Bastille Day on the 14th July in Paris, taken on the Pont de la Concorde
In France, some public holidays have a religious background; others are just reminders of important moments in the history of France, or simply civic in nature. In some cases, these public holidays can also be an occasion to come together as family or friends around a table to share good food and wine, as in New Year’s Eve, Easter and Christmas.
- January 1st: “Jour de l’an” (Day of the year) also “Nouvel an” (New Year)
- “Lundi de Pâques” (Easter Monday)
- “Jeudi de l’Ascension” (Feast of the Ascension) - 39 days after Easter
- “Lundi de Pentecôte” (Pentecost Monday) - 50 days after Easter
- May 1st: “Fête du Travail” (Workers’ day holiday)
- May 8th : “11 Novembre”; Capitulation of Germany and end of World War II (May 8th 1945)
- July 14th: “Fête nationale française (Prise de la Bastille)” (National French holiday - Storming of the Bastille -July 14th 1789). Military parade, fireworks, followed by a popular dance
- August 15th: “Assomption” (Assumption); religious celebration for the virgin Mary
- November 1st: “La Toussaint” (All Saints’ Day)
- November 11th : “Armistice” (Armistice Day) - November 11th 1918, to commemorate the armistice signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany at Compiègne, France.
- December 25th: “Noël” (Christmas)