You Need to Know These Annual Public Holidays in France

You ought to know the holidays in France if you plan on moving to Paris. You'd be surprised at how much these holidays affect the city, from work and school closures to traffic jams caused by official ceremonies in important landmarks. I will never forget the first time I spent Bastille Day, or France’s National Day, in Paris and how shocked I was that it practically shut almost half the city down because of the military parade. Or when my Parisian friends invited me to visit their loved ones on All Saints' Day. Getting to know these important holidays is also learning more about the French themselves.

Jour de l'An (New Year)

There's truly nothing quite like celebrating New Year's in Paris! The eve of December 31st alone is already one of the most famous year-end events of its kind in the world. When you see those fireworks go off behind the Arc de Triomphe, you'll truly feel like the world is celebrating you having thrived and survived the past year. It's one of the very few holidays in the year that gets most of Paris dancing, howling, and making all sorts of ruckus out in the streets!

When: January 1

Lundi de Pâques (Easter Monday)

I'm sure most of you expected me to put Easter Sunday here, but it's a famous holiday around the world, not just in France. What the country does celebrate that most of the others don't is “Lundi de Pâques,” or Easter Monday. Though it's not as widely celebrated as the holiday before, it nevertheless remains an important part of the Christian calendar, with many practicing Catholics hearing mass on this day too. As for the rest of us Parisians who aren't as religious, it's an extension of Easter Weekend that's always welcome!

When: March or April

Lundi de Pentecôte (Whit Monday)

Another religious holiday that France is one of the few countries that celebrate is “Lundi de Pentecôte,” or Whit Monday. It's the day after Pentecost Sunday, usually held 50 days after Easter Sunday, which commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Christ's Apostles. Much like Easter Monday, this is another extension of the weekend, allowing Catholics another day to hear mass, and all of us more secular folks more free time off work. What's not to love?

When: 50th Monday after Easter Sunday

Fête du Travail (Labor Day)

Don't underestimate Labor Day in France! Having lived and worked here for a long time, I've come to understand that workers here value their work-life balance. Hence, when Fête du Travail rolls around every May 1st, you can bet that practically most of Paris is out on the streets, going on vacations, or staying at home. My friends often invite us out to the nearest French countryside town for a lovely day trip. The French go above and beyond to forget about work and just have a good time on this holiday.

When: May 1

Fête Nationale Française (Bastille Day)

Now, let’s talk about the ultimate holiday in France: Bastille Day! Also known as “Fête Nationale Française,” which is translated to 'France's National Day,' it's undoubtedly one of the country's most important days of the year. The French aren't exactly what many would regard as patriotic—at least, not to the extent of the Americans—but this one holiday proves that even the very global city of Paris still has a strong national spirit. The French capital famously puts on a grand military parade along the 8th arrondissement’s Avenue des Champs-Élysées, which ends with a ceremony and speech given by the French president.

When: July 14

L'Assomption (Assumption Day)

Surprised to see Assumption Day here, are you? I've always had this impression that the French, specifically Parisians, are no longer as religious as they were back then, and Paris practically confirmed it for me when I started living here more than a decade later. However, there are still some holidays that Parisians surprisingly still solemnly celebrate, including L'Assomption on August 15th. The iconic Notre Dame even holds a Marian procession every year, while a majority of establishments are closed for the public holiday.

When: August 15

La Toussaint (All Saints' Day)

I know the rest of the world also celebrates All Saints' Day every November 1st, but there's something special about being in Paris on this annual holiday. Not only is it a public holiday, which means you're off work/school and many parts of the city stay closed, but it's also a great chance to visit the beautiful cemeteries in Paris. You'd be surprised at how lovely they are, from the intricate stone angels to the grand mausoleums. Parisians mostly clean their loved ones' graves on this day and don't exactly hang out there, unlike how other countries do it, but it's still a fascinating time just the same!

When: November 1

Armistice Day

Like the rest of Europe, France celebrates Armistice Day every November 11th, making it one of the country's most important public holidays. Commemorating the day World War I effectively ended with the Armistice of 1918, Paris gives it as grand a celebration as Bastille Day itself! The city puts on a military parade, the French president gives a speech, and by the end of it, the head-of-state also lays down a tri-colored wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier under the Arc de Triomphe.

When: November 11

Noël (Christmas Day)

Of course, you can't expect me to make this list without mentioning Christmas Day! And celebrating Christmas in Paris may just be the most magical experience you'll ever have! It truly never gets old, even now that I'm already an adult and have lived here for a long time. I know Paris is known as the “City of Lights” no matter the time of year, but I feel like it sparkles extra brightly every holiday season. The festive spirit permeates throughout the 20 arrondissements and beyond, filling everybody with Christmas cheer that never fails to put a smile on people's faces!

When: December 25

Saint Étienne (Saint Stephen's Day)

It seems like France loves commemorating lesser-known holidays held after some of the biggest holidays of the year, does it? Well, they get no complaints from me! I'm always up for more free time, and this time around, it's a much-needed public holiday after Christmas! Saint Stephen's Day is held every December 26th and is the feast day of St. Stephen, the first martyr of Christianity. Though it's mostly celebrated in the Alsace-Moselle region, even Paris uses it as another free day during the holidays. And thank God it does because we all need to rest after the usually hectic Christmas Day!

When: December 26



Paris often gets the busiest during many of France's annual public holidays. From Bastille Day and Armistice Day to Christmas and New Year's, you'd be surprised at how the city celebrates some of these important days of the year.