Overview
- For most of metropolitan France, the official winter sales run from Wednesday, January 7 at 8 a.m. to Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
- Lorraine’s four departments—Meurthe-et-Moselle, Meuse, Moselle and Vosges—start Friday, January 2 at 8 a.m. and end Thursday, January 29.
- Several overseas territories follow distinct schedules, including Guadeloupe (January 3–30), Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon (January 21–February 17), Saint-Barthélemy and Saint‑Martin (May 2–29), and La Réunion (September 5–October 2).
- Online retailers must observe the same dates as brick‑and‑mortar stores regardless of where the company is headquartered.
- Merchants advertise first‑day markdowns of roughly 40% to 60%, though some report smaller opening‑day crowds due to year‑round promotions and a stressed retail sector.