France: public holidays, long weekends, and school breaks
Which 2026 holidays actually give you time off in France, and where a single leave day buys you a four-day weekend.
France observes eleven public holidays in 2026, of which nine fall on a working day.
- France has 11 public holidays in 2026.
- 2 of them fall on a weekend, so they do not add a day off work.
- 5 already fall on a Monday or Friday, giving a three-day weekend for no leave at all.
- The strongest break is New Year's Day, running 1 January to 4 January.
- On 3 of them the holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, so one day of leave creates a four-day weekend.
Best long weekends
View allLabour Day
Apr 29, 2026 to May 2, 2026
Victory in Europe Day
May 6, 2026 to May 9, 2026
Armistice Day
Nov 6, 2026 to Nov 9, 2026
Christmas Day
Dec 23, 2026 to Dec 26, 2026
Ascension Day
May 8, 2026 to May 12, 2026
Ascension Day
May 12, 2026 to May 16, 2026
Public holiday snapshot
Full calendar| Date | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2026 | New Year's Day(Jour de l'an) | NATIONAL |
| Apr 6, 2026 | Easter Monday(Lundi de Pâques) | NATIONAL |
| May 1, 2026 | Labour Day(Fête du Travail) | NATIONAL |
| May 8, 2026 | Victory in Europe Day(Victoire 1945) | NATIONAL |
| May 14, 2026 | Ascension Day(Ascension) | NATIONAL |
| May 25, 2026 | Whit Monday(Lundi de Pentecôte) | NATIONAL |
| Jul 14, 2026 | Bastille Day(Fête nationale) | NATIONAL |
| Aug 15, 2026 | Assumption Day(Assomption) | NATIONAL |
More ways to maximize your time off
Take 7 days off
See what 7 leave days can unlock in 2026.
Public holidays in 2026
Review the official holiday calendar.
Long weekends in 2026
Check the ranked break windows for the year.
France vs Germany
Compare public holidays and long weekends for 2026.
France vs Spain
Compare public holidays and long weekends for 2026.
France vs Italy
Compare public holidays and long weekends for 2026.
Travel ideas
Browse allBastille Day Long Weekend: Paris to Provence in 4 Days
Catch the July 14 parade and Eiffel Tower fireworks in Paris, then unwind among Provence's lavender fields — all in one bridged long weekend.
Edinburgh Hogmanay Long Weekend
A four-day Hogmanay escape to Edinburgh — torchlight through the Old Town, the world's most famous New Year street party, a bracing Loony Dook and a slow recovery day in the Scottish capital, built around Scotland's two-day New Year holiday.
Netherlands & Belgium in 5 Days without Rush
A smart multi-city route across the Netherlands and Belgium using trains, mixing iconic cities with hidden gems for a balanced and realistic trip.
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France holiday questions, answered
How many public holidays does France have in 2026?
France has 11 public holidays in 2026. 9 of them fall on a working day and 2 fall on a weekend.
Which France holidays fall on a weekend in 2026?
2 of the 11 public holidays in France fall on a Saturday or Sunday in 2026, so they do not create an extra day off work.
When is the best long weekend in France in 2026?
The best long weekend in France in 2026 is New Year's Day, from 1 January to 4 January. Booking 1 day of leave turns it into 4 consecutive days off.
How many bridge days can I use in France in 2026?
France has 3 bridge days in 2026 — public holidays that fall on a Tuesday or Thursday, where a single day of leave creates a four-day weekend. May is the densest month, with 4 public holidays.
Plan your time off in France
Turn these dates into a real leave plan, or compare them with another country.