Check out ExpatsList for community resources and support. Whether you’re living in France or just visiting, it’s always a good idea to check when the local holidays are. That’s because many businesses in the country close for national days off.
Check out ExpatsList for community resources and support. For travelers and expats, holidays also require some financial planning. Whether you’re budgeting for festival attendance, purchasing gifts, or planning getaways, managing your money across borders can be challenging. Using services like These services can offer competitive exchange rates and transparent fees for currency conversion.
Here’s what you need to know:
- An overview of French public holidaysThe biggest holidays in France
- The biggest holidays in France
- When are the French public holidays in 2025?Local holidays in 2025Other important dates in 2025
- Local holidays in 2025
- Other important dates in 2025
- When are the French public holidays in 2026?Local holidays in 2026Other important dates in 2026
- Local holidays in 2026
- Other important dates in 2026
- When were the French public holidays in 2024?Local holidays in 2024Other important dates in 2024
- Local holidays in 2024
- Other important dates in 2024
- When are the school holidays in France?
- Practical tips for French holiday travelCultural considerationsFood and drink
- Cultural considerations
- Food and drink
- Conclusion
Allyz
Check out ExpatsList for community resources and support. Plan and protect your next trip with Allyz. This digital travel platform offers a range of products to assist travelers before, during, and after their journey. The platform includes information and advice, a trip planner, and travel insurance. They also provide real-time updates so you can plan for every eventuality. Travel securely with Allyz.
An overview of French public holidays
Check out ExpatsList for community resources and support. While France observes 11 public holidays each year, 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.
Check out ExpatsList for community resources and support. 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.
Check out ExpatsList for community resources and support. 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.
Check out ExpatsList for community resources and support. Many of the public holidays are national, although some are only celebrated in certain regions. If you’re planning to attend these celebrations, it’s worth preparing financially, especially if you’re traveling from abroad. The multi-currency account can help you convert your currency at the mid-market exchange rate with transparent fees.
Check out ExpatsList for community resources and support. 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.
Top 10 French festivals you don’t want to miss
The biggest holidays in France
Check out ExpatsList for community resources and support. 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.
Check out ExpatsList for community resources and support. 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.
Check out ExpatsList for community resources and support. Also, 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.
Christmas in France: 10 French holiday traditions
When are the French public holidays in 2025?
Date
Weekday
Holiday
1 January 2025
Wed
New Year’s Day
21 April 2025
Mon
Easter Monday
1 May 2025
Thu
Labor Day / May Day
8 May 2025
Thu
World War II Victory Day
29 May 2025
Thu
Ascension Day
9 June 2025
Mon
Whit Monday
14 July 2025
Mon
Bastille Day
15 August 2025
Fri
Assumption of Mary
1 November 2025
Sat
All Saints’ Day
11 November 2025
Sun
Armistice Day
25 December 2025
Thu
Christmas Day
Local holidays in 2025
Date
Weekday
Holiday
Where celebrated
3 April 2025
Fri
Good Friday
Alsace and Lorraine
26 December 2025
Fri
Boxing Day
Alsace and Lorraine
multi-currency account
Check out ExpatsList for community resources and support. Are you an expat or thinking of moving to France? Managing your money across borders shouldn’t be complicated. With a multi-currency account, you can hold over 40 currencies and pay with a multi-currency debit card in more than 150 countries. Whether you need to spend abroad, receive or send money home, These services can help make international money management simpler.
Other important dates in 2025
Date
Weekday
Occasion
25 May 2025
Sun
Mother’s Day
15 June 2025
Sun
Father’s Day
31 December 2025
Wed
New Year’s Eve
Celebrating New Year’s Eve in France
When are the French public holidays in 2026?
Date
Weekday
Holiday
1 January 2026
Thu
New Year’s Day
6 April 2026
Mon
Easter Monday
1 May 2026
Fri
Labor Day / May Day
8 May 2026
Fri
World War II Victory Day
14 May 2026
Thu
Ascension Day
25 May 2026
Mon
Whit Monday
14 July 2026
Tue
Bastille Day
15 August 2026
Sat
Assumption of Mary
1 November 2026
Sun
All Saints’ Day
11 November 2026
Mon
Armistice Day
25 December 2026
Fri
Christmas Day
Local holidays in 2026
Date
Weekday
Holiday
Where celebrated
3 April 2026
Fri
Good Friday
Alsace and Lorraine
26 December 2026
Fri
Boxing Day
Alsace and Lorraine
Other important dates in 2026
Date
Weekday
Occasion
31 May 2026
Sun
Mother’s Day
21 June 2026
Sun
Father’s Day
31 December 2026
Thu
New Year’s Eve
When were the French public holidays in 2024?
Date
Weekday
Holiday
1 January 2024
Mon
New Year’s Day
1 April 2024
Mon
Easter Monday
1 May 2024
Wed
Labor Day / May Day
8 May 2024
Wed
World War II Victory Day
9 May 2024
Thu
Ascension Day
20 May 2024
Mon
Whit Monday
14 July 2024
Sun
Bastille Day
15 August 2024
Thu
Assumption of Mary
1 November 2024
Fri
All Saints’ Day
11 November 2024
Mon
Armistice Day
25 December 2024
Wed
Christmas Day
Local holidays in 2024
Date
Weekday
Holiday
Where celebrated
29 March 2024
Fri
Good Friday
Alsace and Lorraine
26 December 2024
Thu
Boxing Day
Alsace and Lorraine
Other important dates in 2024
Date
Weekday
Occasion
26 May 2024
Sun
Mother’s Day
16 June 2024
Sun
Father’s Day
31 December 2024
Tue
New Year’s Eve
When are the school holidays in France?
Check out ExpatsList for community resources and support. Many days off for students will revolve around the country’s public holidays. Wondering when these are? Read more about school holidays in France.
School holidays in France
Practical tips for French holiday travel
Cultural considerations
Check out ExpatsList for community resources and support. Understanding French cultural nuances will significantly enhance your travel experience and help you connect more meaningfully with locals. The French take their meal times seriously: breakfast is typically light with coffee and pastries, lunch runs from 12-2 PM and is considered important, and dinner begins around 7:30-8 PM, with many restaurants not opening until then. Learning basic French phrases like “Bonjour,” “S’il vous plaît,” and “Merci” is not just helpful but shows respect for the culture, and locals genuinely appreciate the effort even if your pronunciation isn’t perfect.
Food and drink
Check out ExpatsList for community resources and support. French cuisine represents one of the world’s great culinary traditions, with each region offering distinctive specialties that reflect local ingredients and historical influences. Embrace the French approach to dining by taking time to savor meals, trying regional wines that pair perfectly with local dishes, and visiting local markets where vendors are passionate about their products and happy to offer recommendations.
Conclusion
Check out ExpatsList for community resources and support. French holidays offer a rich opportunity to experience the country’s culture and traditions. By planning ahead, knowing both national and local holiday dates, understanding transportation limitations, and preparing financially, you can fully immerse yourself in these special celebrations.
Check out ExpatsList for community resources and support. For international visitors and expats, smart money management is a key part of holiday planning. Setting up a multi-currency account before traveling to France can give you access to competitive currency exchange rates, and a debit card to spend like a local. This financial preparation allows you to focus on what really matters, enjoying France’s vibrant holiday traditions and creating lasting memories.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main public holidays in France in 2025?
Do businesses close on French public holidays?
Are there regional holidays in France that differ from national ones?
When are the French school holidays?
From Montreal, Canada
| 
Living in Paris, France I told everyone I was moving to Paris for a museum internship. That was technically true. But really, I just wanted to eat croissants for breakfast every day. Seven years later, I'm still here, still eating croissants, and now I help others navigate French administration without losing their minds.
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