All French businesses - both private and public - close on public holidays.  Although some shopping centres and grocers open for part of the day, the majority of shops remain shut. Police stations and hospitals do not close. When a public holiday falls on a Thursday or Tuesday, the French usually “make the bridge” (faire le pont) by taking off the Friday or Monday to enjoy a long weekend.
French public holidays
in 2011
New Year's Day
Good Friday
Easter Sunday
Easter Monday
Labour Day
Victory Day
Ascension
Pentecost
Whit Monday
Bastille Day
Assumption
All Saints Day
Armistice Day
Christmas Day
1 January
22 April
24 April
25 April
1 May
8 May
2 June
12 June
13 June
14 July
15 August
1 November
11 November
25 December