France Public Holidays 2026 (Jours Fériés Nationaux)

France observes 11 national public holidays annually.

Here are the dates for 2026:

What Each French Public Holiday Represents

• Jour de l’An (New Year’s Day), Quiet family holiday; many businesses closed.
• Lundi de Pâques (Easter Monday), France observes Easter Monday even though Good Friday is not a national holiday.
• Fête du Travail (Labour Day), France’s only day when almost everything closes, even many bakeries.
• Victoire 1945, Marks the end of World War II in Europe. Military parades in major cities.
• Ascension (Ascension Thursday), A Thursday holiday often linked to a pont (long weekend).
• Lundi de Pentecôte (Whit Monday), A Christian holiday that also became associated with solidarity initiatives.
• Fête Nationale (Bastille Day), Fireworks, parades, and the famous Champs-Élysées military ceremony.
• Assomption, Important mostly in Catholic regions.
• Toussaint (All Saints’ Day), Families visit cemeteries; chrysanthemums fill markets.
• Armistice 1918, National ceremonies honouring WWI soldiers.
• Noël (Christmas), Family gatherings, marchés de Noël, and traditional dishes.

“Faire le Pont”: How France Turns Holidays Into Long Breaks

Ponts are essential to French culture. A pont happens when a holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, people take the Monday or Friday off to “bridge” the gap.

Example:

• Ascension 2026 → Thursday 14 May → Most people take Friday 15 May off → Result: 4-day weekend

French School Holidays

Many visitors are confused by this, but it’s simple:

France divides school districts into 3 zones so holiday travel is spread out.

• Zone A: Lyon, Bordeaux, Poitiers, Besançon
• Zone B: Lille, Marseille, Nice, Strasbourg
• Zone C: Paris, Versailles, Toulouse, Montpellier

This affects winter and spring holiday dates, travel becomes much busier when these zones overlap.

Everyday Life Rules on French Public Holidays (Shops, Noise, Sundays)

Public holidays in France come with a certain quiet rhythm. Shops in small towns often stay closed. Supermarkets in big cities may open in the morning only. Pharmacies run on “garde” duty.

Outdoor noise, mowing lawns, DIY, and drilling are sometimes restricted at the mairie (town hall) level, especially on Sundays and public holidays.

Big cities stay lively; villages become peaceful. For travellers, it’s useful to know that Sundays and holidays in France are culturally tied to rest, family, and silence.

Culturally Important French Festivals (Not Public Holidays)

France has festivals that are not jours fériés (public holidays) but are deeply rooted in culture.

Fête de la Musique, 21 June

Music fills every street, town square and café in France.

Festival de Cannes, May

The world’s most prestigious film festival; the Riviera becomes global news.

Festival d’Avignon, July

One of Europe’s largest theatre festivals; street performers everywhere.

Fête des Lumières, Lyon, December

A breathtaking light festival illuminating the entire city.

Each event enriches France’s cultural identity, and for travel, they matter as much as public holidays.

Travel Tips for 2026: When France Is Busiest

• May: The month of ponts (Ascension + Pentecôte).
• July: Bastille Day + start of summer holidays.
• August: Many French go on vacances; cities empty, beaches fill.
• October–November: Toussaint school holidays.
• December: Christmas markets in Alsace, Paris, Lyon.

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FAQ

How many public holidays does France have in 2026?

France has 11 national public holidays.

Is Ascension a jour férié?

Yes, Ascension Thursday is always a public holiday.

What is a “pont”?

A long weekend created by taking the day between a holiday and the weekend.

Are shops open on French public holidays?

Many small shops close; large supermarkets may open for limited hours.

Do regions have different holidays?

School holidays differ by zone (A, B, C), but national holidays are the same everywhere.

Can you mow or make noise on a jour férié?

Often no, or only limited hours. Noise regulations (bruit) depend on the mairie, but most towns restrict lawn mowing, construction work, and loud household tools on Sundays and public holidays.