The Alsace-Moselle region of France observes two additional public holidays — jours fériés — that do not apply in the rest of France. These are Vendredi Saint (Good Friday) and the 26 December (Saint-Étienne / Boxing Day). This historical anomaly dates back to the region’s time under German rule and has been maintained through special legal status.
For employers in Alsace-Moselle, this means 13 public holidays per year instead of the 11 observed elsewhere in France. This guide explains the history, lists all holidays, and covers employer obligations.
This article is general information, not legal advice.
Key Takeaways
- Alsace-Moselle has 13 public holidays — 2 more than the rest of France
- Good Friday and 26 December are the additional holidays
- The special status dates back to the region’s German-era legal framework
- Employers in Alsace-Moselle must observe all 13 holidays
- The extra holidays cannot be exchanged for other days off
Standard French Public Holidays (11)
These holidays apply across all of France, including Alsace-Moselle:
| Holiday | 2026 Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day (Jour de l’An) | 1 January | Thursday |
| Easter Monday (Lundi de Pâques) | 6 April | Monday |
| Labour Day (Fête du Travail) | 1 May | Friday |
| Victory in Europe Day (Victoire 1945) | 8 May | Friday |
| Ascension Day (Ascension) | 14 May | Thursday |
| Whit Monday (Lundi de Pentecôte) | 25 May | Monday |
| Bastille Day (Fête Nationale) | 14 July | Tuesday |
| Assumption Day (Assomption) | 15 August | Saturday |
| All Saints’ Day (Toussaint) | 1 November | Sunday → Monday 2 |
| Armistice Day (Armistice 1918) | 11 November | Wednesday |
| Christmas Day (Noël) | 25 December | Friday |
Alsace-Moselle Additional Holidays (2)
| Holiday | 2026 Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Good Friday (Vendredi Saint) | 3 April | Not observed in rest of France |
| Saint-Étienne (26 December) | 26 December | Boxing Day; not observed in rest of France |
Total: 13 Public Holidays
| Region | Number of Jours Fériés |
|---|---|
| Metropolitan France (excluding Alsace-Moselle) | 11 |
| Alsace-Moselle | 13 |
| Overseas territories | Varies |
Historical Background
Why Alsace-Moselle Is Different
The Alsace and Moselle regions were part of the German Empire from 1871 to 1918. During this period, German public holidays — including Good Friday and 26 December — became established. When the regions returned to France after World War I, the local populations had become accustomed to these holidays.
The Concordat of 1801
Alsace-Moselle also operates under the Concordat of 1801 — a legal framework from Napoleon’s era that governs relations between the French state and churches (Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish). This framework includes:
- Religious holidays as public holidays
- State-funded clergy and religious education
- Special status for the Catholic Church in the region
The Concordat reinforces the extra holidays by giving religious observances official standing.
Legal Preservation
After both World Wars, French law preserved the region’s special holiday status to respect local traditions. The legal basis is found in various legislative texts that explicitly exempt Alsace-Moselle from the standard 11-holiday rule.
Employer Obligations
Mandatory Observation
Employers in Alsace-Moselle must observe all 13 public holidays. You cannot:
- Replace the extra holidays with other days off
- Refuse to grant Good Friday or 26 December as holidays
- Apply the metropolitan French calendar to Alsace-Moselle employees
Payment Rules
The standard French rules apply:
- Monthly-salaried employees: Full salary for all 13 public holidays
- Hourly-paid employees: Paid for public holidays that fall on a working day
- Employees required to work: Entitled to a compensatory day off (repos compensateur de remplacement) within the following year
Work Restrictions
Good Friday carries special significance in Alsace-Moselle:
- Some sectors observe reduced operations
- Schools are closed (as they are on all French public holidays)
- Public services may operate on reduced schedules
Managing the Extra Holidays
For Multi-Region Employers
If you have employees in both Alsace-Moselle and metropolitan France:
- Apply the correct calendar for each location
- Communicate clearly which calendar applies to each employee
- Do not apply the metropolitan calendar to Alsace-Moselle staff — they are legally entitled to the extra days
For Remote Workers
If an employee works remotely from Alsace-Moselle, the Alsace-Moselle calendar applies, even if the employer is based in Paris. The work location determines the applicable holidays.
Accounting and Payroll
Update your payroll system to account for the 13th holiday. Ensure that salary calculations for Alsace-Moselle employees include Good Friday and 26 December as paid holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an employer in Alsace-Moselle exchange Good Friday for another holiday?
No. The extra holidays in Alsace-Moselle are legally mandated and cannot be swapped for other days. They are part of the region’s special legal status.
Do overseas French territories get the Alsace-Moselle holidays?
No. The extra holidays are specific to the Alsace-Moselle region. Overseas territories have their own set of public holidays based on local traditions.
Is Good Friday a public holiday everywhere in France?
No. Good Friday is a public holiday only in Alsace-Moselle. In the rest of France, Good Friday is not a jour ferié, though it is a public holiday for schools in some overseas territories.
Can an employee in Paris request Good Friday off?
Yes, but as annual leave, not as a public holiday. Good Friday is not a public holiday in Paris, so any time off must come from the employee’s leave entitlement.
Does the Concordat apply to new residents of Alsace-Moselle?
The Concordat applies to the territory, not to individual residents’ religious affiliation. All employees working in Alsace-Moselle are entitled to the extra holidays regardless of their personal beliefs.