Whitmonday in France
 

Hi all,

If I were to be in Beaune on Whitmonday (May 28, 2007) would I find everything closed?

If I drove out into the country that day (Le Creusot, Autun, Vezelay, Semur) would it be worth the drive?

I could arrive on Tuesday, instead.

Thanks

((I))

ttt

We were in France last spring for the first time. Ascension Thursday (40 days after Easter) is a 4 day weekend which is followed by a three day weekend the following weekend because of Whit Monday. We were in Paris the first weekend, in Provence/Riviera for Whit Monday. Lots of things were closed on Whit Monday. Not sure how that applies to the rest of France.

Sebina

This is in fact a very interesting question, as Whitmonday, the Monday after Pentecost was until a few years ago a statutory holiday. Thus it is likely that many things would have been closed.

However, after the heat wave in 2003 where so many people died, the government suggested that 'we all pull together' and everyone work an extra day, with the profit going (in some undisclosed way) toward improving conditions for the aged, who had suffered most. The Monday after Pentecost was suggested, as there are already a number of holidays in May - the 1st, the 8th, and 10 days after Pentecost, Ascension Thursday.

Everyone thought this was a good idea until the next year came around. That year (and I think the next) the 1st and the 8th fell on the weekend, and in France, the holiday is not carried over to the next week. So, many people decided to stay home and keep the Pentecost holiday. Mostly the situation was pretty chaotic - for instance, school drivers would work although students wouldnt go in to school, half the teachers would be there, half not.

Since then many organisations have chosen another day to work - staggering their staff, or whatever.

But I dont remember even this year there being a lot of consistency.

So, the answer is- hard to tell. Some people may close, others may not.

Sorry, got my dates wrong - Ascension Thursday is of course 10 days BEFORE Pentecost.

>So, the answer is- hard to tell. Some people may close, others may not.<

Thanx, carlux.

I think that I will use Whitmonday as a travel day and arrive on Tuesday.

((I))

I was in Nice in June on Whit Monday. The flea market was open as well as most all stores. The mall and my favorite candy store were closed.

Thanks, scat.

((I))

topping for Coco to read and reply...

alas, she hasn't

((I))