France Calendar in 2025 - Full List of Public Holidays And Observances: Dates and Celebrations
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| Public Holidays in France 2025 |
An Overview of Public Holidays In France 2025
Most businesses, stores, and offices closed during France's official public holidays will be Certain bakeries and supermarkets might open first thing in morning. Although restaurants might be open for lunch and/or dinner, it is advisable to confirm by pre-reservation check. Many of the tourist attractions might be closed or only open for limited hours.
France treats its holidays rather seriously. The French government choose several days annually as public holidays. People don't have to report to work or a school on these days. These holidays let French people honor their customs, history, and culture.
How many public holidays are there in France?
From the beginning of the year to Christmas 2025, France has 13 public holidays. One of them is on a weekend. For French people, holidays like Bastille Day and Armistice Day are very important. On other days off, like Easter Monday and Whit Monday, people can get together.
There are between 12 and 14 national holidays in France every year. There are also holidays that are only celebrated in certain parts of the country.
But in the country, only May Day is a legal holiday. The employer-employee contract or the union decides if an employee has the right to more paid holidays and if they have to work on French national holidays and get paid more for it.
The country as a whole takes most national holidays off, but two regions—Alsace and Lorraine—have two extra ones: Good Friday and Saint Stephen's Day. When the area that used to be Germany became part of France again after World War I, it kept these two extra public holidays.
When a French national holiday falls on a Sunday, most people don't have to work the next Monday. But if it's a Saturday, there's no extra day during the week. People usually take a bridge holiday (faire le pont) if they have the day off on a Tuesday or Thursday, which makes for a long weekend. During a bridge holiday, some businesses may also choose to close for good.
| Note: • When a French fixed public holiday falls on a Sunday, it is celebrated the next Monday. • When a public holiday falls on a Thursday, many workers use Friday as a "pont" (bridge) day to make the weekend longer. • If a public holiday falls on a Saturday, you won't get any extra time off. |
What are the Most Popular Holidays in France
French people celebrate Bastille Day (14 July) and All Saints Day (November 1) more than any other holiday. The first one celebrates national pride with fireworks, tricolor flags flying, and moules frites at the mairie. It remembers the storming of the Bastille in 1789.
The second one, which is the Catholic holiday of La Toussaint, or All Saints, is less public. People honor their dead loved ones by putting flowers on their graves, most often chrysanthemums, and then having a big lunch at home. It is interesting that All Saints Day is the day after Halloween, which is a pretty controversial holiday in the United States. But more and more people are doing it, especially in the bigger cities.
Also, many French people celebrate Christmas Eve and Christmas Day as holidays. In some parts of northern and eastern France, though, kids also get gifts on the morning of December 6, which is St. Nicholas' Day.
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| 13 National Public Holidays in France 2025 |
A Complete List of Public Holidays and Observances in France in 2025
1 Jan - Wednesday, New Year's Day, National holiday
In France, New Year's Day is a notable public holiday that ushers in a new year. It's a time when French people get together with their loved ones to commemorate the previous year and anticipate the next. On this day, a lot of people in France set goals and resolutions for the upcoming year.
It's also a time for exchanging gifts, with parents and grandparents frequently giving gifts to their kids. In many American cities, the holiday is observed with festive meals, get-togethers, and fireworks displays.
1 Mar - Saturday, Ramadan Start (Tentative Date), Observance
The ninth month in the Islamic calendar is called Ramadan, sometimes referred to as Ramadhan or Ramzan. Muslims all across the world dedicate this time to prayer, fasting, charitable giving, and religious observance. Since it marks the occasion when the Prophet Muhammad (also known as Muhammad or Muhammad) received the first revelations of the Koran (also known as the Qu'ran), the final third of Ramadan is especially sacred.
Despite being a working day, Saturday, March 1, 2025, is when Ramadan begins. In France, most businesses operate during regular business hours.
20 Mar - Thursday, March Equinox, Season
The Sun moves from south to north across the celestial equator, an imaginary line in the sky above Earth's equator, on the March equinox. Every year on March 19, 20, or 21, this takes place.
31 Mar - Monday, Eid al-Fitr (Tentative Date), Observance
Eid ul Fitr signifies the conclusion of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and prayer, for Muslims worldwide. Within the Islamic calendar, it is one of the biggest and most significant holidays. It is not a public holiday on Eid al-Fitr. Companies open for business during regular hours.
18 Apr - Good Friday, Friday Local holiday Bas-Rhin, Haut-Rhin, Moselle
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| The cross is a popular Christian symbol that is often seen on Good Friday. |
On the Friday before Easter, many countries have a holiday called "Good Friday." On this day, people remember how Jesus Christ died on the cross.
In Alsace and Moselle, but not in the rest of France, Good Friday and December 26th (St. Stephen's Day) are both holidays. When the area was ruled by Germany, they were days off, and when it was returned to France in 1918, the people there wouldn't give them up.
In many parts of France, Good Friday is not a holiday. On the island of Réunion in the Indian Ocean, on the other hand, schools and other places where people learn are closed. In some parts of Alsace and Lorraine, Good Friday is a holiday.
People in Bas-Rhin, Haut-Rhin, and Moselle all have the day off on Good Friday because it is a public holiday. Most businesses and schools are also closed.
In some places near the German border and in the overseas departments of Martinique, Guadeloupe, and French Guiana, Good Friday is also a public holiday. Some stores, banks, post offices, and other businesses may be closed or have limited hours.
20 Apr - Sunday, Easter Sunday, Observance
Sunday, April 21 is not a holiday. It takes place on Sunday, April 20, 2025, and in France, most stores are open as usual on Sundays.
Like most Sundays in France, Easter Sunday is a very quiet day for the public. Shopping malls, banks, post offices, and other stores are closed. Restaurants and coffee shops may be closed when you're not in a tourist area. Some stores may be open, though, in Paris, at airports, train stations, and along major highways.
The times that public transportation runs depend on where you live and where you want to go. Saturday and Sunday museums may or may not be open. If a visitor doesn't want to take part in the services, the church may be closed, and there may not be any guided tours available.
21 Apr - Monday, Easter Monday, National holiday
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| Easter eggs are a popular among children. |
In the Christian faith, Easter Monday comes the day after Easter Sunday.
This day is known as "Little Easter" in many places in Europe and South America. It's known as "Monday of the Angel" in the Catholic Church.
Monday, April 8, is a holiday. Friday is a busy day in France, but Monday is easy. Shopping malls, banks, post offices, and other stores are closed. Restaurants and coffee shops may also be closed when you're not in a tourist area. Some stores are open, though, in Paris, at airports and train stations, and along major highways.
The times that public transportation runs depend on where you live and where you want to go. In some villages and small towns, parades and other events may make it harder for people to get around.
Some churches used to hold Easter celebrations for a whole week in the past. Right now, Easter Monday is mostly a secular holiday and doesn't have any religious meaning.
1 May - Thursday, Labor Day / May Day, National holiday
On May 1, people all over the world celebrate this holiday. It is most often linked to remembering the people who worked hard during the labor movement. It's also called International Worker's Day or May Day, and over 80 countries observe it as a public holiday.
The first of May is a holiday. Shopping malls, banks, post offices, and other stores are closed. Restaurants and coffee shops may be closed when you're not in a tourist area. Some stores may be open, though, in Paris, at airports and train stations, and along major highways. The times that public transportation runs depend on where you live and where you want to go. In the middle of big cities, like Paris, parades and protests can make it hard for people to get around.
In many places, people send dog rose or lily-of-the-valley flower bouquets to their loved ones. This is a very common tradition in Île-de-France, the area around Paris. People who live in the country bring their kids to the woods early in the morning to pick flowers. Lily of the valley bouquets are sold on the street by individuals and labor groups in cities on May 1. People and some groups can sell these flowers on May 1 without having to pay tax or follow typical store rules because of special rules.
On May 1, parades and protests are held by trade unions and other groups to fight for workers' rights. People may also use these events to fight for human rights in general, to show opposition to racism, or to bring attention to current social problems.
8 May - Thursday, Victory Day (La fête de la victoire'), National holiday
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| Victory in Europe Day, La Fete de la Victoire, also known in France as Le Jour de la Liberation, celebrates the end of World War II and honors those who died. |
On May 8, people remember Victory in Europe Day, also known as V-E Day or VE Day.
People all over the world celebrate the end of World War II on this day.
From September 1, 1939, to May 8, 1945, there was World War II. Over 100 million people served in the military during this war. According to estimates, 70 million people died in the war, and about 6 million died in Adolf Hitler's holocaust, in which he tried to clean up the German race by killing all the Jews in gas chambers.
Germany gave up without any conditions to the Allies on May 8, 1945, just a few weeks after Hitler killed himself.
In France, the day is a national holiday called "Victoire 1945" or "La fête de la victoire." It is also a holiday in a number of other European countries.
Good luck in Europe Day is observed all over Europe and other parts of the world. In some places it is known as VE Day. In France, there are parades, church services, and other events to honor and remember the day. Poles all over the place have French flags on top of them, and the air force does dramatic flyovers over the city. At each village, town, and city's monument aux morts, wreaths are laid during the ceremonies.
Many businesses, shops, schools, and restaurants are closed today because it is a national holiday. With parades going on all the time, the streets are full of people. The red, white, and blue French flag is also everywhere.
The French do what they do best in the evening: they eat and drink. In Reims, Champagne, where Germany signed its surrender, people eat a lot of ham and game, and of course, they drink champagne with their meals. Chaource is a soft white cheese that is made in the area and is a specialty of the French late in the day. People also like the Biscuit Rose de Reims, which is a pink biscuit that is crunchy and dipped in champagne.
25 May - Sunday, Mother's Day, Observance
There are more than 50 countries that celebrate Mother's Day around the world. Some of them do not celebrate on the same day.
In France, Mother's Day is usually on the last Sunday of May. If it falls on the same day as Whit Sunday or Pentecost, it is moved to the first Sunday of June. France also has a holiday for Father's Day.
Today is not a holiday for everyone. It takes place on Sunday, May 26, 2024, and in France, most stores are open as usual on Sundays.
Flower, cake, and chocolate gifts, as well as handmade items and poems written by hand, are common Mother's Day gifts. Families may have a special dinner at home or at a restaurant to honor the day.
There is a special medal for parents called the Médaille de la Famille that is given to parents who have raised more than one child or whose spouse has been killed.
 Mother's Day: Best Wishes, Quotes and Sweet Messages |
29 May - Thursday, Ascension Day, National holiday
On Ascension Day, Christians all over the world remember the day that Jesus Christ went to heaven in the fourth century AD.
There is no school, bank, or shop open today in France or many other European countries because it is a public holiday. Museums are usually open, but call ahead if you want to go.
On this day in France, Christians usually go to church before taking the day off for spring. Some people eat chicken on Ascension Day, but in France, spring foods like young lamb, asparagus, avocado and romaine salad, new potato salad, mushroom soups, apricots, figs, and citrus are what people eat. And how many French people wouldn't finish off their holiday meals with a chocolate and hazelnut crepe or mint sorbet?
People eat lunch in parks in their towns and cities when the weather is nice. Besides these, there are sports events and bike tours through the countryside. Some villages also have their own cultural festivals.
Many cafes and restaurants are open for a few hours, but stores are closed. These places might only be open long enough for you to get a croissant and coffee, and some restaurants might be open for dinner in the evening.
8 Jun - Sunday, Whit Sunday (Pentecost), Observance
Around 60% of French people are Roman Catholic, which is why many of the country's public holidays have something to do with the Catholic faith. Even though Pentecost Sunday and Monday are Catholic holidays, the whole country celebrates. This is true even though France has kept church and state separate since 1795 and allows people to worship freely.
France's businesses, schools, and government offices are all closed today in honor of Pentecost. On Pentecost, though, the Musee de Louvre, Le Chateau du Clos Luce, and Parc Leonardo da Vinci are all open because they have many events planned to honor the holiday. On this holiday, families often get together outside for sports and picnics, and many villages hold festivals to celebrate. Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy your day with family, friends, food, and wine. Families also often christen and baptize their children on that day, which is why the holiday is called "Whit Sunday." It refers to the white clothes that people who have just been baptized wear.
9 Jun - Monday, Whit Monday, National holiday
In France, Pentecost Monday (Lundi de Pentecôte) comes after Pentecost Sunday.
The government and many businesses are closed on Solidarity Day because it is a legal holiday. Some stores, though, are still open on this day.
The times that public transportation runs depend on where you live and where you want to go. Some small villages and towns have cultural or sporting events that might make it harder for people to get around. In the late afternoon and evening, when people are coming back from vacation, the highways that lead into big towns and cities may be very busy.
A lot of people spend Pentecost Monday alone or with close family and friends. Also, a lot of people like having a picnic lunch in a park or the country. It's possible for small towns and villages to host cultural or sporting events.
15 Jun - Sunday, Father's Day, Observance
Father's Day in France has its roots in St. Joseph's Day, which was celebrated on March 19 and also honored fathers. However, in 1952, it became law that Fathers' Day should be celebrated every year on the third Sunday of June in France.
Fathers get gifts like chocolates and homemade ones, like paintings and poems written by hand. For the holiday, some families go out to eat, while others cook a special meal at home. The holiday is also celebrated in many other places around the world.
 Father's Day (June 20) : Best Wishes, Great Quotes and Greetings |
21 June, La Fete De La Musique
It's called La Fete de la Musique and it happens every year on June 21, which is the first day of summer. People are told to play music in public places all over the country. I've party-pooled for La Fete de la Musique in Paris, small towns, and cities across France. When you turn a corner, you'll see a group of people listening to a pianist, people watching clapping along to a small band, and people from the area singing along to a popular song.
People are dancing in the streets and music can be heard everywhere as the party goes late into the night.
21 Jun - Saturday, June Solstice, Season
Every year, the solstices happen twice, once in June and once in December. The longest day is in June north of the equator and the shortest day is in June south of it.
To be in the Northern Hemisphere, the Sun must be directly above the Tropic of Cancer on June 21. It gets as far north as this latitude during the year. It starts moving south again after the solstice.
14 Jul - Monday, Bastille Day, National Holiday
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| Celebrating Bastille Day |
It is Bastille Day on July 14th, which marks the start of the French Republic. There is a holiday in France today.
If July 14 falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is a holiday instead. On July 14, if it's a Thursday, many people will take the following Friday off to "pont" (bridge) into the weekend.
It is known as la Fête Nationale ("National Holiday"), le quatorze juillet (The Fourteenth of July), or la fête du 14-Juillet (14th July Holiday) in France.
Parisians celebrate the holiday with a big military parade along the Champs-Élysées in the morning of July 14. The French President and other important people attend "Le Défilé," which means "the parade." It is the oldest and largest military parade in Europe, with more than 4,000 soldiers taking part.
The parade began in 1870 to boost morale after France lost the Franco-Prussian War.
On Bastille Day, people all over France celebrate with parties, fairs with lots of bright colors, and fireworks shows.
It is also a public holiday in French Polynesia, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, New Caledonia, Réunion, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Martin, Saint Pierre et Miquelon, and Wallis and Futuna on July 14. This is called La Fête Nationale.
15 Aug - Friday, Assumption of Mary, National holiday
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| Assumption of Mary |
Rome Catholics believe that Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, was taken bodily up into heaven on Assumption Day, which is also called Assomption in France.
The holiday is held every year on August 15 and is a Holy Day of Obligation for Catholics in France. Also, most businesses and banks are closed because it is a holiday. People are often not at home for this public holiday because it is the summer break.
A lot of Catholics go to church on Assumption Day, and the village of Lourdes, which is close to the Spanish border, has special events to honor the saint. In 1858, a girl named Bernadette is said to have had a vision of a woman in a cave near Lourdes. Many people think that woman could have been Mary. Every year on Assumption Day, millions of people make the trip to Lourdes, and many say that drinking the spring water from the cave where Mary was thought to have been seen healed them.
In France, some villages and towns hold their own festivals. These can include meals for everyone, sports, markets, and even parades. Assumption Day doesn't have a set menu, but since it's in the summer, salads, chicken, terrines, cheeses, fruits, and fresh cream are often served.
Learn more: Assumption Day (15 August) Around the World: Date, Meaning, History and Celebration
22 Sep - Monday, September Equinox, Season
The September equinox is when the Sun moves from north to south across the celestial equator, which is a made-up line in the sky above Earth's equator. Most years, this takes place on September 22, 23, or 24.
European Heritage Days, Third Weekend In SeptemberOn the third weekend of September every year, special monuments that are normally closed to the public are open and happy to see people. People can go into chateaux, private mansions, places of worship, and courthouses. It's the perfect chance to get inside somewhere behind closed doors, especially if it's somewhere that has special meaning or interest to you. People can see certain parts of the Elysee Palace (home of the President), the Luxembourg Palace (home of the French Senate), and the Grand Rex movie theater in Paris. |
1 Nov - Saturday, All Saints' Day, National holiday
The first of November is usually All Saints' Day, a time to remember all Christian saints. You may also hear people call it All Saints' Day, Hallowmas, or the Feast of Saints.
In France, All Saints' Day is a public holiday that honors all the saints, known and unknown, who saved people in the past. A lot of French people take the day off to visit the graves of their loved ones and remember those who have died. A lot of people also go to religious services or churches to pray for the dead and light candles.
Today is a day to remember "all saints," but many people also use it to visit the graves of family members. Many people visit graves on All Souls' Day, but since November 1 is a holiday, this is when most people go. Around the end of the day, they go to the graves with their families and light candles and leave chrysanthemums on them. On All Saints' Day, France's cemeteries are decorated with flowers and candles in jars of all different colors.
It is said that Père Lachaise, which is east of Paris, is one of the best places to visit on All Saints' Day. It covers more than 44 hectares and is home to the graves of many famous French people, such as Moliere and Frederic Chopin.
Most people eat lamb or game for lunch on All Saints' Day. But to honor the dead, the French often eat a dinner of bacon, black grain, pancakes, and cider at midnight.
People love getting together with their families for a short vacation during this public holiday, which falls during the fall school break.
11 Nov - Tuesday, Armistice Day, National holiday
Today is Armistice Day, which means the end of the war between the Allies and Germany. The peace treaty was signed in Compiègne, France, at 11 a.m. on November 11, 1918.
On November 11, 2025, this holiday will be held. It's known by different names in different countries, like Veterans Day in the US and Remembrance Day in Canada. But they all mean the same thing: the end of the war.
People in France remember the people who died or were hurt in World War I and other wars on Armistice Day (Armistice de la Première Guerre mondiale). It's usually a very sad event.
Church services are held to remember the people who died in World War I and other wars that followed. It is also planned for military parades to visit war memorials and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Paris. At war memorials, people in power, like France's president, leave wreaths and flowers. A lot of people dress in dark or black clothes. Most of the time, Armistice Day is a sad day.
Many businesses in France are closed on Armistice Day because it is a public holiday. Some restaurants and coffee shops that aren't in tourist areas may also be closed. But some stores and bakeries are open in Paris, at airports and train stations, and along major highways.
The times that public transportation runs depend on where you live and where you want to go. On parade days, roads may be closed. This is most likely to happen in the middle of towns and cities and near war memorials.
21 Dec - Sunday, December Solstice, Season
In the Southern Hemisphere, the December solstice is when the Sun is directly above the Tropic of Capricorn. During the year, it gets as far south as this latitude. It starts moving north again after the solstice.
24 Dec - Wednesday, Christmas Eve, Observance
A lot of people get off work early on Christmas Eve (Réveillon). Many people spend the rest of the afternoon and evening making a special meal and going to church.
A lot of places are open on Christmas Eve because it's not a public holiday. But a lot of businesses close early so their employees can spend the late afternoon and evening with their families. As people travel to spend Christmas with their families, there may be some traffic on the roads, at train stations, and at airports. If you want to travel on December 24, you should buy your tickets early.
A lot of people work on Christmas Eve, but they get off early. The rest of the day is spent with family or close friends. In the past, people would decorate their homes and make a meal to celebrate. This meal is made up of dishes from different parts of France.
25 Dec - Thursday, Christmas Day, National holiday
One of the most important holidays in France is Christmas Day, which many people celebrate with great joy. There are also a lot of religious services and church visits in France to honor the birth of Jesus Christ.
Christmas is one of the most important holidays in France. It's a time to be happy and spend time with family and friends. Every family gets together at this time to share gifts, eat special meals, and do fun traditions.
26 Dec - Friday St Stephen's Day Local holiday Bas-Rhin, Haut-Rhin, Moselle
In France, after Christmas Day, there is a public holiday called Saint Stephen's Day. It was named for Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr, and other Christian saints who helped make the world a better place.
The day is used by many French people to spend time with family and friends or go to church. Businesses and schools may also be closed that day so that people can enjoy the holiday.
31 Dec - Wednesday, New Year's Eve, Observance
On December 31, the Gregorian calendar marks the end of the year. New Year's Eve is one of the biggest celebrations in the world because it comes before the New Year. No matter where you are, count down to 2019.
There is no public holiday on New Year's Eve. Businesses are open at regular times.
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