Click here to go to 
AngloINFO Paris & Ile de France's front page
Paris & Ile de France Local Reference INFOrmation
INFOrmation

Public Holidays in France

The French for: bank holiday/public holiday/legal holiday is un jour férié

  • French organisations and businesses close on public holidays. 
  • Although some shopping centres and grocers open for part of the day, the majority of shops do not. 
  • Police stations and hospitals do not close.
  • When a public holiday falls on a Thursday or Tuesday, it is common practice to "make the bridge" (faire le pont) by taking off the Friday or Monday so creating a very long weekend. When this happens you may find businesses running on short staff or smaller family run business closed for the full period.
National Public Holidays in France 2009
1 January New Year's Day/Nouvel An (Thursday)
12 April Easter Sunday/Paques
13 April Easter Monday/Lundi de Paques
1 May Labour Day/Fête du Travail (Friday)
8 May WWII Victory Day/Fête de la Victoire 1945 (Friday)
21 May Ascension Day (Thursday)
31 May Pentecost (Sunday)
1 June Pentecost Monday 
14 July Bastille Day, France's national holiday (Tuesday)
15 August Assumption Day (Saturday)
1 November All Saints' Day/Toussaint (Sunday)
11 November   Armistice Day 1918 (Wednesday)
25 December Christmas Day/Noël (Friday)

Other holidays in France in 2009

10 April Good Friday (Vendredi Saint) observed in Alsace and Moselle only
26 December Second Christmas Day (Saturday) observed in Alsace and Moselle only
  • See French government website Service Public
  • The Ministère du Travail has information on the law as it affects employment and national public holidays: Click here (in French)

  • For the dates of French school holidays from the Department of Education: Click here
National Public Holidays in France 2010
1 January New Year's Day/Nouvel An (Friday)
4 April Easter Sunday/Paques
5 April Easter Monday/Lundi de Paques
1 May Labour Day/Fête du Travail (Saturday)
8 May WWII Victory Day/Fête de la Victoire 1945 (Saturday)
13 May Ascension Day (Thursday)
23 May Pentecost (Sunday)
24 May Pentecost Monday
14 July Bastille Day, France's national holiday (Wednesday)
15 August Assumption Day (Sunday)
1 November All Saints' Day/Toussaint (Monday)
11 November   Armistice Day 1918 (Thursday)
25 December Christmas Day/Noël (Saturday)

Other holidays in France in 2009

10 April Good Friday (Vendredi Saint) observed in Alsace and Moselle only
26 December Second Christmas Day (Saturday) observed in Alsace and Moselle only
ublic Holidays Worldwide
0910ww
Do you have a suggestion to improve this page? click here...
myAngloINFO

· Sign in

· Become a member NOW!


Stay INFOrmed! with our weekly newsletter.

Willie Mc Williams
Reliable and efficient electrician working throughout Paris. No job too big or too small! Find out more...
ELFE - Ecole de Langue Francaise pour Etrangers
Improve your command of French in small groups of 6 students. High quality cultural options, help with finding suitable accommodation, a warm personal welcome, stimulating teaching programme using proven methods. 20 years experience. Find out more...
The English Shop - Paris
The English Shop offers you a friendly welcome and a wide selection of food and gifts from the UK, all of this in the heart of Paris. 10 rue Mesnil (Arr 16) Metro: Victor Hugo. Find out more...
Sourys
On-site technical assistance and training for companies and individuals. Mac, PC and Palm expertise. Internet, network and Wi-Fi set up. Advice on purchase or upgrade of software and hardware. Troubleshooting. Website design. Find out more...

^ Top of Page ^


Page generated at 20:46; Saturday 21 November, 2009
Copyright © 2000-2009 AngloINFO Limited. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, About, Advertising, Contact.
AngloINFO: Everyday life in France, in English · la vie quotidienne en France, en anglais

Find out more about AngloINFO in France...