also said to be the worst day for visitors to visit France since much of the country is deserted.

The 1st of May is also Muguet Day (Lily of the valley celebration). In certain areas, the 1st of May or the first Monday of May is observed as a public holiday.

It is an ancient festival that commemorates the arrival of summer and is still observed as a traditional spring holiday in many European cultures today.

READ: Fête du Travail – Labor Day In France

La Fete de la Victoire/ Victoire 1945 or Victory in Europe Day – May 8

Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) commemorates the end of World War II in Europe.

It is also called Jour de la Liberation in France. This holiday commemorates World War II’s end and pays tribute to those who perished.

Germany signed an unconditional surrender of its armed forces in Reims, France, on May 7, 1945, with the surrender taking effect the next day.

May 8th is a national holiday in France, with parades, banners, and wreath-laying commemorating the soldiers who died in the Holocaust.

The President of the Republic places a wreath on the tomb of the unknown soldier at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. A military parade will then proceed down the Champs Elysees.

Jeudi de l’Ascension or Ascension Thursday  – Moveable 

Every year, on the 40th day after Easter Sunday, Jeudi de l’Ascension or Ascension Thursday is a public holiday in France. Its date varies each year, but it always falls on a Thursday, allowing the French to take advantage of the long weekend.

The term “ascension” comes from the Latin word “ascension,” which means “growing.” The Ascension is a Christian term that refers to Jesus Christ rising into heaven, symbolizing everlasting life.

This French public holiday has been commemorated since the 4th century, thanks to Pope Leon I the Great’s initiative. Many European countries, except for Spain, Portugal, and Greece, commemorate the Ascension.

Lundi de Pentecôte or Whit Monday aka Pentecost – Moveable

Whit Monday is a Christian holiday commemorating Jesus’ apostles receiving the Saint-Esprit (“Holy Spirit”). The descent of the Holy Spirit is considered to be the “birthday” of the Christian church.

Pentecost’s other name (Whit Sunday or Whitsun) is believed to have inspired the holiday’s name, with “whit” referring to the white garments worn by those seeking baptism. Whit Monday is a national holiday in France, which means that most businesses are closed on this day. 

Bastille Day or Fête Nationale – July 14

France’s national day, or Independence Day, is one of the most widely observed holidays in the country. It commemorates the storming of the Bastille in 1789, which occurred during the French Revolution.

The French observe Bastille Day, also known as “quatorze juillet,” as a day to celebrate being French and patriotic, just like Americans do on July 4th.

This holiday is highlighted by a military parade down the Champs Elysées as well as fireworks displays. Local firemen hold street dances, known as Bals des Pompiers.

If you’re in the country during this holiday, you’ll find that every town in France has its own unique Bastille Day celebration.

READ: Bastille Day History And Tradition

L’Assompt Virgin or Assumption of Virgin – August 15

This is a Catholic feast day commemorating the bodily ascension of Mary, Jesus’ mother. For Catholics, it is a Holy Day of Obligation and a national holiday, with most businesses and banks closed.

On Assumption Day, Catholics attend mass, and special celebrations are held near the village of Lourdes.

According to legend, in 1858, a young girl named Bernadette saw a glimpse of a lady in a cave near Lourdes, whom many believe to be Mary.

Every year on Assumption Day, pilgrims flock to Lourdes, where many say to have been cured by the spring water from the cave where Mary is said to have appeared.

Meanwhile, various villages and towns in France host their own festivals, which can include communal meals, sports, markets, and parades.

Toussaint or All Saints Day – November 1st

La Toussaint (All Saints’ Day) is a national holiday that allows families to come together to remember and mourn their loved ones who have passed away.

Families get together to clean and decorate gravestones. Flowers, particularly chrysanthemums, are traditionally placed on loved ones’ graves.

In France, chrysanthemums are only given in bereavement and grief. This time of year, florist shops are filled with chrysanthemums, and street vendors sell them near cemeteries.

Armistice – November 11

The Armistice marks the end of World War One. In the United States, this day was once known as Armistice Day but President Dwight D. Eisenhower changed it to Veterans Day in 1945.

Meanwhile, this holiday is known as Remembrance Day in the UK and Canada. Throughout France, there are commemorative services held in some towns to honor their veterans. 

Noël or  Christmas – December 25

Christmas is a holiday that needs no explanation. In the weeks that lead to Christmas Day, traditional Christmas markets pop up throughout France, starting in late November. A must-visit is the Christmas markets in the Alsace, particularly in Colmar and Strasbourg. 

In French households, families share a réveillon de Noel (Christmas Eve) meal, which precedes the arrival of le Père Noel (Santa Claus). This Santa is said to leave gifts under the Christmas tree good kids, while he is said to slap the naughty ones.