The Paris Traveler

National Holidays in France

by Kim on January 9th, 2008

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

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POSTED IN: Travel Tips