Introduction to French Bank Holidays
French bank holidays, known as ‘jours fériés’, are public holidays when most businesses, schools, and government offices close across France. There are 11 national public holidays each year, with a few regional variations. For UK travellers, expats, or businesses, understanding these dates is crucial, especially when planning around peak travel periods like Easter in April 2026.
Unlike UK bank holidays, French holidays don’t always shift for weekends, so some may fall on Saturdays or Sundays without substitutes. This guide lists all 2026 French bank holidays, compares them to UK ones (sourced from official UK government references), and offers practical tips for British visitors. Whether you’re catching the Eurostar from London or driving via Calais, knowing closures helps avoid disappointments.
Complete List of French Bank Holidays 2026
Here’s the full calendar of national French public holidays for 2026. Dates are fixed except for Easter-related ones, calculated from Easter Sunday on 5 April 2026.
- 1 January 2026 (Thursday): New Year’s Day (Jour de l’An). A nationwide celebration with family gatherings and fireworks.
- 6 April 2026 (Monday): Easter Monday (Lundi de Pâques). Follows Easter Sunday (5 April); bridges, parks, and tourist sites stay open, but shops close.
- 1 May 2026 (Friday): Labour Day (Fête du Travail). Massive marches in Paris; lily of the valley markets are a tradition.
- 8 May 2026 (Friday): Victory in Europe Day (Victoire 1945). Commemorates WWII end; military parades in Paris.
- 14 May 2026 (Thursday): Ascension Day (Ascension). A long weekend for many; popular for city breaks.
- 25 May 2026 (Monday): Whit Monday (Lundi de Pentecôte). Pentecost holiday; beaches start filling up.
- 14 July 2026 (Tuesday): Bastille Day (Fête Nationale). France’s national day with fireworks, balls, and parades—expect crowds everywhere.
- 15 August 2026 (Saturday): Assumption of Mary (Assomption). Religious holiday; summer vacations peak.
- 1 November 2026 (Sunday): All Saints’ Day (Toussaint). Family visits to cemeteries; no substitute day.
- 11 November 2026 (Wednesday): Armistice Day (Armistice 1918). WWI remembrance; ceremonies nationwide.
- 25 December 2026 (Friday): Christmas Day (Noël). Festive closures; family time dominates.
Regional Variations: In Alsace-Moselle, Good Friday (3 April 2026) and St Stephen’s Day (26 December 2026) are additional holidays. Corsica and other areas may have local observances.
Comparison: French vs UK Bank Holidays 2026
For UK residents, aligning French holidays with British ones aids travel planning. UK bank holidays (per gov.uk) vary by nation—here’s a side-by-side for 2026:
| Date | French Holiday | UK Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan (Thu) | New Year’s Day | New Year’s Day (all UK) |
| 2 Jan (Fri) | - | Scotland only |
| 3 Apr (Fri) | - (Alsace only) | Good Friday (all UK) |
| 6 Apr (Mon) | Easter Monday | Easter Monday (Eng/Wales/NI; not Scotland) |
| 4 May (Mon) | - | Early May (all UK) |
| 8 May (Fri) | Victory Day | - |
| 14 May (Thu) | Ascension | - |
| 25 May (Mon) | Whit Monday | Spring bank holiday (all UK) |
| 3 Aug (Mon) | - | Summer (Scotland) |
| 31 Aug (Mon) | - | Summer (Eng/Wales/NI) |
| 30 Nov (Mon) | - | St Andrew’s (Scotland) |
| 25 Dec (Fri) | Christmas | Christmas Day (all UK) |
| 26 Dec (Sat) | - (some regions) | Boxing Day; substitute 28 Dec (Mon) where applicable |
Key overlaps: New Year, Easter Monday, and Spring bank/Whit Monday (both 25 May). France has more in May (four vs UK’s two), ideal for extended breaks. UK summer splits (Aug vs Scotland’s earlier), while France clusters summer around August.
Travel Tips from the UK to France in 2026
With Easter in early April 2026, expect busy ferries from Dover and Eurostar services. French Easter Monday (6 April) matches England’s, so UK schools align—book early for Paris or Provence.
- Easter Period (3-6 April): UK Good Friday/Easter Monday closures mean joint long weekends. French sites like Eiffel Tower open, but rural shops shut.
- May Madness: Four French holidays (1,8,14,25 May) create ‘ponts’ (bridges) for extended trips. UK Early May (4 May) and Spring (25 May) overlap—perfect for Normandy or Loire Valley.
- Summer 2026: Bastille (14 July) and Assumption (15 Aug) coincide with UK Summer bank holidays. Avoid driving south; trains from London via Eurostar are wiser.
- Winter: Christmas aligns, but France skips Boxing Day substitutes.
Practical Advice:
- Check SNCF for trains, P&O/DP World for ferries.
- Use apps like Citymapper for Paris transport (often reduced on holidays).
- Pharmacies and petrol stations stay open; ATMs too.
- For Channel Tunnel, note UK bank holidays affect queues.
Business and Remote Work Considerations
UK firms trading with France should note closures. May’s cluster disrupts supply chains—plan imports around 1-25 May. Remote workers in France (popular post-Brexit for Brits) get these days off, boosting work-life balance vs UK’s 8 bank holidays.
Tax tip: French holidays don’t affect UK VAT but impact deadlines. Expats, register for French social security if staying over 3 months.
Impact on Tourism and Daily Life
On jours fériés, supermarkets close (except some in tourist areas), but bakeries often open mornings. Museums like Louvre have special hours—verify via tourism.fr. Festivals thrive: Lille’s Ascension fairs or Nice’s fireworks.
For families, school holidays extend bank holidays (e.g., Toussaint half-term around 1 Nov). UK parents planning exchanges should sync calendars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do French bank holidays get paid time off?
Yes, employees get paid leave or time off in lieu.
Are banks open on French public holidays?
No, fully closed—hence ‘bank holidays’.
How do 2026 dates compare to 2025?
More May holidays in 2026 due to Easter timing; 2025 had Ascension on 29 May.
Can UK citizens work on French holidays?
Freelancers can, but clients expect delays.
What’s the best time to visit France avoiding holidays?
Mid-June or early October—fewer closures, milder weather.
This guide equips you for 2026 adventures. For updates, check service-public.fr or gov.uk for UK dates. Safe travels!
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