Five things they don't tell you about bank holidays in France
No one works, and precious few people would consider spending them doing jobs around the house
France has more bank holidays than England and Wales
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1) Les jours fériés
Bank holidays are fêtes légales, meaning they are a legal right. No one works, and precious few people would consider spending them repainting the kitchen ceiling.
They are set aside for enjoying apéros (preferably free ones at the mairie) and long lazy meals at grandma’s or a good restaurant.
Détendez-vous!
2) Les flics
The police come out in swarms like wasps at the first sign of a bank holiday. They are hiding behind hedges, lurking in driveways and leaning over fences all over France.
This is because the death toll on the roads spikes every year during May when people zoom around visiting friends and family.
Vous êtes prévenus!
3) Le week-end
France officially has more bank holidays (11) than England and Wales (eight), Scotland (nine) and Northern Ireland (10) but less than Liechtenstein, which has 20 days off a year.
However, unlike in the UK, when a bank holiday falls at the weekend, French people who work during the week will lose out.
Tant pis!
4) ‘Le pont’
When a bank holiday falls on a Tuesday or a Thursday – or for some determined souls even a Wednesday – the Monday or Friday is also taken off, bridging the bank holiday and the weekend to make a longer break. Whether this 'pont' is paid or not is often a moot point.
Youpi!
5) La grève
Aside from la Fête du Travail (May 1, typically marked with workers’ marches and gatherings to celebrate workers’ rights), May is not really the month for demonstrations and street action – everyone has better things to do with their time.
But strikes, particularly within the transport sector, can hit hard. This means the roads will be crowded with people determined to get away for a few days. See point two.
Il faut en profiter!
