French Holidays

The French people get their annual pleasure from in all 11 national jours feriés (holidays). Out of the whole year, May is the month of most frequented holidays, as close as nearly every week. So it is always safe to check up at all the public places about their status of being open or not before visiting directly.

Public Holidays 1 January New Year's Day (Jour de l'an)
1 May Labor Day (Fête du premier mai) since 1935
8 May WWII Victory Day (Fête de la Victoire 1945; Fête du huitième mai) since 1945,
14 July Bastille Day (Fête nationale) since 1789
15 August Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Assomption)
1 November All Saints Day (La Toussaint)
11 November Armistice Day (Jour d'armistice) since 1918
25 December Christmas Day (Noël)
26 December 2nd Day of Christmas (in Alsace and Lorraine only)

Also as a custom, in the year when Ascension Day take place at the same time as the Victory Day, the French people co-affiliate only with the former and thus ignoring the latter all together. Apart from national celebrations, there are also many regional and local festivals throughout France which may or may not be included in national listings.

It is a common practice in France for workers to take the Monday or Friday off if by any how a national or religious holiday happens to be on a Tuesday or Thursday. Though this is not officially acclaimed and is not applicable to public service institutions such as banks or government houses. But the decision of service men is upsetting enough to cause difficulties for the business houses open on the occasion.

By the country’s law, every French citizen is allowed an extended vacation of five weeks. Taking an advantage of the facility, most of the populace takes their retreat in the summer of July or August. This is also the time when almost all major businesses and corporate housed are closed. Whole of the France can be seen on driving to the roads, traveling in the trains, cruising the vessels and on board of the airways. Consequently, traveling in France during August is generally not recommended for foreigners.

The public transport like trains and local roads near the major cities are prone to be extra busy around the national holidays. And not coincidentally, this is also the time when most service unions, such as transporters making a living out of public means of transportation, and railroad workers, love to go on a strike, which again by and far, has now become something of a tradition. Because the country goes on with so many positive and sort of negative activities with in, it is again advisable for all those wanting to visit France, to avoid a trip during June, July and August and if really necessary, should go with all the cross checking well ahead.