Labour Day (France)

Labour Day is a public holiday in France, observed on May 1 yearly. The holiday is a holiday to celebrate the achievements of workers. Labour Day originates in the eight-hour day movement, which is eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest.

In the 1800s, most workers had to work 12 hours a day and 7 days a week to maintain a basic living, which led to labor unions organizing strikes to improve the poor working conditions.

Many of the strikes turned violent then, including the Haymarket Affair, which took place on May 4, 1886. The event started with a peaceful labor protest rally in support of the eight-hour workday near Chicago's Haymarket Square, and it turned into a riot when someone threw a bomb at police. At least seven police and four civilians died, and many were wounded. The Haymarket Affair is generally considered as the origin of Labour Day.

In most countries, Labour Day is observed on May 1 each year to collectively demonstrate and recognize the efforts of past labour movements. Schools, government departments, and businesses are closed.

The following is the list of Labour Day in France from 2022 to 2026.

Please check more public holidays in France: