This guide contains a full list of all public holidays in Paris and the associated celebration.
List of public holidays in Paris
Below are the 12 public holidays in Paris each year.
| Public Holiday | Date | Celebration |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | January 1 | Jour de l’an celebrates the arrival of a new year. |
| Easter Monday | April 10 | Easter Monday (Lundi de Pâques) marks the second day of the Octave of Easter. It celebrates the resurrection of Jesus. |
| Labor Day | May 1 | Labor Day (Fête du premier mai) celebrates labourers and the working classes. It’s also known as May Day. |
| World War II Victory Day | May 8 | World War II Victory Day (Fête du huitième mai or Jour de la Victoire 45) commemorates the end of World War II in Europe and the liberation of France from Nazi occupation. |
| Ascension Day | May 25 | Ascension Day (Ascension) commemorates the Christian belief of Jesus’ Ascension into heaven. As a result it’s always on a Thursday. |
| Whit Monday | June 5 | Whit Monday or Pentecost Monday (Pfingstmontag) is celebrated 50 days after Easter. It marks the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus. |
| Bastille Day | July 14 | Bastille Day (Fête Nationale) celebrates the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789, which sparked the French Revolution. It’s also known as French National Day. |
| Assumption of Mary | August 15 | Assumption of Mary (Assomption) celebrates the Christian belief that God assumed the Virgin Mary into Heaven following her death. |
| All Saints’ Day | November 1 | All Saints’ Day (Toussaint) honors all the saints of the Catholic Church. It’s also a day to remember and pray for deceased relatives and friends. |
| Armistice Day | November 11 | Armistice Day (Armistice du 11 novembre 1918) commemorates the end of World War I and honors the soldiers who died in the war. |
| Christmas Day | December 25 | Christmas Day (Noël) celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. |
Official list of public holidays – service-public.fr
How public holidays work in Paris
Public holidays have a fixed date
Firstly, this means that if the date of a public holiday falls on a weekend people who work Monday to Friday won’t receive a paid day off. Secondly, public holidays don’t move. Finally, as a result some years employees get more paid days off than others.
Businesses remain closed
Like Sundays, many businesses close on public holidays.
Employees get a paid vacation day
If the public holiday lands on a work day, you receive a paid day off.
