New Year’s Day in Réunion
New Year’s Day falls on 1 January and is a public holiday in Réunion under the French Labour Code. The island’s year-end observances include family meals and local festive foods, though the law does not make the day a guaranteed day off for every private-sector employee.[1][2][3]
A public holiday under French law
The Labour Code lists 1 January among France’s legal public holidays. Réunion also has a distinct local public holiday on 20 December, commemorating the abolition of slavery; that date is separate from New Year’s Day.[1][5]
For private-sector employees, a public holiday other than 1 May is not automatically a day off. Whether it is non-working depends on the applicable collective agreement or, when there is no such agreement, the employer. When a public holiday falls on a day the employee would not normally work, it does not create an automatic extra day of leave.[2]
The official calendar lists no substitute day. The general rules likewise do not provide an automatic extra day off when a public holiday falls on a normally non-working day.[2]
Year-end customs and food
New Year’s Day sits within Réunion’s summer holiday season. The island’s tourism board describes family and friends gathering for New Year’s Eve, with local festive meals and year-end celebrations; its account presents these as seasonal practices rather than customs followed by everyone.[3]
Food associated with the season includes cari served with rice, beans and rougail. The tourism board also identifies pâté créole as a pastry often eaten on New Year’s Day, while noting that festive menus can include other local dishes and influences.[4]
What to expect on the day
The public-holiday designation does not mean every workplace closes: private-sector working arrangements depend on the applicable agreement or employer. Check opening hours and transport with the service or business you plan to use.[2]
The calendar date is fixed at 1 January. If it falls on a day an employee would not normally work, the general private-sector rules do not grant an automatic replacement day.[1][2]
Frequently asked questions
When is New Year’s Day in Réunion?
It is observed on 1 January each year.[1]
Is New Year’s Day a public holiday in Réunion?
Yes. The French Labour Code lists 1 January as a legal public holiday.[1]
Does everyone get the day off work?
No. In the private sector, only 1 May is automatically non-working for all employees; whether other public holidays are non-working depends on the applicable agreement or employer.[2]
Is there a replacement day if 1 January falls on a non-working day?
There is no automatic extra day of leave when a public holiday falls on a day an employee would not normally work.[2]
What food is associated with New Year’s Day in Réunion?
The island’s tourism board describes pâté créole as a pastry often eaten on New Year’s Day, and lists cari with rice, beans and rougail among festive foods.[4]
Are shops and public transport open?
Check opening hours with the shop or transport operator before you travel.[2]
Sources and references
Sources used for New Year's Day in Réunion:
- Article L3133-1 - Code du travail- Légifrance
- Jours fériés et ponts dans le secteur privé- Service Public / Direction de l'information légale et administrative
- Noël et jour de l’an à La Réunion- Île de la Réunion Tourisme
- Plats de fête de fin d’année à La Réunion- Île de la Réunion Tourisme
- Article L3422-2 - Code du travail- Légifrance