MAY : THE FRENCH FAVORITE MONTH !!!

Les jours fériés - Public Holidays in France


The month of May is the month of "les jours fériés" ("public holidays") in France.

But, what is exactly "un jour férié" ? In case you haven't heard yet, here's a short explanatory video. The video is in easy French, ideal to practice some listening comprehension.


Video transcription :
Un jour férié, c'est un jour de repos : tes parents ne travaillent pas et, toi, tu n'as pas école. Enfin presque. Certains travaillent quand même, comme les médecins, les policiers et d'autres métiers dont on ne peut pas se passer.
Pour la plupart des gens, il y a 11 jours fériés dans l'année, donc 11 jours de fête.
Mais, on fête quoi un jour férié ?
Déjà, il y a 3 jours fériés qui célèbrent des fêtes civiles :
- Le 1er janvier, c'est le début de l'année, un jour de fête dans la plupart des cultures du monde.
- Le 1er mai, c'est la fête du travail, un événement qui célèbre dans de nombreux pays l'amélioration des conditions de vie des travailleurs.
- Le 14 juillet, la fête nationale française, un moment de réunion autour des symboles de la République.
Ensuite, il y a 2 jours qui célèbrent la fin des deux guerres mondiales : le 11 novembre et le 8 mai. Si ces deux jours sont fériés, c'est pour se souvenir de tous les morts causés par ces guerres.
Enfin, il y 6 jours qui concernent des fêtes religieuses catholiques (Noël, Toussaint, Pâques, Pentecôte…). Et ça c'est parce que la France dans son histoire a été liée à cette religion.
11 jours sans école ! Cela ne te suffit pas ? Heureusement, il y a « les ponts » : un jour supplémentaire qui se glisse entre un jour férié et le week-end !

So ! "un jour férié" is a day of civil, religious or commemorative celebration. This day can be "chômé" ("off", not worked in French) or not.
In France, there are officially 11 public holidays and May is generally the month with the most of them !


What about this year ?

This year, in France, we started with Labour Day on May 1, last Wednesday.

Next Wednesday, May 8, the 1945 Armistice, the end of the Second World War (1939-1945) in Europe and the Allied victory over Nazi Germany, will be commemorated. There are ceremonies to remember the soldiers killed during the war and wreaths are laid at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the foot of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and on the war memorials.

Finally, Thursday, May 30, it will be a holiday again for "Ascension Day", a moving holiday but always on a Thursday. It is a religious holiday where Christians celebrate the ascent of Jesus Christ to heaven, after his resurrection, 40 days after Easter Sunday. On that day, masses are celebrated in churches.

Do you know the other public holidays in France?
And in your country, what dates and events are celebrated ?


9 mai 2019
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Anissa

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Bonjour, My name is Anissa, an experienced, native and certified French teacher. Professor of French and Social Sciences, I traveled the world and worked as well for NGO in humanitarian missions, as for Universities or High schools. French native, passionate about the language of Molière and desiring to share my culture, I obtained a Master in Education and a specific Diploma to "Teach French as foreign language". My Philosophy ? "Impossible is not French" N. Bonaparte No matter age or level, everyone can learn and progress ! I have always sought to bring innovative and playful practices to my teaching. Focusing on each student's individual level, interests, and goals, my classes are effective to achieve nice learning results in a shorter period of time. The courses will be based on your personal needs and during the class you will receive direct explanations, correction and feedback in order to instantly improve your language skills. Whether you want to learn French for...
Flag
Français
globe
France
time
2 277
Parle:
Français
Langue maternelle
,
Anglais
C1
,
Espagnol
B1
,
Japonais
A1
Bonjour, My name is Anissa, an experienced, native and certified French teacher. Professor of French and Social Sciences, I traveled the world and worked as well for NGO in humanitarian missions, as for Universities or High schools. French native, passionate about the language of Molière and desiring to share my culture, I obtained a Master in Education and a specific Diploma to "Teach French as foreign language". My Philosophy ? "Impossible is not French" N. Bonaparte No matter age or level, everyone can learn and progress ! I have always sought to bring innovative and playful practices to my teaching. Focusing on each student's individual level, interests, and goals, my classes are effective to achieve nice learning results in a shorter period of time. The courses will be based on your personal needs and during the class you will receive direct explanations, correction and feedback in order to instantly improve your language skills. Whether you want to learn French for...
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