French HolidaysNovember 11th (Armistice Day)

November 11th is a national holiday in France. Known as Armistice 1918, this holiday is commemorated in all cities and towns and most villages with a solemn ceremony to those that died in all French wars, not just WWI. It’s not uncommon for even the littlest village to have some type of ceremony on November 11th, as France lost solders from every corner of the country, even from the smallest of villages.

A typical ceremony takes place in front of the Monument aux Morts (War Monument or Monument to the Dead) and includes a speech by the mayor and other local dignitaries. The local fire and police departments and even Red Cross can also take part as will any local veterans or military units.

All government offices and banks are closed on November 11th and there is no mail service. But you can find most bakeries open along with some supermarkets.

Here are some photos from a November 11th commemoration that took place in La Roche sur Foron in the French Alps.

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