Checking the calendar before you head out for a baguette or try to visit the Louvre is a smart move. Because honestly, France takes its downtime seriously. If you're standing in front of a shuttered bakery right now wondering is it a holiday in France today, the short answer is: No, today is Saturday, January 17, 2026, which is not a national public holiday in France.
It's just a regular Saturday.
But don't get too comfortable. In France, a "regular" day can still feel like a holiday depending on where you are. Shops might close early, and if you’re in a small village, the midday "pause" is a real thing that catches tourists off guard every single time.
France has 11 national jours fériés (public holidays). Some are fixed, like New Year's Day, while others dance around the calendar based on the lunar cycle or the whims of history. Understanding how these days impact your travel or business isn’t just about knowing the date; it’s about understanding the "pont" (the bridge). If a holiday falls on a Thursday, half the country will "bridge" Friday to the weekend. Everything grinds to a halt.
The 2026 French Holiday Roadmap
Since today isn't a holiday, you’re likely looking for when the next one actually hits. The French calendar is a mix of Catholic tradition and hard-won secular victories.
The next major break is Easter Monday on April 6, 2026.
Here is what the rest of the year looks like for the French workforce:
- May 1 (Friday): Fête du Travail (Labor Day). This is the big one. Almost everything, including the Metro in some cities, can see disruptions. It is the only day where workers are legally entitled to a day off with pay, with very few exceptions.
- May 8 (Friday): Victoire 1945. Marking the end of WWII in Europe.
- May 14 (Thursday): Ascension Day. Expect a massive "pont" here. People will take Friday off.
- May 25 (Monday): Whit Monday (Lundi de Pentecôte). This one is weird because it’s a "working" holiday for some to fund elderly care (Journée de solidarité), but schools are usually closed.
- July 14 (Tuesday): Fête Nationale (Bastille Day). Fireworks, parades, and a lot of closed grocery stores.
- August 15 (Saturday): Assumption. Since it falls on a Saturday in 2026, workers don't get an extra day off, but many shops will still be closed.
- November 1 (Sunday): All Saints' Day (La Toussaint).
- November 11 (Wednesday): Armistice Day.
- December 25 (Friday): Christmas Day.
Why the "Pont" Matters More Than the Holiday Itself
You've probably heard the term "faire le pont." It literally means "to make the bridge."
If a holiday lands on a Tuesday or a Thursday, the French will often take the Monday or Friday off to create a four-day weekend. It’s a cultural phenomenon. For a traveler, this means that even if it isn't technically a holiday "today," the city might feel deserted or unusually crowded at train stations because everyone has fled for the coast or the countryside.
Business essentially stops during these windows. If you are trying to close a deal or get a plumber to fix a leak during a "pont" in May, you’re basically out of luck.
Regional Quirks: Why Alsace and Moselle are Different
France is a centralized country, but history left a few scars that resulted in extra holidays for some. If you are in Strasbourg or Metz, you get two extra days off that the rest of Paris and Marseille don't get.
They celebrate Good Friday and Saint Stephen’s Day (December 26).
This dates back to when the region was under German control. When it returned to France, they kept the local laws that were more favorable to workers. So, if you're asking is it a holiday in France today while standing in the Alsace region on December 26, the answer is a resounding yes, even though the rest of the country is back at work.
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What Actually Stays Open?
In big cities like Paris, Lyon, or Bordeaux, the "everything closes" rule has softened over the last decade.
- Museums: Most major museums stay open on holidays, with the exception of May 1st, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. However, many are closed on Tuesdays or Mondays regardless of holidays.
- Restaurants: In tourist areas, they stay open. In residential neighborhoods, they might close to give staff a break.
- Boulangeries: Many bakeries will open in the morning even on a holiday. The French need their fresh bread. But expect them to shut by 1:00 PM.
- Public Transport: It usually runs on a "Sunday schedule." This means fewer trains and longer wait times.
The May Trap
May in France is a minefield for productivity. With Labor Day, VE Day, Ascension, and Pentecost often falling within weeks of each other, the country enters a sort of "slow-motion" mode.
In 2026, May 1 and May 8 both fall on Fridays. This is a dream for locals but can be a nightmare for logistics. If you have a package arriving or need a government document processed, expect delays. The French administrative machine is already slow; add three or four holidays in a single month, and it practically hibernates.
Honestly, if you're planning a trip to France, May is beautiful because of the weather, but you have to be okay with the "closed" signs. It's part of the charm, or the frustration, depending on how much you like to stick to a schedule.
School Holidays: The Silent Disruptor
Sometimes you'll find everything is crowded and prices are double, but it isn't a national holiday. These are the vacances scolaires.
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France is divided into three zones (A, B, and C). They stagger their spring and winter breaks to prevent the ski resorts from being overwhelmed all at once. Even if it isn't a public holiday today, if it’s a school holiday in Zone C (which includes Paris), the trains to the south will be packed.
Practical Advice for Navigating French Holidays
If you find yourself in France during a public holiday, don't panic. You won't starve. But you do need a plan.
First, check the local "Monoprix" or "Carrefour City" hours. These smaller urban supermarkets often stay open on holiday mornings. Larger hypermarkets outside of town will likely be closed.
Second, download the Citymapper or SNCF Connect app. They are generally very good at updating schedules for holidays in real-time. If the app says the next bus isn't coming for 40 minutes, believe it.
Third, book your restaurants in advance. On days like Bastille Day or Pentecost, locals eat out. The spots that are open will fill up fast.
Is Today a "Jour Ouvrable" or "Jour Ouvré"?
This is a nuance that even some French people trip over.
- Jour ouvrable: Every day of the week except the weekly day of rest (usually Sunday) and public holidays.
- Jour ouvré: The days the business is actually open (usually Monday through Friday).
If you are looking at parking signs or delivery estimates, keep this in mind. A "holiday" might be a jour férié, but if it falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is usually just a normal jour ouvré unless the government specifically grants a day off, which is rare in France compared to the UK or the US.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
To ensure your plans aren't derailed by the French calendar, follow these specific steps:
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- Sync your digital calendar: Add the "French Public Holidays" calendar to your phone. It helps to see them as "all-day events" so they don't surprise you.
- Check the "Mairie" (Town Hall) website: If you're in a smaller town, the local Mairie website will list market days and holiday closures that might not appear on Google Maps.
- Validate museum entries: Don't just show up. Go to the official website of the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, or Versailles. They will explicitly state if they are closed for a specific holiday.
- Stock up the night before: If a major holiday like May 1 is approaching, buy your essentials on April 30. The queues on the morning of a holiday at the few open shops are notoriously long.
- Embrace the "Grève": Occasionally, holidays are accompanied by "manifestations" (protests). Check news sites like France 24 or Le Monde (English version) the day before a major holiday to see if transport strikes are planned.
While today, January 17, 2026, isn't a holiday, being aware of how France treats its time off will save you a lot of stress. The French work to live, they don't live to work. When the holiday hits, the best thing you can do is find a park, grab a bottle of wine, and join the locals in doing absolutely nothing at all.