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WHAT CHANGES IN FRANCE

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

From the end of Ramadan to income tax declarations and more pupils off for the spring school holidays, here's what is happening in France this week.

On the Agenda: What's happening in France this week
A woman has a henna tattoo applied on her hand on the eve of the Muslim celebrations for the Eid al-Fitr, the feast marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, in the French territory of Mayotte in 2022. (Photo by Ali AL-DAHER / AFP)

Monday

Dock and port workers strike – The union representing dock and port workers, Fédération nationale des ports, is calling for a ‘dead ports‘ operation on Monday, April 8th, in protest against the application of measures related to pension reform for port workers.

It is unclear whether this will affect ferries entering or exiting France, but it is most likely to impact freights and commerce.

Tuesday

Eid al-Fitr – For Muslims around the world, the conclusion to Ramadan is expected to fall either on the evening of April 9th or 10th this year.

FR-Alert test – France’s emergency text alert system, the FR-Alert, will be tested in Dordogne on Tuesday between 10am and 11am. 

READ MORE: FR-Alert: How France’s emergency text alert system works

Last day of Foire de Nantes – The Nantes fair started on April 5th and will end on the 9th. Boasting family-friendly activities like face-painting, food stands, art and more, you can buy tickets to enjoy the last day of the fair here.

Thursday

Income tax declarations – Starting on April 11th, you will be able to go online to the Impots.Gouv.Fr website to filling in your tax declaration. Depending on your location and situation, you have between 6-8 weeks to file the declaration.

READ MORE: The bumper 2024 French tax guide

Friday

Paris Metro closures – Metro line 11, between the stations of Belleville and Mairie des Lilas, will be closed for 16 consecutive days, running from Friday, April 12th to Saturday, April 27th for works. Be aware that there may be Metro closures in the months and weeks leading up to the 2024 Olympic Games, as the city prepares its public transportation network.

Saturday

Spring school holidays – With pupils in Zone C (Paris, Toulouse, Montpellier) already off for spring holidays, those in Zone A (Lyon and Bordeaux) will start their two week break on Saturday, April 13th.

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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.

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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