2025 is set to be a year of plentiful holidays for the French, with the calendar showcasing eleven public holidays, ten of which fall on weekdays. This promising layout allows individuals to strategically place their vacation days for maximum benefit.
According to Capital, simply planning five vacation days at precise moments throughout the year can yield up to 32 total days of rest, counting Saturdays and Sundays. The favorable arrangements allow for several three-day weekends across the year.
Beginning with the spring, the calendar features several attractive breaks. Easter Monday, on April 21, creates the first notable long weekend from April 19 to 21. Following this, May presents itself as the most opportune month for getting extra days off. The 1st of May, Labor Day, falls on a Thursday, along with VE Day on May 8 and Ascension Day on May 29, also landing on Thursdays. By taking vacation days on the Fridays immediately after these public holidays (May 2, 9, and 30), one can create three four-day weekends.
Further opportunities arise during the summer months, particularly with the French National Day on July 14, which is followed just one month later by the Assumption on August 15, also on a Friday. This means another chance for three-day weekends for those on standard Monday-to-Friday schedules.
Come autumn, November 11, commemorated as Armistice Day, falls on Tuesday. Those who take leave on the preceding Monday can enjoy another four-day mini-vacation. This extended rest period is timely before the winter months set in.
Finally, the year wraps up with two public holidays on Thursdays: Christmas on December 25 and New Year’s Day on January 1. By strategically placing vacation days on the Fridays following (December 26 and January 2), one can also stretch this period out to alternate weekends of four days.
Overall, effective planning can lead to extensive downtime throughout the year, significantly boosting personal and family time. It’s ideal for enjoying the beautiful weather during the long spring weekends or taking time to recharge before the hustle and bustle of the end-of-year festivities.
By scrolling through the detailed breakdown of holidays and optimal vacation days, individuals can make the most of their 2025 holiday allocation:
- January 1: New Year’s Day, férié
- April 21: Easter Monday, férié
- May 1: Labor Day, férié
- May 8: VE Day, férié
- May 29: Ascension Day, férié
- June 9: Pentecost Monday, férié
- July 14: Bastille Day, férié
- August 15: Assumption, férié
- November 11: Armistice Day, férié
- December 25: Christmas Day, férié
- January 1, 2026: New Year’s Day, férié
All these dates invite careful consideration and strategic planning. Who wouldn't want to enjoy their vacation days to the fullest? Whether it’s short getaways, family time, or simply lounging around at home, 2025 has much to offer for well-timed aspirations and restful retreats.