When is New Year’s Day?
In 2026, New Year’s Day falls on Thursday, January 1, 2026. It is classified here as a French public holiday.
History of New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day is known in France as Jour de l’An. January 1 opens the civil year and belongs to the eleven legal public holidays named in the Labour Code. Its modern place in the calendar is secular and nationwide, although the winter season around it also carries older religious and regional customs. The holiday follows Saint-Sylvestre, the French name commonly given to New Year’s Eve.
French celebration is concentrated on the evening of December 31. Friends or relatives share a réveillon, make a midnight toast and exchange good wishes as the date changes. January 1 itself is usually quieter: a late family meal, a walk or recovery after a long evening. Public transport and hospitality businesses may operate, but often with reduced holiday timetables or special hours.
The tradition of presenting vœux is not limited to midnight. Personal greetings, cards and professional messages can continue through January, and public officials commonly deliver formal New Year addresses. This extended season distinguishes the French observance from a single night of celebration. Legally, however, a public holiday other than May 1 is not automatically non-working for every employee; agreements and workplace rules determine whether it is worked.
How New Year’s Day is observed
January 1 is a nationwide legal public holiday, but closure and paid-leave arrangements outside May 1 depend on agreements and workplace rules.
Traditions of New Year’s Day
Réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre
Friends or relatives share a long December 31 dinner, often followed by music, dancing and a midnight champagne toast.
January greetings
French families, colleagues and public officials exchange vœux for health and happiness throughout January, not only at midnight.
A deliberately quiet day
Many households spend January 1 over a relaxed lunch, leftovers or a winter walk after the previous evening’s festivities.
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 L3133-1, Service-Public.fr: public holidays and bridge days.
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