Public holiday in France
All Saints' Day in France
Sunday, November 1, 2026
Nationwide public holiday
All Saints' Day is a nationwide public holiday in France on 1 November. In French life, it is closely associated with visits to family graves and cemeteries rather than large public festivities.
About All Saints' Day in France
In France, All Saints' Day is a national day off marked more by remembrance than celebration. It comes at the start of the November holiday period and is especially visible in the attention families give to cemeteries, where graves are cleaned and flowers are placed, most often chrysanthemums. The day has a practical significance because it falls during a period when many people travel to visit relatives or spend time at family burial places. Its meaning in France is closely connected to the following day, 2 November, which is All Souls' Day in the Catholic calendar, even though 1 November is the public holiday recognized across the country.
History
All Saints' Day has long been observed in France as a Catholic feast day and later became established as a public holiday in the modern French calendar. Its present role reflects the country’s historical Catholic culture, even though the day is now observed by many people in a more cultural than strictly religious way.
Traditions
The most characteristic French custom for All Saints' Day is bringing flowers to graves, especially chrysanthemums, which are widely associated with cemetery visits at this time of year. Families may also clean and arrange family graves before or on the holiday.
How All Saints' Day is celebrated in France
Many people use the holiday for cemetery visits, family remembrance and quiet time with relatives. In towns and cities, flower stalls and garden centers often feature chrysanthemums prominently, and cemeteries can be busier than usual as people pay respects at family graves.
Interesting facts
In France, the holiday is usually called La Toussaint. It is one of the most recognizable dates in the French autumn calendar because it sits at the start of the school holiday period in many years, depending on the academic calendar.
Dates in published calendars
Sources and verification
- 2026: Service Public – France · checked 20 Oct 2026
- 2027: Service Public – France · checked 20 Oct 2026
Import sources
- Generic ICS feed
An import is not an independent verification.