Public Holidays in Monaco: Complete List and Guide
The full list of Monaco's 12 public holidays, including dates, Monegasque-specific holidays, and important differences from the French calendar.
Key facts
- Total public holidays
- 12 per year
- National Day
- 19 November
- Sainte Devote
- 27 January (unique to Monaco)
- Fete-Dieu (Corpus Christi)
- Public holiday in Monaco, not in France
- Not observed
- 14 July and 11 November (French holidays)
Monaco's public holidays
Monaco observes 12 public holidays (jours feries) per year. The list overlaps with the French calendar in many places but includes two holidays unique to the Principality and omits two that France observes.
Complete list
| Date | Holiday | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | New Year's Day (Jour de l'An) | |
| 27 January | Sainte Devote | Patron saint of Monaco -- unique to Monaco |
| March/April | Easter Monday (Lundi de Paques) | Moveable date |
| 1 May | Labour Day (Fete du Travail) | |
| May/June | Ascension Thursday | 39 days after Easter |
| May/June | Whit Monday (Lundi de Pentecote) | 50 days after Easter |
| June | Fete-Dieu (Corpus Christi) | Thursday after Trinity Sunday -- unique to Monaco |
| 15 August | Assumption (Assomption) | |
| 1 November | All Saints' Day (Toussaint) | |
| 19 November | National Day (Fete Nationale) | Celebrates the reigning Sovereign Prince |
| 8 December | Immaculate Conception | |
| 25 December | Christmas Day (Noel) |
Key differences from France
Understanding the differences matters if you live on one side of the border and work on the other:
- Sainte Devote (27 January) -- a day off in Monaco but a normal working day in France. The evening of 26 January features the traditional burning of a boat at the Sainte-Devote Church.
- Fete-Dieu (Corpus Christi) -- observed in Monaco but not in France since 1905.
- 14 July (Bastille Day) -- not a public holiday in Monaco. Schools and offices are open.
- 11 November (Armistice Day) -- not a public holiday in Monaco.
- National Day (19 November) -- Monaco's biggest celebration, with a morning mass at the Cathedral, a military parade at the Palace, and evening fireworks. Not observed in France.
Impact on daily life
On public holidays, government offices, banks, and most businesses close. Supermarkets in Monaco sometimes open with reduced hours, particularly Casino Supermarche locations. Restaurants and shops in tourist areas such as Monte-Carlo and the Port tend to remain open.
If a public holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, it is common for employers to offer a "pont" (bridge day), giving employees the Monday or Friday off as well to create a long weekend. This is not automatic and depends on company policy.
For employees
Monegasque labour law entitles all workers to paid leave on public holidays. This applies to cross-border workers from France and Italy as well -- they follow Monaco's holiday calendar, not their home country's.
Frequently asked questions
The information provided is for general guidance only. For official procedures, always consult the official sources.
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