Holidays in the Languedoc: French National
Public Holidays:
The French enjoy 11 national jours
feriés (holidays) annually. Days are not given in lieu
when a national holiday happens to fall on a weekend, but
workers tend to faire le pont "make the bridge"
to the nearet weekend when holidays fall on Tuesday or Thursday.
In years when Ascension Day falls on Victory Day only the
former is marked.
Under the law, every French citizen is
entitled to 5 weeks of vacation. Most take their summer vacations
in July or August, and many major businesses are closed then.
All of France takes to the roads, railroads, boats, and airways.
Travelling in France during August is generally a miserable
experience. Trains and roads near
major cities get particularly busy around the national holidays.
This is also the time when unions such as ferry operators,
coach drivers, railway workers and baggage loaders choose
to go on strike. Travellers should check ahead, particularly
when planning a trip for during July or August. It is a good
idea to call museums, restaurants and hotels in advance to
make sure they will be open. During May there is a holiday
nearly every week, so be prepared for shops, banks and museums
to be closed for days at a time.
The civic calendar was first instituted
in 1582; Bastille Day was incorporated in 1789, Armistice
Day in 1918, Workers' Day in 1935, and Victory Day in 1945.
Other holidays are traditional Roman Catholic "Holy Days".
Oddly, Good Friday is not a Public Holiday in France (except
in Alsace & Lorraine) and the same applies to Boxing Day
(St Stephen's Day, 26th December). Several holidays are fixed
by the date of the first Sunday after the first full-moon
after the Spring Equinox. This is the date of Easter Sunday,
and it determines the dates of Ascension and Pentecost. See
links below for further information:
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