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Whether you’re living in France or just visiting, it’s a good idea to check when the local holidays fall. This is because many businesses in the country close for national days off. However, some shopping centers and shops may stay open on these days, sometimes for a half-day.
To ensure you don’t miss out on anything important, find out when the next public holiday is below:
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An overview of French public holidays
France observes 11 public holidays each year. However, only May Day is a statutory holiday in the country. The right to additional paid holidays and the conditions for working on French national holidays (such as higher pay) are left to the discretion of the employer-employee contract or union.
Most national days off apply across the country, although two regions (Alsace and Lorraine) have two extra public holidays: Good Friday and Saint Stephen’s Day. The former German territory retained these two extra public holidays when it rejoined France after World War I.
If a national holiday in France falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is usually given as a day off. On the other hand, if it falls on a Saturday, however, no extra day is given during the week. Employees typically take a bridge holiday (faire le pont) if the day off lands on a Tuesday or Thursday, thus creating a long weekend. What’s more, some businesses may opt to close completely during a bridge holiday.
You can also see which vacation days coincide with the best French festivals; it’s also a great reason to travel the country and experience local food and culture.
The biggest holidays in France
The two most widely celebrated holidays in France are Bastille Day (14 July) and All Saints Day (1 November). The former commemorates the storming of the Bastille in 1789 and is a celebration of nationhood with communal fireworks, tricolor flags flying, and moules frites at the mairie.
The latter, which is the Catholic holy day of La Toussaint or All Saints, is a more private affair. Families place flowers – most commonly chrysanthemums – on graves in honor of their dead relatives, and then go home for a huge lunch. All Saints Day falls on the day after Halloween, which is somewhat of a controversial celebration in the country. However, it is growing in popularity, especially in the larger cities.
Additionally, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are widely celebrated French holidays. However, in parts of northern and eastern France, some children also receive presents on the morning of St Nicholas’ Day on 6 December.
Public holidays in France in 2024
Here are all the French national holidays to look out for 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 |
French school holidays
Many days off for students will revolve around the country’s public holidays. Wondering when these are? Read more about school holidays in France.
Holidays in France: vocabulary
- Holiday in French: jour férié (official days off of work), fête (religious holidays)
- Holidays in French: vacances (vacation)
- To go on vacation: passer les vacances
