Long weekends - holidays in France

Since we been in Montpellier, almost for two months now, there were quite a few holidays. Only in May there were 3 holidays: May 1 = Labor Day, May 8 = V-E day Victorie 1945 (end of the World War II) and religious Ascension Day by coincidence; today May 11 = Whit Monday (Lundi de Pentecôte).
On holidays pretty much the city is shut down, almost everything is closed, all stores, restaurants, coffee shops; there are only a few coffee shops and restaurants open in the tourist area and a few odd groceries stores that will open for a few hours.

Transit trams and buses are running every hours or so, last Thursday the whole transportation system was shut down.

On holidays French people just have fun, go out and visit places, hiking, biking, out to the park, walking and pique nique (they really love picnic), are go out to concerts, museums, movies, or just hang out on the street. We were surprised to see how many events from cultural (many concerts, museums, art galleries) to sports are in Montpellier during the week and on the weekend; there is always something going on.

I like this lifestyle and the fact the stores are closed on holidays; I think that somehow this is an enhancement on life, forces people to slow down , find and enjoy different activities rather than going “shopping”. In North America the greatest past time on the weekend is shopping. If stores will be closed than people will find something else to do, read, watch movies, visit an art gallery, visit friends or new places, cook at home, or simply slow down and think…….

The holidays and the store breaks in France is a major disagreement between Mark and I; Mark opinion is that everything should be open at all times, especially groceries stores that according to Mark should be open 24 hours; Mark also think that would solve part of the unemployment problem is France is facing right now (from what we can tell there is major unemployment in France, very hard to find a job in Montpellier). I kind of agree with the unemployment part, but it has to be a better solution to solve the unemployment. On the note of holidays and time off, French people have 11 National holidays and 5 weeks paid vacation to start……….