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In 2025, French employees will be able to enjoy 32 days of vacation while using only 5 days of paid leave. A golden opportunity to extend your weekends or go on an extended getaway thanks to a favorable calendar, marked by 11 public holidays.
With a little anticipation it becomes easy to optimize your time to enjoy more free time without disrupting your annual quota.
The essential rules of paid leave
In France, each employee accumulates 2.5 working days of paid leave per month worked. This equates to 30 business days, or 25 business days, for a full year.
Rights are acquired over a period from June 1 of the previous year to May 31 of the current year. The setting period, for its part, generally runs from May 1 to April 30.
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Since 2024, a major reform also allows to acquire paid leave during sick leave or maternity leave. This development, in compliance with European directives, offers better protection to employees. It thus guarantees their rights even in the event of a work interruption. This advancement opens up more flexibility for planning your vacation.
Optimize your paid leave thanks to public holidays
In 2025, the calendar presents several public holidays strategically distributed throughout the seasons, informs us the Free Midday. Some fall on a Monday, others on a Thursday or Fridaywhich makes it easier to create bridges or long weekends. This context allows employees to take a minimum number of days to benefit from long periods of rest.
The month of Mayfor example, offers perfect opportunities to optimize your leave. On May 1, Victory Day 1945 on May 8, and Ascension Day on May 29, all these holidays fall on a Thursday. Similarly, November presents an opportunity with a bank holiday on a Tuesday, Armistice Day on November 11.
Finally, the end of year celebrations promise to be ideal for keeping the festivities going. There is December 25 which is a Thursday and of course January 1, 2026, which is also a Thursday.
Maximize your leave with just 5 days
To take full advantage of public holidays in 2025, all you need to do is strategically take five days of paid leave in order to follow extended rest periods. In May, for example, three public holidays fall on a Thursday: the 1st, the 8th and the 29th. By setting aside the following Fridays, it becomes possible to enjoy three distinctive four-day weekends to escape in spring.
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Later in the year, the month of November also offers a great opportunity to extend your vacation. With Armistice scheduled for Tuesdaytaking Monday off allows you to benefit from a bridge for four consecutive days of rest before the arrival of winter.
In December, the end-of-year celebrations offer one last opportunity to optimize your vacation time. Christmas and New Year both fall on a Thursday. Setting aside Fridays, January 26 and 2, therefore prolongs the festivities with two extended weekends.
These five days of paid vacation are enough to turn the year into one succession of strategic breaks. The perfect plan for organizing getaways, relaxing or simply enjoying time with family.
