Public holidays in France


There are 11 official public holidays in France. The Alsace region and the Moselle department observe 2 additional days. Unlike most countries, these holidays do not shift when they fall during a week-end, which means that the average number of observed public holidays falling on weekdays is 8.7 and ranges from 7 to 10. Most Asian countries and all North American countries observe between 2 and 10 more public holidays per year on weekdays.
Public holidays in France are:
DateEnglish nameLocal nameRemarks
1 JanuaryNew Year's DayNouvel an / Jour de l'an / Premier de l'an
moveableGood FridayVendredi saintFriday before Easter Sunday. Alsace and Moselle only.
moveableEaster MondayLundi de PâquesMonday after Easter Sunday
1 MayMay Day/Labour DayFête du Travail / Fête des Travailleurs
8 MayVictory in Europe DayFête de la VictoireEnd of hostilities in Europe in World War II
moveableAscension DayAscensionThursday, 39 days after Easter Sunday
moveableWhit MondayLundi de PentecôteMonday after Pentecost, observed only in some businesses, see notes
14 JulyBastille DayFête NationaleFrench National Day, commemorates the Feast of the Federation
15 AugustAssumption of Mary to HeavenAssomption
1 NovemberAll Saints' DayToussaint
11 NovemberArmistice DayArmistice de 1918End of World War I
25 DecemberChristmas DayNoël
26 DecemberSaint Stephen's DayDeuxième jour de NoëlAlsace and Moselle only.