French Public Holidays 2025: Paris Closures & What's Open
France has 11 public holidays ("jours fériés"). On these days, most businesses close, but Paris has its own rules. Here's what you need to know.
🗓️ 2025 French Public Holidays
New Year's Day (Jour de l'An)Wed, Jan 1
Easter Monday (Lundi de Pâques)Mon, Apr 21
Labour Day (Fête du Travail)Thu, May 1
Victory in Europe DayThu, May 8
Ascension DayThu, May 29
Whit Monday (Lundi de Pentecôte)Mon, Jun 9
Bastille Day (Fête Nationale)Mon, Jul 14
Assumption (Assomption)Fri, Aug 15
All Saints' Day (Toussaint)Sat, Nov 1
Armistice DayTue, Nov 11
Christmas Day (Noël)Thu, Dec 25
May 1st: The Day Everything Closes
⚠️ Labour Day (May 1) is France's only mandatory holiday.
Unlike other holidays where businesses can choose to open, May 1st legally requires closure of almost everything. Even supermarkets and most restaurants close. Only essential services operate.
What's Open on French Holidays?
Usually Open
- Major museums: Louvre, Orsay (check specific holiday)
- Tourist areas: Champs-Élysées shops, Marais boutiques
- Boulangeries: Morning hours (often close afternoon)
- Some restaurants: Especially in tourist zones
- Metro & buses: Sunday/holiday schedule
Usually Closed
- Banks: All closed on public holidays
- Government offices: Closed
- Post offices: Closed
- Local shops: Most neighborhood stores
- Business offices: Closed
Key Holidays Explained
🇫🇷 Bastille Day (July 14)
France's national day celebrates the 1789 storming of the Bastille. Expect:
- Military parade on Champs-Élysées (morning)
- Fireworks at the Eiffel Tower (night)
- Firefighters' balls ("Bals des Pompiers") at fire stations
- Many businesses closed, but tourist areas active
- Metro runs on Sunday schedule
🎄 Christmas Season
- December 24: Shops close early (around 5 PM)
- December 25: Most things closed (not a work holiday by law, but observed)
- December 26: Normal day in France (unlike UK/Germany)
- December 31: Normal day until evening closures
- January 1: Public holiday - most closed
🌸 Easter Weekend
- Good Friday: Normal working day in France
- Easter Sunday: Sunday rules apply
- Easter Monday: Public holiday - many closed
The "Pont" Tradition
When a holiday falls on Tuesday or Thursday, French workers often take Monday or Friday off to create a 4-day weekend. This is called "faire le pont" (making the bridge).
2025 "Pont" Opportunities:
- • May 1-4 (Thu-Sun with May 1 & Fri bridge)
- • May 8-11 (Thu-Sun with Fri bridge)
- • May 29 - Jun 1 (Ascension Thu + Fri bridge)
- • Aug 15-17 (Fri-Sun long weekend)
- • Nov 11 (Tue - Mon bridge possible)
Museum Closures
| Museum | Weekly Closure | Holiday Status |
|---|---|---|
| Louvre | Tuesday | Open most holidays (closed May 1, Dec 25, Jan 1) |
| Musée d'Orsay | Monday | Open most holidays (closed May 1, Dec 25, Jan 1) |
| Centre Pompidou | Tuesday | Open most holidays (closed May 1) |
| Versailles | Monday | Open most holidays |
Transport on Holidays
- Metro: Sunday/holiday schedule (reduced frequency)
- Buses: Sunday/holiday schedule
- RER trains: Reduced service
- Taxis/Uber: Available, may have surge pricing
- Vélib' bikes: Available 24/7
Shopping Tips for Holidays
- Stock up the day before - Supermarkets will be closed
- Check restaurant hours - Many close, book in advance
- Tourist areas stay open - Champs-Élysées, Marais, Montmartre
- Morning boulangeries - Usually open until noon
- Department stores - Often open on holidays (except May 1)
🛍️ Holiday Shopping Survival
- • Galeries Lafayette: Usually open on holidays
- • Printemps: Usually open on holidays
- • Monoprix: Check specific store
- • Franprix: Some locations open
- • Champs-Élysées: Most shops open