Key practical and cultural dates for your diary in France for May 2026

Cultural dates

May 8–10: Grand Prix Moto de France 

The French MotoGP returns to Le Mans for a weekend of high-speed racing, drawing thousands of motorsport fans each year to the Sarthe circuit.

May 8–16: Jazz sous les pommiers 

The 45th edition of this popular jazz festival takes place in Coutances (Manche). It brings together international artists and emerging talent for concerts, street performances and workshops in a relaxed springtime setting.

May 12–23: Cannes Film Festival (Festival de Cannes) 

One of the most prestigious events on the global film calendar returns to the Croisette, attracting leading actors, directors and industry figures from around the world.

May 18–June 7: French Open 

The second tennis Grand Slam of the year takes place on the clay courts of Roland-Garros in Paris, known for physically demanding matches and dramatic rallies.

May 23: Nuit européenne des musées 

Museums across France and Europe open late into the night, with many offering free entry and special events such as guided tours, performances and workshops. Visitors should check participating venues for full details.

May 29: Fête des voisins 

Now a firmly established tradition, this event encourages neighbours to meet and socialise over food or drinks, with around 10 million people taking part across France each year.

May 30–June 14: D-Day Festival Normandy 

A series of commemorative and cultural events takes place across the region in the lead-up to the anniversary of the D-Day landings of the Second World War. These include parades, exhibitions, concerts and historical re-enactments.

May 31: Fête des mères 

Mother’s Day in France is usually celebrated on the last Sunday of May, unless it coincides with Pentecost.

Practical dates

May 1: Fête du travail / Fête du muguet 

Labour Day is marked with the traditional gifting of lily of the valley (muguet), said to bring luck and good health. 

It is the only public holiday where work is, in principle, prohibited for most people, meaning shops and services are largely closed – although there is an ongoing debate in parliament about relaxing the rules for certain sectors.

May 4: Medical laboratory strike 

A renewable national strike by non-medical staff in private (non-hospital) medical biology laboratories is set to begin across France, with no confirmed end date. Unions say the action is in response to a lack of pay increases since January 2024 and worsening working conditions in a sector they describe as increasingly money-orientated.

Disruption is likely, including partial or full laboratory closures, reduced services and delays to non-urgent test results, although urgent analyses should be prioritised. Patients are advised to check with their local laboratory before attending and, where possible, bring forward or postpone non-urgent tests.

May 8: VE Day 

A public holiday marking the end of the Second World War in Europe. As in previous years, it falls close to other May holidays, and many workers take additional days off.

May 14: Ascension Day (l’Ascension) 

Falling on a Thursday, this public holiday often leads to a four-day weekend as many people font le pont by taking the Friday off.

May 24: Pentecost (La Pentecôte) 

Observed on a Sunday, with the following Whit Monday (lundi de Pentecôte) often a public holiday, although working arrangements vary.

Tax update

The 2026 income tax declaration season is underway throughout May, with deadlines depending on your department of residence.

Those submitting a paper declaration have the earliest deadline: 19 May (midnight).

For most taxpayers, declarations must now be completed online via impots.gouv.fr:

• Departments 01–19 and non-residents: May 21 (23:59)
• Departments 20–54: May 28 (23:59)
• Departments 55 and above: June 4 (23:59)

The government has also launched an online calculator to help residents estimate how much tax they will owe on 2025 income. The anonymous tool comes in two versions: a simplified option for wages, pensions and common tax credits, and a more detailed version for those with additional income such as business or agricultural earnings. It does not, however, cover all situations, including some types of foreign income.