Bank holidays, Beaujolais Nouveau, taxe d'habitation: Key dates in November
Find out the important events taking place in the penultimate month of the year
The Beaujolais Nouveau wine is released and the Vendée Globe race kicks off, among other things
t.sableaux / Thomas Pajot / Shutterstock
November 1: La Toussaint
The first of two bank holidays in France takes place on November 1 and is named La Toussaint, or All Saints’ Day in English (Toussaint being an abbreviation of tous les saints - all the saints).
It is a Catholic holiday celebrating all Christian saints that is closely associated with All Souls' Day on November 2.
Many Catholics will attend a church service and many will celebrate the bank holiday by eating with family and friends.
If you visit a graveyard, you are likely to see many chrsyanthemums, the flower of choice to remember the dead.
Read more: Why chrysanthemums are the French ‘flower of the dead’
November 1 onwards: Winter tyres
From November 1 to March 31, it is compulsory in certain mountainous areas (Alps, Corsica, Massif Central, Jura, Pyrenees, Vosges) to equip vehicles with winter tyres or snow chains or socks.
This obligation applies to 34 departments. You can find them here.
November 3: End of school holidays
The Toussaint school holidays end on November 3.
November 7: Taxe d'habitation bill
Second home owners in France will receive their taxe d’habitation (second home tax) bills starting from November, with payments due before the end of the year. This applies to people with two or more properties in France, or people who own a property which is not their main residence, for example, if they live most of the year outside of France.
You will receive this bill on November 7 if you receive it online via your personal space on the French tax site and do not pay it via monthly instalments, on November 20 if you receive it online via your personal space and pay monthly, between November 8 - 20 if you receive a paper notification and do not pay monthly or between November 22 - 29 if you receive a paper notification and pay monthly.
Read more: More owners will pay French empty home tax in December 2024
November 10 - March 7: Vendée Globe
The arduous, solo around-the-world yacht race starts on November 10, beginning and ending in the department of Vendée. It is considered to be one of the world’s ultimate tests of boating and personal endurance. It was first held in 1989.
Read more: Interview: Sailor Sam Goodchild prepares for Vendee Globe round-world solo race
November 11: Armistice 1918
The second bank holiday of the month is held on November 11, commemorating the end of World War One. A nationwide minute of silence is held at 11:00, celebrating the armistice which was signed at 11:00 by Germany and the Allied Forces. It is a day to remember those who died during the war.
Read more: What is the history behind Paris’ Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?
November 21: Beaujolais Nouveau arrival
On the third Thursday of every November, the new Beaujolais Nouveau is released at midnight across France. Many restaurants celebrate the arrival of the famous wine and organise special events.
Read more: Beaujolais Nouveau: the French party wine the world has grown to love
November 29: Black Friday
Although originating in the US, Black Friday has trickled over to France. Some brands will take part, offering hefty discounts on products so watch out for some early Christmas shopping.
