The dreaded Sunday and Monday closures in France

A common problem that travelers face in France is the closing days and times of businesses. Though we’re all about promoting spontaneity while traveling, this is one instance when a little planning can go a long way. Unlike the US where weekend shopping is essential for businesses, workers in France take their days off seriously. Sunday is typically the day for family time, thus shop owners will often take the day off. If they are open on Sundays (not so typical in small villages), they will likely be closed on Mondays. And sometimes Sunday and Monday is their only time off and they will take both days off. Understandably, this can be frustrating when you show up to a cute little town, ready to eat, explore and shop and find absolutely nothing open!

This actually happened to me recently. I was showing a friend around my region and was told about a quaint village to check out so we made a detour to go. We arrived on a Sunday afternoon very hungry for a nice lunch and much to our disappointment, the two restaurants that were actually open, were totally booked solid. So we had to settle for the little tea shop and eat cakes for our lunch. I was mad at myself for not planning ahead. This is where my sage advice comes in: if you are going to be visiting less touristy areas on a Sunday or Monday, do a little research to see if you can book a lunch and/or dinner reservation ahead of time.

Plan Ahead - Google Maps will be your friend

I recommend Google Maps to see which restaurants are open on Sundays/Monday in the area, then either reserve online if they have a link for that option and if not, call to book a table. This is best to do the day before or that morning. The alternative is to make yourself a picnic by shopping for ingredients the day before or that morning or find an open boulangerie to buy sandwiches. This is another time for Google Maps to see if there are open boulangeries in the area (even some of those close on Sundays but some will be open in the mornings). If you’re staying in a hotel or airbnb, it’s a good idea to ask your host if they can recommend open restaurants/boulangeries close by. They can even book for you if you ask.

Plan Activities for Sundays and Monday

If you want to go shopping, my advice is to find something else to do. Sundays and Mondays are best for other activities. You will find many French families doing walks with their kids or parents, going biking, exploring parks and gardens, hanging out at the beach, going swimming, going for a drive, etc. It’s also a good idea to do a bit of research ahead of time to see the indoor and outdoor activities in the area you can do. If you want to rent canoes or bikes for example, make sure the rental companies are open. Most museums, castles, or site visits are open on Sundays but it’s always best to be sure to avoid disappointment.