Home › Explained sheets › History, geography and culture
French heritage: public holidays
This sheet helps you know the main holidays celebrated in France. It also presents the traditions that go with them.
Key points of the sheet
- In France, public holidays (jours fériés) are legal holidays. The labour code (Code du travail) sets their list. The calendar has 11 of them.
- These days match religious, civil, commemorative or national holidays. There are also local public holidays. People generally do not work on them, with some exceptions.
- On 1 January, New Year's Day, people wish each other happiness, health and success. In April, on Easter Monday, children take part in chocolate egg hunts.
- 1 May is Labour Day, with lily of the valley (muguet) as its symbol. 8 May celebrates the end of the Second World War.
- Ascension Day is a Thursday in mid-May, 40 days after Easter Sunday. Whit Monday is a Monday in early June. These are Christian holidays.
- 14 July is the national day. It celebrates the Republic, with fireworks, popular dances and a military parade. 15 August is the Assumption, a Christian holiday.
- On 1 November, All Saints' Day (Toussaint), people celebrate known and unknown saints. 11 November celebrates the end of the First World War.
- On 25 December, Christmas is a Christian holiday that became a holiday for everyone. People decorate a fir tree and exchange gifts.
Words to know
- public holidays (jours fériés)
- They are legal holidays. The French calendar has 11 of them.
- labour code (Code du travail)
- It is the text that sets the list of public holidays.
- lily of the valley (muguet)
- It is the symbol of Labour Day, on 1 May. It brings good luck.
- Ascension Day (l’Ascension)
- It is a Christian holiday, 40 days after Easter Sunday.
- All Saints' Day (la Toussaint)
- It is a Christian holiday on 1 November. People celebrate known and unknown saints.
- armistice of 1918 (armistice de 1918)
- The armistice of 1918 is commemorated on 11 November. It marks the end of the First World War.
Test yourself: 3 questions
How many national public holidays are there in France?
In French, the language of the exam: Combien de jours fériés nationaux y a-t-il en France ?
The French calendar has 11 public holidays.
Which text sets the list of public holidays?
In French, the language of the exam: Quel texte définit la liste des jours fériés ?
The list of public holidays is set by the labour code (Code du travail).
What is the date of All Saints' Day (Toussaint)?
In French, the language of the exam: Quelle est la date de la Toussaint ?
All Saints' Day is on 1 November. People celebrate known and unknown saints.
You have read the sheet. See where you stand with 40 questions like the real exam.
Take the free mock exam (40 questions)Free mock exam · Exam Pass €19 incl. VAT, paid once, no subscription
Questions on the ministry's list that rest on this sheet
- 11 November is a public holiday. What does this date remember?
- When is Christmas celebrated?
- Which festival is French?
- What is celebrated on 8 May in France?
More in this topic (Zoom on...)
- Focus on the Second World War: the Resistance and the Liberation
- Focus on the Second World War: the Shoah
- Immigration
Source
Sheet “Patrimoine français : les jours fériés” of the French Ministry of the Interior: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr. Content published under the Etalab Open Licence 2.0. This page is a plain-language adaptation made by Hexaciv, which is not an official site: if in doubt, the ministry's text is the one that counts.
Ministry sheet read on 23 October 2026, still identical on 25 October 2026.