The May bridges allow you to enjoy long weekends. Here are the next public holiday dates coming in 2026.
As spring sets in at the end of April, it is also the return of the period most awaited by many French workers: the season of public holidays and the famous May bridges! And good news, the calendar for this year 2026 looks particularly lenient for those who wish to get away.
Public holiday calendar in 2026
With May 1 (Labor Day) and May 8 (Victory 1945) both falling on a Friday, you will automatically be able to take advantage of two extended three-day weekends without even having to dip into your vacation time. For lovers of longer getaways, the not-to-miss check mark will be the Ascension Bridge : by simply setting aside your Friday May 15 (the public holiday falling on Thursday the 14th), you will give yourself four consecutive days of rest, before closing this generous month with Pentecost Monday, May 25.
A nice appetizer before planning your next breaks for the rest of the year 2026, which will still have great opportunities for you to disconnect, like July 14 (a Tuesday, ideal to bridge the gap on Monday the 13th), November 11 (a Wednesday to cut the week in two) or even Christmas, which will end the year on a Friday. Vhere are the dates of the next public holidays in France for the year 2026in order to anticipate your vacation as early as possible and know which days to take to maximize your vacation time!
- Labor Day: Friday May 1
- Victory 1945: Friday May 8
- Ascension Day: Thursday May 14
- Pentecost Monday: Monday May 25
- National holiday: Tuesday July 14
- Assumption: Saturday August 15
- All Saints’ Day: Sunday, November 1
- Armistice 1918: Wednesday November 11
- Christmas: Friday December 25
So, by targeting public holidays in the middle of the week and intelligently placing a few days of rest around them, it is still possible to maximize your vacation periods. Whether for long weekends or real breaks, reading the calendar carefully remains your best ally in optimizing your free time.
