Jeûne genevois

The next dates

• 2026Thursday, 10 September
• 2027Thursday, 9 September
• 2028Thursday, 7 September

In which cantons is Jeûne genevois a holiday?

• 1cantonpublic holiday throughout the canton
• 25cantonsnot a holiday

Origin

The Jeûne genevois (Geneva Fast) is an old day of penance and fasting. The first known one took place in early October 1567, when Protestants were being persecuted in Lyon. It is held on the Thursday after the first Sunday in September; Geneva never adopted the Federal Fast on the third Sunday in September. Traditionally, people eat plum tart (tarte aux pruneaux), which used to be the only meal of the day and could be baked the day before.

Sources: Ville de Genève: Le Jeûne genevois · Canton de Vaud: Jeûne fédéral

What the three types mean

Public holiday

Treated like a Sunday (Art. 20a Labour Act). Employees have the day off.

Cantonal rest day

Public rest day under cantonal law, e.g. shops are closed. Under employment law it is a working day.

Customary day off

Not a public holiday, but many employers give the day off. Your employment contract decides whether you are off.