School and Public Holidays in France for 2024
Planning for a holiday to France entails not only exploring its rich cultural heritage but also aligning your plans with the country’s public holidays and school breaks. Whether you’re a traveller seeking to optimize your itinerary or a resident planning family outings, this guide serves as your compass through the calendar of 2024.
Public Holidays in France
France observes 10 national holidays annually. On these days, most government offices, banks, and many shops are closed.
2024 Public Holidays Dates
- Tuesday, January 1st: New Year’s Day
- Wednesday, May 1st: Labour Day
- Varies: Easter Monday (April 1st in 2024)
- Wednesday, May 8th: Victory in Europe Day (VE Day)
- Thursday, May 30th: Ascension Day (40 days after Easter Sunday)
- Sunday, July 14th: Bastille Day (French National Day)
- Thursday, August 15th: Assumption of Mary
- Friday, November 1st: All Saints’ Day
- Monday, November 11th: Armistice Day
- Wednesday, December 25th: Christmas Day
School Breaks in France
Schools in France are categorized into three zones (A, B, and C) with slightly different schedules for winter and spring breaks. However, all zones share the same dates for summer holidays, All Saints’ Break, and Christmas Break.
To determine your zone, consult this helpful map:
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regions_of_France]
The region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine falls under Zone A (Including Besançon, Bordeaux, Clermont-Ferrand, Dijon, Grenoble, Limoges, Lyon, Poitiers).
2024 School Breaks Calendar for Zone A
- Winter Break
Term Ends: Saturday, February 17th, 2024
Term Resumes: Monday, March 4th, 2024 - Spring Break
Term Ends: Saturday, April 13th, 2024
Term Resumes: Monday, April 29th, 2024 - Summer Break
Term Ends: Saturday, July 6th, 2024
Return to School: Monday, September 2nd, 2024 - All Saints’ Break
Term Ends: Saturday, October 19th, 2024
Term Resumes: Monday, November 4th, 2024 - Christmas Break
Term Ends: Saturday, December 21st, 2024
Term Resumes: Monday, January 6th, 2025
Please Note: This calendar pertains to Zone A. For dates specific to Zones B and C, you can search online using terms such as “French school holidays Zone B 2024” or visit the French Ministry of Education website.
Additional Resources
To ensure all information is current, especially if your plans involve visiting public establishments such as banks, government offices, tourism offices, or visiting friends or relatives with school-aged children, we recommend confirming the dates by visiting these websites:
- French Ministry of Education: https://www.education.gouv.fr/ (French language)
- Public Holidays in France: https://publicholidays.fr/ (English language)
With this guide at hand, you’re equipped to synchronize your ventures with the pulse of the nation. Planning ahead will help you navigate any potential disruptions caused by public holidays or school breaks during your visit to France.