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Bank Holidays 2026 in France: Dates for UK Travellers

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Understanding Bank Holidays 2026 in France

In France, what we Brits call ‘bank holidays’ are known as jours fériés or public holidays. These are days when most businesses, schools, and government offices close, much like UK bank holidays. Planning a trip from the UK to France in 2026? Knowing these dates is essential, especially with Easter in April 2026 bringing crowds to popular spots like Paris, the Riviera, and the Loire Valley.

France has 11 official public holidays each year, fixed by law. Unlike the UK, where bank holidays vary by nation, French ones are nationwide. However, some regions like Alsace-Moselle add extra days (e.g., Good Friday). For 2026, here’s everything you need to know, aligned with UK bank holidays for easy comparison. This guide helps UK travellers avoid closures, book ferries or Eurostar wisely, and make the most of long weekends.

Full List of Bank Holidays 2026 in France

Here’s the complete calendar of French public holidays for 2026, with days of the week noted for travel planning:

  • 1 January 2026 (Thursday): New Year’s Day (Nouvel An). A major celebration with fireworks and family gatherings. Expect Paris streets to be quiet post-midnight parties.

  • 6 April 2026 (Monday): Easter Monday (Lundi de Pâques). Following Easter Sunday on 5 April, this is a four-day weekend for many. Ideal for UK Easter getaways, but book trains early.

  • 1 May 2026 (Friday): Labour Day (Fête du Travail). Massive marches in cities; lily of the valley markets everywhere. Bridges perfectly with the weekend.

  • 8 May 2026 (Friday): Victory in Europe Day (Victoire 1945). Commemorates WWII end; ceremonies nationwide.

  • 14 May 2026 (Thursday): Ascension Day (Ascension). A Thursday holiday often extended into a long weekend. Great for city breaks.

  • 25 May 2026 (Monday): Whit Monday (Lundi de Pentecôte). Pentecost holiday, another bank holiday-style closure.

  • 14 July 2026 (Tuesday): Bastille Day (Fête Nationale). France’s national day with parades, fireworks, and beach parties. Paris’ Champs-Élysées event is world-famous.

  • 15 August 2026 (Saturday): Assumption of Mary (Assomption). Falls on a weekend, so minimal disruption but religious processions.

  • 1 November 2026 (Monday): All Saints’ Day (Toussaint). Families visit cemeteries; autumn travel peak.

  • 11 November 2026 (Wednesday): Armistice Day (Armistice 1918). WWI remembrance with parades.

  • 25 December 2026 (Friday): Christmas Day (Noël). Family-focused, with markets and lights beforehand.

Note: Unlike UK bank holidays, French ones don’t shift for weekends (except rare substitutes). Banks and post offices close nationwide, but tourist sites may stay open.

Comparing French and UK Bank Holidays 2026

As a UK resident, comparing these to our 2026 bank holidays helps spot travel overlaps. UK dates (from gov.uk) are:

  • 1 January 2026 (Thursday): New Year’s Day (all UK).
  • 2 January 2026 (Friday): Scotland only.
  • 3 April 2026 (Friday): Good Friday (all UK).
  • 6 April 2026 (Monday): Easter Monday (England, Wales, NI; not Scotland).
  • 4 May 2026 (Monday): Early May (all UK).
  • 25 May 2026 (Monday): Spring bank holiday (all UK).
  • 3 August 2026 (Monday): Summer (Scotland).
  • 31 August 2026 (Monday): Summer (England, Wales, NI).
  • 30 November 2026 (Monday): St Andrew’s Day (Scotland).
  • 25 December 2026 (Friday): Christmas; 26 December (Saturday): Boxing Day substitute 28 December (Monday).

Key overlaps and differences:

  • Easter 2026: Both nations off 3-6 April. France’s Easter Monday matches England/Wales/NI. Perfect for Channel crossings, but Dover-Calais ferries will be packed.

  • Spring 2026: France’s 1 May and 8 May (Fridays) create long weekends, while UK’s Early May is 4 May (Monday). Whit Monday (25 May) aligns exactly with UK’s Spring bank holiday.

  • Summer: France’s Bastille (14 July, Tuesday) has no UK equivalent nearby. UK’s August holidays differ by region.

  • Winter: Christmas matches, but France skips Boxing Day. New Year’s aligns perfectly.

These syncs mean double bank holiday vibes for Eurostar trips—e.g., late April/early May for combined Easter-May breaks.

Planning UK to France Travel Around 2026 Holidays

With context around April 2026, focus on Easter. Expect 20%+ Eurostar price hikes; book 3-6 months ahead via eurostar.com. P&O Ferries or DFDS for car trips—Easter Monday queues at ports can add 2 hours.

Top tips:

Easter and Spring Travel

  • Fly Ryanair/EasyJet to Nice or Bordeaux for Riviera escapes. Paris CDG/Gare du Nord chaos peaks 4-6 April.
  • Rent via Sixt or Europcar, but note tolls (use ViaToll app).

Summer and Bastille

  • Train to Avignon for festivals. Avoid Paris 14 July if crowds overwhelm.

Budget Hacks

  • Travel mid-week (e.g., Ascension Thursday) for cheaper SNCF trains.
  • Use OUIGO for low-cost domestic rail.

What Closes?

Shops, supermarkets (except tourist areas), museums (many open). Pharmacies rotate openings. ATMs work, but plan cash.

Regional Variations in France

Mainland uniform, but:

  • Alsace-Moselle: Adds Good Friday (3 April), St Stephen’s (26 Dec).
  • Corsica/Nice: Similar to mainland.
  • Overseas (e.g., Réunion): Different calendars.

For UK expats in France, check service-public.fr for updates.

Why 2026 is Special for France Travel

2026 marks France’s presidency of the Council of the EU (from July), possibly extra events. Rugby fans: Six Nations echoes, but focus on holidays. Post-Brexit, ETIAS visa waiver needed by then—apply online.

Final Advice for Brits

Download the Jours Fériés 2026 app or check icalendrier.fr. Pair with UK calendar for mega-breaks, like Easter (6 April both) or Whitsun (25 May). Safe travels—bon voyage!

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