Day 3423 (Friday) 23rd October 2026. 

This is Eze Bord de Mer

and this is Rue Obscure in Villefranche.

Here are the rest of the French traditions from yesterday…

May 1: Labour Day and Lily of the Valley

May 1 is la Fête du Travail. It is both a day associated with workers’ rights and the day when people offer sprigs of lily of the valley, du muguet, as a symbol of good luck.

You will often see temporary stalls selling the small white flowers. Many shops and services close, so buy groceries and check transport arrangements in advance.

You can say:

Je vous offre un brin de muguet. (I am giving you a sprig of lily of the valley.)

Ça porte bonheur. (It brings good luck.)

May also includes May 8, Ascension Day and Whit Monday. With several public holidays close together, opening hours, school schedules and traffic can change considerably.

4. Summer Celebrations and the Holiday Season

July 14: The French National Day

Bastille Day on July 14 is France’s national day, celebrating the French Revolution.

It’s festive, proud, and a fantastic time to observe French community spirit. The day features military parades, fireworks, and public dances (bals des pompiers). Shops and offices may close, especially in smaller towns.

Useful vocabulary:

La Fête Nationale (f) (Bastille Day)

Un défilé militaire (m) (a military parade)

Des Feux d’artifice (m) (fireworks)

Le bal des pompiers (m) (lively fire-station dances)

La Fête de la Musique

It’s not a public holiday but rather a nationwide music festival held every year on June 21 (the summer solstice).

The spirit of the day:

Most of the events are free

Open-air stages

Bars and restaurants spill onto the streets

People wander around listening to different styles

Professional bands, teenagers with guitars, orchestras, DJs — everyone is encouraged to play in the streets, parks, cafés, and public squares.

July and August: France's Summer Rhythm

The summer holiday season strongly affects everyday life. Many people take annual leave in July or August, and some independent shops, medical practices and restaurants close for several weeks.

You may see signs such as:

Fermeture annuelle (Annual closure)

Fermé pour congés (Closed for holidays)

Réouverture le 26 août (Reopening on August 26)

Tourist areas can be extremely busy, while some business districts become unusually quiet. Confirm appointments and opening hours, especially in August.

5. Autumn Traditions and Days of Remembrance

La Rentrée: The Real Beginning of the Year

September marks la rentrée, the moment schools reopen, activities restart, and life picks up again.

For expats, it’s the perfect time to :

join local classes

sign up for sports or hobbies

practice French and meet people

For expats, la rentrée is a useful time to join a class, register with a local association or start a new activity. Places can fill quickly, so look for information in late August or early September.

You may hear:

Bonne rentrée ! (Have a good start to the new school or work year!)

Tu t’inscris à une activité cette année ? (Are you signing up for an activity this year?)

La Toussaint

All Saints’ Day, la Toussaint, falls on November 1 and is a public holiday. Families may visit cemeteries and place chrysanthemums on relatives’ graves. The atmosphere is generally quiet and reflective.

Because chrysanthemums are so closely associated with cemeteries in France, they are not the usual choice for a cheerful dinner invitation or romantic bouquet.

School holidays around this period are also commonly called les vacances de la Toussaint.

Armistice Day

November 11 commemorates the 1918 Armistice and the end of the First World War. Local ceremonies often take place at the monument aux morts, with wreaths, flags and a minute of silence.

This is a solemn public holiday rather than a festive celebration. Town halls usually publish the time and location of local commemorations.

6. Christmas Traditions in France

France’s holiday season is full of simple, heart‑warming traditions.

Christmas in France with cosy family dinners, festive markets, vin chaud, and traditional French holiday treats.

You’ll find charming Christmas markets (marchés de Noël) filled with artisanal treats and festive atmosphere. Generally locals sip vin chaud and browse handcrafted gifts. Families come together for extended dinners — frequently showcasing indulgent appetisers such as oysters, foie gras, and smoked salmon.

Then, the feast transitions to turkey and various other treats.We then finish with the iconic bûche de Noël cake for dessert.

Rather than big flashy displays, the atmosphere is more intimate and centred on food, conversation, and togetherness.

Useful expressions include:

Joyeux Noël ! (Merry Christmas!)

Vous faites quelque chose pour le réveillon ? (Are you doing anything for Christmas Eve?)

On décore le sapin ce week-end. (We are decorating the Christmas tree this weekend.)

7. Everyday French Traditions and Social Customs

Not every important French tradition appears on a calendar. A few everyday habits can make social interactions much easier.

Say bonjour before asking for something

When you enter a small shop, bakery, waiting room or reception area, greet the person before making a request. Beginning immediately with a question can sound abrupt.

Compare:

Bonjour, je voudrais une baguette, s’il vous plaît. (Hello, I would like a baguette, please.)

Bonjour Madame, excusez-moi, vous fermez à quelle heure ? (Hello, excuse me, what time do you close?)

When leaving, add merci, au revoir or bonne journée.

Enjoy l’apéro

Short for l’apéritif, l’apéro is the relaxed time before a meal when people share a drink and small snacks. It can be a quick moment before dinner or become an apéro dînatoire with enough food to replace a formal meal.

If someone says On prend l’apéro ?, they are inviting you to sit, talk and have something to drink. Alcohol is not obligatory; soft drinks and alcohol-free options are perfectly possible.

Take time over meals

Meals with family or friends may last longer than new arrivals expect, especially at weekends or on public holidays. Courses arrive gradually, and conversation is part of the occasion.

If you are invited to someone’s home, ask whether you can bring something. Flowers, chocolates or a speciality from your region can be appropriate, but it is always safest to follow your host’s suggestion.

Visit local markets and community events

Weekly markets, village festivals, neighbourhood associations and town-hall events are excellent places to understand local life. Traditions vary considerably between regions, so asking questions is often the best way to learn.

Try:

C’est une tradition de la région ? (Is this a regional tradition?)

Depuis quand est-ce que cette fête existe ? (How long has this festival existed?)

Vous y allez chaque année ? (Do you go every year?)

8. Practical Tips for Expats in France

“French traditions and holidays for expats in France, including Christmas, Bastille Day, and Easter celebrations”

Understanding French holidays (les jours fériés) is part of learning the real rhythm of expat life in France. Therefore you could try to :

Add French public holidays to your calendar so you can plan work, school, and travel smoothly.

Ask locals questions — they love sharing the stories behind their traditions.

Say yes to invitations for family meals, festivals, or neighbourhood gatherings.