France Public Holidays 2026: Full List and Dates
France has 11 public holidays (jours fériés) in 2026, and they’re uniform across the whole country — no regional variation, which makes France one of the simpler European calendars to plan around. One important caveat: only 1 May is a legally mandatory day off. For the rest, whether you get the day depends on your employer.
2026 is a strong year for long weekends in France. Three holidays fall on a Friday — 1 May, 8 May and 25 December — and Bastille Day lands on a Tuesday, which is ideal for bridging.
France public holidays 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Thursday | Jour de l’An | New Year’s Day |
| 6 April | Monday | Lundi de Pâques | Easter Monday |
| 1 May | Friday | Fête du Travail | Labour Day |
| 8 May | Friday | Victoire 1945 | Victory in Europe Day |
| 14 May | Thursday | Ascension | Ascension Day |
| 25 May | Monday | Lundi de Pentecôte | Whit Monday |
| 14 July | Tuesday | Fête Nationale | Bastille Day |
| 15 August | Saturday | Assomption | Assumption Day |
| 1 November | Sunday | Toussaint | All Saints’ Day |
| 11 November | Wednesday | Armistice 1918 | Armistice Day |
| 25 December | Friday | Noël | Christmas Day |
Long weekends in 2026
- 1–3 May — Labour Day (Fri–Sun)
- 8–10 May — Victory in Europe Day (Fri–Sun)
- 14–17 May — Ascension (Thu–Sun), four days with Friday bridged
- 23–25 May — Whit Monday (Sat–Mon)
- 11–14 July — Bastille Day falls on a Tuesday; bridging Monday 13 July gives four days
- 25–27 December — Christmas Day (Fri–Sun)
Notice that May is exceptional in 2026: four holidays in four weeks, with 1 May, 8 May and 25 May each creating a three-day weekend and Ascension a four-day one. If you’re planning a trip to France, this is the month to avoid the crowds or to join them deliberately.
Bastille Day — 14 July
France’s national day is the biggest celebration of the year: military parades down the Champs-Élysées in the morning, fireworks over the Eiffel Tower at night, and firemen’s balls (bals des pompiers) in towns across the country. In 2026 it falls on a Tuesday, so expect a four-day travel weekend with Monday bridged. Book accommodation in Paris by April.
The August shutdown
France doesn’t have a public holiday in the middle of August except Assumption on 15 August — but much of the country takes the month off anyway. Small shops, bakeries and family-run restaurants in cities close for two to four weeks, and the roads south fill on the first weekend of August. If you’re travelling in France in August, plan around it.
Frequently asked questions
How many public holidays does France have in 2026?
France has 11 public holidays in 2026. They apply nationwide with no regional variation, though only 1 May is a legally mandatory day off for all employees.
Is 8 May 2026 a public holiday in France?
Yes. Victory in Europe Day (Victoire 1945) is a public holiday on 8 May. In 2026 it falls on a Friday, creating a three-day weekend.
When is Bastille Day 2026?
Bastille Day (Fête Nationale) falls on Tuesday 14 July 2026. Bridging Monday 13 July creates a four-day weekend.
Do shops close on public holidays in France?
Most shops close on 1 May, 25 December and 1 January. On other public holidays many shops open with reduced hours, particularly in tourist areas.
Our sources
Dates verified against the French Code du travail (Article L3133-1) and the official service-public.fr public holiday list. Last reviewed: 15 October 2026.