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France Public Holiday Regulations
In France, employees are generally entitled to time off on public holidays, but not all holidays are automatically paid. The rules differ depending on whether a holiday is one of the officially mandated days, like Labour Day on May 1st, or one recognized through collective agreements or company policy.
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List of Public Holidays in France in 2025
Here’s the full list of public holidays in France for 2025, including the day and date they fall on. Employers should note that certain holidays may apply regionally, such as Good Friday and St. Stephen’s Day in Alsace-Moselle.
Do Employers Have to Provide Paid Leave on Public Holidays?
Yes, but with some exceptions. In France, May 1st, Labour Day, is the only public holiday that must be paid for all employees, regardless of their sector or contract type. Employees who work on that day receive double pay.
For other public holidays, payment and entitlement depend on collective bargaining agreements, company policies, or employment contracts. Most full-time employees receive paid leave on these days, while part-time workers are paid only if the holiday falls on their usual workday. Public holidays are separate from annual leave entitlements and do not reduce vacation days.
Legal Penalties for Not Providing Paid Holiday Leave
Failure to comply with French public holiday and paid leave obligations can result in labor law violations, fines, and employee claims. Denying paid leave for May 1st can lead to sanctions under the French Labour Code, as it is a mandatory paid day off.
Employees can file complaints with the Labour Inspectorate or bring cases before the Prud’hommes labor courts. Non-compliance is most often seen with temporary, part-time, or probationary workers, where employers wrongly assume the rules do not apply. To avoid risk, employers should include public holiday pay policies in employment contracts and confirm compliance with any applicable collective agreements.
How Do Holidays Affect Overtime Thresholds?
Public holidays in France do not normally affect the calculation of overtime thresholds, as employees are not expected to work on those days. If an employee does work on a public holiday, especially on May 1st, it counts as exceptional work and must be compensated at a higher rate or with additional rest days, depending on the collective agreement.
Stay 100% Compliant with Leave Regulations Using Playroll
Leave entitlements, from public holidays to annual leave and special statutory allowances, vary widely across France’s industries and regions. Managing these differences correctly is vital for compliance and cost control.
Playroll keeps your business compliant with French labor law by automatically tracking updates to public holiday entitlements and regional rules like those in Alsace-Moselle. With Playroll, you automate leave calculations, prevent payroll errors, and ensure employees receive the correct pay and time off.
Our integrated platform simplifies global leave management so whether your team works in Paris, Lyon, or Strasbourg, your business stays compliant and ready to grow.
Never Miss a Leave Law Update — Stay 100% Compliant
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Reach out to playroll
We’ll handle payroll, leave and benefits for your team, anywhere in the world.
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Track Leave With Ease
Review, approve, and manage leave in line with local laws, all in one place.
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Gain Hands-on Support
Each employer and employee gets support to promptly resolve queries.
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Stay Up to Date With Regulations
We’ll keep you updated on changes in leave entitlements and regulations.
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