Law known as "Macron" allows Sundays

The law known as "Macron," enacted on August 6, 2015, allows for the exceptional opening of commercial establishments on a derogatory basis up to 12 Sundays per year. This means that stores can open on Sundays under special circumstances, but only with approval and within limits set by the law.

Increase in Sundays for 2027

Following consultations between Grand Besançon Métropole, the affected municipalities, representatives of merchants and employees, as well as the joint committees, it was decided to increase the derogatory opening of commercial establishments to eight Sundays in 2027 for retail, which is two more than in 2026. Community elected officials will vote on this decision next Thursday.

New Sundays chosen for 2027

Among the "new" Sundays chosen are notably September 19, 2027, on the occasion of the "Livres dans la Boucle" festival, and the day after Christmas, that is, Sunday, December 26, 2027. These openings are scheduled as follows: the first Sunday of the winter sales in 2027, the first Sunday of the summer sales in 2027, Sunday, September 19, 2027, on the occasion of the "Livres dans la Boucle" festival, and Sundays, November 28 and December 5, 12, 19, and 26, 2027, for Christmas preparations.

Automotive sector proposal

Regarding the automotive sector, it is proposed, in consultation with the National Council of the Automotive Professions (CNPA), to allow certain Sunday openings during the year 2027. However, each commune in the agglomeration will decide independently whether to implement the schedule or not.

Local events and 2026 openings

Occasional openings could also take place depending on local events planned in several communes of the agglomeration, such as Saint-Vit, Devecey, or Saône. As for the end of 2026, if the government considers three additional Sunday openings due to recent social mobilizations, these should not be planned in the agglomeration.

Merchants' stance and flexibility

A consultation among members of the Union of Merchants did not, according to Ludovic Fagaut, result in a common position. Furthermore, fearing that these openings would mainly benefit the peripheral large stores rather than independent merchants, the executive of Grand Besançon Métropole did not request any derogation from the prefect. However, merchants will have the opportunity to open on the first Sunday of November for the Christmas market (November 29) and the three Sundays of December: December 6, 13, and 20, 2026. It is finally useful to recall that merchants will be free to open or not open on Sunday.