Christmas, tax deadlines, Notre-Dame: Key dates in France this December
Schools also begin a two-week break as the end of year approaches
The festive season is a busy month in France
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December 4
This is the deadline to make corrections to this spring’s income tax declaration (for 2023 income).
Changes can be made online.
Read more: Read more: How to correct an error in French tax income declaration
December 5-8
Lyon will host the Fête des Lumières, with the city’s façades lit up with projections and lanterns during this time.
December 6
A day to celebrate Saint Nicholas although it is not a public holiday.
In France it is generally Père Noël (Father Christmas) who fills stockings but Saint Nicholas still visits the north and Alsace on this date bringing gifts.
December 8
The Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral reopens with a public mass. Until December 14 it will be open until 22:00 to allow for additional visitors.
Read more: Paris Notre-Dame cathedral to open on December 8 with first Mass
December 11
All four major rail unions in France are calling for an unlimited rail strike from 19:00 this day which will also cover the Christmas period.
Read more: French rail workers to strike in December: Major disruption expected
December 15
This is the deadline to make taxe d’habitation payments if not made using the official website or app such via as a chèque, bank transfer, or a tabac; otherwise the deadline is December 21.
In addition it is the deadline to request that property tax charges for 2025 are made by ten monthly payments between January and October 2026. Requests made after this but before December 31 will see charges split into nine monthly payments with a catch-up payment at some point.
It is also the deadline for non EU/EEA/Swiss students wishing to study an undergraduate degree in France to make their application.
December 16
The deadline to pay CFE business tax.
All businesses earning more than €5,000 per year, including micro-entreprises, must pay this from their second year. Log on to your professional space on the French tax site to pay.
Read more: Explainer: who pays France’s CFE business tax and what exemptions?
December 17
France’s Prime de Noël (Christmas bonus) is payable to many receiving social benefits on this day.
Previously, it was set to be paid on December 13.
Read more: France’s 2024 Christmas bonus: who is eligible and how much is it?
December 21
School holidays for all three of France’s school zones (and Corsica) begin on this date and run until school starts again on January 6.
Read more: Calendar: French school holidays for 2024-2025 and 2025-2026
December 22
Doctor consultation fees will rise to €30 with appointment costs for certain other specialists also seeing an increase.
A second price increase for appointments with some specialists will come into force from July 2025.
Read more: When are doctor fees rising in France and will reimbursement be affected?
December 25
Christmas Day, which this year is on a Wednesday, is the only bank holiday of the Christmas period (January 1 is also a public holiday).
Boxing Day is not a French fête, but is celebrated in parts of the east and north-east where workers have an additional paid day of leave.
Christmas markets take place across France throughout December.
Most are open for the entirety of the month, but check beforehand if you are planning to go at the very beginning or end of December.
