Workers across Monaco and France can look forward to a particularly generous year of long weekends in 2026, thanks to a favourable calendar that places public holidays alongside weekends. 

The year offers five guaranteed three day weekends without using any annual leave, plus several opportunities to create extended breaks by taking just one or two days off. The French call this practice “faire le pont” or “making the bridge”.

Monaco’s public holidays

The Principality celebrates 12 public holidays. The year already begun with New Year’s Day on January 1st and soon Saint Dévote’s Day follows on Tuesday January 27th, honouring Monaco’s patron saint.

Easter Monday falls on April 6th, followed by Labour Day on Friday May 1st. Ascension Day comes on Thursday May 14th, with Whit Monday on May 25th. Monaco also uniquely celebrates Corpus Christi on Thursday June 4th. The Assumption of Mary falls on Saturday August 15th.

All Saints’ Day arrives on Sunday 1st November, but thanks to Monaco’s rules workers gain Monday November 2nd as a holiday instead. The Prince’s Day – Fête Nationale – then falls on Thursday November 19th. Lastly, December brings the Immaculate Conception on Tuesday December 8th and Christmas Day on Friday December 25th.

Monaco bridge opportunities

Taking Friday May 2nd creates a four-day weekend from May 1st to 4th. Workers could also take Wednesday January 28th for a five-day break around Saint Dévote’s Day, or Friday June 5th for a four-day weekend following Corpus Christi. In November, taking Friday November 20th extends Fête Nationale into a four-day weekend, while taking Monday December 7th creates a four-day break around the Immaculate Conception.

France sees five automatic long weekends

French workers will benefit from public holidays falling on three Fridays and two Mondays throughout the year, automatically creating five three-day weekends.

These dates includes Easter Monday on April 6th, Labour Day on Friday May 1st, Victory in Europe Day on Friday May 8th, Ascension Day on Thursday May 14th, and Whit Monday on May 25th (though not all employers grant this). Bastille Day falls on Tuesday July 14th, and Christmas Day on Friday December 25th providing a final guaranteed long weekend.

Workers in Alsace and Moselle get two additional holidays: Good Friday on April 3rd and Saint Stephen’s Day on December 26th.

May offers 17-day break using eight days of leave

May 2026 presents an exceptional chance for workers to maximise their time off. With holidays on May 1st (Friday), May 8th (Friday), May 14th (Thursday), and May 25th (Monday), employees can take a 17-day break from May 1st to 17th, by using just eight days of annual leave covering 4th-7th May, 11th to 13th May and May 15th.

However, employers are not required to approve these requests. French companies face particular pressure in May as employees must use up any time off in lieu before the month ends, or lose it.

Another bridge opportunity for France is taking off Monday July 13rd creating a four-day weekends around Bastille Day, while Friday May 15th extends the Ascension holiday into a four-day break.

What the law says

In both jurisdictions, public holidays are paid rest days separate from annual leave. If a holiday falls during booked annual leave, it does not count towards the leave allowance.

French law does not require employers to move holidays that fall on weekends. Monaco’s legislation however offers more protection, automatically shifting certain Sunday holidays to Monday.

When employees must work on public holidays, they are entitled to either equivalent payment or a compensatory day off.

Lastly, workers are advised to submit holiday requests well in advance, particularly for popular periods like May.

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Main photo credit: Nubia Navarro, Pexels