From Pride month to a rail strike and a decrease in gas prices – here’s what is happening in France in June 2026.
Rail strike
France’s four main railway unions have given notice of a strike for June 10th, criticising internal restructuring measures that they say are detrimental to staff health.
Significant disruption is expected on TGV, TER, Intercités, Transilien and RER services and the transport plan will be published 48 to 72 hours before the strike on the SNCF Connect website or app.
READ MORE: French rail unions announce June train strike
Gas prices
The “supply” portion of gas pricing will change on June 1st, 2026, following a decline in gas market prices in April after a sharp increase in March caused by the outbreak of the war in Iran.
As a result, the benchmark gas sale price will decrease by an average of 4.8 percent including tax on June 1st, bringing it to €152.86/MWh including tax, compared with €160.54/MWh including tax on May 1st.
The CRE (France’s energy regulation commission) estimates that this will lead to an average reduction of €1.26, including tax on June bills. This decrease applies to consumers whose contracts are indexed to the benchmark gas sale price. Households that subscribed to a fixed-price offer are therefore not affected by this change.
Tax declaration deadlines
Inhabitants of the French départements numbering 55 to 96, as well as the overseas territories, must turn in their French tax declarations by 11.59 pm on June 4th. Residents of all other départements, as well as those who live outside France but have French income, should have submitted their declarations in May.
READ ALSO: French tax deadlines in May and June 2026
Increase in minimum wage
France’s minimum wage (SMIC) will increase on June 1st, following a 2.2 percent inflation rate recorded in April.
As a result, Labour Minister Jean-Pierre Farandou announced on France Info that the SMIC will rise by approximately 2.4 percent starting June 1st. This increase is part of France’s legal wage adjustment system – whenever inflation exceeds 2 percent, the minimum wage is automatically raised by a similar amount.
In practical terms, the increase represents about €44 more in gross monthly pay. As a result, the gross monthly minimum wage for a 35-hour workweek would rise from €1,823.03 to approximately €1,866.78.
Anjou Festival
The second-biggest outdoor theatre event in France kicks off on June 1st and runs to June 16th. Details of the full programme of dramatic events are here.
READ ALSO: 37 unmissable festivals and events in France this summer
Nuit Blanche
On June 6th, Paris will celebrate its annual Nuit Blanche, when venues across the capital stay open all night and host free indoor and outdoor cultural events across the city.
For this 25th edition, more than 200 free performances, installations and art trails are also planned across several towns in the Île-de-France region, stretching as far as Le Havre in Normandy.
D-Day
June 6th also marks the anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, France. Throughout the month, there will be several events to commemorate the event, in addition to official ceremonies on the day.
Tennis
The finals of the Roland-Garros tournament take place on June 6th and 7th this year.
Father’s Day
Father’s Day is on Sunday, June 21st this year.
Pride month
The month of June marks Pride Month for members of the LGBTQI+ community. Pride parades (or marches des fiertés in French) are set to happen across France. Paris’ Pride parade – on Saturday, June 27th – is the largest, attracting thousands of participants and spectators.
Festival de Nîmes
The Festival de Nîmes, which starts on June 11th and runs to July 26th, brings modern music to the famous Roman Arena. This year’s line-up includes Neil Young, the Black Eyed Peas, Lenny Kravitz, Katy Perry and The Cure. Find out more here.
Fête de la Musique
Every summer solstice, France celebrates the Fête de la Musique, in which towns and cities across the country enjoy a day of concerts, music events and street musicians.
This takes place every year on June 21st, which this year is a Sunday.
Summer sales
For the majority of the country, the summer sales (soldes d’été) will start on Wednesday, June 24th and will run until Tuesday, July 21st. If you’re in Corsica, you’ll have to wait until July 8th for the sales to kick off.
READ MORE: What you need to know about France’s 2026 summer sales
French films to see
Lost in Frenchlation is a Paris-based club that runs screenings of French films – both new releases and timeless classics – with English subtitles, in order to allow language learners to appreciate the offerings of French cinema.
Here’s what’s on the program in June: French films with English subtitles to watch in June 2026
