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 2010
1 May
8 May
13 May
23 May
24 May
14 July

15 August
1 November
11 November  
25 December
Labour Day (Saturday)
Victory Day (Saturday)
Ascension Day (Thursday)
Pentecost Sunday
Pentecost Monday
Bastille Day, (Wednesday)
France's national holiday
Assumption Day (Sunday)
All Saints' Day (Monday)
Armistice Day (Thursday)
Christmas Day (Saturday)
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