Public holidays, school vacation dates in France in 2026

Many are already buying tickets, booking hotels and planning their days off in 2026. It’s the time of the year when everyone is happily searching for the list of public holidays in France, so we couldn’t leave you without a proper calendar. In this article, you’ll find the dates for school break, regional and bank holidays in France in 2026 – read, save them for later and share with everyone who may need it.

French holiday calendar

There will be 11 public holidays in France in 2026.

French holiday calendar

Tips for expats in France:

• What is the calling code for France?
• France vs. the UK: Comparing prices and salaries.
• French payslip explained: Understanding charges & deductions.
• N26 vs Revolut vs Wise: Best bank for expats in France.

Rules regarding holidays in France

General rules

• Most businesses and public institutions are closed.

Shops, banks, post offices, and schools take a break during the national holidays in France. The pace of life slows down noticeably, as everyone locks in and devotes time to friends and family.

If you want to visit another city during public holidays in France, bring some food with you or make sure to find an open restaurant beforehand. Expats are often caught off guard by the closure of everything during holidays in Europe, so plan carefully to avoid leaving your stomach empty.

• There are regional differences.

Some regions add extra days off to the existing holidays in France. We'll cover this in the following sections, but please remember to also check the local news.

• Bridge days fill in the gap.

If the holidays in France fall on Tuesdays or Thursdays, employers can provide an extra day off on Monday or Friday, respectively. It’s done to fill in the gap between the holiday and weekends because everyone knows that no one is going to work properly on this single day between the rest. However, it’s up to the employer to decide. Anyway, many French take paid leave if the company chooses to operate on that day.

• Sending money home.

As banks are closed, many expats are troubled with money transfers during the public holidays in France. A solution proven by ages is the online service Profee. It sends money to over 90 destinations, including Pakistan, Ghana, and many others, from France.

• 24/7 access,
• money lands in minutes,
• beneficial rates,
• top-level security (read about Profee’s PCI DSS certification here).
• convenience.

So, when you decide to share the celebration spirit with your dear ones back home, open Profee and send wishes in no time.

Employment rules

Employment laws covering public holidays in France are a topic worthy of a separate article; however, we'll touch upon the most common and vital regulations one must be aware of here.

• Only Labour Day is a mandatory paid holiday.

Even though most businesses allow employees to rest during French national holidays, it’s not obligatory. So, if your employer asks you to come to work, you have no legal power to change their mind.

In case you must work on Labour Day, you’ll receive double pay.

• Public holidays in France don’t move to the next day.

When French holidays fall on Saturday or Sunday, they don’t move to Monday. There may be exceptions, but most cases show that holidays are celebrated as recorded in the calendar of the bank holidays in France.

• Read collective agreements with your company.

After negotiations between a company and a union, they sign a set of terms and conditions that outline the employment arrangements. Often, such agreements include regulations regarding payments and days off during French bank holidays.

Regional holidays in France

There are two extra days off in Bas-Rhin, Haut-Rhin, and Moselle:

• Good Friday (April 3rd),
• St Stephen's Day (December 26th).

Locals are lucky enough to rest more than the rest of France due to historical controversies. In the past, these territories were of interest to both Germany and France, and they were under various governments over the years. When they joined France, locals were allowed to keep these two important celebrations.

Some facts behind French bank holidays are fascinating, so if you want to learn more about the local culture, reading about the history of each celebration will help a lot.

School breaks

To parents, knowing school break dates is as important as keeping track of the national holidays in France.

The dates vary based on your location:

ZONE A: Bordeaux, Besançon, Clermont-Ferrand, Dijon, Grenoble, Limoges, Lyon, Poitiers.

ZONE B: Aix-Marseille, Amiens, Caen, Lille, Nancy-Metz, Nantes, Nice, Normandie, Orléans-Tours, Reims, Rennes, Rouen, Strasbourg.

ZONE C: Créteil, Montpellier, Paris, Toulouse, Versailles

School breaks in France in 2026

This is an official list of breaks, but it’s better to verify dates with your school before planning family trips.

Interesting facts about French national holidays

For those who want to flex their knowledge and surprise relatives and friends during a dinner discussion, we’ve prepared several curious historical facts about general celebrations and public holidays in France.

• The New Year was previously celebrated in spring. King Charles IX was the one who fixed it on January 1st in 1564.
• During the Middle Ages, the entire week of Easter was a holiday in France. It was called 'Octave of Easter', eight days during which pilgrims visited Rome to participate in religious masses. Napoleon Bonaparte said his firm 'no' to such a long vacation – since 1801, only Monday remained in the calendar of bank holidays in France.
• On Epiphany, French families serve a special cake called "galette des rois". What's so special about it? The cake contains a hidden figurine called "une fève." The person who finds the fève in their slice becomes king or queen for the rest of the day.
• Most people are aware that on Bastille Day, the French government organises breathtaking fireworks and parades. However, expats rarely hear about another part of the celebration – fire stations across the country throw parties with music, drinks and street dances called "Bals des Pompiers." It's a fantastic opportunity to get closer with your neighbours.
• On La Chandeleur (Candlemas, February 2), you can test your luck. Try flipping crêpes while holding a coin in another hand. If your flip is perfect, your year will be full of luck and prosperity.

FAQ – holidays in France

What holidays are celebrated in France?

There are 11 official holidays in France:

• New Year’s Day,
• Easter Monday,
• Labour Day,
• Victory Day,
• A​​scension Day,
• Whit Monday,
• Bastille Day,
• Assumption of Mary,
• All Saints' Day,
• Armistice Day,
• Christmas Day.

How long are holidays in France?

Each holiday lasts 1 day, so 11 in total over the year. However, if the holidays fall on Tuesday or Thursday, schools and businesses may add an extra day off on Monday or Friday.

Do French people work 5 days a week?

Yes, the typical work week in France includes 5 days.

What is work-life balance like in France?

Overall, French people lead a balanced lifestyle. Staying late in the office is not common – once the clock hits 6 pm, you can go out of the building without being judged. French people know how to rest and do it well, so there is no overworking culture. However, speaking broadly on this topic may be misleading, as everything depends on your company.

How can I send money from France?

Follow these six steps to transfer money from France in a couple of minutes:

1. Join Profee.
2. Select countries.
3. Add the transfer amount.
4. Choose the payment method.
5. Enter the recipient details.
6. Confirm.

This online service is designed for convenient and quick transfers, ensuring a clear and transparent process. Anyone with a phone or laptop/PC will be able to handle the transfer easily.

Is Sunday a rest day in France?

Yes, many banks, shops, bakeries and other businesses are closed on Sundays. Recently, this rule has become more flexible, but it's still a cherished tradition for everyone to have a good rest on the last day of the week.