Holiday Guide for France in 2020

France information

During the 11 official public holidays in France, most businesses, shops and offices will be closed. Some supermarkets and bakeries may open in the morning. Restaurants may open for lunch and/or dinner, but it is worth checking before and making a reservation in advance to be sure. Many tourist attractions may be shut or have limited opening hours.

List of Public Holidays in France in 2020

	Wednesday January 1st New Year's Day (Jour de l'an) France: New Year's Day is a public holiday in all countries that observe the Gregorian calendar, with the exception of Israel
	Friday April 10th  Long Weekend!  Good Friday (Vendredi saint) Grand Est: Alsace and Moselle. Good Friday commemorates the Crucifixion of Jesus.
	Monday April 13th  Long Weekend!  Easter Monday (Lundi de Pâques) France: Easter is probably the most important holiday of the Christian year, celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus
	Friday May 1st  Long Weekend!  Labour Day (Fête du Travail) France: This holiday is most commonly associated as a commemoration of the achievements of the labour movement
	Friday May 8th  Long Weekend!  V-E Day (Fête de la Victoire) France: Victory in Europe Day marks May 8th 1945 when the Allies formally accepted an unconditional surrender by the armed forces of Germany
	Thursday May 21st Ascension Day (Jour de l'Ascension) France: This day observes the departure of Jesus from earth after his resurrection. It is perhaps the earliest observed celebration in Christianity.
	Monday June 1st  Long Weekend!  Whit Monday (Lundi de Pentecôte) France: Commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit in the form of flames to the Apostles.
	Tuesday July 14th Bastille Day (Fête Nationale) France: Bastille Day celebrates the birth of the French Republic and marks the storming of the Bastille in 1789
	Saturday August 15th Assumption Day (Assomption) France: The Feast of the Assumption is the principal feast of the Blessed Virgin, the mother of Jesus Christ
	Sunday November 1st All Saints' Day (Toussaint) France: Pope Boniface IV dedicated the day as a holiday to honour the Blessed Virgin Mary and all martyrs
	Wednesday November 11th Armistice Day (Jour d'armistice) France: Observed on November 11th to recall the end of World War I on that date in 1918 and honor the veterans of both World Wars.
	Friday December 25th  Long Weekend!  Christmas Day (Noël) France: Christmas celebrates the Nativity of Jesus which according to tradition took place on December 25th 1 BC
	Saturday December 26th St. Stephen's Day (Deuxième jour de Noël) Grand Est: December 26th is the Feast of St. Stephen in Western Christianity. It is observed as a second day of Christmas holidays in several countries.

Notes

• French fixed Public Holidays that fall on a Sunday are celebrated on the following Monday.
• If a public holiday falls on a Thursday, it is common for many workers to take the Friday as a 'pont' (bridge) to create a long weekend.
• No time off in lieu is granted when a Public Holiday falls on a Saturday.