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WHAT CHANGES IN FRANCE

On the Agenda: What’s happening in France this week

From a public workers strike to the International Francophonie Day and a friendly football match between France and Germany, here's what is happening in France this week.

Published: 18 March 2024 08:28 CET
On the Agenda: What's happening in France this week
The front entrance of the French Institute is pictured on March 20, 2018 in Paris on the International Francophonie Day. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP)

Monday

Michelin Guide unveils new list – The Michelin Guide will unveil its annual list of the best French restaurants on Monday at 5pm, including the names of restaurants that have achieved the pinnacle of three stars. 

Overall, 62 restaurants will receive a star – most for the first time and including 23 that have been open for less than a year.

Tuesday

Teachers and public workers on strike – Unions representing French school teachers have called for staff to walk out on Tuesday, condemning “the absence of general measures to increase pay” within the context of inflation. In France, primary school teachers must give 48 hours notice before walking out, while secondary school teachers are not required to give any notice.

Other public sector workers, including university staff and hospital workers, may also strike.

Wednesday

Spring Equinox – Spring is officially sprung on March 20th, when the Spring Equinox arrives, meaning that there will be more hours of daylight than darkness.

International Francophonie Day – Each year, the world’s 369 million French speakers celebrate the journée internationale de la francophonie on March 20th. In previous years, French presidents have made speeches or presented plans for international strategies to maintain and push forward the French language.

Thursday

Macron to attend European Summit – French President Emmanuel Macron will attend the two-day EU summit in Brussels on March 21st and 22nd. The focus will be continued support for Ukraine, as well as security and defence.

Friday

Foire au Fromage et aux Vins – The cheese and wine festival, located in Coulommiers, Seine-et-Marne – the heart of the Brie region – will run until March 25th. 

READ MORE: Places to visit and things to do in France in Spring

Saturday

France v Germany – France’s national football team, Les Bleus, will play a friendly match against Germany in preparation for the UEFA EURO 2024. The match will be held at 9pm at the Groupama Stadium in Lyon.

Sunday

Palm Sunday – The festival marking the start of the Christian Holy Week before Easter.

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WHAT CHANGES IN FRANCE

On the Agenda: What’s happening in France this week

In which there’s another public holiday – the last one for some time – some important tax deadlines, a strike, two big sporting events and a very special day for families.

Published: 19 May 2024 09:15 CEST
On the Agenda: What’s happening in France this week

Monday 

Pentecost Officially, Monday is a public holiday in France, the fourth and final one this month. But Pentecost is an unusual jour ferie, in which many people – rather than take the day off – work for free. It’s also the last public holiday in France before the Fête nationale on July 14th.

READ ALSO Why do many in France work for free on Pentecost public holiday? 

European elections campaigning for the European elections in June officially begins on Monday. Because of the aforementioned public holiday, it’s more likely that town halls will start erected their grey election billboards on Tuesday but technically parties can start the official bit of the campaign from May 20th.

Tuesday

Tax deadline Day 1 Tuesday is deadline day for anyone who prefers to make their tax declarations using a paper form rather than the online one. If you do your declarations online you have a little bit more time, depending on where you live.

READ ALSO REMINDER: When are France’s 2024 tax declaration deadlines?

Rail strike SNCF forecasts ‘major disruption’ to RER and Transilien rail services in the greater Paris region of Île-de-France, after unions called a one-day strike over Olympic Games’ bonuses. Paris city services like the Metro, bus and tram routes will not be affected.

Wednesday

Fête de la Nature Thousands of events at venues across the country will mark the five-day Fête de la Nature in France, which starts on Wednesday, May 22nd, and runs to Sunday, May 26th. For more information, and a full list of events, click here.

Thursday

Tax deadline Day 2 If you’re filing your tax declaration online, May 23rd is deadline day for anyone living in the départements 01 (Ain) to 19 (Corrèze). This is also the date to file for people living outside of France.

READ ALSO The bumper French tax guide for 2024

Saturday

Rugby Top 14 side Toulouse take on URC giants Leinster in the Champions Cup final at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The two sides boast nine titles between them, but this is the first time they have met in the showpiece match, which kicks off at 3.45pm. 

Football Lyon face Paris Saint-Germain in the Coupe de France final at Lille’s Stade Pierre-Mauroy. The match kicks off at 9pm.

Sunday

Mother’s Day Don’t forget that Mother’s Day in France falls on a different day to the UK and US. 

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