Book I: Working hours, rest periods and holidays

Derogations from the provisions of articles L. 3134-3 and L. 3134-4 may be granted by the administrative authority for categories of activities whose full or partial operation is necessary on Sundays or public holidays in order to satisfy the needs of the population which are of a daily nature or which are particularly apparent on those days. The same applies to businesses that operate exclusively or predominantly with engines powered…

Temporary derogations from the provisions of article L. 3134-3 may be granted by the administrative authority, in accordance with procedures laid down by regulation, when the employment of employees on Sundays or public holidays is unforeseeably necessary to avoid disproportionate damage.

The ban on employing employees on Sundays or public holidays may be extended by regulation to other categories of activity. The provisions of articles L. 3134-5 to L. 3134-8 also apply to exceptions to this prohibition.

Articles L. 3134-2 to L. 3134-9 do not apply to restaurants, hotels and pubs, musical and theatrical performances, exhibitions or other entertainment, or to transport companies. In these sectors of activity, employers may only oblige employees to work on Sundays and public holidays if, due to the nature of the operation concerned, the work cannot be postponed or interrupted.

When it is forbidden, in application of articles L. 3134-4 to L. 3134-9, to employ employees in commercial operations, it is also forbidden during these days to carry out industrial, commercial or craft operations in places of sale to the public. This provision also applies to the commercial activities of consumer cooperatives or associations.

In the case of activities that are necessary, in whole or in part, to satisfy the needs of the population on a daily basis or which are particularly evident on Sundays and public holidays, the administrative authority may, for one or more municipalities with territorial continuity, prescribe, at the request of at least two thirds of the entrepreneurs, operation on Sundays and public holidays if the derogations to the provisions…

The following public holidays are non-working days: 1° 1st January ; 2° Good Friday in communes with a Protestant temple or a mixed church; 3° Easter Monday ; 4° 1st May 5° 8th May ; 6° Ascension Day ; 7° Whit Monday 8° 14th July 9° Assumption Day 10° All Saints’ Day 11° November 11th ; 12° The first and second days of Christmas. A decree may add to the…

In the department of Moselle, the administrative authority may, under conditions determined by regulation, authorise or prohibit the opening of commercial establishments on Good Friday in a uniform manner throughout the department, regardless of the presence of a Protestant temple or mixed church in the communes.

The Labour Inspector may, notwithstanding any criminal proceedings, refer the matter to the court in summary proceedings in order to obtain an order to put an end to the unlawful employment of employees in breach of articles L. 3134-10 to L. 3134-12 in retail establishments and establishments providing services to consumers. In particular, the court may order the establishment or establishments concerned to close on Sundays. It may also impose…

The agreement referred to in article L. 3133-11 or the employer’s decision referred to in article L. 3133-12 may not designate either the first or second day of Christmas or, regardless of the presence of a Protestant temple or mixed church in the communes, Good Friday as the date of the solidarity day.