From traffic and trains to stores, schools and medical services: this is what changes, temporarily, in France during the Easter weekend.
Easter itself is very late this year, with very early bone last year. In fact, there is a difference of almost three weeks. In 2024, Easter Monday fell on April 1. This year, it is April 21.
France is, famous, a secular state, but for historical reasons, it also has many days free for Christian holidays. During Holy Week, however, most of the country has an additional day, Easter Monday, while Good Friday is a normal work day for everyone, unless you live in the historical region of Alsacia.
This is what to expect during the festive weekend:
Stores
The opening schedule throughout the country is like a normal weekend holiday weekend.
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Supermarkets can operate shorter hours on Easter (and Friday in Alsacia). Independent stores in towns and cities can remain closed for the day, but it is likely that franchise stores open, just like restaurants and coffees.
Boulangeries, Pâtisseries and florists
Boulangeries or Preseries will be open more or less normal during the Easter weekend, but be careful with the notices that announce some changes in the opening time.
But, in general, you can buy your necessary breakfast cakes and fresh baguettes, as well as an adequate gateau for a Easter celebration with your loved ones.
School
Unlike last year, the spring school holidays are dedicated to Easter weekend. But students in school in the B-Aix-Marseille, Amiens, Lille, Nancy-Metz, Nice, Normandie, Orléans Tours, Reims, Rennes, Strasbourg-Bourg-Obtain a day extension for their free time because Monday.
Read too Why 2025 is a good year for vacations in France, and how to make the most
Public transport
The public transport of the city extends throughout the holiday period, although often with a slightly reduced schedule, since there are fewer regular people traveling. Sunday services can operate on Easter Monday, for example.
But Mainline Train Services also crosses the period, with many routes that run an almost normal schedule. However, the South-Rail union has presented a strike warning that covers a period from April 17 to June 2. Athegh are not planned, the notice raises the possibility of strikes key duration returns in Easter and in May, the last details here.
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Roads
On Good Friday, despite not being a holiday in most of France, it will be a very difficult day on roads throughout the country.
Roads Watchdog Bison Futé has issued a second level of a general ‘red’ travel alert, indicating ‘very difficult’ conditions that cover the entire country on Friday, April 18 for the first time in 2025.
He also expects, James traffic and decelerations during the Easter weekend, warning that the country’s northeast neighborhood would see the most intense traffic decelerations on Easter Monday.
Doctors and pharmacies
Doctors surgeries are common closed on holidays, such as Easter Monday, but you can still get a medical appointment that is not emergency through medical centers on guard knows the axis. Garde Medical Maisons They provide attention on weekends, nights or holidays when surgeries and practices of doctors are closed.
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Call 116 or 117 to communicate with your nearest guard center or log in to the maisonsedical.com website. Keep in mind that guard service consultations like this are more exensive.
SOS Métecins will also operate as usual, and the departments and emergency ambulances of the hospital will be greed if you need them (mark 15 for an ambulance or call the European number to 112).
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Similarly, pharmacies operate a rotation system to ensure that at least one is open in each area. To find your closest, look online Garde Pharmacie Plus the name of his commune.
Read too 9 surprising things about French pharmacies
Tourist attractions
Many tourist attractions will be open as normal through the Easter period, including Good Friday and Easter Monday (the Louvre, for example, is common in both days), but some may operate altered opening schedules. See the individual attraction website before visiting.
Also be careful for local Easter festivities in your local area.
Read too The best Easter activities in France for families
Climate
France has been experiencing a beautiful climate of early spring with almost summer temperatures in recent days.
Unfortunately, this is not predicted to continue on Easter holidays with forecasters that expect a strong change in more unstable temperatures and rain.
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