Public holidays and festivals in France

The eleven public holidays: Jour de l'an (1 January), Lundi de Pâques (the Monday after Easter in March or April), Fête du Travail (1 May) which is the only one the employer is obliged to pay fully and those who work get double pay, Victoire 1945 (8 May), Ascension (the Thursday 39 days after Easter), Lundi de Pentecôte (the Monday after 50 days), Fête nationale (14 July), Assomption (15 August), Toussaint (1 November), Armistice (11 November) and Noël (25 December).

• And some regions have special holidays (Good Friday in Alsace-Moselle, and 26 December).
• And a pont (bridge) is known when the holiday falls on a Thursday so people take the Friday off too, so many offices close and trips spread.
• And collective agreements determine whether holidays are counted within leave or additional.
• And Service-Public publishes the holiday calendar every year.
• And roads are crowded before holidays.

Christmas (Noël) is the most important holiday of the year for many even if they are not religious: decorations and markets (marchés de Noël) start in Strasbourg, Paris and Lyon from late November, and Christmas trees (sapin) and the crèche, a nativity scene, and decoration competitions are erected.

• On the night of 24 December the Réveillon de Noël is a lavish family dinner of oysters, foie gras and turkey or stuffed chicken and the bûche de Noël (log cake).
• Gifts are opened on Christmas Eve or the morning of the 25th.
• The messe de minuit (midnight mass) is held.
• On the night of 31 December the Réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre is parties, dinner, champagne, fireworks, a countdown and kisses Bonne année !.
• And on 6 January the Épiphanie the galette des rois (king cake) is eaten containing a bean (fève) and whoever finds it becomes king.
• No one obliges you to celebrate if you are Muslim, but you may be invited, and it is enough to offer greetings Joyeux Noël and Bonne année and accept the invitation kindly.

The French celebrate Easter (Pâques) with a holiday from Saturday to Monday, and chocolate eggs are hidden in gardens (chasse aux œufs) for children, and lamb meals are eaten, and the bells return from Rome according to the tale.

• On 1 May the muguet (lily of the valley) is given to loved ones and it is a day of unions and marches, and flowers are sold in the street without a licence.
• 8 May is the anniversary of the Allied victory in 1945 with ceremonies.
• And 14 juillet the national day is the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille 1789: a military parade on the Champs-Élysées Paris in the morning, and at the end of the day fireworks and parties in every city and village, and dances (bal des pompiers) at fire stations.
• And 15 août the Assumption is a summer holiday when people flee to the sea.
• And 11 novembre commemorates the victims of the First World War with ceremonies at monuments.
• And the community is invited to the celebrations, and many of every origin take part.

Popular festivals vary: the Fête de la musique (21 June) free concerts in streets everywhere, the Fête des voisins (last Friday of May) a neighbours' meeting with food in the building and district, the Chandeleur (2 February) crêpes day, the Carnaval in February and March (Nice and Dunkirk), the Saint-Valentin (14 February), the fête des mères et des pères, Halloween, the Journées européennes du patrimoine (September) opening palaces and museums free, the Nuit blanche and the Fête de la gastronomie.

• And each region has its festivals: the Cannes Film Festival (May), Avignon (July), the Tour de France (July), the Carnival festival in Nice, the Marchés de Noël in Alsace, and harvest and wine festivals (vendanges) in autumn.
• And villages organise the fête votive and craft markets.
• Take part, since they are opportunities for meeting people and tasting food and culture.

Muslims in France (about six million, the largest Muslim community in western Europe) celebrate Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha and the month of Ramadan with prayers in big mosques (the Grande Mosquée de Paris and Lyon, Strasbourg and Marseille) and iftar tables, family gatherings and foods.

• And the Grande Mosquée de Paris and the French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM) announce the date.
• These festivals are not official holidays, so request a day from your annual leave or RTT from your employer early, and many understand.
• And for schools a justified absence is allowed for the religious festival by informing the school.
• For the sacrifice there are health rules: it is slaughtered only in approved slaughterhouses.
• And for Jewish festivals (Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Hanukkah), Hindu (Diwali) and Buddhist ones there are occasions.
• And exhibitions and cultural festivals are organised.
• And associations help with getting acquainted.
• And in Ramadan some companies adjust working hours by agreement.
• And invite your neighbours to iftar, since the French like diversity and food.

How many public holidays in France?