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La Fête Nationale marks the storming of the Bastille in 1789 and the Fête de la Fédération one year later. The Sunday is called Whit Sunday and the following day is Whit Monday. Always a public holiday (no school and shops are generally shut but some may open a half day or 'Sunday hours').Ī public holiday marking when christians believe the Holy spirit descended onto Jesus’ disciples. Commemorative services are held in most towns and villages across the country, along with parades in larger towns and cities. This marks the end of World War 2 in Europe. People often 'take the pont' by taking the Friday off as well to 'bridge' to the weekend and make a long weekend. Ascension Day is 40 days after Easter Sunday. It changes every year and depends on the dates for Easter. Always a public holiday (no school and shops are generally shut).Ī public holiday marking when christians believe Jesus rose to Heaven after his crucifixion and resurrection. You’ll see Lily of the valley flowers been sold all over France, and these are given to friends and family as tokens of appreciation and kindness. Easter Sunday is much like a regular Sunday in France.

It's worth noting that many businesses will also close early on December 31 – don’t get caught out arriving late to a supermarket or boulangerie on New Year’s Eve to find it closed.Įaster Monday is marked with a public holiday across the country, but Good Friday is generally NOT a public holiday anywhere other than in Alsace, which remains aligned to the German system following World War 2. Note that if a public holiday falls on a Thursday or Tuesday, many schools, restaurants and institutions will take the Friday/Monday off as well as a ‘pont’ – they ’faire le pont’, or make a bridge to the weekend, and creating a long weekend. Larger shops and supermarkets will usually have a sign up over the week and days before letting you know if they will be open, but – in general – expect everything to be closed and then be pleasantly surprised if it’s not.

Some supermarkets may (if you’re lucky) be open, but often operating Sunday hours. Shops, boulangeries, restaurants, schools and all commerce (banks, post offices etc) usually close on official public holidays. Public holidaysĪrriving unawares into a small village or even a larger town on a public holiday can result in a very hungry cyclist. The official school holiday calendar can be checked on the Ministry of Education’s website – each 'zone' is broken down based on the nearest 'large' town or city. School holiday ( vacances scolaires) dates vary across the regions. These are important if you’re cycling in France because they mean accommodation and trains will be more heavily booked (and more expensive) and roads may be busier. Here are the dates you need to know to help you stay on the straight and narrow. Hotels, B&Bs and gites on our bike-friendly accommodation list will be able to advise what's available locally upon your arrival. Other oddities: some shops, small hotels and restaurants close on Mondays if they open on Sundays.

NOTE: If you are arriving into a new town on a public holiday or on a Sunday in France, it can be a good idea to check ahead with your B&B or hotel to make sure there is somewhere to eat locally, or if it's better to pick something up en route.

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More importantly, they can make planning a cycle tour tricky, with full hotels and closed shops wreaking havoc with tired legs and empty stomachs. Photo: Sylvain Naudinĭays off are something of a regular occurence throughout spring and into summer in France, often turning regular weekends magically into long weekends and creating a holiday atmosphere where there really shouldn't be any.ĭespite the country's secular separation of church and state, many public holidays are linked to religious holidays, which can be something of a mystery to non-christians and athiests. Planning a cycling holiday in France? You need to mark these dates in your diary so you don't get caught out by closed shops and fully booked accommodation.

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