Removal of two public holidays and bridges: what this would actually change for you in 2026

An announcement that could upset more than one vacationer. Every year, many employees meticulously study the calendar in search of the best dates to go on vacation without having to take too many days off. Before François Bayrou's proposal to "remove two public holidays ," it was possible to benefit from 42 days of rest (with at least three consecutive days, including weekends), by taking 13 days off.

But after the elimination of Easter Monday and May 8, there would only be 35 days of rest remaining for 9 days of RTT or paid leave to be taken, or one week less for employees, who are clever calculators.

As a reminder, François Bayrou mentioned, "for example," these two dates because, according to him, Easter Monday "has no religious significance" and that May 8 is "in a month that has become a veritable Swiss cheese, where people jump from bridge to viaduct on vacation." He insisted, however, that these two dates remained proposals: "I am ready to accept them or to examine others." The Prime Minister is convinced that this removal "will bring in several billion to the State budget."

However, if these two public holidays were to be removed in 2026, there would only be nine remaining which fall on weekdays, with the exception of Assumption Day (August 15) and All Saints' Day (November 1).

Without having to take a break, vacationers will be able to enjoy several long weekends. Starting with May 2nd and 3rd, thanks to Friday, May 1st, May 23rd and 24th, thanks to Whit Monday on May 25th, and December 26th and 27th, thanks to Christmas. In addition to these days, there is January 1st, which falls on a Thursday, Ascension Day on May 14th, Tuesday, July 14th, and Wednesday, November 11th.

To extend these three-day weekends a little further, employees will be able to take Friday, January 2, Friday, May 15, and Monday, July 13 off to enjoy an extra day, and November 9 and 10 off to benefit from five days of rest.

In this new month of May, without the 8th, public holidays fall on a Friday, a Thursday, and a Monday. By taking just one day off (May 15), it is possible to have ten days of rest.

With May 8, employees could take four days off, for seven days of rest, or even 10 if we include the May 1 weekend.

While this summer was conducive to long weekends, with nearly twenty days off by taking half of them, the summer of 2026 will be a little less generous. Employees will be able to enjoy a four-day weekend by taking Monday, July 13th off. August 15th falls on a Saturday.

The best ratio of days off to days off is likely to be found at the end of 2026. Taking days off on November 9 and 10 will allow you to enjoy a 5-day weekend, while taking days off on December 21, 22, 23 and 24 will allow you to have nine days off.