7/10/2024 Faire le pont

"Faire le pont" is a French expression literally meaning "to make the bridge." It refers to the practice of taking a day off from work, typically a Friday or Monday, when a public holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, thereby creating a long weekend by bridging the gap between the holiday and the weekend. This cultural phenomenon reflects the French penchant for maximizing leisure time and enjoying extended breaks whenever possible. It's both practical and indicative of the French attitude towards work-life balance, often leading to jokes about the French being experts in "making bridges" to extend their vacations.