Pentecost Monday

Make it longer

Sat 15 May – Mon 17 May is a 3-day weekend with no leave needed.

Plan more breaks with the leave planner.

Where to go for Pentecost Monday

Whit Monday is a public holiday, though some employers treat it as the annual solidarity working day. Where it is a day off, the late-spring weekend suits the Normandy and Brittany coasts, Roman sites and wine regions.

Budget-friendly

• Caen · Basse-Normandie

  Caen has William the Conqueror's castle and two abbeys, plus the Mémorial de Caen museum. The D-Day landing beaches are nearby, and Normandy cider and Camembert are local specialities.

  Typically around 17 May: high 17°C (63°F), low 8°C (46°F), rain on 36% of days.

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• Brest · Bretagne

  The Océanopolis marine centre suits families, and the nearby Crozon peninsula has cliffs, coves and coastal footpaths. Breton crêpes, galettes and seafood are easy to find.

  Typically around 17 May: high 16°C (60°F), low 10°C (49°F), rain on 39% of days.

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• Nîmes · Languedoc-Roussillon

  A Roman arena and the Maison Carrée temple stand in the city centre, and the Pont du Gard aqueduct is a short drive away. Early summer suits riverside picnics and swimming in the Gardon.

  Typically around 17 May: high 23°C (73°F), low 11°C (51°F), rain on 30% of days.

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Mid-range

• Dijon · Bourgogne

  The Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy and the old town lanes are easy to explore on foot. The Côte de Nuits vineyards begin just south of the city, and mustard and gingerbread are local specialities.

  Typically around 17 May: high 18°C (64°F), low 8°C (46°F), rain on 41% of days.

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• Reims · Champagne-Ardenne

  The Gothic cathedral where French kings were crowned is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as are the champagne houses and cellars, several of which offer tours. Vineyard villages lie on the Montagne de Reims.

  Typically around 17 May: high 18°C (65°F), low 8°C (46°F), rain on 43% of days.

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Splurge

• Geneva · Genève

  Within easy reach of Lyon and the Alps, Geneva sits on its lake with the Jet d'Eau fountain, lakeside parks and an old town around St. Pierre Cathedral. Boats cross to towns along the shore.

  Typically around 17 May: high 16°C (60°F), low 7°C (45°F), rain on 57% of days.

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Trip ideas chosen by Public Holidays World, not sponsored. “Typically” lines are past averages, not forecasts; when the date is within about 9 days, a forecast is shown too. For trips abroad, check your government’s official travel advice and entry rules before you book.