As you begin to plan your 2023 Parisian travels, here is the list of public holidays to consider. During these official public holidays in France, most businesses, shops, and offices will be closed. You may wish to keep this in mind as you begin to craft your travel dates and plans for your trip to Paris or France in general.
Do also keep in mind, many of these dates will also serve for the French to "faire the pont" - to make a bridge to enjoy a long weekend!
Just like the many bridges of Paris, the French like to "faire le pont." In France, this charming play of words refers to taking a long weekend. Whenever a standard public holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, they take Monday or Friday off (respectively) as well, to "make a bridge" to the next business day and thus, to enjoy a lovely, long, four day weekend.
In addition to "faire le pont," here are a few more French vocabulary tips to guide you...
· Jour Férié = Public Holiday
· Fête = Holiday (religious)
· Les Vacances = Vacation
· Passer Les Vacances = Take Vacation
· La Rentrée = Back to School / Work
Ok, ready to start planning your 2023 Parisian Calendar? Let's get to it!
Sunday, January 01, 2023
New Year's Day (Jour de l'an)
Happy New Year!
Just like the States, you can expect wide closures, delayed transport and openings in Paris. You might want to plan ahead for your "hangover brunch" to usher in 2023 - and expect closures on Monday January 02, 2023 as well!
Friday, April 07, 2023
Good Friday (Vended Saint)
Good Friday is widely celebrated in Paris, but even more heavily in the Alsace and Moselle regions. For those wishing to see the Crown of Thorns on this day, my understanding is that it will be available for viewing at Notre Dame Cathedral when she reopens (2024 anticipated).
Monday, April 10, 2023
Easter Monday (Lundi de Pâques)
Easter itself is Sunday, the 9th of April, but in France (and much of Europe) Easter Monday is an extra day off to celebrate and to make a true "pont" or long bridge weekend to enjoy the holiday with friends and family.
Monday, May 01, 2023
Labor Monday (Fête du premier mai)
Expect many closures and delays in public transportation on the French Labor Day.
You can also expect to see a LOT of bouquets of Lily of the Valley (muguet) the traditional gift to present to friends and family on this public holiday.
You can get a fresh bunch at the lovely:
Lily of the Valley Florist
73 Rue Blanche, 75009 Paris
Monday, May 08, 2023
Victory Day (Jour de la Victoire)
This joyful day commemorates the end of World War II and the freedom of the French citizens.
You will also hear this day called Fête du huitième mai or Victoire 1945.
Thursday, May 18, 2023
Ascension Day (Jour de l'Ascension)
This holiday, specific to Christianity, falls 40 days after Easter and celebrates the Ascension of Jesus Christ into Heaven.
You can expect the citizens of France to enjoy this year's holiday by making a loooooooong bridge to the following Monday!
Monday, May 29, 2023
Pentecost Monday (Lundi de Pentecôte)
We've got another great example here of how a religious holiday (Pentecost, in this case) falls on a Sunday but you get to make a little bridge to enjoy one extra Monday off.
Friday, July 14, 2023
Bastille Day (Fête Nationale)
We've gone over this before in our Bastille Day and a Picnic post and this day is quite special in France.
There will be closures, delays in traffic and public transportation, parades, fireworks, etc. to celebrate the public holiday of French Independence Day.
A few fun facts - the colors of France are red white and blue - but they actually are said in the pattern of Le Tricolore Flag as bleu, blanc, et rouge...
Also, remember, it's not called Bastille Day in France - it's la Fête Nationale!
Tuesday, August 15, 2023
Assumption Day (Assomption)
Looks like 2023 is a banner year for making holidays into bridges! This holiday falls on a Tuesday, so many businesses will be closed on the day before (Monday) as well. Look to plan accordingly...
Wednesday, November 01, 2023
All Saints' Day (La Toussaint)
The day after Halloween in the States, All Saints' Day is a day to honor the dead by leaving flowers at cemeteries, etc.
The day is also seen as a "mini-break" between summer and Christmas.
Saturday, November 11, 2023
Armistice Day (Jour d'Armistice)
What is celebrated as Veterans' Day in the States is Armistice Day in France and Europe - the day or honor for the dead following the Armistice at the end of World War One. The armistice was signed on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, thus ending The Great War.
Monday, December 25, 2023
Christmas Day (Noël)
This one should be no surprise to see many stores, cafés, and businesses closed. You should also expect slow downs in public transportation, etc.
And then...
Tuesday, December 26, 2023
Boxing Day (Deuxième Jour de Noël)
Yep! The 2023 holidays are going to have a super long bridge weekend of time off for the French. You will wish to plan your time accordingly, checking museums, etc. for alternative closings / schedules.
'Tis (or 'Twill be) the Season!
Ok, so that's the list of dates when items will definitely be affected, but in your 2023 Paris planning, you might wish to note some other dates for convenience...
Sunday, March 26, 2023
Daylight Savings Time Begins
Just like the rest of the world, France "springs forward" for additional sunlight (woo-hoo!)
P'Niche PSA - France changes clocks differently than the USA - we change on Sunday, March 12 - two weeks earlier!
Saturday, April 01, 2023
April Fools' Day (Poison d'Avril)
We will explore the differences between the American April Fools' Day and the French "Poisson d'Avril" in a future post, so please subscribe to join us back in the Parisian Niche.
That said, don't be surprised if you find yourself with a paper fish taped to your back - or even better - handed a chocolate or sweet dessert in the shape of a fish to commemorate the fun day!
Listen for calls of "Poisson d'Avril!"
Sunday, May 28, 2023
Mother's Day (Fête des Mères)
Take Note - it's May 14th in the USA!
Sunday, June 18, 2023
Father's Day (Fête des Pères)
This one is the same date as the USA...
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
World Music Day (Fête de la Musique)
Not only is this the longest day of the year (summer solstice), but also World Music Day, when the streets of Paris and France are filled with music - all day and all night. Get out there and enjoy this truly unique and magically musical experience!
Sunday, October 29, 2023
Daylight Standard Time Begins
Alas, the time has come to move our Parisian clocks to "fall forward," losing and hour of sunlight. Boooo...
P'Niche PSA - we'll change on November 5th in the USA!
Certainly, there will be other days and celebrations that pop up and we will look forward to exploring more in the New Year, but this should help as a general guideline for your Paris trip timing and planning, excursions, and adventures...
Well P'Nichers, as we round out what has been a truly wonderfully Parisian filled 2022, please note, I will be "Out of Office" and celebrating with friends and family. I am so excited to share more Parisian goodness with you in 2023 and until then, thank you for joining in on the journey. Wishing you so much joy, peace, and health in the coming year - à bientôt!
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