bank holidays -France

[melbob]

Hi does anyone know if the hypermarkets in France are likely to be open on Monday (BH)?

It's not a bank holiday here anymore.

What a coincidence! I've just been searching for bank holidays in France on the internet, then come onto Mumsnet and here it is! The website I found said 27th (Sunday) was a bank holiday... is that not the case then? I want to find out when estate agents are likely to be open (or closed!).

Well dd1 has the day off school, I think some are taking it as a bank holiday, but normally one supermarket in the area will be open, probably more near the english channel. We are the Charente Maritime btw.

It's not officially a bank holiday but used to be. Last year was the first year it was cancelled. Many businesses are closing and asking their staff to take a compulsory day off (this is the case for my DH). Some are open. I am working. Our school is doing a teacher training day so there is no school for the kids but the staff are working.

I don't know about estate agents but the hypermarkets will be open as it is not officially a bank holiday and they never miss a chance to sell, sell, sell. Certainly they are open here just the other side of the channel. If you are thinking of a particular one Melbob I'd be happy to check their web site for you.

Can I ask whether French supermarkets and hypermarkets have stopped giving out plastic bags? Just need to know so I can pack my bags for life etc when we go on our hols in August. Thanks.

Most of them have stopped giving free bags although smaller shops still hand them out willy-nilly.

None of the ones we went to last week gave out bags, but they all sold their own 'bags for life' for 30cents.

Thanks for the information. Where abouts are you Othersideofthechannel? We are thinksing about moving to France...

Thanks for the bags information! Must remember the 1 euro coin and bags this August

Just the other side of the channel, near St Omer (although it feels like Provence today, so hot!)

How long have you been there, and do you like it?

I've been here since 2001. DH is French, and we met in France in 1996 when students. Lived in England for a few years but always had the intention of moving back to France. It's just easier to start off in the job market in England.

Yes, I like it. We chose this area because DH got a job here before we moved and in-laws are in Picardy. It's a lot nicer than we thought it would be.

Have you checked out the living overseas threads?

Hi otherside thanks for info. sorry not to be bcak on sooner. The one I'm thinking of is the Auchan Dunkerque. I have tried searching the web and it doesn' say its shut so I assume not.

How did you get on melbob?