French Public Holidays Guide
Everything you need to know about France's 11 jours fériés: the art of the pont, May's holiday marathon, and what stays open.
8 min read
Overview: 11 Jours Fériés
France observes 11 public holidays (jours fériés) each year, a number that has remained stable since 2004 when the Journée de Solidarité was introduced. Unlike Germany, all French holidays apply uniformly across the entire country — there are no regional variations in mainland France (though overseas territories may observe additional local holidays).
Of these 11 days, 7 are fixed-date holidays that fall on the same calendar date every year, while 4 are moveable (tied to Easter). The fixed-date holidays create an interesting dynamic: in some years they fall on weekends and are effectively "lost," while in other years they land mid-week, opening up prime bridge-day opportunities.
France's holiday calendar has deep roots in both Catholic tradition and republican history. Religious holidays like Assumption and All Saints' Day coexist with secular commemorations like Bastille Day and Armistice Day, reflecting the country's complex relationship between church and state.
The Art of the Pont
The French pont (bridge) is a national institution. When a holiday falls on a Thursday, the French "faire le pont" — they take Friday off to create a 4-day weekend. Some companies close entirely on pont days. In May, when multiple holidays cluster together, entire businesses can shut down for extended periods. The pont culture is so embedded that employers often plan around it months in advance.
Key French Holidays
France's 11 jours fériés span both religious traditions and major historical commemorations, each with its own character and customs.
May: The Month of Holidays
May is the most holiday-dense month in the French calendar, and in a good year it can be extraordinary. 1er mai (Labour Day), 8 mai (Victory Day), and Ascension Thursday all fall in May (or very late April for early Easters). When these holidays align well with the calendar, the French can get nearly the entire month off using just a handful of vacation days.
In 2026, Ascension falls on 14 May, creating a natural pont with the weekend. Combined with 1er mai (Friday) and 8 mai (Friday), May 2026 offers exceptional long-weekend opportunities. Many companies simply plan reduced operations for the entire month, and it's common for projects to stall or meetings to be impossible to schedule.
For visitors, this means that May can feel eerily quiet in business districts while tourist areas are bustling. It's a wonderful time to visit France as a tourist, but a challenging time to conduct business.
What's Open on Jours Fériés
Unlike Germany, France does not have a blanket ban on Sunday or holiday trading. However, practices vary significantly. In Paris and major tourist areas, many shops, especially in zones touristiques internationales, stay open on holidays. Boulangeries typically open in the morning (they rotate closures so at least one per neighbourhood is available). Supermarkets may open until noon on some holidays.
Outside major cities, expect much more widespread closures. Small towns can feel completely shut down on jours fériés. The notable exception is 1er mai — it is the only holiday where French labour law explicitly requires employers to grant the day off (with double pay for those who must work), making it the most consistently observed closure of the year.
Museums have mixed policies: national museums like the Louvre are closed on Tuesdays (not holidays), while others may close on 1 January, 1 May, and 25 December but stay open on all other jours fériés.