Assumption Day France - 15th August - What's open?

[tug100]

Hi

We will be heading off to France in August and intend doing a long journey from Calais towards the Loire on 15th, which is Assumption Day. Not wanting to get caught out, can anyone advise the extent to which services are closed please.

I have established that Govt departments and banks will be closed, but I am more interested in whether I will be able to get fuel readily. I am trying to recall previous trips in August and something tells me I may have to get on the Autoroute to find fuel.

Any thoughts appreciated.

Oh, also, can I expect lots of traffic jams?

M

 

[Stephen_5040929]

Most supermarkets have a 24 hour fuel pump using a credit card. In fact in many cases 50% of pumps are card operated out of hours. Have never had a problem using these despite occasional horror stories.

Bakers appear to open as normal and some of the supermarkets open for the morning. In some areas it is little different from a French Sunday but this does seem to vary from area to area

Although it is a French Bank Holiday and traffic is heavier we have never found a problem and have spent Assumption Day in France for the past 20 years.

Enjoy your holiday

Stephen

 

[rayc]

Hi, I was in the Ardeche last July and started to travel homewards on the 15th. I was surprised how many manned fuel stations were open on main routes - there was no problem getting fuel. Food Supermarkets were open in the morning only and loads of restaurants and bars open in the evening. Having a Motorhome I stopped at a village aire for the night and was treated to a fantastic firework display and festival. Ray

 

[rayc]

Hi, I was in the Ardeche last July and started to travel homewards on the 15th. I was surprised how many manned fuel stations were open on main routes - there was no problem getting fuel. Food Supermarkets were open in the morning only and loads of restaurants and bars open in the evening. Having a Motorhome I stopped at a village aire for the night and was treated to a fantastic firework display and festival. Ray

Sorry I meant to add that I have been in France on the 15th august and again no problem getting fuel or food. I guess it has become a bit like our Boxing Day which appears like any other day to me.

 

[Woody3]

To clarify, small supermarkets - such as Champion and Intermarche - are often open on Sunday and public holiday mornings supposedly for the sale of bread. The big boys will be closed.

Fuel should not be a problem although you would be well advised not to try a UK card anywhere other than a hypermarket or autoroute fuel station - if you use it on an unmanned site and it gets stuck or is eaten then you will be stuck.

Alternatively get cash from and ATM and use it to pay at any manned station.