Whether you’re living in France or just visiting, it’s always a good idea to check when the local holidays are. That’s because many businesses in the country close for national days off.
For travelers and expats, holidays also require some financial planning. Whether you’re budgeting for festival attendance, purchasing gifts, or planning getaways, managing your money across borders can be challenging. Using services like Wise can offer competitive exchange rates and transparent fees for currency conversion.
Here’s what you need to know:
Wise account
Are you an expat or thinking of moving to France? Managing your money across borders shouldn’t be complicated. With a Wise account, you can hold over 40 currencies and pay with a Wise debit card in more than 150 countries. Whether you need to spend abroad, receive or send money home, Wise can help make international money management simpler.
An overview of French public holidays
While France observes 11 public holidays each year, only May Day is a statutory holiday in the country. The right to additional paid holidays and the conditions for working on French national holidays (such as higher pay) are left to the discretion of the employer-employee contract or union.
Most national days off apply across the country, although two regions (Alsace and Lorraine) have two extra public holidays: Good Friday and Saint Stephen’s Day. The former German territory retained these two extra public holidays when it rejoined France after World War I.
Bastille Day in France (Photo: Yiwen/Unsplash)
If a national holiday in France falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is usually given as a day off. On the other hand, if it falls on a Saturday, however, no extra day is given during the week. Employees typically take a bridge holiday (faire le pont) if the day off lands on a Tuesday or Thursday, thus creating a long weekend. What’s more, some businesses may opt to close completely during a bridge holiday.
Many of the public holidays are national, although some are only celebrated in certain regions. If you’re planning to attend these celebrations, it’s worth preparing financially, especially if you’re traveling from abroad. Using the Wise account to convert your currency at the mid-market exchange rate can help you avoid the inflated tourist rates often found at airport kiosks and local exchange offices during busy holiday periods.
You can also see which vacation days coincide with the best French festivals; it’s also a great reason to travel the country and experience local food and culture.
The biggest holidays in France
The two most widely celebrated holidays in France are Bastille Day (14 July) and All Saints Day (1 November). The former commemorates the storming of the Bastille in 1789 and is a celebration of nationhood with communal fireworks, tricolor flags flying, and moules frites at the mairie.
The latter, which is the Catholic holy day of La Toussaint or All Saints, is a more private affair. Families place flowers – most commonly chrysanthemums – on graves in honor of their dead relatives, and then go home for a huge lunch. All Saints Day falls on the day after Halloween, which is somewhat of a controversial celebration in the country. However, it is growing in popularity, especially in the larger cities.
Additionally, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are widely celebrated French holidays. However, in parts of northern and eastern France, some children also receive presents on the morning of St Nicholas’ Day on 6 December.
When are the French public holidays in 2025?
DateWeekdayHoliday1 January 2025WedNew Year’s Day21 April 2025MonEaster Monday1 May 2025ThuLabor Day / May Day8 May 2025ThuWorld War II Victory Day29 May 2025ThuAscension Day9 June 2025MonWhit Monday14 July 2025MonBastille Day15 August 2025FriAssumption of Mary1 November 2025SatAll Saints’ Day 11 November 2025SunArmistice Day25 December 2025ThuChristmas Day
Local holidays in 2025
DateWeekdayHolidayWhere celebrated3 April 2025FriGood FridayAlsace and Lorraine26 December 2025FriBoxing DayAlsace and Lorraine
Other important dates in 2025
DateWeekdayOccasion25 May 2025SunMother’s Day15 June 2025SunFather’s Day31 December 2025WedNew Year’s Eve
When are the French public holidays in 2026?
DateWeekdayHoliday1 January 2026ThuNew Year’s Day6 April 2026MonEaster Monday1 May 2026FriLabor Day / May Day8 May 2026FriWorld War II Victory Day14 May 2026ThuAscension Day25 May 2026MonWhit Monday14 July 2026TueBastille Day15 August 2026SatAssumption of Mary1 November 2026SunAll Saints’ Day 11 November 2026MonArmistice Day25 December 2026FriChristmas Day
Local holidays in 2026
DateWeekdayHolidayWhere celebrated3 April 2026FriGood FridayAlsace and Lorraine26 December 2026FriBoxing DayAlsace and Lorraine
Other important dates in 2026
DateWeekdayOccasion31 May 2026SunMother’s Day21 June 2026SunFather’s Day31 December 2026ThuNew Year’s Eve
When were the French public holidays in 2024?
DateWeekdayHoliday1 January 2024MonNew Year’s Day1 April 2024MonEaster Monday1 May 2024WedLabor Day / May Day8 May 2024WedWorld War II Victory Day9 May 2024ThuAscension Day20 May 2024MonWhit Monday14 July 2024SunBastille Day15 August 2024ThuAssumption of Mary1 November 2024FriAll Saints’ Day 11 November 2024MonArmistice Day25 December 2024WedChristmas Day
Local holidays in 2024
DateWeekdayHolidayWhere celebrated29 March 2024FriGood FridayAlsace and Lorraine26 December 2024ThuBoxing DayAlsace and Lorraine
Other important dates in 2024
DateWeekdayOccasion26 May 2024SunMother’s Day16 June 2024SunFather’s Day31 December 2024TueNew Year’s Eve
When are the school holidays in France?
Many days off for students will revolve around the country’s public holidays. Wondering when these are? Read more about school holidays in France.
Practical tips for French holiday travel
Managing your money
Proper financial planning ensures a trip without stress. Avoid the expensive currency exchange counters at airports and tourist areas that offer unfavorable exchange rates. With Wise, you can hold and convert money in multiple currencies, spend abroad with the Wise card, and enjoy lower fees when compared to banks. For example, when transferring 5,000 USD to EUR, you could save 86 EUR for using Wise compared to using a bank transfer*, helping your holiday budget go further.
*The calculation is from the comparison tool from the Wise website on the 9th of Sept of 2025 that compares USD transfers to EUR via Wise, multiple international money transfer providers and banks in the US.
Cultural considerations
Understanding French cultural nuances will significantly enhance your travel experience and help you connect more meaningfully with locals. The French take their meal times seriously: breakfast is typically light with coffee and pastries, lunch runs from 12-2 PM and is considered important, and dinner begins around 7:30-8 PM, with many restaurants not opening until then. Learning basic French phrases like “Bonjour,” “S’il vous plaît,” and “Merci” is not just helpful but shows respect for the culture, and locals genuinely appreciate the effort even if your pronunciation isn’t perfect.
Food and drink
French cuisine represents one of the world’s great culinary traditions, with each region offering distinctive specialties that reflect local ingredients and historical influences. Embrace the French approach to dining by taking time to savor meals, trying regional wines that pair perfectly with local dishes, and visiting local markets where vendors are passionate about their products and happy to offer recommendations.
Conclusion
French holidays offer a rich opportunity to experience the country’s culture and traditions. By planning ahead—knowing both national and local holiday dates, understanding transportation limitations, and preparing financially—you can fully immerse yourself in these special celebrations.
For international visitors and expats, smart money management is a key part of holiday planning. Setting up a Wise account before traveling to France can give you access to competitive currency exchange rates, and a debit card to spend like a local. This financial preparation allows you to focus on what really matters—enjoying France’s vibrant holiday traditions and creating lasting memories.
Dining and Cooking