Removal of two public holidays: how to optimize your leave with long weekends and bridges in 2026

For the Prime Minister, the month of May has become "a veritable Swiss cheese, where we jump from bridge to viaduct of holidays." A Swiss cheese nourished by four public holidays : the 1st, the 8th, Ascension Day, and Whit Monday.

The other seven are distributed on January 1st (New Year), Easter Monday, the date of which varies, July 14th (National Day), August 15th (Assumption), November 1st (All Saints' Day), November 11th (Armistice of the First World War) and December 25th (Christmas).

Eleven days in total that François Bayrou would like to see reduced to nine with the removal , "for example", of "Easter Monday" and "May 8" .

The head of government said he was "ready to accept or examine others" during the presentation of his plan for the 2026 budget on Tuesday, July 15, 2025.

If this measure, already heavily criticized by tourism professionals and political parties, comes into effect next year, here's how to optimize your schedule.

List of public holidays 2026

Without Easter Monday on April 6 and May 8, which falls on a Friday, the 2026 vintage remains advantageous for long weekends and bank holidays :

- Thursday, January 1st,

- Friday, May 1st,

- Thursday, May 14,

- Monday, May 25,

- Tuesday, July 14,

- Saturday, August 15,

- Sunday, November 1st,

- Wednesday, November 11,

- Friday, December 25.

5 days to take for 26 days of leave

With the exception of Assumption Saturday and All Saints' Sunday, the remaining seven holidays are during the week.

January . By taking Friday the 2nd off, you gain a four-day weekend.

May . Friday the 1st and Monday the 25th already mark two three-day weekends. By taking the Ascension Day bank holiday on Friday, May 15th, you also benefit from four days of rest.

July . The national holiday is on a Tuesday, so you only need to take Monday the 13th off to have four days off in a row.

November . Since the armistice of the First World War fell on a Wednesday, it was necessary to request Monday, November 9th and Tuesday, November 10th to obtain the trifle of five days off.

December . Jackpot for Christmas, which falls on a Friday and means a three-day weekend.

In other words, you get 26 days of vacation, including weekends, by taking only five.

What if François Bayrou's measure is rejected?

If the Prime Minister's proposal is rejected and the eleven public holidays are retained in 2026, the French will be able to add two three-day weekends to their calendar thanks to Easter Monday on April 6 and Friday, May 8, celebrating the end of World War II in Europe.

Which gives us a total of 32 days of vacation for five days taken . A mature Gruyère cheese.