Public Holidays France – Dates – Origins

How many Public Holidays in France?

In France, there are 11 official public holidays.

Of these, three are national holidays: May 8th, July 14th, and November 11th. Labour Day, celebrated internationally on May 1st, is also a public holiday. The remaining public holidays are religious.

While some holidays have a fixed date, others, based on the lunar calendar, are movable. Keep in mind that some services may be disrupted on public holidays. Post offices and banks are generally closed, as are some restaurants and cafes, and most shops, except those located in tourist areas.

However, airlines continue to operate their flights, and public transportation (buses, subways, and trains) generally runs normally. It is advisable to check timetables in advance, as changes or service reductions may occur on these days.

Fixed Public Holidays

• January 1 – Jour du Nouvel An – New Year’s Day inaugurates the calendar year
• May 1 – 1er Mai – Labour Day was officially recognized as a French public holiday on April 24, 1941.
• May 8 – 8 Mai – Victoire 1945 – V-E Day Victory in Europe Day stands as a National Day, commemorating the surrender of Nazi Germany in 1945
• July 14 – Bastille Day – Fête Nationale commemorates the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789.
• August 15 – Assumption – Assomption, a religious observance, signifies the Assumption of the Virgin Mary into Heaven
• November 1 – All Saints’ Day – Toussaint is a religious holiday marking the remembrance of all saints and martyrs
• November 11 – Armistice 1918 – Armistice Day holds significance as a National Day, marking the cessation of hostilities in World War I.
• December 25 – Noël – Christmas among the most significant religious celebrations in France, commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, and one of the most important French religious celebrations.
• N.B. December 26 – St Etienne – St Stephen’s Day is observed as a religious celebration exclusively in Alsace and Lorraine. It is not recognized as a public holiday in other regions of France.

Movable Public Holidays Dates

• Vendredi Saint – Good Friday  3 April 2026 – 26 March 2027 – 14 April 2028
  Good Friday, observed on the Friday before Easter, is not recognized as a public holiday throughout France; its observance is limited to Alsace and Lorraine.
• Pâques – Easter Sunday  05 April 2026 – 28 March 2027 – 16 April 2028
  Easter holds profound significance as one of the most important Christian celebrations, marking the Resurrection of Christ. It falls on a Sunday between March 22nd and April 25th each year.
• Lundi de Pâques – Easter Monday 6 April 2026 – 29 march 2027 – 17 April 2028
  A religious feast, historically extended throughout the entire week until the French Revolution, when it was confined to the Monday following Easter Sunday.
• Ascension – Ascension Thursday  14 May 2026 – 6 May 2027 – 25 May 2028
  a religious observance occurring 40 days after Easter, commemorates the Ascension of Jesus to Heaven subsequent to his crucifixion and resurrection.
• Pentecôte – Pentecost Sunday  24 May 2026 -16 May 2027 – 4 June 2028
  Observed 50 days after Easter Sunday, and commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus’ Apostles.
• Lundi de Pentecôte – Whit Monday 25 May 2026 – 17 May 2027 – 5 June 2028
  Follows Pentecost Sunday and serves as the Monday following this religious observance.

Special and Liturgical Celebrations that are not public holidays

• January 6 – Epiphanie -Epiphany is observed 12 days after Christmas, commemorates the journey of the Wise Men presenting gifts to the newborn Jesus.
• February 2 – Chandeleur – Candlemas is celebrated 40 days after Christmas, marks the anniversary of Jesus’ presentation at the Temple.
• February 14 – Saint-Valentin – Valentine’s Day is widely embraced in France as a celebration of love.
• Mercredi des Cendres – Ash Wednesday 10 February 2027 – 1 March 2028 marks the beginning of Lent, a movable celebration that prepares for the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday.
• Mardi Gras – Fat/Shrove Tuesday 9 February 2027 – 29 february 2028 is a lunar festival, consistently falls on the Tuesday preceding Ash Wednesday, symbolizing the commencement of Lent.
• Dimanche des Rameaux – Palm Sunday 21 March 2027 – 9 April 2028 Signifies the final Sunday and the commencement of Holy Week.
• Jeudi Saint – Holy Thursday 2 April 2026 – 25 March 2027 – 13 April 2028 is observed on March 28, 2024, commemorates Jesus’ Last Supper.
• Fête des Mères – Mother’s Day 31 May 2026 – 30 May 2027 – 28 May 2028
  Officially established by law on May 24, 1950, is observed on the last Sunday of May.
• Fête des Pères – Father’s Day 21 June 2026 – 20 June 2027 – 18 June 2028
  Though celebrated annually on the third Sunday of June since 1952, has not been officially sanctioned by law.