When is Good Friday?
In 2026, Good Friday falls on Friday, April 3, 2026. It is classified here as a Regional public holiday.
History of Good Friday
Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus on the Friday before Easter. It is a central solemnity of Holy Week, observed with restrained worship, readings of the Passion and prayer. Unlike Easter Monday, it is not included in the Labour Code’s list of eleven nationwide French public holidays. Its legal status instead belongs to the special local-law system of Alsace-Moselle.
Article L3134-13 makes Good Friday a non-working holiday in communes of Moselle, Bas-Rhin and Haut-Rhin that have a Protestant church or a mixed church. The rule reflects legislation retained from the period when the region was governed by Germany between 1871 and 1918. France preserved important local religious, social-security and association-law provisions after the departments returned to French administration.
The geographic condition is important: Good Friday should not be labelled a holiday throughout all three departments without qualification. Employers and visitors must check the commune and any applicable administrative arrangements. In Moselle, separate legal provisions allow administrative decisions about commercial opening. Churches may observe the day everywhere in France, but religious observance alone does not create a nationwide statutory day off.
How Good Friday is observed
Good Friday is non-working only in qualifying Moselle, Bas-Rhin and Haut-Rhin communes; people should verify local eligibility and commercial-opening rules.
Traditions of Good Friday
Passion services
Protestant and Catholic congregations hold sober services with scripture, silence, music and reflection on the crucifixion during Holy Week.
Local closure checks
Residents consult communal, employer and transport notices because the statutory holiday’s reach depends on location rather than the entire country.
Quiet Easter preparation
Families prepare church visits, meals and children’s activities for Easter while Good Friday itself retains a restrained religious character.
Dates and observance rules are checked against the official French public-holiday law and government guidance. Alsace-Moselle has additional regional public holidays; employer and local-service schedules can differ.
History sources: Légifrance: Labour Code Article L3134-13, Catholic Church in France: Holy Week and Easter.
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