A Guide to School Holidays and Public Holidays in Brittany

School & Term Dates in Brittany

To help you plan your holiday in France and avoid the busiest times here are the dates of the school holidays for 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 in school zone A which covers the whole of Brittany.

Inmost areas there is no school on a Wednesday, and children generally follow a hobby or sport, with many clubs geared up for Wednesday sessions.

Don't forget that schools will also be closed during national public holidays.

2010 - 2011

Autumn term starts

Thursday 2nd September

Toussaint - half term holiday

From midday Saturday 23rd October to Wednesday 3rd November

Christmas holiday

From midday Saturday 18th December to Sunday 2nd January 2011

Winter holiday

Saturday 26th February to Sunday 13th March

Spring holiday

Saturday 23rd April to Sunday 8th May

Start of the summer holiday

Saturday 2nd July after classes

2011 - 2012

Autumn term starts

Monday 5th September 2011

Toussaint - half term holiday

From midday Saturday 22nd October to Wednesday 2nd November

Christmas holiday

From midday Saturday 17th December to Monday 2nd January 2012

Winter holiday

Saturday 11th February to Sunday 26th February

Spring holiday

Saturday 7th April to Sunday 22nd April

Start of the summer holiday

Thursday 5th July after classes

Public Holiday Dates in Brittany

There are 12 public holidays in France each year - 7 of these are on a fixed day each year whilst 5 will vary depending on the year.

Only Labour Day on 1st May is a public holiday by statute. The rest of the holidays result from an agreement between employers and employee unions.

In France if a public holiday falls on a weekend an additional weekday holiday is not given instead as is the case in the UK.

New Years Day

2011/2012 - 1st January

Easter Monday

2011 -25th April

2012 - 9th April

Labour Day

2011/2012 - 1st May

1945 Victory Day

2011/2012 - 8th January

Ascension

2011 - 2nd June

2012 - 17th May

Pentecost

2011 - 12th June

2012 - 27th May

Whit Monday

2011 - 13th June

2012 - 28th May

Bastille Day

2011/2012 - 14th July

Assumption

2011/2012 - 15th August

All Saints Day

2011/2012 - 1st November

Remembrance Day

2011/2012 - 11th November

Christmas Day

2011/2012 - 25th December

In France if a public holiday falls on a weekend an additional weekday holiday is not given instead as is the case in the UK.

Due to school term dates the months of July and August are traditionally when the French take their holidays. Therefore many less touristic parts and cities are quiet during these months whereas holiday and coastal resorts, especially in the south, can get very crowded.

Please note that private schools may have slightly different term dates so it is advisable to check.

For further information why not check out the Guide2Brittany 'Guide to Schools and Education in Brittany'.