France counts 11 public holidays throughout the year. According to the importance of the day, shops, supermarkets, museums, etc… can be closed or open. Don’t take any risk and check if the location you want to visit will be open!
Take a look at our tips on what to do in Paris during the French vacations.
All shops, supermarkets and museums will be closed on January 1st. Some restaurants can be open.
Be aware that on December 31st, shops and supermarkets will close earlier than usual.
The tradition is France wants you to go chocolate eggs hunting (chasses aux oeufs) and to attend Mass for example at the Basilica of Saint-Denis.
15-day vacation in France !
Concert each year at the Philharmonie in Paris.
Established since 1889, the Labor Day is very important in France. Don’t be surprised if you see demonstrations and rallies in key locations in Paris and its area. The tradition is to buy some lilies of the valley to people selling in the streets, symbol of labor and spring coming.
Most of malls in the Seine-Saint-Denis department will be closed, as well as museums and churches. Some restaurants will be open but you will need to check before.
See what you can do in the Parisian region on May.
This date celebrates the end of the Second World War, with the surrender of Germany and the victory of the French troops.
This day should be like any other day. A large majority of malls, restaurants and museum are open such as the Music Museum located at La Villette.
Celebrated on a Thursday, people take their Friday off to enjoy a 4-day weekend.
Some convenience stores might be closed, but shops, malls, restaurants and museums are open. You can enjoy a visit at the Air and Space Museum in Le Bourget.
All shops, museums, malls, restaurants are open. Why not taking a look at the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie offering exhibitions all year long.
Check our page about the 4th of July to see the events organized in the Parisian North East for this event.
France celebrates the storming of the Bastille (Prise de la Bastille) in 1789 and the end of monarchy.
Most of the citizens watch the parade and the firework on TV and the luckiest ones can attend it at the Champs-Elysées and the Eiffel Tower in Paris. They are also other fireworks in the Seine-Saint-Denis department such as in Saint-Denis, Pantin…
Shops (summer sales) and restaurants are open, but not museums.
Summer vacation lasts 2 months in July and August - classes resume the 1st week of September
Shops, restaurants and museums will be open.
At this period of the year Paris Plages is held. So you can enjoy a day at the Bassin de La Villette.
Take a look at the other activities offered during summer vacations!
On this day France celebrates all the saints and the dead. People go to cemeteries and bring flowers as chrysanthemums and carnations.
Restaurants, malls, museums are open. Some parks like the Jardin des Dunes is open on all public holidays until March 31st.
Everything will be open on November 11th. You could visit the Parc de la Villette or take a stroll down the Paris - Saint-Ouen flea market!
Stores and museums will be closed. Some restaurants will open their doors. On December 24th, shops and restaurants close earlier than usual.
Note: transportation will be limited on public holidays (less trains, different opening hours), it is free to park in the city. Even if a mall is open, it doesn’t mean that all the shops will be open as well. If you plan to visit Paris on a public holiday, always check before if the location will be open or not because it is subject to change.
15-day vacation in France
