Pierre

Last Updated: 6 March 2024

  • Home
  • Blog
  • What are the Holidays and Celebrations in France?

In France, we know how to celebrate life on many occasions! Whether you visit Paris or the Province, holidays and celebrations in France will bring an ‘exotic taste’ to your stay. Did you know the French annual calendar is punctuated with eleven bank holidays? As well as several religious, civil and commemorative celebrations. I hope this article will give you insights into what to expect on your next travel to France!

🎥 Watch this short video about the Holidays and Celebrations in France:

 

 

Traditions and Celebrations in France

To make life more pleasant, people took part in many festivals in the kingdom of France. Indeed, there were more than a hundred days of festivities during the year!

Holidays and celebrations in France - Dance party in the Middle Ages (14th C)
Dance party in France during the Middle Ages (14th C)

In addition, every event in the family (engagement, marriage, birth, baptism and even death) was an excellent occasion to bring relatives and a few friends together.

Thus, during the Middle Ages, people gathered according to a strict calendar. And, contrary to what we know today, summer was not a time of festivities.

 

No summer holidays in the Middle Ages!

Peasants knew that with summer would come the season of heavy work. On Midsummer’s Day, at the end of June, they would gather for one last big party (fête de la Saint-Jean or St. John’s Day). Fires were lit to celebrate the longest day. Young men practised jumping over the flames.

Holidays and celebrations in France - Jules Breton, Fête de la Saint-Jean
Jules Breton, La Fête de la Saint-Jean, 1875, Philadelphia Fine Arts Museum

Between Midsummer’s Day (late June) and St. Michael’s Day (late September), everyone was busy either working in the fields, fighting in the war or training for the military.

 

Traditional festivals in France

Most holidays are sacred. However, religion has often preserved ancient pagan customs, which were attached, for example, to the worship of the sun (the winter solstice at Christmas and the summer solstice on Midsummer’s Day).

Holidays and celebrations in France - Music in the Middle Ages
Music in the Middle Ages

In contrast to the summer, festive days are much more frequent in winter and spring.

For example, the Christmas period lasted twelve days with the Feast of the Innocents, the Feast of the Fools, and New Year’s Eve, and ended with the Feast of the Kings with its traditional galette des Rois.

Later on, the following events would take place:

  • Candlemas (Chandeleur) – and its candlelight procession,
  • Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras), the last feast day before Lent
  • The first Sunday of Lent (le Dimanche de la Quadragésime), when tradition has it fires are lit to dance around before going through the streets and the countryside carrying lit torches or firebrands.
  • Easter (Pâques),
  • And many others until Pentecost Sunday.

 

👉 Become a part of the fun, exciting and entertaining celebrations in France yourself by booking your next French break. When you book your travel using Direct Ferries voucher codes, you can save a bundle and have more spending money for your holiday!

 

Get the ebook Holidays & Celebrations in France!

Holidays and Celebrations in France cover

288 pages – 117 illustrations

In this book, Pierre reveals the secrets of French celebrations, from the most famous to the least known. It is a cultural journey into French customs and traditions that will satisfy curious readers and lovers of France.

FIND OUT MORE & BUY YOUR COPY!

 

Major Holidays and Celebrations in France

Holidays and celebrations in France are integral to the country’s popular culture.

The ball of the 14th July in Paris
The ball of Bastille Day in Paris

 

Public Holidays in France

The French observe 11 official public holidays.

5 of them are civil holidays:

6 public holidays have a religious origin based on the Catholic faith:

Besides, people living in the two départements of Bas-Rhin and Haut-Rhin in Alsace and the Lorraine département of Moselle enjoy two additional public holidays:

  • Good Friday (Vendredi Saint), and
  • St. Stephen’s Day (Saint-Etienne – known as Boxing Day in English-speaking countries).

This is due to historical reasons when the three départements were returned to France in 1918. 

 

Celebrations in France

 

Every season has its share of celebrations and festivals.

Crêpes Preparations © French Moments
Crêpes at Candlemas © French Moments
Mother's Day copyright French Moments
Mother’s Day © French Moments
Father's Day in France - Photo @maria_foto via Twenty20
Father’s Day in France – Photo @maria_foto via Twenty20
Valentine's Day pâtisserie
Valentine’s Day pâtisserie © French Moments
square Jean-XXIII Paris
Musicians playing in the bandstand of square Jean-XXIII © French Moments
European Flag Paris © French Moments
European Flag flying in Paris © French Moments
Mulhouse Carnival © French Moments
Mulhouse Carnival © French Moments
Feu de la Saint-Jean Echavanne © Thomas Bresson - licence [CC BY 4.0] from Wikimedia Commons
Feu de la Saint-Jean Echavanne © Thomas Bresson – licence [CC BY 4.0] from Wikimedia Commons

 

Holidays and Celebrations in France: local events

Some celebrations in France are local events, including sporting events. Here’s a (very) small list.

 

Folk Festivals in France
Rouen Armada © Anytiope - licence [CC BY-SA 4.0] from Wikimedia Commons
Rouen Armada © Anytiope – licence [CC BY-SA 4.0] from Wikimedia Commons
Annecy Venetian Carnival © French Moments
The Venetian Carnival of Annecy – by the lake © French Moments
Menton Lemon Festival © Ville de Menton
French history at the Menton Lemon Festival © Ville de Menton
Hot-air balloons at Chambley air-base © Wikig – licence [CC BY-SA 3
Hot-air balloons at Chambley air-base © Wikig – licence [CC BY-SA 3.0] from Wikimedia Commons
Return from the Alpine Pastures Festival, Annecy © French Moments
The sheep herd, return from the high pastures in Annecy © French Moments
 
Christmas and End of Year Festivals
Festival of Lights in Lyon © BELZUNCE Christian - licence [CC BY-SA 3
Festival of Lights in Lyon © BELZUNCE Christian – licence [CC BY-SA 3.0] from Wikimedia Commons
Saint-Nicolas in Nancy © French Moments
Saint-Nicolas in Nancy © French Moments
Holidays and celebrations in France - Christmas in Nancy © French Moments
Nativity crib figures (santons) © French Moments
Holidays and celebrations in France - Strasbourg Christmas Market © French Moments
Christmas in Strasbourg © French Moments

 

Music, Theatre and Film Festivals
  • Cannes Film Festival
  • Deauville American Film Festival
  • Festival of Avignon
  • Inter-Celtic Festival of Lorient
Popes' Palace in Avignon © French Moments
The famous Popes’ Palace in Avignon © French Moments
Holidays and celebrations in France - Festival Interceltique de Lorient © Pymouss - licence [CC BY-SA 3.0] from Wikimedia Commons
Festival Interceltique de Lorient © Pymouss – licence [CC BY-SA 3.0] from Wikimedia Commons

 

Sporting Events in France
  • Easter Feria of Arles
  • Monaco Grand Prix (Grand Prix de Monaco)
  • Roland Garros French Open in Paris
  • The 24 Hours of Le Mans (Les 24 Heures du Mans)
  • Tour de France cyclist race
  • Vendée Globe (a single-handed non-stop round-the-world yacht race starting and ending in Les Sables d’Olonne)
Holidays and celebrations in France - Tour de France at Aime-la-Plagne © French Moments
The Tour de France passing by Aime-la-Plagne © French Moments
Holidays and celebrations in France - Tour de France 2018 in Thorens-Glières © French Moments
The Tour de France in Thorens-Glières (Haute-Savoie), 17 July 2018 © French Moments
Holidays and celebrations in France - Tour de France at Aime-la-Plagne © French Moments
The advertising caravan of the Tour de France at Aime-la-Plagne © French Moments
Holidays and celebrations in France - 24 heures du Mans © Kevin Decherf - licence [CC BY-SA 2.0] from Wikimedia Commons
24 heures du Mans © Kevin Decherf – licence [CC BY-SA 2.0] from Wikimedia Commons

Due to the pandemic, most of these events were cancelled in 2020 and 2021 for the first time since World War II.

 

In conclusion, France has a variety of festivals, each of which has its own unique activities and ways of celebrating. Many people seek distinctive and meaningful ways to commemorate these special days. Custom holiday enamel pins are a great way to add a personal touch to your celebration. Whether you want to create keepsakes for family, gifts for friends, or promotional items for your business, Enamelpins.com offers a versatile and affordable option.

 

Holidays and Celebrations in France and the Food Culture

In France, the tapestry of holidays is vividly coloured by a delectable array of culinary traditions, each celebration marked by its distinct flavours and dishes.

 

Christmas food traditions

Christmas, or ‘Noël’, is perhaps the most enchanting, where tables across the country groan under the weight of festive delicacies. Central to the Christmas feast is the ‘Réveillon,’ a sumptuous meal that brings families together, featuring iconic dishes like ‘foie gras,’ ‘coquilles Saint-Jacques,’ and the ‘bûche de Noël‘, a yule log-shaped cake symbolizing warmth and togetherness.

Chocolate Log - Bûche de Noël © French Moments
Chocolate Log – Bûche de Noël © French Moments

 

The New Year ushers in Epiphany, celebrated with the ‘galette des rois‘, a flaky pastry filled with frangipane. Hidden within is a ‘fève,’ a small charm, bestowing luck and kingship for a day upon the finder.

The Galette des Rois © French Moments
The Galette des Rois © French Moments

 

Winter food traditions

As February arrives, Candlemas, or ‘Chandeleur’, ushers in a sweet tradition of flipping crêpes, symbolising prosperity and joy. These thin, golden pancakes, often enjoyed with a sprinkle of sugar or a smear of chocolate paste, fill homes with warmth during the chill of winter.

Delicious crepes © French Moments
Delicious crêpes © French Moments

 

Mardi-Gras, the last hurrah before Lent, is a carnival of taste, celebrated with ‘crêpes’, ‘gaufres‘ (waffles), and ‘beignets‘, sugary confections that mirror the day’s indulgent spirit.

Waffles for carnival © French Moments
Waffles for carnival © French Moments

 

Spring food traditions

Easter, or ‘Pâques’, brings its own culinary magic, particularly with the ‘gigot d’agneau’ (roast lamb) as a centrepiece and chocolate in myriad forms, from elegantly crafted eggs to playful chocolate bells or bunnies, delighting both the young and young at heart.

Bauget Easter 2016 07 © French Moments
Easter Egg Nest by Bauget in Maisons-Laffitte© French Moments

 

Baptisms or first communions are sweetened with ‘dragées’, almond candies symbolizing purity, while weddings feature the magnificent ‘pièce montée’, symbolising marital unity.

Croquembouche © Eric Baker - licence [CC BY-SA 3.0] from Wikimedia Commons
Croquembouche © Eric Baker – licence [CC BY-SA 3.0] from Wikimedia Commons

Each of these celebrations, deeply rooted in French culture, showcases the country’s love affair with food, where every holiday is an opportunity to gather, feast, and revel in the joy of culinary heritage.

 

Global Influences on French Festive Traditions

The landscape of French celebrations, steeped in rich traditions, has been subtly yet significantly reshaped by globalisation. This blending of global and local has led to intriguing cultural adaptations.

 

Anglo-Saxon holidays

Halloween, initially an American import, now sees French children donning costumes and partaking in trick-or-treating, a stark contrast to France’s historically subdued autumn celebrations.

Black Friday, another American export, has surged in popularity, altering the traditional French shopping calendar with its focus on deep discounts and holiday sales.

In recent years, St. Patrick’s Day has begun to capture the French imagination. While not traditionally celebrated in France, this Irish holiday has gained attention, especially in larger cities, with pubs and some communities embracing the festive spirit, green decorations, and perhaps a pint of Guinness, symbolising a growing appreciation for multicultural festivities.

Saint Patrick's Day in France © Patrice CALATAYU - licence [CC BY-SA 2.0] from Wikimedia Commons
Saint Patrick’s Day in Bordeaux, France © Patrice CALATAYU – licence [CC BY-SA 2.0] from Wikimedia Commons

 

Christmas traditions evolving in France

The essence of Christmas in France, too, has evolved. Since the mid-20th century, the traditional values of this beloved holiday have been infused with new influences, most notably the figure of Santa Claus, a concept popularised by American culture. This jolly, gift-giving Santa has become central in French Christmas celebrations, merging with the country’s ‘Père Noël’ tradition.

Christmas market in Strasbourg © French Moments
Christmas market in Strasbourg © French Moments

Moreover, the appearance of German-style Christmas markets in every large town in France marks a significant cultural import. These markets, with their quaint wooden chalets, twinkling lights, and an array of handcrafted goods and traditional foods, offer a festive atmosphere reminiscent of the German ‘Christkindlmarkt.’ This adoption adds to the holiday charm and reflects a broader openness to cultural exchange and the blending of European traditions.

 

Easter traditions: Bell or Bunny?

Furthermore, in a subtle yet telling shift within Easter traditions, many French households are increasingly embracing the chocolate bunny, a symbol more commonly associated with Anglo-Saxon Easter celebrations, alongside or in place of the traditional chocolate bells, reflecting a broader trend of cultural exchange and the adoption of international symbols in French festive practices.

Easter in France © French Moments
Easter bell and bunny © French Moments

These changes highlight a dynamic interplay between preserving French cultural identity and adapting to global influences. They underscore how French celebrations evolve, mirroring broader trends in an increasingly interconnected world.

 

The way the French spent their holidays in France

Summer holidays and celebrations in France are synonymous with the great exodus!

Indeed, for eleven months of the year, the French think about the twelfth month, when they will take their annual holidays.

Some people like skiing and going on winter holidays, but most prefer the summer months. August is the big holiday, and many companies and businesses close for one to four weeks. In fact, in the big cities, especially in Paris, the place is deserted except for tourists.

In summer, around 70% of the French people surveyed go on holiday for an average of two weeks.

Holidays and celebrations in France - Montmartre June 2015 16 copyright French Moments
Summer in Montmartre, Paris © French Moments

 

Holidays in France, a country of great variety

For 56% of them, their favourite destination remains… France!

This is the highest rate of residents staying in their country for holidays in Europe and the two other countries surveyed (the United States and Brazil).

How do I explain this?

Well, most French people are satisfied with what their country offers and, therefore, do not wish to travel abroad.

Mountains and rivers, sandy beaches and beautiful countryside are all available in France.

Holidays and Celebrations in France - The A8 Motorway near Menton - Stock Photos from Michael R Evans - Shutterstock
The A8 Motorway near Menton, French Riviera – Stock Photos from Michael R Evans – Shutterstock

 

The French like to spend their holidays in another region of France

The French appreciate inter-regional tourism for their holidays (including the summer).

For example, between 2014 and 2016, there was an average:

  • 4.4 million departures per year from the Paris region to Normandy.
  • 4.1 million departures per year from the Paris region to Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
  • 2.7 million departures per year from the Paris region to Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.
  • 2.1 million departures per year from Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur to Occitania.
  • 0.9 million departures per year from Hauts-de-France to Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
France Map of Regions © French Moments
France Map of Regions © French Moments

 

What types of accommodation do the French use during their holidays?

Camping is very popular, especially with the less well-paid. The better-off tend to rent villas for the holiday period. Moreover, country people and city dwellers overwhelmingly arrange to stay with friends or relatives.

The type of accommodation is as follows:

  • Hotels: 10.6%.
  • Campsite: 5.4%.
  • Rental, gîte or bed and breakfast: 11.1%.
  • Secondary residence: 9%.
  • Family and friends: 57.4%.
  • Other: 6.5%.
Holidays and celebrations in France - Hôtel de la Cathédrale in Metz © French Moments
A hotel room in Metz, Lorraine © French Moments

 

When do the French spend their holidays in France?

More than a quarter (26.2%) of French people’s holidays are taken in July-August.

August is thus the month when the number of French people taking holidays in France is highest (14.7%).

Holidays and Celebrations in France - Annecy Beach © French Moments
Beach of Lake Annecy (French Alps) © French Moments

These tourists generate over 80% of the overnight stays recorded in Metropolitan France.

The average time spent elsewhere in France for holidays or to visit a loved one lasts an average of 5 nights.

Corsica is an exception, with more than 11 nights spent per stay (due to its island location in the Mediterranean).

Calvi Bay © Marco Giambersi - licence [CC BY-SA 3.0] from Wikimedia Commons
Calvi Bay, Corsica © Marco Giambersi – licence [CC BY-SA 3.0] from Wikimedia Commons

 

Where do the French spend their holidays in France?

The following figures show how the French passed their holidays in 2016 if they stayed in France.

  • In towns: 30.2%
  • In the country: 23.9%
  • By the sea: 22.2%
  • In the mountains: 20.2%
  • Other: 3.5%
Holidays and Celebrations in France: Sarlat-la-Canéda, Périgord © French Moments
Sarlat-la-Canéda, a popular tourist spot in Périgord © French Moments

In addition to travelling in the region, the French appreciate foreign destinations, with a preference for neighbouring countries. Thus, Spain and Italy have been the two favourite destinations for the last few years, with more than 7.6 million departures in 2017.

Of course, the pandemic crisis of 2020-2021 has momentarily upset these trends. With a succession of lockdowns and curfews, holidays and celebrations in France have come to a halt.

 

School Holidays in France

Back to School La Rentrée © French Moments
Our daughter’s “Rentrée” © French Moments

The school year in France stretches from “La Rentrée” (coming back to school) to “Les Grandes Vacances” (Summer recess).

School holidays (les vacances) play an essential part in the tourism industry in France.

The dates are set by the Ministry of Education (Ministère de l’Éducation nationale). They vary depending on the zones in which the schools are located.

There are three school zones in France. They are not contiguous to facilitate access to sports resorts and tourist sites.

Therefore, whether a school is based in Paris, Strasbourg or Toulouse, the winter and spring holidays don’t take place simultaneously. Thus relieving the pressure on skiing and Mediterranean resorts.

The zones gather regional education authorities known as “académies” in French.

Académies of France © Chabe01 - licence [CC BY-SA 4.0] from Wikimedia Commons
Académies of France © Chabe01 – licence [CC BY-SA 4.0] from Wikimedia Commons
  • Zone A includes the “académies” of Dijon, Besançon, Clermont-Ferrand, Grenoble, Lyon, Poitiers, Limoges, and Bordeaux.
  • then Zone B includes the “académies” of Aix-Marseille, Amiens, Caen, Nancy-Metz, Lille, Limoges, Nantes, Nice, Orléans-Tours, Reims, Rouen and Strasbourg.
  • and Zone C includes the “académies” of Toulouse, Montpellier, Créteil, Paris and Versailles.

Corsica and the Overseas départements and territories of France apply different school holiday times. Like in Australia and New Zealand, the school year in the French territories of New Caledonia and Wallis and Futuna starts in late January and finishes in early December.

French Motto on School Facade © French Moments
A school in Paris © French Moments

 

Five periods of holidays in France

The school calendar includes five periods of holidays in France:

  • The Summer holidays (les vacances d’été or les grandes vacances) are the longest and the most awaited by pupils and teachers. The two-month break starts at the beginning of July and ends early September.
  • Autumn holidays or All Saints holidays (les vacances d’automne or les vacances de la Toussaint) last two weeks around the beginning of November.
  • Christmas holidays (les vacances de Noël or les vacances de fin d’année) last two weeks and include Christmas and New Year’s Day.
  • Winter holidays (les vacances d’hiver) are two weeks long and occur between the second week of February and the first week of March.
  • Spring holidays (les vacances de printemps or les vacances de Pâques) do not always encompass Easter. They occur between the second week of April and the first week of May.

 

The Four Seasons of the Year in France

France is situated in the Northern Hemisphere. Like its fellow European neighbouring nations, it goes through a cycle of four distinctive seasons:

  • Spring – le printemps
  • Summer – l’été
  • Autumn – l’automne
  • Winter – l’hiver

These seasons have shaped most of the holidays and celebrations in France.

Click on the images below to reach our dedicated pages on the seasons of France:

Spring – le printemps

The Eiffel Tower in Spring © French Moments

March-April-May-June

 

Summer – l’été

The St. Sixte chapel in Eygalières © French Moments

June-July-August-September

 

Autumn – l’automne

Paris in Autumn © French Moments

September-October-November-December

 

Winter – l’hiver

The village of Granier in Winter © French Moments

December-January-February-March

 

Pin it for later

Did you enjoy the reading? If so, share it on Facebook and/or X (formerly Twitter). Or pin the image below on Pinterest:

Holidays and Celebrations in France © French Moments

 

Get the ebook Holidays & Celebrations in France!

Holidays and Celebrations in France cover

288 pages – 117 illustrations

In this book, Pierre reveals the secrets of French celebrations, from the most famous to the least known. It is a cultural journey into French customs and traditions that will satisfy curious readers and lovers of France.

FIND OUT MORE & BUY YOUR COPY!

Holidays and Celebrations in France

Learn more about the seasons, celebrations and public holidays in France:

About the author

Pierre is a French/Australian who is passionate about France and its culture. He grew up in France and Germany and has also lived in Australia and England. He has a background teaching French, Economics and Current Affairs, and holds a Master of Translating and Interpreting English-French with the degree of Master of International Relations, and a degree of Economics and Management. Pierre is the author of Discovery Courses and books about France.

Like it? Leave a comment!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}

Transparency: Some blog posts and pages may contain affiliate or sponsored links. If you are planning a trip, the use of these links helps us to run the site. There is no additional cost to you. All you have to do is click on the link and any booking you make is automatically tracked. Thank you for your support!

Escape to France with every email! Get insider insights, travel guides, cultural gems delivered and exclusive offers to your inbox twice a week. Your journey to Paris and France begins when you sign up!

SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER AND GET THE FREE EBOOK

20 OFFBEAT PLACES IN PARIS

Ebook 20 amazing offbeat places in Paris front cover