Business practices

OJ 2024: The possibility for shops to open on Sundays is extended to the whole of Paris

Publié le 10 novembre 2023 - Mise à jour le 22 mai 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

With the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games ahead, it will be possible for retail establishments to open on Sundays. The scope of application of this derogation has just been extended to the whole of Paris. Previously, it was limited to competition venues and municipalities in the vicinity of these venues. It is now possible to apply to the prefecture to benefit from this derogation.

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Image 1Crédits: kovop58 - stock.adobe.com

The Law of 19 May 2023 on the Olympic and Paralympic Games of 2024 allows retail establishments selling goods or services to open on Sundays and to allocate weekly rest on a rotating basis.

The following are therefore concerned:

  • food retail businesses;
  • sports and leisure items;
  • bookshops and stationery shops;
  • multi-store shops;
  • department stores;
  • clothing-ready-to-wear shops;
  • bicycle or motorcycle shops.

The authorization period is between june 15 and september 30, 2024.

This derogation from Sunday rest is made in respect of the rights of the employee, who must be voluntary to work on Sundays. That agreement shall be given in writing.

The employee is free to change his or her decision to work on Sunday at any time, provided that he or she informs his or her employer in writing within 10 clear days.

FYI  

Employers who fail to comply with their obligations relating to derogations from the period of rest will be penalized with a €1,500 penalty (€3,000 in case of repeat offenses).

Please note

The calculation of free days includes all days that have elapsed, including Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. The starting day of the deadline does not count. If the last day of that period falls on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, the period shall expire on the following day.

Application Scope Extension

Retail establishments covered by this authorization must be located in the municipalities where the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games are held or in the municipalities adjacent to or close to these sites.

Concerning the City of Paris, the scope of the derogation shall extend toall boroughs from the city.

The prefect, who receives a request, authorizes, after consulting the local actors (municipal council, CCI, CMA, professional organizations...), the opening of the establishment on Sunday within one month from the referral. In order to avoid too many applications, it may also grant an authorization to all or some of the establishments located in the communes of the department concerned.

It takes into account the "needs of the public resulting from the expected exceptional influx of tourists and workers".

The request must be made 5 weeks before requested date.

Please note

This specific arrangement does not replace the other existing derogations from Sunday rest.

FYI  

The Ministry of Labor shall make available a FAQ on the opening of shops on Sundays during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.