In 2026, November 11 falls on a Wednesday. It’s a chance to enjoy a day off right in the middle of the week. But behind this public holiday lies a date that has become very important in French history.
It was on November 11, 1918, at exactly 5:15 a.m., that theArmistice was signed by representatives of the Allies (France, Russia, United Kingdom, United States) and the German army. Among those present were Marshal Foch, Supreme Allied Commander,Admiral Wemyss, British representative, and Matthias Erzberger, representative of the German government. The armistice was signed in a restaurant car in the forest of Compiègne, in the Oise region of France.
To announce the Allied victory and thus the end of the First World War (1914-1918), the bells began to ring at 11am. The signing of the Treaty of Versailles, which definitively marked the end of the war, took place on June 28, 1919. The First World War claimed almost 18 million lives, including 9 million civilians.
In 1920, the remains of an unknown soldier were placed under the Arc de Triomphe, in tribute to all the soldiers who went missing in the First World War. On October 24, 1922, November 11 became an official commemorative holiday in France.
Since then, every November 11, France has paid tribute to the soldiers and victims of the First World War. On this day, commemorations follow one another. The President of the Republic lays a tricolor wreath of flowers at the foot of the statue of Georges Clemenceau. The Head of State then walked up the Champs-Élysées, escorted by several cavalrymen from the Republican Guard, along the most beautiful avenue in the world. He concluded this tribute by paying his respects at the famous tomb of the Unknown Soldier, beneath theArc de Triomphe.
Throughout the commemorations, the President and other officials wear a cornflower, which has become a national symbol for veterans and victims of war. Why a cornflower? During the First World War, this is how the Poilus nicknamed the new soldiers, in reference to their blue uniforms.
What to do in Paris on November 11, 2026? Our picks for things to do on this public holiday
This Wednesday, November 11, 2026, Paris commemorates the 1918 Armistice. It’s a public holiday, giving us the chance to enjoy some great outings in Paris and Île-de-France. So, what’s open and what’s closed on this special day? Here are some great ideas for things to do in Paris! [Read more]
What if we make the most of this Wednesday, November 11, 2026, a public holiday in France, to visit Parisian monuments and discover the current exhibitions? Many museums and monuments open their doors on this public holiday, offering plenty of opportunities for delightful art-filled strolls. [Read more]
November 11th is a public holiday commemorating the Armistice in France. Are you planning to travel in the Paris region that day? We take a look at the disruptions expected on the metro, RER, tramway and transilien lines. [Read more]
What to do in Paris on November 11, 2026? Our picks for things to do on this public holiday
Museums and Monuments to Visit on November 11, 2026, a Public Holiday in Paris and Across France
Transport in Paris on November 11, 2026: planned works and disruptions
