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Whether you’re living in France or just visiting, it’s always a good idea to check when the local holidays are. That’s because many businesses in the country close for national days off.
For travelers and expats, holidays also require some financial planning. Whether you’re budgeting for festival attendance, purchasing gifts, or planning getaways, managing your money across borders can be challenging. Using services like Wise can offer competitive exchange rates and transparent fees for currency conversion.
Here’s what you need to know:
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An overview of French public holidays
While France observes 11 public holidays each year, only May Day is a statutory holiday in the country. The right to additional paid holidays and the conditions for working on French national holidays (such as higher pay) are left to the discretion of the employer-employee contract or union.
Most national days off apply across the country, although two regions (Alsace and Lorraine) have two extra public holidays: Good Friday and Saint Stephen’s Day. The former German territory retained these two extra public holidays when it rejoined France after World War I.
If a national holiday in France falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is usually given as a day off. On the other hand, if it falls on a Saturday, however, no extra day is given during the week. Employees typically take a bridge holiday (faire le pont) if the day off lands on a Tuesday or Thursday, thus creating a long weekend. What’s more, some businesses may opt to close completely during a bridge holiday.
Many of the public holidays are national, although some are only celebrated in certain regions. If you’re planning to attend these celebrations, it’s worth preparing financially, especially if you’re traveling from abroad. Using the Wise account to convert your currency at the mid-market exchange rate can help you avoid the inflated tourist rates often found at airport kiosks and local exchange offices during busy holiday periods.
You can also see which vacation days coincide with the best French festivals; it’s also a great reason to travel the country and experience local food and culture.
The biggest holidays in France
The two most widely celebrated holidays in France are Bastille Day (14 July) and All Saints Day (1 November). The former commemorates the storming of the Bastille in 1789 and is a celebration of nationhood with communal fireworks, tricolor flags flying, and moules frites at the mairie.
The latter, which is the Catholic holy day of La Toussaint or All Saints, is a more private affair. Families place flowers – most commonly chrysanthemums – on graves in honor of their dead relatives, and then go home for a huge lunch. All Saints Day falls on the day after Halloween, which is somewhat of a controversial celebration in the country. However, it is growing in popularity, especially in the larger cities.
Additionally, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are widely celebrated French holidays. However, in parts of northern and eastern France, some children also receive presents on the morning of St Nicholas’ Day on 6 December.
When are the French public holidays in 2025?
| Date | Weekday | Holiday |
| 1 January 2025 | Wed | New Year’s Day |
| 21 April 2025 | Mon | Easter Monday |
| 1 May 2025 | Thu | Labor Day / May Day |
| 8 May 2025 | Thu | World War II Victory Day |
| 29 May 2025 | Thu | Ascension Day |
| 9 June 2025 | Mon | Whit Monday |
| 14 July 2025 | Mon | Bastille Day |
| 15 August 2025 | Fri | Assumption of Mary |
| 1 November 2025 | Sat | All Saints’ Day |
| 11 November 2025 | Sun | Armistice Day |
| 25 December 2025 | Thu | Christmas Day |
Local holidays in 2025
| Date | Weekday | Holiday | Where celebrated |
| 3 April 2025 | Fri | Good Friday | Alsace and Lorraine |
| 26 December 2025 | Fri | Boxing Day | Alsace and Lorraine |
Wise account
Are you an expat or thinking of moving to France? Managing your money across borders shouldn’t be complicated. With a Wise account, you can hold over 40 currencies and pay with a Wise debit card in more than 150 countries. Whether you need to spend abroad, receive or send money home, Wise can help make international money management simpler.
Other important dates in 2025
| Date | Weekday | Occasion |
| 25 May 2025 | Sun | Mother’s Day |
| 15 June 2025 | Sun | Father’s Day |
| 31 December 2025 | Wed | New Year’s Eve |
When are the French public holidays in 2026?
| Date | Weekday | Holiday |
| 1 January 2026 | Thu | New Year’s Day |
| 6 April 2026 | Mon | Easter Monday |
| 1 May 2026 | Fri | Labor Day / May Day |
| 8 May 2026 | Fri | World War II Victory Day |
| 14 May 2026 | Thu | Ascension Day |
| 25 May 2026 | Mon | Whit Monday |
| 14 July 2026 | Tue | Bastille Day |
| 15 August 2026 | Sat | Assumption of Mary |
| 1 November 2026 | Sun | All Saints’ Day |
| 11 November 2026 | Mon | Armistice Day |
| 25 December 2026 | Fri | Christmas Day |
Local holidays in 2026
| Date | Weekday | Holiday | Where celebrated |
| 3 April 2026 | Fri | Good Friday | Alsace and Lorraine |
| 26 December 2026 | Fri | Boxing Day | Alsace and Lorraine |
Other important dates in 2026
| Date | Weekday | Occasion |
| 31 May 2026 | Sun | Mother’s Day |
| 21 June 2026 | Sun | Father’s Day |
| 31 December 2026 | Thu | New Year’s Eve |
When were the French public holidays in 2024?
| Date | Weekday | Holiday |
| 1 January 2024 | Mon | New Year’s Day |
| 1 April 2024 | Mon | Easter Monday |
| 1 May 2024 | Wed | Labor Day / May Day |
| 8 May 2024 | Wed | World War II Victory Day |
| 9 May 2024 | Thu | Ascension Day |
| 20 May 2024 | Mon | Whit Monday |
| 14 July 2024 | Sun | Bastille Day |
| 15 August 2024 | Thu | Assumption of Mary |
| 1 November 2024 | Fri | All Saints’ Day |
| 11 November 2024 | Mon | Armistice Day |
| 25 December 2024 | Wed | Christmas Day |
Local holidays in 2024
| Date | Weekday | Holiday | Where celebrated |
| 29 March 2024 | Fri | Good Friday | Alsace and Lorraine |
| 26 December 2024 | Thu | Boxing Day | Alsace and Lorraine |
Other important dates in 2024
| Date | Weekday | Occasion |
| 26 May 2024 | Sun | Mother’s Day |
| 16 June 2024 | Sun | Father’s Day |
| 31 December 2024 | Tue | New Year’s Eve |
When are the school holidays in France?
Many days off for students will revolve around the country’s public holidays. Wondering when these are? Read more about school holidays in France.
Practical tips for French holiday travel
Managing your money
Proper financial planning ensures a trip without stress. Avoid the expensive currency exchange counters at airports and tourist areas that offer unfavorable exchange rates. With Wise, you can hold and convert money in multiple currencies, spend abroad with the Wise card, and enjoy lower fees when compared to banks. For example, when transferring 5,000 USD to EUR, you could save 86 EUR for using Wise compared to using a bank transfer*, helping your holiday budget go further.
*The calculation is from the comparison tool from the Wise website on the 9th of Sept of 2025 that compares USD transfers to EUR via Wise, multiple international money transfer providers and banks in the US.
Cultural considerations
Understanding French cultural nuances will significantly enhance your travel experience and help you connect more meaningfully with locals. The French take their meal times seriously: breakfast is typically light with coffee and pastries, lunch runs from 12-2 PM and is considered important, and dinner begins around 7:30-8 PM, with many restaurants not opening until then. Learning basic French phrases like “Bonjour,” “S’il vous plaît,” and “Merci” is not just helpful but shows respect for the culture, and locals genuinely appreciate the effort even if your pronunciation isn’t perfect.
Food and drink
French cuisine represents one of the world’s great culinary traditions, with each region offering distinctive specialties that reflect local ingredients and historical influences. Embrace the French approach to dining by taking time to savor meals, trying regional wines that pair perfectly with local dishes, and visiting local markets where vendors are passionate about their products and happy to offer recommendations.
Conclusion
French holidays offer a rich opportunity to experience the country’s culture and traditions. By planning ahead—knowing both national and local holiday dates, understanding transportation limitations, and preparing financially—you can fully immerse yourself in these special celebrations.
For international visitors and expats, smart money management is a key part of holiday planning. Setting up a Wise account before traveling to France can give you access to competitive currency exchange rates, and a debit card to spend like a local. This financial preparation allows you to focus on what really matters—enjoying France’s vibrant holiday traditions and creating lasting memories.
