French Holidays & Celebrations You Need to Know About if You Are Traveling to France

Oh, the French, always on vacation… Or are they? Although it may seem that way at certain times of the year, they have eleven official public holidays. The United States has eleven federal holidays, so there is no difference there. However, they have at least 30 days of paid vacation time a year (five weeks, counting Monday through Saturday), and, compared to their American colleagues, they don’t shy away from using them.

Some of these days off can be used to link official holidays (jours fériés), allowing the French to take extra vacations while using only a couple of paid leave days here and there. For example, if a holiday falls on a Thursday, workers will take the Friday and Monday off. This is especially true in May, when holidays often fall close together and les ponts are a national sport.

It is great news for the French, but maybe not so much for the traveler caught unaware. Instead of a peaceful midweek getaway, you could find yourself battling with thousands of Frenchmen and women, competing for the same hotels, restaurants, and plane tickets and get caught in unexpected traffic jams. School children also have more vacation time than their American counterparts. The country is divided into three “zones,” each one starting and finishing some of the school breaks on a different day. Although it helps to avoid (some) overcrowding on the roads and main sights, be aware that it could affect your travel plans for a long time. (Details in the school zones section below.)

On the plus side, French holidays often come with their own traditions and special foods that are fun to experience. Book anything ahead of time if you are planning to visit France during those dates, and adjust travel time accordingly if you will be on the road. Bison Futé is a great website that estimates how much travel time you should expect, depending on when you leave.

Here is everything you should know about French holidays, starting with the official days off, then regional holidays and school breaks, and finally celebrations that aren’t days off, month by month.

Quick Answer: The 11 Public Holidays in France

France has 11 public holidays (jours fériés): New Year’s Day, Easter Monday, Labor Day (May 1), Victory in Europe Day (May 8), Ascension Day, Pentecost Monday, Bastille Day (July 14), the Assumption (August 15), All Saints’ Day (November 1), Armistice Day (November 11), and Christmas Day. Three of them (Easter Monday, Ascension and Pentecost Monday) move every year because they depend on the date of Easter. Alsace and Moselle add two more under local law: Good Friday and December 26. When a holiday falls on a weekend, it doesn’t move to a weekday, which is why the French watch the calendar so closely for les ponts.

Holiday	2026	2027	What to expect
New Year’s Day	Thu, Jan 1	Fri, Jan 1	Stores and most museums closed
Easter Monday	Mon, Apr 6	Mon, Mar 29	Long Easter weekend; book travel early
Labor Day	Fri, May 1	Sat, May 1	Most museums and cultural sites closed
Victory in Europe Day	Fri, May 8	Sat, May 8	Stores, offices and many restaurants closed
Ascension Day	Thu, May 14	Thu, May 6	Pont weekend: busy roads and trains
Pentecost Monday	Mon, May 25	Mon, May 17	Schools and official buildings closed
Bastille Day	Tue, Jul 14	Wed, Jul 14	Parade, fireworks, most things closed
Assumption	Sat, Aug 15	Sun, Aug 15	Paris museums generally open
All Saints’ Day	Sun, Nov 1	Mon, Nov 1	Many shops closed; cemeteries busy
Armistice Day	Wed, Nov 11	Thu, Nov 11	Ceremonies; stores mostly closed
Christmas Day	Fri, Dec 25	Sat, Dec 25	Very quiet; most things closed

French Holidays by Month: What to Know for Your Travel Dates

Find the month you are visiting to see every holiday, celebration and school break that could affect your trip, whether or not it is an official day off. “Official” means a public holiday with closures across France; “Unofficial” means a tradition or school break that can still change prices, crowds, and opening hours. Dates for moveable holidays are given for the next year they apply.

Holiday or event	Official?	Date	What it means for your trip
January
New Year’s Day	Official	Jan 1	Stores and most museums closed. The Eiffel Tower stays open, with special hours on some days.
Epiphany (Galette des Rois)	Unofficial	Jan 6	Not a day off. Bakeries are full of galettes.
School break	Unofficial	First week of January	Flights and hotels, especially ski resorts, book up quickly.
February
Chandeleur	Unofficial	Feb 2	Crêpes everywhere. Business as usual.
Valentine’s Day	Unofficial	Feb 14	Book restaurants ahead; expect a pricier prix fixe menu.
Mardi Gras (Carnaval)	Unofficial	Moves each year (Feb 9, 2027)	Costumes and parades, especially in Nice.
Ash Wednesday	Unofficial	Moves each year (Feb 10, 2027)	No closures; some people wear an ash cross.
Winter school break	Unofficial	Late Feb to early March, by zone	Alps and Pyrenees ski towns are packed. Book well ahead.
March
Macaron Day	Unofficial	Around Mar 20	Special deals and charity sales at macaron bakeries.
Easter weekend (some years)	Official	Easter Monday is Mar 29 in 2027	If Easter falls in late March, expect a long weekend and busy trains.
Good Friday	Official (Alsace and Moselle only)	Mar 26, 2027	Day off in Alsace and Moselle only.
April
April Fool’s Day (Poisson d’Avril)	Unofficial	Apr 1	Practical jokes, including in the media. No closures.
Good Friday	Official (Alsace and Moselle only)	Apr 3, 2026	Day off in Alsace and Moselle only.
Easter Sunday	Unofficial	Moves each year	Chocolate displays; families gather.
Easter Monday	Official	Apr 6, 2026	Many shops and offices closed; long weekend, so book travel early.
Spring school break	Unofficial	Early April to early May, by zone	Book hotels and transport ahead.
May
Labor Day	Official	May 1	Most museums and cultural sites closed, including the Louvre. Transport and shops can be affected.
Victory in Europe Day	Official	May 8	Stores, offices, and many restaurants are closed except in touristy areas.
Ascension Day	Official	Thursday, moves each year (May 6, 2027)	Many people take the Friday off (le pont): busy roads and trains.
Pentecost Monday	Official	Moves each year, mid-May to mid-June (May 17, 2027)	Schools and official buildings closed; some businesses stay open.
June
Fête de la Musique	Unofficial	Jun 21	Free concerts in streets and squares. Busy evenings and crowded transport.
July
Start of summer holidays	Unofficial	Early July	Heavy traffic (especially Paris to the South) and higher prices.
Bastille Day	Official	Jul 14	Parade on the Champs-Élysées, fireworks, packed trains. Most things closed outside touristy areas.
August
Assumption	Official	Aug 15	Paris museums and monuments are generally open, but check hours.
Summer break	Unofficial	All month	Many small shops and family restaurants close for a couple of weeks. Roads are busy at the start and end of the month.
September
La rentrée	Unofficial	First week of September	Everyone returns from vacation. Good weather and lower prices for travelers.
European Heritage Days	Unofficial	Third weekend (Sep 19 and 20 in 2026)	Monuments and historic sites open, often free. Long lines.
October
Fête des Vendanges (harvest festivals)	Unofficial	Late Sep to Oct; varies by place	Village and vineyard festivals; check local listings.
All Saints school break	Unofficial	Mid-October to early November	Busy travel period.
November
All Saints’ Day (Toussaint)	Official	Nov 1	Many shops closed; cemeteries busy.
Armistice Day	Official	Nov 11	Ceremonies; stores mostly closed.
Beaujolais Nouveau Day	Unofficial	Third Thursday (Nov 19, 2026)	Wine events in bars and restaurants.
Saint Catherine’s Day	Unofficial	Nov 25	A tradition, not a day off. No closures.
December
Fête des Lumières (Lyon)	Unofficial	Around Dec 8	Book Lyon hotels well ahead.
Christmas Eve (Réveillon)	Unofficial	Dec 24	The main family celebration. Check restaurant and shop hours.
Christmas Day	Official	Dec 25	Very quiet; most things closed except in touristy areas.
Saint Stephen’s Day	Official (Alsace and Moselle only)	Dec 26	Day off in Alsace and Moselle only.
New Year’s Eve (La Saint-Sylvestre)	Unofficial	Dec 31	Parties and astronomical prices in bars and restaurants.
Christmas school break	Unofficial	Late December to early January	Busy for flights, trains and ski resorts.

The 11 Official Public Holidays in France, and What to Expect as a Traveler

These days off close shops, offices, schools, and some attractions. Each entry says what it means for your trip.

New Year’s Day – January 1

January starts quietly after New Year’s Eve festivities. Everything is closed, including stores and museums, and most people spend the day visiting family or recuperating from a painful champagne hangover.

Want more? See my guide to New Year’s traditions in France.

Easter Monday (Lundi de Pâques)

Easter Monday is the day after Easter Sunday and a public holiday across France, so Easter weekend becomes a long weekend. It falls on April 6 in 2026 and March 29 in 2027. Many shops and offices will be closed, so book trains and hotels early if you plan to travel that weekend. Easter traditions are covered under April below.

Labor Day – May 1

May 1st (le premier Mai) is a national holiday. It marks the unofficial arrival of Spring, and the entire country takes the day off. The French also celebrate by exchanging Lily-of-the-Valley posies.

Victory in Europe Day – May 8

May 8th marks the end of World War II in Europe and is known simply as the huit-mai. It is observed as a national holiday, and stores, official buildings, restaurants, etc. are usually closed, except in some tourist areas. The celebrations are solemn. Officials bring wreaths to war monuments, from the smallest village to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, and sometimes organize military parades, including those for veterans. 

Ascension Day

Ascension is a religious holiday, but France observes it as a national holiday. It is a movable feast (forty days after Easter). French schoolchildren (as well as many adults) often get a day off for the Pont de l’Ascension.

Pentecȏte

Pentecost or Whit Sunday is a movable feast fifty days after Easter, between mid-May and mid-June. Again, although it is a religious holiday, it is also a national holiday in France, and official buildings, schools, etc. are closed on the following Monday (Lundi de la Pentecȏte). Some employers treat it as a regular workday (the journée de solidarité), so some businesses may be open. It falls on May 25, 2026, and May 17, 2027.

Bastille Day – July 14

On July 14, France celebrates the storming of the Bastille, a symbol of the authoritarian monarchy until the French Revolution. La Fête Nationale is celebrated with pomp and decorum. Besides the major military parade along the Champs-Élysées, most towns and villages host fireworks displays and public balls. They are often held by the firemen (Bal des Pompiers) in the casernes and can be a lot of fun. Everything is closed except in some of the most touristy areas.

Plan ahead if you want a spot along the Champs-Élysées or near the fireworks, and expect crowds, closures, and packed trains. Paris in July has more going on than in other months.

All Saints’ Day – November 1

Halloween isn’t widely celebrated in France except as an exotic import. However, people observe All Saints’ Day (la Toussaint) on November 1st. Families gather in cemeteries to remember loved ones and traditionally bring a potted mum (hence the French association between mums and funerals). Cemeteries and the flower sellers outside them are busy, and many shops are closed. It falls on a Sunday in 2026 and a Monday in 2027, which makes a long weekend.

Armistice Day – November 11

November 11^th marks the end of World War I and is observed as a national holiday. Across the country, officials, veterans, and sometimes schoolchildren place wreaths on the Monuments aux Morts, which commemorate those who died in both World Wars. In Paris, the president traditionally lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier beneath the Arc de Triomphe. The tone is solemn rather than festive. This is not to be confused with May 8, which marks the end of the war in Europe in 1945.

Christmas – December 25

Christmas Day is usually very quiet in France. Most people are recuperating from their late night on Christmas Eve, and it is typically a day reserved for family and close friends. Don’t expect to find anything open except in the most touristy areas (and even then, better to check ahead of time).

Here is an entire article on French Christmas Traditions if you want to know more!

Regional Holidays: Alsace and Moselle

Alsace and Moselle (the Bas-Rhin, Haut-Rhin and Moselle departments) follow local law that adds two public holidays to the national eleven, a legacy of the years when the region was annexed by Germany (1870 to 1918).

Good Friday

In the northeast of France (Alsace and Moselle particularly), Good Friday – Friday before Easter, known in France as Vendredi Saint – is a holiday. It is not observed as a day off elsewhere in the country.
It falls on April 3, 2026, and March 26, 2027.

Saint Stephen’s Day (Saint-Étienne) – December 26

December 26 is also a public holiday in Alsace and Moselle. Everywhere else in France, it is a regular working day, so if you are in the northeast over Christmas, expect a second day of closures.

French School Holidays and the Three Zones (A, B and C)

France splits its school calendar into three zones so that not every family is on the road at once. The winter and spring breaks are staggered by zone, while the All Saints (Toussaint) and Christmas breaks fall on the same dates everywhere. The summer break starts in early July for everyone.

Paris, Versailles, Toulouse and Montpellier are in Zone C. Lyon, Bordeaux, Grenoble and Dijon are in Zone A. Marseille, Nice, Lille, Strasbourg, Rennes and Nantes are in Zone B. The dates are set by the government for each school year, so check the official calendar before you book, especially for ski resorts in February and March. Here is the 2026 to 2027 school holiday calendar.

Other French Celebrations and Traditions, Month by Month

These are not days off, but they shape the mood (and the menus) of a trip. The public holidays above are noted by month, so you can still plan by month.

January Holidays and Celebrations in France

Besides New Year’s Day on January 1, here are other holidays in January.

Epiphany – January 6

The holidays don’t end in France until January 6^th, the feast of the Epiphany, which marks the day the Wise Men visited the infant Jesus and brought gifts. Unlike Spain, France doesn’t celebrate with gifts; they are exchanged on Christmas Eve, but you are still in for a treat. French bakeries are taken over by the Galette des Rois, a puffed pastry cake stuffed with almond cream (frangipane).

If you are in the South of France, you will also encounter the Couronne des Rois, a brioche-like cake with candied fruits, shaped like a crown. Hidden inside is a small ceramic figurine or sometimes a fava bean (la fève); whoever finds it is Queen or King for the day. Each family has its own tradition for assigning pieces of cake; for example, the youngest often goes under the table and decides who gets what so no one can cheat! It is not a day off, so don’t expect any significant disruptions.

School Holidays in January

School children are usually on vacation the first week of January, so plan ahead if you are traveling, since plane tickets and hotels (especially in ski resorts) book up quickly.

February Holidays and Celebrations in France

Chandeleur – February 2

Chandeleur/Candlemas is celebrated on February 2^nd and is a religious holiday celebrating the presentation of Jesus to the Temple. In France, it is marked by eating a lot of crêpes (yum!). It is not an official holiday, so business goes on as usual.

I have an entire article on the Chandeleur holiday. Want to make your own crêpes? Try our French crêpe recipes.

Valentine’s Day – February 14

France is the country of love, and more than one happy couple will head to Paris on February 14^th. However, although Valentine’s Day is celebrated, it hasn’t taken on the dramatic commercial scale you may see in the United States. You can expect heart-shaped displays and pink and red decorations, but
not on the same scale as at home. La Saint-Valentin is mainly a couples’ occasion, so the pressure falls on dinner reservations rather than on classroom cards and office candy.  Nevertheless, be aware that restaurant reservations may require a little planning, and you will most likely be offered a fancier, pricier prix fixe menu than usual.

Mardi Gras (also known as Carnaval):

Fat Tuesday is a movable feast, usually celebrated at the end of February. It marks the last chance to celebrate before Lent, a time of fasting and atonement. As you might expect, the French celebrate with a bang. Children and adults dress up as Americans do for Halloween, and some towns organize parades, especially in the Southeast of the country (Nice is particularly renowned). In 2027, Mardi Gras falls on February 9, earlier than usual because Easter is early.

Ash Wednesday

The day after Mardi Gras marks the start of Lent and is known as Mercredi des Cendres. It is a religious holiday, not an official one, so stores, banks, etc., do not close. However, devout Catholics attend Mass, and you may notice some people with a gray ash cross on their forehead. In 2027, Mardi Gras falls on February 9, earlier than usual because Easter is early.

School Holidays in February and March

School children get a winter break at the end of February-beginning of March. Ski towns in the Alps and Pyrenees are often mob scene, so make sure to plan well in advance if you will be visiting these areas. The exact weeks depend on the school zone (see the zones section above).

March Holidays and Celebrations in France

Macaron Day

Macaron Day (Jour du Macaron) is a made-up holiday created by renowned pastry chef Pierre Hermé in 2005. It is held around March 20 each year (the 2026 edition was the 21st). On that day, macaron sales at some of the most famous macaron bakeries support a chosen charity, and many bakeries nationwide offer exclusive deals on macarons.

Here’s my guide to the best macarons in Paris. Want to make your own? Try one of my French macaron recipes.

Easter and Easter Monday can also land in late March (Easter Monday is March 29 in 2027), so check the calendar if you are traveling then.

April Holidays and Celebrations in France

April Fool’s Day – April 1

April 1^st is a time of mischief across the globe. In France, expect your share of practical jokes, including in the media. If you are gullible enough to get caught, expect a cheerful “Poisson d’avril!” (April’s fish!). Children tape paper fishes to the back of their classmates and naïve adults.

Easter

As in many countries with a Christian tradition, Easter (Pȃques) is a major holiday in France. Although they also celebrate with chocolate eggs hidden in the gardens, there are a couple of differences in traditions. There is no mention of Easter bunnies: instead, the eggs are left behind by the church bells on their way to Rome. Bakeries and chocolateries have major Easter-themed displays, and families often get together to celebrate. Easter Monday is the public holiday (see above).

School Holidays in April and May

School children are on vacation for Spring Break between the beginning of April and early May, so make hotel and transportation reservations ahead of time.

May Holidays and Celebrations in France

May is packed with days off: Labor Day, Victory in Europe Day and Ascension (all covered in the public holidays section above) often create long weekends, which is why les ponts are a national sport.

June Holidays and Celebrations in France

Fête de la Musique – June 21

Every June 21, the first day of summer, France celebrates the Fête de la Musique with free concerts and impromptu performances in streets, squares and bars, from big cities to small villages. It started in France in 1982 and is now celebrated in many countries. It is not a day off, but streets and cafés get busy and public transport can be crowded in the evening, so plan accordingly.

Pentecost Monday is covered in the public holidays section above.

July Holidays and Celebrations in France

July marks the beginning of summer vacation for the children, but also for the parents (remember those 30 days of paid vacation time?). The French often take two or three weeks off in July or August, with the beginning and the end of the month being notoriously tricky for traveling. Plan accordingly, and if you can, stay clear of the main highways between Paris and the South of France. It gets pretty hairy! As can be expected, prices for activities, transportation, and accommodations also go up dramatically.

On the plus side, July and August also offer plenty of activities, including festivals, concerts, and celebrations across the country. It can be challenging to find a place to stay for some of the most famous festivals, so if youare considering visiting France in the summer, check what is happening in the area as soon as you can. It could dramatically influence your travel plans.

Bastille Day (July 14) is covered in the public holidays section above.

August Holidays and Celebrations in France

August is the heart of the French summer break (les vacances). Many small shops, bakeries and family restaurants, especially in cities, close for a couple of weeks (la fermeture annuelle), so check opening hours before you count on a favorite spot. The Assumption on August 15 is the one public holiday this month (see above).

Feast of Assumption – August 15

Once again, the Assumption on August 15^th is primarily a religious holiday but is observed as a public holiday in France. Sacred sites dedicated to Mary – Lourdes, in particular – are the theater of major pilgrimages.

September Holidays and Celebrations in France

It’s la rentrée when everyone heads back from vacation, tanned and excited (or not), for a new year in the first week of September. It is also a great time to visit France since the weather is still beautiful and prices for travel and accommodation are often a lot more affordable.

European Heritage Days (Journées Européennes du Patrimoine)

Held every year on the third weekend of September (September 19 and 20 in 2026), this is when monuments, museums, and historic sites, including some normally closed to the public, open their doors, often for free. The event began

October Holidays and Celebrations in France

Fête des Vendanges

At the end of September and beginning of October, many rural villages organize Harvest fests to celebrate the end of the harvest. France is still very much an agricultural country, and small villages have tight-knit, though often aging, communities. They aren’t always fancy, but you can expect a carnival ride or two, community dinners, and live music.

In the wine regions (Bordeaux, Burgundy, etc.), the end of the grape-picking season is also the occasion of many significant celebrations in the vineyards and surrounding villages. Even Paris has its own Fête des Vendanges in Montmartre! Dates vary by village and year, so check local listings before you go. Hungry for more? See our guide to fall foods in Paris.

School Holidays in October and November

School children are on break between mid-October and early November, so plan vacations in France accordingly.

November Holidays and Celebrations in France

Beaujolais Nouveau Day

France marks Beaujolais Nouveau Day on the third Thursday in November. In 2026, that is Thursday, November 19. It is the perfect occasion to try the famous “vin primeur.” Most bars and restaurants have some sort of event to pay tribute to what may not be the best French wine but is undoubtedly a bon-enfant marketing triumph.

More November traditions

Celebrating Thanksgiving while in France? Here is how to Frenchify your Thanksgiving. And on November 25, Saint Catherine’s Day brings its own quirky tradition.

December Holidays and Celebrations in France

Fête des Lumières

Paris is beautiful for the holidays, but you can kickstart the season with a trip to Lyon during the Fête des Lumières around December 8^th. Artists from all over the world set up stunning visual art installations, and it is well worth the short TGV ride from Paris. Check the official Fête des Lumières site for each year’s dates and program. 

Christmas Eve – December 24

The “real” Christmas in France takes place on Christmas Eve rather than Christmas Day. On December 24th, families gather for the Réveillon and celebrate with a feast of champagne, oysters, and Bûche de Noël (Yule Log). Many people attend the Midnight Mass even if they are not usually church-goers, and children typically open their presents on the 24^th at night rather than wait until Christmas Day.

For a look at a traditional Provençal Christmas Eve meal, see our guide to Le Gros Souper.

New Year’s Eve – December 31

Also known as La Saint-Sylvestre, le Nouvel An is celebrated in France much like everywhere else: expect party galore, plenty of alcohol (especially champagne; this is France after all) and astronomical prices in bars and restaurants.

French Holidays FAQ

C’est fini! A full year of French holidays and celebrations to keep in mind when planning your next trip to France. The main takeaway: check the French calendar before you book, because a holiday or a pont can change what is open, what it costs and how crowded it feels. I can tell you from experience how many times Mr. Misadventures and I have forgotten about a holiday, only to find ourselves in the middle of the crowds we were trying our best to avoid!

How about you? Have you traveled to France during a French holiday? On purpose or by “accident”? Got any stories to tell? Do share!

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