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ASCENSION DAY ALWAYS FALLS ON A THURSDAY, LEADING MANY PEOPLE TO FAIRE LE PONT This Thursday, May 29 is a public holiday in France and Monaco known as le jeudi de l’Ascension (Ascension
Day). It marks the day Christians believe Jesus ascended into heaven before his disciples, 40 days after Easter. For this reason, the day always falls on a Thursday, however the exact date
changes each year. In 2025, l’Ascension will be celebrated on the same day in both the Western and Orthodox churches for the first time since 2017. Note that Ascension Day should not be
confused with Assumption Day, which falls on August 15. WHICH SHOPS AND SERVICES ARE OPEN? Ascension Day is a public holiday in France and Monaco, however many shops and supermarkets stay
open. Some stores may reduce opening hours, so it is worth double checking on the company’s website. Banks as well as most libraries, activity centres, and public leisure centres completely
close across the country on Ascension Day. Smaller independent businesses may also be closed if owners decide to make the most of the break. May 1 (Worker’s Day or Labour Day) is the only
holiday where all non-essential or public service workers are legally required to be given a day off, as it is a national jour chomé (non-working day). France has ten other public holidays
throughout the year (including Ascension Day). On these days, most offices will be closed but shops, supermarkets, cinemas and museums tend to be open, however this decision can depend on
agreements between unions and companies. Some commerces may operate on ‘Sunday hours’, meaning that they are open for less time than usual, but this is decided on a local basis. As a
general rule of thumb, you should double check opening hours by verifying online or phoning directly. Read also: Is there any gardening work I cannot do in France on a bank holiday? WHAT
DOES ‘FAIRE LE PONT’ MEAN? Faire le pont (make the bridge) is what the French say to describe taking a four-day weekend off work. Since Ascension Day falls on a Thursday, many people chose
to take an extra day of paid leave and make a ‘bridge’ between the bank holiday and the weekend. In 2025, the calendar means there are five opportunities to take just one extra day off to
make a four-day weekend, and four times when a public holiday automatically makes a three-day weekend. Read also: France’s public holidays in 2025 make it a good year for
'strategic' time off The tendency to faire le pont means that attractions and amusement parks can be much busier than usual as people try to make the most of their extra days off.
Similarly, roads across the country are expected to be busy and congested at various points over the Ascension as people travel during their break.