Public holidays in France

French etching from 1789 depicting the storming of the Bastille, commemorated as Bastille Day

There are 11 official public holidays in France.^[1] The Alsace region and the Moselle department observe 2 additional days.^[2] Contrary to most countries, these holidays do not shift when they fall during a week-end,^[3] which means that the average number of observed public holidays falling on weekdays is 8.7 and ranges from 7 to 10.^[4] Most Asian countries and all North American countries observe between 2 and 10 more public holidays per year on weekdays.^[5]

Public holidays in France are:

Notes

See Fêtes et jours fériés en France (WorldHeritage page in French), to have all the dates (French Overseas Departments (DOM) added).

Note: French law dictates that work should stop, but be paid, only for the Fête du Travail (May Day, 1 May),^[6] except in industries where it is infeasible to stop working.^[7] The rest of the public holidays are listed in statute law,^[8] but law does not dictate that work should stop; however a leave from work may be granted by the employer or by convention collective (agreement between employers' and employees’ unions).

In 2005, French prime minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin removed Whit Monday's status as a public holiday. The decision was eventually overruled by French courts in 2008. Employers are free to decide whether to make Whit Monday a day off or not.^[9]

References

1. ^ French labor law, L3133-3
2. ^ French labor law, IDCC 1686
3. ^ . French labor law, IDCC 1686
4. ^ French wikipédia
5. ^ Employee holiday entitlement around the world, Mercer
6. ^ Code du Travail, L3133-4
7. ^ Code du Travail, L3133-6
8. ^ Code du Travail, L3133-1
9. ^ LOI n° 2008-351