Armistice Day in Wallis & Futuna

A public holiday with a remembrance purpose

The French law of 24 October 1922 established 11 November as a day to commemorate victory and peace on the anniversary of the armistice. In Wallis and Futuna, the annual official holiday order includes Armistice 1918 among the territory’s public holidays. Local commemorations also honour those who died for France.[1][5]

The holiday is observed on 11 November. In the territorial interprofessional agreement, that date appears in the list of public holidays, but not in the separate list of eight days designated as non-working and paid. Whether an employee has the day off can therefore depend on applicable employment arrangements; the public-holiday designation alone does not establish a universal day off.[2]

Ceremonies on Wallis and Futuna

Official accounts document commemorations on both islands. On Wallis, ceremonies have taken place in Mata’Utu, including at the Administration’s courtyard and at Malae Sagato Soane. A separate ceremony has also been reported in Futuna, at the courtyard of the island’s delegation. The locations and details can vary by occasion.[3][4]

Reports describe participation by state, political, customary, religious and administrative authorities. Some commemorations have followed a church service and included flag ceremonies, tributes to the dead, and performances of the French and Wallisian anthems by local schoolchildren. These are documented examples of local observance, rather than a guarantee that every ceremony follows the same programme.[3][4]

Planning around the holiday

Opening arrangements differ between services and businesses. Residents and visitors who need a particular service should check its holiday hours directly, and plan administrative visits with the relevant office.[1][2]