11 France Public Holidays In 2023: Discover The Joy Of France!

Bonjour bonjour,

You are searching if today is a France holiday? Or public holidays in 2023?

We are very lucky in France, we have a lot of public holidays ! 🙂

Here is my complete list of all 11 French public holidays (official) + 2 others for 2 specific regions of France !

— Louise

11 France Public Holidays 2023 (Official Calendar)

There is 11 official France public holidays in all of France in 2023 (source : French Government).

And surprise : there is 2 others public holidays in 2 specific regions of France : Alsace and Moselle.

The 11 French public holidays in all of France are :

1. Sunday, January 1, 2023 : New Year’s day

• In French : Jour de l’An
• Month : January
• Regions : all of France
• Meaning : New Year’s Day is a public holiday that celebrates the first day of the year. It is observed on January 1st in France and many other countries around the world, marking the beginning of the new year in the Gregorian calendar.

2. Monday, April 10, 2023 : Easter Monday

• In French : Lundi de Pâques
• Month : April
• Regions : all of France
• Meaning : Easter Monday is a public holiday observed in France and many other countries. It falls on the day after Easter Sunday and celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, an event central to the Christian faith.

3. Monday, May 1, 2023 : Labour Day

• In French : Fête du Travail
• Month : May
• Regions : all of France
• Meaning : Labour Day, also known as International Workers’ Day, is a public holiday in France and many other countries. It is celebrated on May 1st each year to honor the contributions of workers and promote their rights.

4. Monday, May 8, 2023 : Victory in Europe Day

• In French : Fête Nationale du 8 mai 1945 (victoire)
• Month : May
• Regions : all of France
• Meaning : Victory in Europe Day commemorates the end of World War II in Europe. It is observed on May 8th in France and marks the day when the Allies formally accepted Nazi Germany’s unconditional surrender, bringing an end to the war in Europe.

5. Thursday, May 18, 2023 : Ascension Day

• In French : Ascension
• Month : May
• Regions : all of France
• Meaning : Ascension Day is a Christian holiday that commemorates the ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven. It is observed 40 days after Easter Sunday and is a public holiday in France and many other countries with Christian traditions.

6. Monday, May 29, 2023 : Pentecost Monday

• In French : Lundi de Pentecôte
• Month : May
• Regions : all of France
• Meaning : Pentecost Monday, also known as Whit Monday, is a public holiday in France and several other countries. It is observed on the day after Pentecost Sunday, which marks the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ, as described in the New Testament.

7. Friday, July 14, 2023 : Bastille Day

• In French : Fête nationale du 14 juillet
• Month : July
• Regions : all of France
• Meaning : Bastille Day, also known as the French National Day, is a public holiday in France celebrated on July 14th each year. It commemorates the 1789 storming of the Bastille prison, which marked the beginning of the French Revolution and ultimately led to the end of the monarchy in France.

8. Saturday, August 15, 2023 : Assumption of Mary

• In French : Assomption
• Month : August
• Regions : all of France
• Meaning : The Assumption of Mary is a Christian holiday that celebrates the belief that the Virgin Mary was assumed, body and soul, into heaven at the end of her life. It is a public holiday in France and many other countries with Catholic traditions, observed on August 15th each year.

9. Wednesday November 1, 2023 : All Saints’ Day

• In French : Toussaint
• Month : November
• Regions : all of France
• Meaning : All Saints’ Day is a Christian holiday that honors all the saints of the church, both known and unknown. It is observed on November 1st in France and many other countries, and is a public holiday that provides an opportunity for people to remember and celebrate the lives of deceased loved ones.

10. Saturday, November 11, 2023 : Armistice Day

• In French : Armistice (1918)
• Month : November
• Regions : all of France
• Meaning : Armistice Day is a public holiday in France observed on November 11th each year. It commemorates the signing of the armistice between the Allies and Germany on November 11, 1918, which marked the end of World War I. The day is dedicated to remembering and honoring the soldiers who fought and died in the war.

11. Monday, December 25, 2023 : Christmas Day

• In French : Noël
• Month : December
• Regions : all of France
• Meaning : Christmas Day is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. It is observed on December 25th in France and many other countries around the world. The holiday season is marked by various customs, including the exchange of gifts, the decoration of homes and public spaces, and the sharing of festive meals with family and friends.

Alsace and Moselle public holidays in 2023

The 2 specific French public holidays in 2 regions of Alsace and Moselle are :

1. Friday, April 7, 2023 : Good Friday

• In French : Vendredi Saint
• Month : April
• Regions : only 2 regions of Alsace and Moselle
• Meaning : Good Friday is a Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. It is observed during Holy Week on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday. Although not a public holiday throughout France, it is recognized as a public holiday in the Alsace and Moselle regions due to their unique cultural and historical background.

2. Tuesday, December 26, 2023 : St. Stephen’s Day (or Boxing Day)

• In French : Saint Etienne
• Month : April
• Regions : only 2 regions of Alsace and Moselle
• Meaning : Saint Stephen’s Day, also known as Boxing Day in some countries, is celebrated on December 26th, the day after Christmas. In the Alsace and Moselle regions of France, it is recognized as a public holiday. The day honors Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr who was stoned to death for his faith. It is a time for family gatherings, relaxation, and enjoying the festive season.

Infography of France Public Holidays 2023 (Calendar)

France Public Holidays 2024 (Calendar)

There is 11 public holidays in all of France in 2024.

1. Monday, January 1, 2024: New Year’s Day
2. Monday, April 1, 2024: Easter Monday
3. Wednesday, May 1, 2024: Labour Day
4. Wednesday, May 8, 2024: Victory in Europe Day
5. Thursday, May 9, 2024: Ascension Day
6. Monday, May 20, 2024: Pentecost Monday
7. Sunday, July 14, 2024: Bastille Day
8. Thursday, August 15, 2024: Assumption of Mary
9. Friday, November 1, 2024: All Saints’ Day
10. Monday, November 11, 2024: Armistice Day
11. Wednesday, December 25, 2024: Christmas Day

And 2 others public holidays in 2024 for 2 regions of Alsace and Moselle :

1. Friday, March 29, 2024 : Good Friday
2. Thursday, December 26, 2024 : St. Stephen’s Day (Or Boxing Day)

France Public Holidays 2025 (Calendar)

There is 11 public holidays in all of France in 2025.

1. Wednesday, January 1, 2025: New Year’s Day
2. Monday, April 21, 2025: Easter Monday
3. Thursday, May 1, 2025: Labour Day
4. Thursday, May 8, 2025: Victory in Europe Day
5. Thursday, May 29, 2025: Ascension Day
6. Monday, June 9, 2025: Pentecost Monday
7. Monday, July 14, 2025: Bastille Day
8. Friday, August 15, 2025: Assumption of Mary
9. Saturday, November 1, 2025: All Saints’ Day
10. Tuesday, November 11, 2025: Armistice Day
11. Thursday, December 25, 2025: Christmas Day

And 2 others public holidays in 2025 specifically for 2 regions of Alsace and Moselle :

1. Friday, April 18, 2024 : Good Friday
2. Friday, December 26, 2024 : St. Stephen’s Day (Or Boxing Day)

People also ask about French Public Holidays :

How many public holidays France has?

France has officially :

• 11 public holidays in all of France (all regions)
• 2 public holidays in 2 specific regions of France : Alsace and Moselle.

See above the complete list of 11 (+2) public holidays in France.

What are France’s main holidays?

Main France’s holidays are :

1. May 8 : Victory in Europe Day
2. July 14 : Bastille Day
3. November 11: Armistice Day

See above the complete list of all 11 (+2) public holidays in France.

What are three major holidays in France?

The three major holidays in France are :

1. May 8 : Victory in Europe Day
2. July 14 : Bastille Day
3. November 11: Armistice Day

See above the complete list of all 11 (+2) public holidays in France.

What days are closed in France?

Generally, Sundays are closed in France, except in tourist areas where shops are allowed to open Sunday.

Note that some businesses also close on Monday in order to have 2 days off: Saturday and Sunday (like a weekend).

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