Hols in France

FRENCH HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS


The French enjoy 11 national jours feriés (holidays) annually. The civic calendar was first instituted in 1582; Bastille Day was incorporated in 1789, Armistice Day in 1918, Labor Day in 1935, and Victory Day in 1945. During the month of May, there is a holiday nearly every week, so be prepared for stores, banks and museums to shut their doors for days at a time. It is a good idea to call museums, restaurants and hotels in advance to make sure they will be open.



Trains and roads near major cities tend to get busy around the national holidays. Not coincidentally, this also happens to be the time when service unions (such as transporters, railroad workers, etc.) like to go on strike — something of a tradition, in fact. Travelers would do well to check ahead, particularly when planning a trip for the last week of June or first week of July!

There are also many regional festivals throughout France which are not included in our calendar. ViaFrance hosts an excellent site which lists fairs and festivals, traditional ceremonies, as well as sporting events, concerts, and trade shows for all regions throughout France. Under the law, every French citizen is entitled to 5 weeks of vacation.

Most of the natives take their summer vacations in July or August, and many major businesses are then closed. All of France takes to the roads, railroads, boats, and airways. Consequently, traveling in France during August is generally not recommended for foreigners.

Public Holidays
1 January
New Year's Day (Jour de l'an)
1 May
Labor Day (Fête du premier mai)
8 May
WWII Victory Day (Fête de la Victoire 1945; Fête du huitième mai)
14 July
Bastille Day (Fête nationale)
15 August
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Assomption)
1 November
All Saints Day (La Toussaint)
11 November
Armistice Day (Jour d'armistice)
25 December
Christmas Day (Noël)
26 December
2nd Day of Christmas (in Alsace and Lorraine only)