Businesses are generally open by 9:30am. Offices and museums close at 5pm while shops remain open until 7pm or later. Lunchtime is from noon till 2pm.

On public or national holidays, many offices and businesses close or have truncated hours. During August, the French often take weeks-long vacations, causing businesses (and even tourist attractions) to shut down for an extended period of time.

January 1   New Year's Day   Date varies   Easter Monday   May 1   Labor Day   May 8   Liberation Day, or WWII Victory Day   Date varies   Ascension Day   Date varies   Pentecost, or Whit Monday   July 14   Bastille Day   August 15   Assumption Day   November 1   All Saints' Day   November 11   Armistice Day   December 25   Christmas