færið

Férié is a French term meaning holiday or holiday-related, used to describe a day that is officially recognized as a public holiday. In common usage, the noun form jour férié refers to such a day when work is typically suspended and many services close. The designation can apply to days that are fixed in the calendar as well as to movable feast days observed by law or custom.

Etymology of the word traces back to Old French férié, derived from Latin feriae, meaning holidays or days of rest. The term historically reflected religious and sacred days, but in modern usage it covers both religiously significant holidays and secular civic commemorations.

Use and scope vary by country and jurisdiction. In many French-speaking regions, public holidays are defined by law or regulation and can include both religious feasts and national or regional commemorations. Some jours fériés are observed nationwide, while others apply only in certain provinces, cantons, or territories. When a day is férié, workers may receive paid leave or compensation if required to work, and rules about banking, schools, and public administration can differ. If a holiday falls on a weekend, there may be additional provisions for substituting a day off.

Common examples include New Year’s Day, Labour Day, and Christmas, as well as country- or region-specific commemorations. The exact list of jours fériés and the associated entitlements vary by country and year, reflecting legal, cultural, and religious differences across Francophone communities.