Public Holidays in France
Complete list of official public holidays (jours fériés) in France for , including all 11 national holidays. Data sourced live from official government records.
Found … public holidays in France for .
| Date | Day | Holiday Name | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loading holidays… | |||
About Public Holidays in France
France observes 11 official public holidays (jours fériés), established under the French Labour Code (Code du travail). All employees in mainland France are entitled to a paid day off on each of these holidays — or, if they are required to work, they are entitled to additional compensation as specified in their collective agreement or contract.
The most iconic French public holiday is Bastille Day (Le 14 Juillet) on July 14. This national day commemorates the storming of the Bastille fortress in 1789, which symbolized the beginning of the French Revolution and the overthrow of the absolute monarchy. The day is marked by military parades on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, fireworks, open-air balls, and celebrations across the country.
May is notably busy with public holidays in France. Labour Day (Fête du Travail) on May 1 is a uniquely important holiday in France — workers have the legal right to refuse work on this day, and employers cannot force them in. It is also traditional to give someone a small bouquet of lily of the valley (muguet) on May 1. Victory in Europe Day (Victoire 1945) on May 8 commemorates Germany's surrender in World War II. Depending on the year, Ascension Day also falls in May, meaning France sometimes has three public holidays within a single month.
Despite France's official secular constitution (laïcité), many of its 11 public holidays have Christian roots, reflecting the country's Catholic heritage. These include Easter Monday, Ascension Day, Whit Monday (Pentecôte), Assumption of Mary (Assomption, August 15), and All Saints' Day (Toussaint, November 1). The Assumption and All Saints' Day are particularly well-observed, with many businesses closing and families gathering.
France also has overseas territories and regions (DOM-TOM) that observe additional local holidays not included in the mainland list, such as the abolition of slavery holidays in Martinique, Guadeloupe, and Réunion.
Frequently Asked Questions — France Holidays
How many public holidays does France have?
France has 11 official public holidays (jours fériés) in mainland France. These are: New Year's Day, Easter Monday, Labour Day (May 1), Victory in Europe Day (May 8), Ascension Day, Whit Monday, Bastille Day (July 14), Assumption of Mary (August 15), All Saints' Day (November 1), Armistice Day (November 11), and Christmas Day. France's overseas territories and departments may observe additional local holidays.
What is Bastille Day?
Bastille Day (officially called La Fête Nationale or Le 14 Juillet) is France's national day, celebrated on July 14 each year. It commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison in Paris on July 14, 1789, one of the pivotal events of the French Revolution. In Paris, the day begins with a grand military parade on the Champs-Élysées, followed by fireworks at the Eiffel Tower in the evening. Celebrations take place across all of France and in French communities worldwide.
Is May 8 a public holiday in France?
Yes. May 8 (Victoire 1945) is an official French public holiday commemorating the end of World War II in Europe — specifically Germany's signing of the unconditional surrender on May 8, 1945. It is also known as Victory in Europe Day or VE Day. France is one of the few countries in Western Europe that still observes this date as a statutory public holiday, making May a particularly holiday-rich month for French workers.
When is Ascension Day in France ?
Ascension Day (Ascension) is a moveable feast that falls 39 days after Easter Sunday, always on a Thursday. Because Easter shifts each year, so does Ascension Day. It typically falls in May, occasionally in early June. See the holiday table above for the exact date in the current year. Ascension Day is a public holiday in France, and many people take the Friday after it off work to create a four-day weekend — a practice known as "faire le pont" (making a bridge).
Combine France Holidays with Other Countries
Use HolidaySync to overlay holidays from multiple countries into one calendar.
Open HolidaySync Calendar →