Visiting France?
Exploring France by motorhome is one of the best ways to experience the country’s culture, landscapes, and cuisine at your own pace. But public holidays can mean closed shops, crowded roads, and packed campsites. Our guide to France’s public holidays in 2026, 2027, and 2028 helps international travellers plan ahead — showing you when to join the celebrations, and when to travel just before or after for quieter roads and easier parking.
France Public Holidays 2026–2028 (Motorhome Travel Guide)
| Holiday | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Thu 1 Jan 2026 | Fri 1 Jan 2027 | Sat 1 Jan 2028 |
| Easter Monday | Mon 6 Apr 2026 | Mon 29 Mar 2027 | Mon 17 Apr 2028 |
| Labour Day | Fri 1 May 2026 | Sat 1 May 2027 | Mon 1 May 2028 |
| Victory in Europe Day | Fri 8 May 2026 | Sat 8 May 2027 | Mon 8 May 2028 |
| Ascension Day | Thu 14 May 2026 | Thu 13 May 2027 | Thu 25 May 2028 |
| Whit Monday (Pentecost Monday) | Mon 25 May 2026 | Mon 24 May 2027 | Mon 5 Jun 2028 |
| Bastille Day (National Day) | Tue 14 Jul 2026 | Wed 14 Jul 2027 | Fri 14 Jul 2028 |
| Assumption of Mary | Sat 15 Aug 2026 | Sun 15 Aug 2027 (obs Mon 16) | Tue 15 Aug 2028 |
| All Saints’ Day | Sun 1 Nov 2026 (obs Mon 2) | Mon 1 Nov 2027 | Wed 1 Nov 2028 |
| Armistice Day (1918) | Wed 11 Nov 2026 | Thu 11 Nov 2027 | Sat 11 Nov 2028 (obs Fri 10) |
| Christmas Day | Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Sat 25 Dec 2027 (obs Mon 27) | Mon 25 Dec 2028 |
(In Alsace‑Moselle, two additional holidays are observed: Good Friday and St. Stephen’s Day on 26 December.)
Notes for International Motorhome Travellers
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Holiday closures: On 1 May, 14 July, 15 August, and Christmas, expect supermarkets, fuel stations, and many campsites to close or run reduced hours. Always stock up the day before.
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Bridging days (“les ponts”): When a holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, locals often take a long weekend. Roads, aires (motorhome stopovers), and campsites fill quickly.
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Best strategy for visitors:
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Arrive early at popular aires before locals head out.
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Use holidays to enjoy festivals and parades (e.g. Bastille Day fireworks in Paris or small‑town celebrations).
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Or, travel just before/after the holiday to enjoy quieter roads and easier parking.
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Peak times to avoid:
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August → French families on holiday, coastal campsites packed.
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Easter & Pentecost weekends → heavy domestic travel.
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Great opportunities:
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14 July (Bastille Day) → park outside Paris and take public transport in for the parade/fireworks.
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Toussaint (1 Nov) → quieter countryside, autumn colours in Loire Valley or Dordogne.
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Christmas → Alsace markets (Strasbourg, Colmar) are motorhome‑friendly with nearby aires.
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Key Takeaway for International Motorhome Travellers
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Join the holidays if you want to experience French culture at its most vibrant.
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Travel just before or after if you prefer quieter roads, easier parking, and less competition with locals.
Vehicles Available
Motorhomes in France
Campervans in France
Luxury Coaches in France
Class B in France
General Info
To get the best rates, reservations should be made well in advance.
France is a country in which hotels and restaurants are expensive, it is more economical to travel by motorhome.
