Paid annual leave and public holidays in France (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: Paid leave builds up at 2.5 working days (jours ouvrables) a month, giving 30 working days or five weeks for a full year. Eleven public holidays are listed, and only 1 May is a compulsory paid day off for all employees.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Minimum paid leave a year (weeks)Full-time employee | 5 weeks [1] |
| Minimum paid leave as the law states itFull-time employee | 2.5 working days (jours ouvrables) per month of actual work, so 30 jours ouvrables (5 weeks) for a full year. [1] |
| National public holidays a yearFull-time employee | 11 days [2] |
| Public holidays and annual leaveFull-time employee | ⚠ Not yet verified |
Notes
- Jours ouvrables are the days of the week except the weekly rest day and public holidays normally not worked in the business.
- General case for 2026. Only 1 May is compulsorily a paid day off for all employees. For the other holidays it depends on an agreement or the employer.
- The service-public.gouv.fr page on a public holiday during paid leave could not be read, so the rule was not confirmed.
Sources
- Service-Public.gouv.fr (DILA): Congés payés du salarié dans le secteur privé (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Service-Public.gouv.fr (DILA): Jours fériés et ponts dans le secteur privé (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.