Total Long Weekends
12
Long Weekends in France
Plan your long weekends in France for 2026. Discover 3-day and 4-day weekends, public holidays, bridge days, dates, and short-trip opportunities.
3-Day Weekends
9
4-Day Weekends
3
Longest Break
4
All Long Weekends in 2026
12 opportunities shown for France
3-day weekends
4-day weekends
| Period | Dates | Days | Includes Holiday | Long Weekend Type | Perfect For | Next Occasion In |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 - Jan 4 | Thu, Jan 1 - Sun, Jan 4 | 4 days | New Year's Day | Bridge Day | New Year Escape | Passed |
| Apr 3 - Apr 5 | Fri, Apr 3 - Sun, Apr 5 | 3 days | Good Friday | 3-day weekend | Weekend Getaway | Passed |
| Apr 4 - Apr 6 | Sat, Apr 4 - Mon, Apr 6 | 3 days | Easter Monday | 3-day weekend | Weekend Getaway | Passed |
| Apr 25 - Apr 27 | Sat, Apr 25 - Mon, Apr 27 | 3 days | Abolition of slavery | 3-day weekend | Weekend Getaway | Passed |
| May 1 - May 3 | Fri, May 1 - Sun, May 3 | 3 days | Labour Day | 3-day weekend | Last Summer Trip | Passed |
| May 8 - May 10 | Fri, May 8 - Sun, May 10 | 3 days | Victory Day | 3-day weekend | Weekend Getaway | Passed |
| May 14 - May 17 | Thu, May 14 - Sun, May 17 | 4 days | Ascension Day | Bridge Day | Short Vacation | Passed |
| May 22 - May 24 | Fri, May 22 - Sun, May 24 | 3 days | Abolition of slavery | 3-day weekend | Weekend Getaway | Passed |
| May 23 - May 25 | Sat, May 23 - Mon, May 25 | 3 days | Pentecost Monday | 3-day weekend | Weekend Getaway | Passed |
| Jul 11 - Jul 14 | Sat, Jul 11 - Tue, Jul 14 | 4 days | National Day | Bridge Day | Short Vacation | Passed |
| Oct 9 - Oct 11 | Fri, Oct 9 - Sun, Oct 11 | 3 days | Abolition of slavery | 3-day weekend | Weekend Getaway | 52 days |
| Dec 25 - Dec 27 | Fri, Dec 25 - Sun, Dec 27 | 3 days | Christmas Day | 3-day weekend | Holiday Celebration | 129 days |
Make the most of your long weekends
Plan early for popular holiday weekends. Draft travel copy should later cover flights, hotel timing, road trip routes, weather considerations, and local event planning.
View Travel TipsWhat Is a Long Weekend?
A long weekend is an extended break created when a public holiday connects with a Saturday or Sunday. Monday and Friday holidays usually create 3-day weekends. Tuesday and Thursday holidays can become 4-day breaks when a traveler, worker, or student uses one bridge day.
This page focuses on calendar opportunities and draft planning copy. A later content pass should add country-specific norms, closure details, and travel guidance for each major holiday weekend.
How to Create More Long Weekends in 2026
New Year's Day
Take off Friday, January 2
4-day break
Ascension Day
Take off Friday, May 15
4-day break
National Day
Take off Monday, July 13
4-day break
Long Weekends by Month
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a long weekend?
A long weekend is an extended break where a public holiday connects with a Saturday or Sunday, usually creating three or more consecutive days away from normal work or school schedules.
What is a bridge day?
A bridge day is a workday between a public holiday and a weekend. Taking that day off can turn a Tuesday or Thursday holiday into a longer break.
How are long weekends calculated?
This page checks public holidays that fall on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday. Monday and Friday holidays create 3-day weekends, while Tuesday and Thursday holidays can create bridge-day opportunities.
Does this page include school holidays?
The long-weekend table focuses on public holidays. School holidays may overlap with these dates, but they are tracked separately on the main holidays calendar.
Are these guaranteed days off?
Public holiday closures vary by country, region, employer, and school system. Bridge days usually require taking leave unless they are officially observed locally.