French bank holidays 2012

 

If you’re planning a holiday in the Pyrénées-Orientales in 2010/2011, (or long term planning for the future), do bear in mind the dates of the numerous ’jours fériés’ (bank holidays) during which some or all shops and businesses may be closed.

New Year’s Day (Jour de l’An)
1st January

Easter Sunday (Dimanche de Paques)
8th April

Easter Monday (Lundi de Pâques)
9th April

May Day (La Fête du Travail)
1st May

VE Day - WWII Victory Day (Fête de la Victoire 1945).
Tuesday 8th May

Ascension Day (Le Jour de l’Ascension - 40 days after Easter Sunday)
Thursday 17th May

Whit Sunday (Pentecôte)
Sunday 27th May

Whit Monday (Lundi de Pentecôte)
Monday 28th May

Bastille Day (La Fête nationale de la Bastille)
14th July

Assumption (l’Assomption)
15th August

La Toussaint (All Saint’s Day)
1st November

Anniversary of the 1918 armistice which signalled the end of the First World War (Anniversaire de l’armistice de 1918)
11th November  

Other useful dates 2012 Clocks go forward by one hour Sunday March 25th 2012 Mother’s Day Last Sunday in May or first Sunday in June Father’s Day Third Sunday in June

 

"Faire le pont"
Where a Bank holiday falls on a Tuesday or a Thursday, many small businesses will ’faire le pont’ (make a bridge) and take Friday or Monday off too to ;make a long weekend. This rarely applies to large shops, supermarkets etc, many of whom no longer close for most of the public holidays.

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS IN YOUR REGION

 

---

 Top of the page