| French Festivals & Public Holidays |
Most banks, administrative offices and businesses are closed on public holidays. However, many museums and restaurants open - possibly on a restricted hours basis.
January 1 New Years Day
April Easter Monday
May 1 Labour Day
May 8 Celebration of end of WW11 in Europe
May 21 Ascension
July 14 Independence Day "Bastille Day"
August 15 Assumption
November 1 All Saints' Day
November 11 Armistice
December 25 Christmas Day
A Selection of Major Festivals in France:
France hosts over 100 festivals annually, some small and regional, others national in their significance. Whether your interest is in culture, historiy, gastronomy, music, sport or the arts, you'll discover a festival, carnival, fair or special event to create a highlight of your itinerary.
A selection of French Festivals includes:
May Cannes International Film Festival
Paris French Open Tennis Tournament
Monte Carlo Formula 1 Grand Prix
June Nationwide Anniversary of "D Day"
Strasbourg International Music Festival
Montpellier International Dance Festival
July 14th Nationwide Bastille Day
Aix-en-Provence International Arts & Music Festival
Sarlat One of France's premier Drama Festivals
Lille "Carnaval Do Axe"
Nationwide Tour de France
Juan-les-Pines International Jazz Festival
Souillac "Sim Copans" International Jazz Festival
Arles "Les Rencontres Internationales" International photographic expose
August Orange "Les Choregies d'Orange" Opera, concerts and oratorios
Monte Carlo International Fireworks Festival
Libourne Festival of Arts
September Dijon International Folkloriade & Wine Festival
Médoc Marathon
Paris "Technoparade"
Beaune "Jazz à Beaune"
October Nancy Nancy Jazz Beat
Armagnac Festival of Armagnac
Lyon "Fête de la Chataigne" (Chestnut fair)
Paris "Nuit Blanche" (White Night) City wide celebrations
November Beaujolais Beaujolais Nouveau Release
Dijon Dijon International Gastronomic Fair
Champagne " Nuits de Champagne" 2 week long Music Festival in Troyes
December Lyon Festival of Light
Montbelliard Lights of Christmas
Paris/Strasbourg Christmas markets
France wide Midnight Mass and "Réveillon" (late night feast)