Holidays

With 11 national jours feriés (holidays) and at least five weeks of paid vacation, the French have their share of repose. In May there's a holiday nearly every week, so be prepared for stores, banks, and museums to shut their doors for days at a time. Be sure to call museums, restaurants, and hotels in advance to make sure they'll be open.

Note that these dates are for the calendar year 2017: January 1 (New Year's Day); April 16 and 17 (Easter Sunday and Monday); May 1 (Labor Day); May 5 (Ascension Day); May 8 (V.E. Day); June 5 (Pentecost Monday); July 14 (Bastille Day); August 15 (Assumption); November 1 (All Saints Day); November 11 (Armistice Day); December 25 (Christmas Day).