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HOLIDAYS

The French holiday calendar for 2021

From the perspective of French public holidays, 2021 is a bad year - here's why.

Published: 13 November 2020 10:05 CET
Updated: 16 August 2021 12:02 CEST
The French holiday calendar for 2021
Photo: AFP

France is generous with its public holidays with most months having at least one.

In total there are 11 public holidays every year, apart from in Alsace-Lorraine where people get 13 days off for complicated historical reasons to do with wars and Germany – find out more here.

READ ALSO These are the days off work you are entitled to in France

However there is one drawback to the French holiday calendar – all holidays are taken on the day they fall on that year, rather than being moved to the nearest Monday as is the case in some other countries.

This means that in France there are ‘good’ holiday years and ‘bad’ ones – and unfortunately 2021 is a bad one.

If a public holiday falls on a Monday or a Friday, it means a nice long weekend. If it falls on a Tuesday or a Thursday it means that people can faire le pont (do the bridge) or take one day of their annual holiday entitlement to create a nice four-day break.

But if the holiday falls on a Saturday or a Sunday, then the holiday is lost.

In 2021 both of the May holidays – the workers’ holiday on May 1st and VE day on May 8th – fall on a Saturday, which means no extra days off in May.

The religious festival of Assumption on August 15th falls on a Sunday.

But worst of all, Christmas also falls on a Saturday. December 25th is the only official holiday day over Christmas in France – December 24th and 26th are normal working days, although many companies do allow employees extra time off over this period – so that means no extra day off for Christmas.

There’s also not much opportunity to faire le pont as four holidays fall on either a Monday or a Friday.

Holidays that can be ‘bridged’ in 2021 are Ascension Day on Thursday, May 13th and Armistice Day on Thursday, November 11th.

There is only one holiday on a Wednesday – the fête nationale on July 14th – which means only one opportunity to faire le viaduc (do the viaduct) and take two days off the create a longer holiday.

Ironically, 2020 was a good year for holiday dates, although as it turned out we spent many of them stuck in our homes on lockdown.

Here is the full list of 2021 holidays in France

  • Friday, January 1st – New Year’s Day 
  • Monday, April 5th – Easter Monday
  • Saturday, May 1st – May Day
  • Saturday, May 8th – VE Day
  • Thursday, May 18th – Ascension Day
  • Monday, May 24th – Pentecost*
  • Wednesday, July 14th – Bastille Day
  • Sunday, August 15th – Assumption
  • Monday, November 1st – All Saints
  • Thursday, November 11th – Armistice Day
  • Saturday, December 25th – Christmas

* Pentecost is a curious holiday which was once a public holiday, then wasn’t and is now a holiday for some people depending on where they work.

READ ALSO Pentecost: The French public holiday when people work for free

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PROPERTY

How to ensure your French property is insured for storm damage

Storm Ciaran’s property-wrecking passage through France - with another storm forecast for the weekend - may have many people wondering how comprehensive their insurance cover is. 

Published: 3 November 2023 15:45 CET
How to ensure your French property is insured for storm damage

In the wake of Storm Ciaran, thousands of property owners in France are preparing insurance claims – with initial estimates of the bill for damage between €370 million and €480 million.

Home insurance is compulsory in France, whether you own the property you live in or you rent – and it must include some level of storm damage cover. 

Check also to see if your insurance provides cover in case of a declaration of a catastrophe naturelle.

The garantie tempête (storm guarantee) covers damage caused by violent winds. What constitutes a ‘violent wind’ varies from contract to contract, but there appears to be a widespread consensus of agreement on wind speeds over 100km/h.

In most insurance contracts, this covers damage caused by the storm and within the following 48 hours – so you’re covered if, for example, a tree weakened by the storm comes down within that period and damages your property.

Be aware that, while the storm guarantee automatically covers the main property, it generally only covers any secondary buildings and light constructions – such as a veranda, shed, solar panels, swimming pool or fence – if they are specifically mentioned in the contract. 

The same is true of any cars damaged by debris. A basic insurance contract might not include storm damage, so it is always worth checking.

Damage must be reported to your insurer as quickly as possible. The deadline for making declarations is usually five days after any damage is noticed. This is especially important for second home owners, who may not be at the property when the damage occurs. 

In some cases – such as in the aftermath of Storm Ciaran – insurers may extend the reporting period. But under normal circumstances, it’s five days after the damage has been discovered.

What happens next

To make a claim, the first thing to do is contact your insurer by phone or email. Your insurer will take you through the next steps, but usually you have to send in a declaration – which should include an estimate of any losses and for any repairs, with evidence where possible, such as photographs and any receipts for purchases. 

Your insurer may also request proof of wind intensity, which can be provided for example by a nearby weather station.

The insurance company may appoint an expert to come and assess the damage, so make sure to keep damaged property safe until they arrive, as well as all invoices for any urgent repair work. 

What if you’re a tenant?

If you rent your property, you must report any damage inside the accommodation to your insurer and also notify your landlord so that they can file their own claim. 

In the case of a co-propriete, you must declare damage inside the accommodation to your insurer, while the trustee sends his own declaration to the collective insurance (which sometimes covers the private areas) .

How long does it take for claims to be settled?

Payment of the compensation provided for by the “storm guarantee” depends your home insurance contract. After the insurer has estimated the amount of damage, compensation is generally paid between 10 and 30 days following receipt of the insured’s agreement.

What if we got flooded?

In the case of flooding, you may have to wait for a natural disaster order to be issued. 

Catastrophe naturelle

The ‘state of natural disaster’ is a special procedure that was set up in 1982 so victims of exceptional natural events, such as storms, heavy rain, mudslides and flooding, as well as drought, can be adequately compensated for damage to property.

The government evaluates each area and deems whether it qualifies for the status of catastrophe naturelle (natural disaster). 

Essentially once a zone is declared a natural disaster, victims can claim from a pot of funds created by all insurers. If the zone is not declared a disaster, insurance companies are under no obligation to pay out. 

Under a “state of natural disaster” residents are covered for all those goods and property that are directly damaged by the phenomenon, in this case storms.

It applies to residential or commercial buildings, furniture, vehicles and work equipment that are already covered by insurance policies.

Homes must be already covered by a multi-risk insurance policy for the status of natural disaster to count.

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