As you begin to plan your 2024 Parisian travels (woo-hoo!), here is a 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
· Les Vacances = Vacation
· Passer Les Vacances = Take Vacation
· La Rentrée = Back to School / Work
Ok, ready to start planning your 2024 Parisian Calendar? Let's get to it!
Monday, January 01, 2024
New Year's Day (Jour de l'an)
Bonne Année / Happy New Year!
Just as in The States, you can expect wide closures, delayed transport, and later than usual openings in Paris. You might want to plan ahead for your "hangover brunch" to usher in 2024 - and expect closures on Tuesday, January 02, 2024 as well!
Friday, March 29, 2024
Good Friday (Vendredi 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 St. Germain l'Auxerrois until Notre Dame Cathedral reopens (late 2024).
Monday, April 01, 2024
Easter Monday (Lundi de Pâques)
Easter itself is Sunday, March 31st, 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.
Wednesday, May 01, 2024
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
Wednesday, May 08, 2024
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 09, 2024
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 20, 2024
Pentecost Monday (Lundi de Pentecôte)
Here's another great example here of how a religious holiday (Pentecost, in this case) falls on a Monday, thus enabling another bridge to enjoy a long weekend off to have more time with friends and family.
Sunday, July 14, 2024
Bastille Day (Fête Nationale)
We've gone over this before in our Bastille Day and a Picnic post as this day is quite special in France. P'Niche PSA: it is not called Bastille Day in France - it's la Fête Nationale!
There will be closures, delays in traffic and public transportation, parades, fireworks, etc. to celebrate the public holiday of French Independence Day, while people sing along to La Marsaillaise...
Remember - the colors of France are not "technically" red white and blue - they actually are set in pattern on Le Tricolore Flag as bleu, blanc, et rouge...
Thursday, August 15, 2024
Assumption Day (Assomption)
Looks like 2024 is a banner year for turning holidays into bridges! This holiday falls on a Thursday, so many businesses will be closed on the day after (Friday) as well. Be prepared to plan accordingly...
Friday, November 01, 2024
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 (like Père Lachaise), etc.
The day is also seen as a "mini-break" between summer and Christmas.
Monday, November 11, 2024
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.
Wednesday, December 25, 2024
Christmas Day (Noël)
This one should be no surprise as you will see many stores, cafés, and businesses closed. You should also expect slow downs in public transportation, etc.
And then...
Thursday, December 26, 2024
Boxing Day (Deuxième Jour de Noël) / Saint Stephen's Day
Yep! The 2024 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 2024 Paris planning, you might wish to note some other dates for convenience...
January 10 - February 06 , 2024
Winter Sales (Les Soldes)
The governmentally regulated sales season this winter begins at 8am on January 10, 2024 and lasts through close of business on February 06, 2024.
Naturally, the first day has the most to offer, so enjoy helping the French economy!
Sunday, March 31, 2024
Daylight Savings Time Begins
Just like the rest of the world, France "springs forward" for additional sunlight (huzzah!)
P'Niche PSA - France changes clocks differently than the USA - we change on Sunday, March 10 - three weeks earlier!
Monday, April 01, 2024
April Fools' Day (Poison d'Avril)
We have explored the differences between the American April Fools' Day and the French "Poisson d'Avril" in this playful post, so 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!
Although this falls on Easter as well this year, listen for calls of "Poisson d'Avril!"
Sunday, May 26, 2024
Mother's Day (Fête des Mères)
Take Note - it's May 12th in the USA!
Sunday, June 16, 2024
Father's Day (Fête des Pères)
This one is the same date as the USA...
Friday, June 21, 2024
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!
June 26 - July 24, 2024
Summer Sales (Les Soldes)
The second season of sales in 2024 begins at 8am on June 26, 2024 and ends at the close of business on July 24, 2024.
And plenty of visitors are expected to be in Paris this summer, leading up to...
July 26 - August 11, 2024
Paris Hosts the Olympic Games
Pun Intended here - this is what we've been training for! Paris has been getting a glorious facelift and cleaning in anticipation of hosting the Olympics.
Plan on additional security, and allow for more travel time to your destinations. Let the games begin!
Sunday, October 27, 2024
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 3rd in the USA!
Sunday, December 08, 2024
Notre Dame Cathedral Reopens
While the spire is erected and a Te Deum is planned for 15 April 2024, exactly 5 years after the terrible fire, the official reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral is set to coincide with the catholic day of obligation - the Feast of the Immaculate conception. P'Niche cannot wait to get back inside and see this beauty again!
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 year, please note, P'Niche will be "Out of Office" from December 20 - January 02 celebrating with friends and family. Our Facebook group will remain active and engaged during this time. I am so excited to share more Parisian goodness with you in 2024. 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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