Another public holiday, an important deadline for millions of taxpayers, a major sporting event – and a big day for mothers.
Monday
Public Holiday – The fourth and final jour férié of 2026’s generously holidayed month of May, although Pentecost is a slightly unusual holiday which not everyone gets.
The calendar will be public holiday-free from this date until July 14th – France’s Fête Nationale, which is on a Tuesday.
READ ALSO Pentecost: The French public holiday when many work for free
Thursday
Tax deadline – It’s income tax declaration deadline day for everyone who files their information online and lives in départements numbered 20 to 54.
Slavery – A bill to formally abolish all laws regulating slavery in France will be debated on the floor of the National Assembly, after unanimously passing the committee stage. The bill itself is symbolic, but it’s part of measures that France is taking to address its colonial history.
READ ALSO Macron urges caution on reparations as France confronts slavery legacy
Friday
Fête des Voisins – Neighbour’s day, celebrating the one thing everybody needs, in the hope that good neighbours can become good friends. If you live in an apartment, you may see a reminder in your building … there may even be An Event.
Saturday
Football — The eyes of every Paris Saint-Germain fan will be on the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, as their Ligue 1 heroes face newly crowned Premier League champions Arsenal in the Champions League final. The match kicks off at 6pm, and will be broadcast in France on Canal Plus — and also free to air on M6.
Sunday
Mother’s Day — The French one, anyway, falls as usual on the last Sunday of May. So, if you forgot the UK one, in March, or the US one, earlier this month, here’s a last chance to redeem yourself. You could claim that you now work on the French calendar. Mums’ special day will even be marked celestially this year, by a relatively rare blue moon.
