France in 2026 has an early Easter (5 April) and a Bastille Day (14 July) that falls on a Tuesday โ offering a bridge day on Monday 13 July for a four-day weekend, if taken. Victory in Europe Day (8 May) falls on a Friday โ an automatic three-day weekend for one of France's most solemn commemorative holidays.
Labour Day (1 May) is a Friday in 2026 โ another automatic long weekend, and the one day in France where no employer can legally compel anyone to work. Two automatic long weekends in May make 2026 a strong spring for French workers.
Public Holidays 2026
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Nationwide Public Holidays 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2026 | Thu | New Year's Day | Nationwide |
| 6 Apr 2026 | Mon | Easter Monday | Nationwide |
| 1 May 2026 | Fri | Labour Day | Nationwide |
| 8 May 2026 | Fri | Victory in Europe Day | Nationwide |
| 14 May 2026 | Thu | Ascension Day | Nationwide |
| 25 May 2026 | Mon | Whit Monday | Nationwide |
| 14 Jul 2026 | Tue | Bastille Day | Nationwide |
| 15 Aug 2026 | Sat | Assumption of Mary | Nationwide |
| 1 Nov 2026 | Sun | All Saints' Day | Nationwide |
| 11 Nov 2026 | Wed | Armistice Day | Nationwide |
| 25 Dec 2026 | Fri | Christmas Day | Nationwide |
School Holidays 2026
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Aix-Marseille โ School Holidays Overview
Winter Break
15.02.2026 - 01.03.2026
Spring Break
12.04.2026 - 26.04.2026
Summer Holidays
05.07.2026 - 31.08.2026
Autumn Break
17.10.2026 - 02.11.2026
Christmas Break
19.12.2026 - 04.01.2027
Holidays by Region
Aix-MarseilleAmiensBesanรงonBordeauxCaenClermont-FerrandCrรฉteilDijonGrenobleLilleLimogesLyonMontpellierNancy-MetzNantesNiceNormandieOrlรฉans-ToursParisPoitiersReimsRennesRouenStrasbourgToulouseVersailles
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bastille Day?
Bastille Day (Fรชte Nationale) is France's national holiday, celebrated on 14 July each year. It marks the storming of the Bastille fortress in Paris on 14 July 1789, a pivotal event of the French Revolution. It is celebrated with military parades, fireworks, and public festivities across France.
How many public holidays does France have?
France has 11 national public holidays per year. These apply across metropolitan France. The Alsace-Moselle region additionally observes Good Friday and 26 December (St Stephen's Day) due to its historical ties to Germany.
What are the three school zones in France?
France is divided into Zone A, Zone B, and Zone C for school holiday purposes. The zones stagger their half-term breaks to reduce travel congestion. Zone C covers the Paris region (Crรฉteil, Paris, Versailles). The Summer and Christmas holidays are the same for all zones.
Is Good Friday a public holiday in France?
No. Good Friday is not a public holiday in metropolitan France. It is, however, observed in the Alsace-Moselle region (departments Bas-Rhin, Haut-Rhin, and Moselle) which retained the holiday calendar of the German Empire period.
Why is 1 May special in France?
1 May (Labour Day / Fรชte du Travail) is the only day in France on which employees have an absolute legal right not to work โ employers cannot require employees to work on this day, unlike on other public holidays. It is also traditional to gift lily of the valley (muguet) on this day.