National Holidays in France
If you are planning a trip to Paris or any part of France, I think it’s important that you know when holidays take place there. Important because if you happen to be there on one, it will sort of count as a non-day. What I mean is, many things are closed on these days (stores, many restaurants, wine tastings or cooking classes might not be held–the important stuff) while museums may or may not be open so I would make sure to check. The city becomes either something of a ghost town ( November) or mind-boggling busy (May). Everyone not working is off celebrating the holiday as they should be. If you are there on these days, you might want to make them travel days–work on getting from one city to another if you are doing more than just Paris. Or plan your itinerary ahead of time to use that day for museums and sites that are open. Otherwise, I would go like mad the other days and use it to just collapse–which is pretty easy to do!
- Jour de l’An (New Year’s Day), 1 January
- Pâques (Easter), late March to early April
- Lundi de Pâques (Easter Monday), late March to early April
- Fête du Travail (Labor Day/May Day), 1 May
- Fête de la Victoire (VE-Victory in Europe Day), 8 May
- Fête de l’Ascension (Ascension Day), early to late May
- Fête Nationale/Jour de la Bastille (Bastlle Day), 14 July
- Fête de l’Assomption (Assumption Day), 15 August
- Toussaint (All Saints’ Day), 1 November
- Armistice (Armistice Day), 11 November
- Noël (Christmas Day), 25 December
5 Comments
A very useful list. I was unfortunate enough to end up visiting on a national holiday in France and found it very difficult to travel anywhere. I now have this list written into my calendar to prevent the same mistake happening this year.
Great list! I remember touring France and Spain as a child and we got stuck on the border for a day due to a public holiday. This should help other families avoid the same fate!
actually i am researching france at the moment for an school project. i think this website should have more facts about france like the hiliday epiphany cause that is a huge holiday france and i also think you should have more of like there culture included
Great stuff. Nice to read some well written posts. A long way between them.
Hope what lies ahead is equally interesting for you. Thanks for the visit.