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France - Ascension Day & Pentecost Dimanche et Lundi Closures

We are travelling in France for 4 weeks in May/June, starting in Bordeaux and ending in Paris. We will be in Bordeaux on Ascension Day (the second of two full days in Bordeaux). On Pentecost, we will be somewhere between Bergerac and Blois (inclusive). Perhaps on a side trip to Nantes, perhaps Poitiers, or perhaps direct from Bergerac to Blois.

We are now seeing that much will be closed on those three days, but how much? How few/many restaurants will be open in cities and/or towns? Shops? Bars? What about near Bordeaux on Ascension Day, will wineries and resturants be generally closed in Medoc or St. Emilion? Since Nantes is a larger city, will that be very different (more open?) on Pentecost Sunday?

Were we to go to a church service, would we be total fish out of water?

Rest of trip is planned. 8 day self-guided cycle in Dordogne, 7 day self-guided cycle in La Loire, then to Paris via Chartres and Versailles.

Posted by
1382 posts

Check the websites for the places that you want to visit and for restaurants think about reserving on the Fork. There will be things that are open.

Regarding church services, the language will be the barrier of course unless you speak French. Just sit in the back and observe.

Posted by
8552 posts

In our experience -- and we traveled to France in May for many years, very little is closed on those holidays that is not ordinarily closed. Mondays are a day when much is shut down in small touristy towns, regardless of holidays. People travel on these May holidays so it means busy roads and need for reservations for lodging and restaurants, but little is closed. Monday is the worst day to visit a picturesque small town in France regardless -- so always have a restaurant plan for that day.