Civil Holidays – Celebrations in France
January 1st: New Year’s Day The first day of the year:
January 1st. This day became a public holiday under the First Empire in 1810. “New Year’s Day” is celebrated at midnight, with friends and/or family. People wish each other ‘Happy New Year.’ The next day, traditionally, friends or relatives come to give ‘les étrennes’ (a small amount of money) to children. People also give étrennes to their building caretaker, for example! Thus, the New Year opens the festive season in France!
May 1st: Labor Day May 1st
Labor Day was declared a public holiday on April 23, 1919. It is the day of the International Workers’ Day, celebrating the struggles for the eight-hour workday. It is a public holiday, both off and paid. Generally, on May 1st, people give lily of the valley to their loved ones, as this plant symbolizes spring.May 8th: Victory Day May 8th
Victory Day is the day of the commemoration of the end of World War II in Europe. Declared a public holiday in France on March 20, 1953, the holiday status was removed by President Charles de Gaulle in 1959. Later, President Giscard d’Estaing also abolished the commemoration in 1975. It was only in 1981 that the law restored the public holiday under the presidency of François Mitterrand.July 14th:Bastille Day July 14th
Bastille Day is the day of the commemoration of the Fête de la Fédération. It is a date that celebrates the storming of the Bastille in 1789. It became a national holiday on July 6, 1880. That’s why today, on the evening of July 14th, people watch fireworks and military parades all over France.
November 11th: Armistice Day November
11th Armistice Day is the anniversary of the Armistice, marking the end of World War I and the annual commemoration of victory and peace. It is a day to pay tribute to those who died for France.10 French expressions in Paris
Religious Holidays
Easter Monday
Easter Monday (one day after Easter) does not have a fixed date. This year, in 2025, it will be on April 21. It is a public holiday. Easter is the most important celebration in Christianity. This holiday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus. During this holiday, children participate in egg hunts (chocolate eggs) in gardens, and people give chocolates to their loved ones.Ascension Thursday
Ascension Thursday (40 days after Easter) does not have a fixed date. This year, in 2025, it will be on May 29. It is a public holiday. It is a Christian holiday celebrating Jesus’s ascent to heaven.Whit Monday
Whit Monday (50 days after Easter) does not have a fixed date. This year, in 2025, it will be on June 9. Whit Monday is a public holiday. It is a Christian holiday celebrating the sending of the Holy Spirit to the disciples and the birth of the Church.August 15th: Assumption
Assumption, a Christian celebration honoring Mary, the patron saint of France since the Ancien Régime. This day was declared a holiday by Napoleon to celebrate his birthday. In some cities in France, on the evening of August 15th, you can watch fireworks.November 1st: All Saints’ Day
All Saints’ Day is a solemnity celebrated on November 1st by the Latin Catholic Church in honor of all the Saints. On the evening of October 31st, some people celebrate the commemoration of the deceased and Halloween, dressing up in costumes. Children go door-to-door in the streets asking for candy.December 25th: Christmas
Christmas is a Roman-origin celebration held every year on the night of December 24th to 25th and all day on the 25th. This Christian holiday commemorates the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Some families celebrate Christmas on the evening of the 24th (the “Christmas Eve”) by opening presents only at midnight or the next morning, while others celebrate on December 25th. In Paris, there is the famous Christmas market on the Champs Elysées. In France, traditional Christmas dishes include oysters, snails, foie gras, turkey with chestnuts, stuffed capons, and the Yule log. https://www.absolutely-talented.com/post/language-skills-and-employment-do-you-really-need-to-speak-the-local-language-intrCivil Celebrations
February 14th: Valentine’s Day
February 14th is Valentine’s Day. Since Paris is the ‘City of Love,’ many French and foreign couples come to the Pont des Arts to attach a lock to the bridge to celebrate their love. Due to the multitude of locks and the weight becoming too heavy for the bridge’s safety, the city of Paris decided to remove all these love locks. But you can still go to a restaurant with your lover, offer flowers to your sweetheart, or your beloved!First Sunday of March: Grandmothers’ Day
Celebrated every year on the first Sunday of March, this day was created in 1987 by the coffee brand Café Grand’Mère (part of the Kraft Jacobs Suchard group at the time), initially for commercial purposes. Despite its marketing origin, it gradually found its place in the hearts of the French and became a recognized celebration in France.Last Friday of May: Neighbors’ Day
Created in 2000, Neighbors’ Day was designed to encourage community connections, particularly in urban areas. Anyone can organize it in their street, building, or neighborhood, simply by putting up a notice or contacting their neighbors. Everyone brings food and drinks, and people share together.Last Sunday of May: Mother’s Day
Celebrated each year in late May or early June (variable date, generally the last Sunday of May—unless it falls on the same day as Pentecost, in which case it is postponed to the first Sunday of June).Third Sunday of June: Father’s Day
This celebration honors fathers and father figures across France. It is customary for children to give gifts or handmade crafts to their fathers, and families often gather for a special meal.June 21st:Music day
Every June 21st, on the summer solstice, France celebrates Music Day. Created in 1982 by the Ministry of Culture, the event was inspired by the idea of bringing music to the streets, allowing both amateur and professional musicians to perform freely. It has since become an international event, celebrated in over 120 countries. Cities turn into open-air stages, with concerts happening everywhere: streets, bars, parks, museums, and more. Now you know everything about the major holidays in France! Share this article with your friends and family.
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