Paris Plans: 2026 Public Holidays (and Other Dates) to Note...
- Parisian Niche
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
As you begin to plan your 2026 Parisian travels (woo-hoo!), here is a list of public holidays to consider. During these official public holidays in France, most businesses, shops, and offices will be closed. You may wish to keep this in mind as you begin to craft your travel dates and plans for your trip to Paris or France in general.
Do also keep in mind, many of these dates will also serve for the French to "faire the pont" - to make a bridge to enjoy a long weekend!
Just like the many bridges of Paris, the French like to "faire le pont." In France, this charming play of words refers to taking a long weekend. Whenever a standard public holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, they take Monday or Friday off (respectively) as well, to "make a bridge" to the next business day and thus, to enjoy a lovely, long, four day weekend.
In addition to "faire le pont," here are a few more French vocabulary tips to guide you...
· Jour Férié = Public Holiday
· Fête = Holiday
· Les Vacances = Vacation
· Passer Les Vacances = Take Vacation
· La Rentrée = Back to School / Work
Ok, ready to start planning your 2026 Parisian Calendar? Let's get to it!
Thursday, January 01, 2026
New Year's Day (Jour de l'an)
Bonne Année / Happy New Year!
Just as in The States, you can expect wide closures, delayed transport, and later than usual openings in Paris. You might want to plan ahead for your "hangover brunch" to usher in 2026 - expect sporadic closures through January 6th (Epiphany) as well!
Friday, April 03, 2026
Good Friday (Vendredi Saint)
Good Friday is widely celebrated in Paris, but even more heavily in the Alsace and Moselle regions. For those wishing to see the Crown of Thorns, you may enter Notre Dame Cathedral and see it every Friday during lent from 10am - 5pm and then all day long on Good Friday.
Monday, April 06, 2026
Easter Monday (Lundi de Pâques)
Easter itself is Sunday, April 5th, but in France (and much of Europe) Easter Monday is an extra day off to celebrate and to make a true "pont," or long bridge weekend to enjoy the holiday with friends and family.
Friday, May 01, 2026
Labor Monday (fête du premier mai)
Expect many closures and delays in public transportation on the French Labor Day.
You can also expect to see a LOT of bouquets of Lily of the Valley (muguet) the traditional gift to present to friends and family on this public holiday.
You can get a fresh bunch at the lovely:
Lily of the Valley Florist
73 Rue Blanche, 75009 Paris
Friday, May 08, 2026
Victory Day (Jour de la Victoire)
This joyful day commemorates the end of World War II and the freedom of the French citizens.
You will also hear this day called Fête du huitième mai or Victoire 1945.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Ascension Day (Jour de l'Ascension)
This holiday, specific to Christianity, falls 40 days after Easter, and celebrates the Ascension of Jesus Christ into Heaven.
You can expect the citizens of France to enjoy this year's holiday by making a loooooooong bridge to the following Monday!
Monday, May 25, 2026
Pentecost Monday (Lundi de Pentecôte)
Here's a great example here of how a religious holiday (Pentecost, in this case) falls on a Monday - expect another "pont" making a long weekend off to have more time with friends and family.
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Bastille Day (Fête Nationale)
We've gone over this before in our Bastille Day and a Picnic post as this day is quite special in France. P'Niche PSA: it is not called Bastille Day in France - it's la Fête Nationale!
There will be closures, delays in traffic, and public transportation, parades, fireworks, etc. to celebrate the public holiday of French Independence Day, while people sing along to La Marsaillaise...
Remember - the colors of France are not "technically" red white and blue - they actually are set in pattern on Le Tricolore Flag as bleu, blanc, et rouge...
Saturday, August 15, 2026
Assumption Day (Assomption)
Looks like 2026 is a banner year for turning holidays into bridges! This holiday falls on a Saturday, so many businesses will be closing early on Friday to get a head start on a long weekend. Be prepared to plan accordingly...
Sunday, November 01, 2026
All Saints' Day (La Toussaint)
The day after Halloween in The States, All Saints' Day is a day to honor the dead by leaving flowers at cemeteries (like Père Lachaise), etc.
The holiday is also seen as a "mini-break" between summer and Christmas.
Wednesday, November 11, 2026
Armistice Day (Jour d'Armistice)
What is celebrated as Veterans' Day in The States is Armistice Day in France and Europe - the day or honor for the dead following the Armistice at the end of World War One. The armistice was signed on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, thus ending The Great War.
Friday, December 25, 2026
Christmas Day (Noël)
This one should be no surprise as you will see many stores, cafés, and businesses closed. You should also expect slow downs in public transportation, etc.
And then...
Saturday, December 26, 2026
Boxing Day (Deuxième Jour de Noël) / Saint Stephen's Day
Yep! The 2026 holidays are going to have a super long bridge weekend of time off for the French. You will wish to plan your time accordingly, checking museums, etc. for alternative closings / schedules.
'Tis (or 'Twill be) the Season!
Ok, so that's the list of dates when items will definitely be affected, but in your 2026 Paris planning, you might wish to note some other dates for convenience...
January 07 - February 03, 2026
Winter Sales (Les Soldes)
The governmentally regulated sales season this winter begins at 8am on January 07, 2026 and lasts through close of business on February 03, 2026.
Naturally, the first day has the most to offer, so enjoy helping the French economy!
Sunday, March 29, 2026
Daylight Savings Time Begins
Just like the rest of the world, France "springs forward" for additional sunlight (huzzah!)
P'Niche PSA - France changes clocks differently than the USA - we change on Sunday, March 08 - three weeks earlier!
Wednesday, April 01, 2026
April Fools' Day (Poison d'Avril)
We have explored the differences between the American April Fools' Day and the French "Poisson d'Avril" in this playful post, so don't be surprised if you find yourself with a paper fish taped to your back - or even better - handed a chocolate or sweet dessert in the shape of a fish to commemorate the fun day!
Make sure you pay close attention and listen for calls of "Poisson d'Avril!"
Sunday, May 31, 2026
Mother's Day (Fête des Mères)
Take Note - it's May 10th in the USA!
Sunday, June 21, 2026
Father's Day (Fête des Pères)
This one is the same date as the USA...
Sunday, June 21, 2026
World Music Day (Fête de la Musique)
Not only is this the longest day of the year (summer solstice), but also World Music Day, when the streets of Paris and France are filled with music - all day and all night.
Get out there and enjoy this truly unique and magically musical experience!
June 24 - July 22, 2026
Summer Sales (Les Soldes)
The second season of sales in 2025 begins at 8am on June 24, 2025 and ends at the close of business on July 22, 2025.
Expect plenty of visitors to be enjoying these sales / bargains - P'Niche sure will!
Sunday, October 25, 2026
Daylight Standard Time Begins
Alas, the time has come to move our Parisian clocks to "fall forward," losing and hour of sunlight. Boooo...
P'Niche PSA - we'll change on November 1st in the USA!
Certainly, there will be other days and celebrations that pop up and we will look forward to exploring more in the New Year, but this should help as a general guideline for your Paris trip timing and planning, excursions, and adventures...
Well P'Nichers, as we round out what has been a truly wonderfully Parisian filled year, please note, P'Niche will be "Out of Office" from December 21 - January 05 celebrating with friends and family.
Our Facebook group will remain active and engaged during this time. I am so excited to share more Parisian goodness with you in 2026. Until then, thank you for joining in on the journey. Wishing you so much joy, peace, and health in the coming year - à bientôt!
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