Holidays & Public Holidays in France (2026).

Start with JARI.

Knowing the calendar of public holidays and festivals in France helps you avoid nasty surprises (closed shops, reduced transport) and enjoy the convivial moments. The JARI community and Professional Services help you plan your paperwork around the holidays and never miss the cultural and Korean events.

The 11 public holidays.

France has 11 public holidays a year:

• 1 January — New Year's Day
• Easter Monday — 6 April 2026
• 1 May — Labour Day (most shops close)
• 8 May — 1945 Victory Day
• Ascension — 14 May 2026
• Whit Monday — 25 May 2026
• 14 July — National Day
• 15 August — Assumption
• 1 November — All Saints' Day
• 11 November — Armistice
• 25 December — Christmas

What changes on public holidays.

Most public holidays are days off (paid). Many shops, banks, and government offices close, and transport often runs on reduced (Sunday/holiday) schedules. 1 May is the most "closed" day of the year. Always check before heading out or scheduling paperwork.

Bridges and school holidays.

When a holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, many people "faire le pont" (take the linking day off). In May, bridges are common. School holidays (All Saints, Christmas, winter, spring, summer) are staggered by zones: transport and accommodation fill up — book early.

Festivals not to miss.

• Fête de la Musique (21 June): free concerts everywhere.
• Epiphany (galette des rois, January) and Candlemas (crêpes, February).
• Fête des Voisins (May/June): great for meeting your building.
• Beaujolais nouveau (3rd Thursday of November) and Christmas markets (December).

For the Korean community.

Around Lunar New Year (Seollal) and Chuseok, the Korean community in France organizes gatherings and meals. A great way to keep the cultural bond — follow the JARI community for dates and places.

Get support.

Scheduling your administrative appointments outside holidays, finding events near you, keeping up with Korean festivals: rely on the JARI community and Professional Services to miss nothing.

Going further.

Continue with Café & art of living, the codes of workplace culture (leave, bridges), and the free outings & festivals guide.

Useful links.

• Jours fériés — service-public.fr