Give me 5 – all about public holidays in France

1. Jours Fériés

The French for public holiday is un jour férié. In France these are legally defined in article L3133-1 of the work code (le code du travail).

2. Days in lieu - the bad news!

Unlike in the UK where public holidays usually fall on a Monday, in France, holidays can be on any day of the week. If they fall on a Sunday - you don’t generally get a day off in lieu. Boo.

3. Days in lieu - the good news!

However, if a public holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, it is commonplace to faire le pont (literally “do a bridge”) which means that the Monday or Friday will be taken too. Result!

4. More bad news

Boxing Day and Good Friday are normal working days in France.

5. Public holidays in France in 2012

1st January – New Year’s Day

9th April – Easter Monday

1st May – Labour Day

8th May – V-E Day

17th May – Ascension Day

28th May – Pentecost Monday

14th July – Bastille Day

15th August - Assumption Day

1st November - All Saint's Day

11th November - Armistice Day

25th December - Christmas Day