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FRANCE · PUBLIC HOLIDAYS · NATIONAL HOLIDAYS · ALSACE-MOSELLE · UK TRAVEL GUIDE
Public Holidays in France 2026: Complete Guide for UK Travellers
France has 11 national public holidays in 2026, plus two extra dates in the Alsace-Moselle region (Good Friday and Saint Stephen’s Day). This guide covers every date, what’s open and closed, and how the calendar compares with UK bank holidays — verified against service-public.fr and triangulated with Nager.Date.
NEXT PUBLIC HOLIDAY IN FRANCE
Bastille Day (Fête nationale)
Tuesday 14 July 2026
The French national day — military parade on the Champs-Élysées, evening fireworks at the Eiffel Tower, fire-station balls (bals des pompiers) the night before.
Upcoming public holidays in France
The next French public holidays after 26 May 2026. All 11 dates listed below are national — they apply throughout metropolitan France and most overseas territories. The two extra dates observed only in Alsace-Moselle (Good Friday and Saint Stephen's Day) are flagged in the cultural notes section below.
| Date | Holiday | Type | Bridge / note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 14 July | Bastille Day (Fête nationale) | National civil | Lone Tuesday — pont du 14 juillet common (take Monday off for 4 days) |
| Saturday 15 August | Assumption Day (Assomption) | National religious | Falls on a Saturday — lost (France does not shift to Monday) |
| Sunday 1 November | All Saints' Day (Toussaint) | National religious | Falls on a Sunday — also lost |
| Wednesday 11 November | Armistice Day (Armistice 1918) | National civil | Mid-week — pont possible by taking Mon+Tue or Thu+Fri |
| Friday 25 December | Christmas Day (Noël) | National religious | Natural 3-day weekend |
| Saturday 26 December | Saint Stephen's Day (Saint-Étienne) | Regional (Alsace-Moselle only) | Falls on a Saturday — Alsace-Moselle only |
Multi-year calendar — 2026, 2027, 2028
France's 11 national public holidays across 2026, 2027 and 2028. Easter Monday, Ascension and Whit Monday are movable (Catholic calendar) — the rest are fixed civil or religious dates. France has 11 national holidays, slightly above the EU average (around 10–12).
| Holiday | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day (Jour de l'An) | Thursday 1 January | Friday 1 January | Saturday 1 January |
| Easter Monday (Lundi de Pâques) | Monday 6 April | Monday 29 March | Monday 17 April |
| Labour Day (Fête du Travail) | Friday 1 May | Saturday 1 May | Monday 1 May |
| Victory in Europe Day (Victoire 1945) | Friday 8 May | Saturday 8 May | Monday 8 May |
| Ascension Day (Ascension) | Thursday 14 May | Thursday 6 May | Thursday 25 May |
| Whit Monday (Lundi de Pentecôte) | Monday 25 May | Monday 17 May | Monday 5 June |
| Bastille Day (Fête nationale) | Tuesday 14 July | Wednesday 14 July | Friday 14 July |
| Assumption Day (Assomption) | Saturday 15 August | Sunday 15 August | Tuesday 15 August |
| All Saints' Day (Toussaint) | Sunday 1 November | Monday 1 November | Wednesday 1 November |
| Armistice Day (Armistice 1918) | Wednesday 11 November | Thursday 11 November | Saturday 11 November |
| Christmas Day (Noël) | Friday 25 December | Saturday 25 December | Monday 25 December |
⚠️ French holidays falling on weekends in 2026
Three national holidays fall on a weekend in 2026: Assumption (Saturday 15 August), All Saints' (Sunday 1 November) and Saint Stephen's Day (Saturday 26 December — Alsace-Moselle only). Like Spain and unlike the UK, France does NOT shift weekend holidays to a Monday. The day is simply lost. The good news for 2026: the strong cluster between 1 May and 25 May (five public holidays in 25 days — 1 May, 8 May, 14 May Ascension, 25 May Whit Monday, plus Easter Monday on 6 April) creates one of the most generous pont seasons in years.
What's open and closed for UK travellers in France
On French public holidays, banks, post offices and most administrations close, but tourist-facing France stays largely open — cafés, brasseries, museums, attractions and major train services keep running. The things most likely to catch UK travellers out are supermarkets (mostly closed) and small businesses outside Paris. Here's the practical breakdown:
| 🏦 Banks (BNP Paribas, Société Générale, Crédit Agricole, LCL, Crédit Mutuel) | Closed on all 11 national public holidays. ATMs (distributeurs) operate normally and UK cards (Visa, Mastercard, Revolut, Monzo, Starling, Wise) draw euros without issue — Wise and Revolut waive ATM fees up to a monthly limit. French branches typically open Tue–Sat (closed Mondays in many regions), so weekday banking is the norm. Online banking and SEPA transfers work as usual on holidays. |
| 🛒 Supermarkets (Carrefour, Leclerc, Auchan, Casino, Monoprix, Lidl) | Mostly closed on national holidays. Small Monoprix and Carrefour City branches in Paris and on tourist routes often open until midday on most holidays, except 1 May, 25 December and 1 January. Local boulangeries (bakeries) typically open Sunday and holiday mornings — fresh baguettes available even on Christmas Day in most neighbourhoods. The 1 May closure is the most strict — by law, only essential businesses may trade. |
| 🍽️ Cafés, brasseries, restaurants (everywhere) | Almost universally open in Paris and tourist regions, including on national holidays. French dining culture treats holidays as social occasions — Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve are the biggest restaurant nights of the year, and lunch (le déjeuner) on 14 July or 15 August is a tradition. Booking is essential in Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, Nice, Marseille. The few exceptions: many small bistros close Monday (regardless of holiday) and 25 December lunch service is by reservation only. |
| 🚄 SNCF trains (TGV, Ouigo, Eurostar, Intercités, TER) | Operating on a Sunday-style holiday schedule with reduced frequency on most routes. The Paris–London Eurostar (St Pancras → Gare du Nord) runs ~12 services daily even on French national holidays — fully unaffected. The Paris–Lyon TGV cuts from ~25 to ~15 services. Direct UK booking via SNCF Connect, Trainline or Rail Europe. Bonus: Ouigo low-cost TGV fares start from €19 if booked 60+ days in advance. |
| 🏛️ Museums (Louvre, Orsay, Versailles, Pompidou, Eiffel Tower) | Most major French museums open on national holidays with Sunday hours. The Louvre, Orsay and Pompidou close 1 May and 25 December universally — the Louvre and Orsay also typically close on 1 January. Versailles operates 7 days a week except Monday. The Eiffel Tower stays open every day of the year, including all national holidays. Booking online in advance is essential for the Louvre, Versailles and the Eiffel Tower lift. |
| ✈️ Airports (Paris CDG, Paris ORY, Nice NCE, Marseille MRS, Lyon LYS) | All operate 24/7. The UK–France corridor is one of Europe's busiest international airline markets: easyJet, Ryanair, British Airways, Air France, Vueling and Jet2 all serve direct routes. Fares spike +50% during French school holidays (especially the February ski break, Easter break and the long summer 6 July–31 August window). Cheapest months from the UK: mid-January, late March and November. Eurostar is the rail-only alternative — London ↔ Paris in 2h16. |
UK bank holidays that line up with France dates
For UK travellers planning a trip, certain combinations of UK bank holidays and French public holidays produce particularly good long-weekend opportunities. Internal cross-reference: see also our complete list of UK bank holidays for 2026.
| Period | UK side | France side | Trip tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3–6 April 2026 | Good Friday & Easter Monday (UK) | Easter Monday (Mon 6 Apr) + Good Friday in Alsace | 4 days · Paris, Provence or Alsace city break — Easter weekend works in both calendars |
| 1–4 May 2026 | Early May Bank Holiday (Mon 4 May) | Labour Day (Fri 1 May) | 4 days · Paris flower markets, Loire Valley châteaux, Côte d'Azur opening for the season |
| 7–10 May 2026 | UK weekend | Victoire 1945 (Fri 8 May) | 3 days · Normandy battlefields and D-Day beaches — peak interest for UK history travellers |
| 14–17 May 2026 | UK weekend | Ascension (Thu 14 May) | 4 days with Friday off · pont de l'Ascension — Loire, Burgundy or Brittany — book early, France travels heavily |
| 23–25 May 2026 | Spring Bank Holiday (Mon 25 May) | Whit Monday (Mon 25 May) | 3 days · perfect UK–France alignment — Paris, Lyon or Bordeaux without taking leave on either side |
| 11–14 July 2026 | UK weekend (no UK BH) | Bastille Day (Tue 14 Jul) | 4 days with Monday off · Paris military parade, fireworks at the Eiffel Tower, bals des pompiers |
| 24 Dec 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 | UK Christmas + New Year | Noël (Fri 25 Dec) + Nouvel An (Fri 1 Jan) | 10–12 days · Alsace Christmas markets (Strasbourg, Colmar) or Paris illuminations — both back-to-back Friday holidays |
Regional differences — Alsace-Moselle and overseas territories
Beyond the 11 national days, two regions of France observe extra public holidays under historic laws. Alsace-Moselle (departments 67, 68 and 57) has kept Good Friday and Saint Stephen's Day as holidays since 1892, when they were retained from the German legal code during the region's incorporation into the German Empire. The five French overseas territories (DOM-TOM) each add 1–2 dates commemorating the abolition of slavery. Here are the most travel-relevant ones for UK visitors:
| Date | Holiday | Region | What happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Apr | Good Friday (Vendredi Saint) | Alsace-Moselle (Strasbourg, Colmar, Metz, Mulhouse) | Extra public holiday in departments 67, 68, 57 — banks and offices closed, shops mixed |
| 22 Apr | Abolition of Slavery — Saint-Martin | Saint-Martin (Caribbean) | Local public holiday — Dutch and French sides observe separately |
| 27 Apr | Abolition of Slavery — Mayotte | Mayotte (Indian Ocean) | Local public holiday in Mayotte only |
| 22 May | Abolition of Slavery — Martinique | Martinique (Caribbean) | Major local fête in Fort-de-France — public holiday only in Martinique |
| 27 May | Abolition of Slavery — Guadeloupe & Saint-Barthélemy | Guadeloupe, Saint-Barthélemy | Public holiday only in those territories |
| 10 Jun | Abolition of Slavery — French Guiana | French Guiana (Guyane) | Public holiday only in Guyane |
| 20 Dec | Abolition of Slavery — Réunion | La Réunion (Indian Ocean) | Major fête locale — public holiday only on Réunion |
| 26 Dec | Saint Stephen's Day (Saint-Étienne) | Alsace-Moselle (departments 67, 68, 57) | Extra public holiday — typically family lunch, Christmas markets still trading |
Cultural notes — how French holidays differ from UK bank holidays
Five quirks of the French calendar that catch UK travellers and expats out:
- Five public holidays in 25 days — "le mois des ponts". Between 1 May and 25 May 2026, France observes five public holidays: Labour Day (Fri 1 May), Victoire 1945 (Fri 8 May), Ascension (Thu 14 May), Whit Monday (Mon 25 May) and Easter Monday just before on 6 April. Combined with strategic ponts (bridges — taking the Friday or Monday off between a Thursday/Tuesday holiday and the weekend), French employees can stretch this into 12+ days off using only 2–3 days of leave. Plan UK trips to France around these gaps cautiously — domestic French travel is heavy.
- Alsace-Moselle has two extra public holidays — and they're legally binding. In the three departments of Bas-Rhin (67), Haut-Rhin (68) and Moselle (57), Good Friday and Saint Stephen's Day (26 December) are public holidays under local laws retained from the German Empire's 1892 code. Banks, schools and most offices close. For UK travellers visiting Strasbourg, Colmar or Metz, this means an extra closed day around Easter (3 April 2026) and just after Christmas (26 December 2026). The rest of France works normally on those dates.
- 1 May is the strictest holiday closure in France. On Labour Day (1 May), French law restricts which businesses can trade — only essential services (hospitals, transport, some restaurants) are allowed to open. Even supermarkets are closed, employees who work must be paid double time, and traditionally muguet (lily of the valley) is sold tax-free at street corners by anyone. This is the one day where Paris can feel genuinely shut. The 2026 date (Friday 1 May) creates a natural 3-day weekend.
- No Monday substitution for weekend holidays. Unlike the UK system where a bank holiday falling on a weekend is moved to the following Monday, France simply loses it. In 2026 this affects two national holidays (15 August on a Saturday, 1 November on a Sunday). French employees mutter about 2026 being a "mauvaise année" — but the 1 May to 25 May cluster more than compensates.
- Public-sector and private-sector holidays are not identical. While the 11 national holidays apply to all French workers in principle, only 1 May is legally guaranteed as paid leave by the Code du Travail. The other 10 are jours fériés ordinaires — collective agreements (conventions collectives) determine whether they're paid and whether the day is worked or not. Public-sector workers always have all 11 off. Some private-sector retail and tourism workers may work some holidays (with overtime pay). For UK visitors, the practical effect is the same — banks, schools and offices close, but services keep running.
UK travellers and residents in France
France hosts approximately 150,000 British residents, concentrated in the Dordogne, Charente, Var (Provence) and Normandy. Post-Brexit, UK residents must hold the carte de séjour (Withdrawal Agreement card for pre-2021 residents) or a new long-stay visa for new arrivals. The 90/180-day Schengen limit applies to UK passport holders for visits — Easter, July and Christmas trips need careful date tracking. The British Embassy in Paris and consulates in Lyon, Marseille and Bordeaux close on both UK bank holidays and French national holidays — around 22 closures per year. The UK ↔ France travel volume sits at roughly 10 million visits per year in each direction, making France one of the UK's top three outbound destinations alongside Spain and Italy.
Frequently asked questions — Public holidays in France
How many public holidays does France have in 2026?
France has 11 national public holidays in 2026, the same number as most years. In the three Alsace-Moselle departments (Bas-Rhin, Haut-Rhin and Moselle), two extra public holidays apply: Good Friday (3 April 2026) and Saint Stephen's Day (26 December 2026) — bringing the total to 13 for those regions. The five French overseas territories each add 1–2 dates commemorating the abolition of slavery. Of the 11 national holidays, two fall on a weekend in 2026 (Assumption on Saturday 15 August, All Saints' on Sunday 1 November) and are lost rather than shifted.
Are shops open on French public holidays?
Most supermarkets (Carrefour, Leclerc, Auchan, Lidl) and large stores close on all national holidays. Small convenience stores (Monoprix, Carrefour City) in Paris and tourist zones often open until midday on most holidays, except 1 May, 25 December and 1 January. Local boulangeries open most holiday mornings — fresh bread is reliably available even on Christmas Day. Cafés, brasseries, restaurants and major attractions stay open. The strictest closure is 1 May (Labour Day) — by French law, only essential businesses may trade.
When is Easter Monday in France 2026?
Easter Monday falls on Monday 6 April 2026 and is a national public holiday throughout France. Unlike Spain (where Easter Monday is regional only), it is observed everywhere in France. Good Friday is not a national public holiday — but it is observed in the three Alsace-Moselle departments (Bas-Rhin, Haut-Rhin, Moselle) under historic local laws. UK travellers visiting Strasbourg or Colmar at Easter therefore see both Good Friday (3 April) and Easter Monday (6 April) closed.
What's the biggest public holiday in France?
Civically, the Bastille Day (Fête nationale, 14 July) is the national showcase — a military parade on the Champs-Élysées, fireworks at the Eiffel Tower in Paris and across every French town, and the bals des pompiers (fire-station balls) on the 13 and 14 July evenings. Religiously, 15 August (Assumption) marks the height of the French holiday season, with most of the country on the coast. Family-wise, Christmas Eve dinner (24 December) rather than Christmas Day is the main meal — closer to the Spanish tradition than the British one.
Do banks close on French public holidays?
Yes — all French banks (BNP Paribas, Société Générale, Crédit Agricole, LCL, Crédit Mutuel, Banque Populaire) close on all 11 national public holidays, and additionally on Good Friday and Saint Stephen's Day in Alsace-Moselle. ATMs (distributeurs automatiques) operate normally and UK card holders (Visa, Mastercard, Revolut, Monzo, Starling, Wise) can withdraw euros without issue. Online banking and mobile apps run as usual. French branch hours are typically Tue–Sat (closed Mondays in most regions), so weekday banking is the norm in any case.
Are SNCF trains running on French public holidays?
Yes, but on a reduced Sunday-style schedule. TGV high-speed services run roughly 60% of weekday frequency on major corridors (Paris–Lyon, Paris–Marseille, Paris–Bordeaux). The Paris–London Eurostar runs essentially unaffected on French national holidays — 12+ daily services with no major reduction. Regional TER trains run on Sunday timetables, which means significantly fewer services. The biggest cuts are on 1 May and 25 December. Always check sncf-connect.com or Trainline 48 hours in advance — the holiday schedule is published in mid-week.
Is Boxing Day (26 December) a public holiday in France?
Only in Alsace-Moselle. In the three departments of Bas-Rhin (67), Haut-Rhin (68) and Moselle (57), 26 December is observed as Saint-Étienne (Saint Stephen's Day) under local laws retained from the German Empire's 1892 code. Banks, schools and most offices close. Strasbourg's famous Christmas market typically runs through 26 December but with shorter hours. In the rest of France (Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, Provence, etc.), 26 December is a normal working day. This is the reverse of the UK, where Boxing Day is a nationwide bank holiday.
Do I need a visa to travel from the UK to France on a public holiday?
Post-Brexit, UK passport holders can enter France for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa — France remains in the Schengen Area. Passport must be issued less than 10 years before the entry date and valid for at least 3 months after the planned departure. From mid-2026, ETIAS (the EU's electronic travel authorisation, around €7 for 3 years) is expected to be required for short stays — check gov.uk and the EU's official ETIAS site before booking. Public holidays do not affect entry rules or border processing — Calais, Paris CDG and Eurostar terminals run with full passport control on all holidays.
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Related guides
- All UK bank holidays 2026 — Bank Holidays UK homepage
- Complete List of UK Bank Holidays 2026 — all 8 days explained
- Public Holidays in Spain 2026 — the UK's #1 outbound destination
Updated for 2026 · Sources: service-public.fr, Nager.Date, UK FCDO travel advice · Last verified: 26 May 2026 · Bank Holidays UK Editorial Team · ← All UK bank holidays