Public Holidays in French Overseas Territories
Updated: May 2026
France's overseas departments and collectivities observe the same 11 national jours fériés as the mainland, plus a local Abolition of Slavery commemoration whose date differs from one territory to the next.
Pick a territory in the calendar to see its specific dates.
Open the overseas calendar →Abolition of Slavery dates
| Territory | Date |
|---|---|
| Mayotte | 27 April |
| Martinique | 22 May |
| Guadeloupe & Saint-Martin | 27 May |
| French Guiana (Guyane) | 10 June |
| Saint-Barthélemy | 9 October |
| La Réunion | 20 December |
Each date marks the day the abolition decree took effect locally in 1848, which is why they differ between islands.
Why the dates differ
The 1848 decree abolishing slavery in the French colonies was promulgated and applied on different days in each territory because of the time it took for the news and the legal acts to reach them. The local commemorations therefore preserve the specific date that mattered to each community, rather than a single national day. (At national level, 10 May is a separate day of remembrance for slavery and its abolition, but it is not a public day off.)
What this means for residents and businesses
- Employees in these territories receive one extra paid public holiday beyond the national 11.
- Schools, public services and many businesses close on the local date.
- For payroll or scheduling across multiple territories, each location must be handled with its own date.
Other local observances
Some territories also mark additional cultural or religious days that are not always full public holidays — for example Tamil and Hindu festivals in La Réunion, or Mi-Carême in parts of the Antilles. The Abolition of Slavery day, however, is the one consistently recognised statutory holiday on top of the national list.
Frequently asked questions
Do overseas territories get the 11 national holidays too?
Yes. The national jours fériés apply throughout overseas France, with the Abolition of Slavery day added on top.
Is 10 May a public holiday?
No. 10 May is the national day of remembrance for the abolition of slavery in mainland France, but it is not a non-working public holiday.
Which territory commemorates abolition earliest in the year?
Mayotte, on 27 April.