Lundi de Pâques 2026 Countdown

In 2026, Lundi de Pâques (Easter Monday) in France falls on 6 April 2026, which is a Monday. The observed date and the traditional date are the same, so there is no separate “observed” holiday to keep track of this year.

Easter Monday always comes the day after Easter Sunday, so the exact date shifts from year to year depending on the Christian liturgical calendar. For planning work, school, and travel in France, it is useful to note that Lundi de Pâques regularly creates a long spring weekend, and in 2026 it extends the Easter break from Saturday through Monday.

Lundi de Pâques is the French name for Easter Monday, the day immediately following the Christian celebration of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday. In the French cultural context, it marks the continuation of the Easter period, giving families and communities extra time to share meals, visit relatives, and reflect on the religious themes of renewal and hope.

Historically, Easter and related days such as Lundi de Pâques have deep roots in France’s Catholic heritage and in older European springtime customs. Over time, Easter Monday became established as a jour férié (public holiday), embedded in labour and public life so that people could recover from the busy Easter weekend, attend church services if they wish, or simply enjoy a quiet spring day. Even for those who are not religious, Lundi de Pâques is widely recognised as a moment to pause between winter and the busier months that follow.

Easter Monday is a nationwide public holiday in France, so Lundi de Pâques on 6 April 2026 will affect normal opening hours. Many government offices and administrative services, as well as most schools, are closed for the day, and a large number of offices in the private sector also treat it as a non-working day.

Shops and services follow more mixed patterns. Supermarkets and shopping centres in larger towns may open with Sunday or reduced holiday hours, while smaller independent stores often stay closed. Restaurants, cafés, and many tourist-oriented businesses in popular areas tend to welcome customers, although hours can vary by region and neighbourhood. Public transport usually runs, but networks in cities and across France frequently adopt a Sunday or holiday timetable, so travellers in 2026 should check schedules in advance.

Modern observance of Lundi de Pâques in France blends Christian traditions with relaxed family time and local customs. Some people attend Mass or other church services that extend the Easter celebrations, while others focus on long lunches, shared meals, and visits to relatives they may not have seen over the winter months.

Easter egg hunts and chocolate bells or eggs are common features of the weekend, and children often continue these activities on Easter Monday in parks, gardens, or village squares. Many families use the extra day to enjoy the spring weather, taking short hikes, picnics, or day trips to the countryside or coast. In some regions, local associations and municipalities organise fairs, markets, or community gatherings around Lundi de Pâques, giving the day a festive but generally calm atmosphere compared with larger national celebrations.

Because Lundi de Pâques 2026 falls on a Monday, it creates a three-day weekend that influences work schedules, travel patterns, and city life across France. Employees may take advantage of the break to extend the holiday further, so offices can be quieter on the surrounding days, and it is sensible to finalise any administrative tasks before the end of the previous week.

Travelers should anticipate heavier road and rail traffic at the start and end of the long weekend, especially on major motorways and high-speed train routes. Booking tickets and accommodation in advance is advisable if you plan to move around France at that time. Visitors coming for tourism can expect some museums and cultural sites to close on Easter Monday, but others remain open with adjusted hours, so checking individual websites or local tourist information before setting out is a practical way to make the most of the day.