Back to School in France: Traditions & Extra Vocabulary!

Start of the school year in France: Everything you need to know about “la rentrée”!

Back to school in France means much more than students going back to class after summer break — it’s a nationwide event known as “la rentrée”! In this article, I tell you why the start of the school year touches the entire French population. 📅

September in France – when summer is over

In the Hexagon, September always feels like a fresh start. It’s la rentrée — a new beginning not only for children, but also for families, culture, and even politics!

Start of the school year for children

La rentrée des classes is a very important moment for French pupils! Children here can start school as early as age 2 or 3 in la maternelle. From 6 to 11, they attend l’école primaire. From 11 to 14, teenagers go to le collège. And finally, from 15 to 18, it’s le lycée, where students prepare for le Baccalauréat.

Each stage is meaningful, and moving up a grade can be both exciting and stressful. It always happens in September, usually during the first week. I still remember my very first day at le collège — leaving the comfort of l’école primaire behind! 🐥

The school supplies ritual

Every year, for la rentrée des classes, teachers provide a list of study supplies. Parents often dread it, as they usually have to spend at least half a day doing the back-to-school shopping! In the early grades, it’s mostly the basics:

• le cartable

• la trousse

• les stylos bleu, rouge, vert et noir

• les crayons de couleur

• l’ardoise

• les cahiers

• les protège-cahiers...

But once you get to le collège, it starts to get tricky as every teacher asks for their own supplies! You need specific items for biology, French, maths, your second language, music, art, technology… Parents really need to be organised — otherwise, it can quickly drive you crazy!

When I was in middle school in the 2000s, every teenager wanted an Eastpak backpack. A few years later, it was all about Longchamp bags 👛… Those teenage years are also when you get your first stylo plume — a big milestone for every French kid! 😉 It’s the age when students start following fashion trends… or try to stand out from their classmates.

Start of the academic year for students

When they turn 18, many French students decide to go to University — and that’s a whole new world! Lots of young people leave their hometown to live near their campus, often renting a small studio or sharing a flat with roommates.

La rentrée universitaire in France usually takes place between mid and late September, depending on the faculty — after almost four months of vacation! During this long summer break, many students choose to work seasonal jobs, while others take the chance to travel. ✈️

Return to work for adults

For adults, la rentrée also means going back to work after taking time off in July or August. By September, most coworkers are back at their desks and French cities suddenly feel more alive again. In Paris especially, you can really notice the contrast: in summer the city empties out, but in September the Parisians return in full force!

➡️ Check out this article to see what French people do during summer! 😎

La rentrée culturelle

Finally, September is also synonymous with cultural renewal! In France, this month often means:

• 📚 lots of new book releases

• 🖼️ new art exhibitions

• 🎶 music albums and concerts

• 📺 fresh TV shows and series

• 🗳️ politicians making their big comeback on the public stage

Many people also take the opportunity to start new activities, like learning an instrument, picking up a new sport, or trying a creative hobby.

Summer break in France – compared to Australia

Different months

Summer break takes place at different times in the land of Ratatouille 🐀 and in the land of Némo 🐠, because our two countries are in opposite hemispheres.

• In Australia, the summer holidays usually run from early December until the end of January.

• And how long is summer break in France? It lasts from the end of June to the beginning of September.

➡️ Did you know? In French, when we say “next year” (= l’année prochaine), we often mean “after September,” because we think in terms of the school year!

Different destinations

French and Australians often choose very different summer destinations.

• In France, people usually spend their holidays at the beach, either on the Mediterranean coast or along the Atlantic Ocean. Many also like to travel to nearby European countries such as Spain, Italy, Portugal, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, or even the United States.

• For Australians, popular destinations include the Gold Coast in Queensland, New South Wales’ beaches and mountains, or Tasmania’s wild nature. 🐨 Many also enjoy tropical spots like Bali in Indonesia, as well as international destinations such as the USA, China, Thailand, New Zealand, or Japan!

Different activities

Finally, Aussies and Frenchies enjoy different activities during the hot season!

• Down Under, Christmas and New Year's Eve fall right in the middle of summer! People love going on camping trips, having barbecues with family and friends, and spending time at the beach. 🏖️

• In France, the main summer celebration is Bastille Day on July 14th. Typical activities include having long apéros, taking naps under the sun, playing pétanque and watching le Tour de France!

➡️ Want to see what Christmas à la française looks like? 😉

Back to school in France – bonus vocabulary

• la rentrée 📅 = back to work & classes after Summer

• la rentrée des classes = first day of school

• la rentrée culturelle = start of the cultural season

• la reprise = return to work

• les grandes vacances / les vacances d’été = Summer break

• les fournitures scolaires = study supplies

• le cartable = school bag

• la trousse = pencil case

• les crayons de couleur = coloured pencils

• les feutres = felt-tip pens

• l’ardoise = slate / mini whiteboard

• le cahier = notebook

• le protège-cahier = notebook cover

• le classeur = ring binder

• l’agenda / le cahier de texte = planner / homework diary

• le stylo = pen

• le stylo-plume = fountain pen

• l’effaceur = ink eraser

• le stabylo = highlighter

• le sac = bag / backpack

• les feuilles de papier A4 = A4 sheets of paper

• l’école maternelle 🏫 = kindergarten (ages 2–5)

• le primaire = elementary school

• le collège = middle school

• le lycée = high school

• l’université / la faculté = university / college

• le tableau = blackboard / whiteboard

• la craie = chalk

• le professeur / le prof = teacher

In France, when schools go back after summer, it’s not just the start of the autumn term — it’s a cultural reset! New routines, fresh goals, new energy... Whether you’re a student, a parent, or just someone living in the Hexagon, back to school in France impacts everyone!

What about you? What changes would you like to make this rentrée? 😉

➡️ Wanna kick off September by speaking more the language of Céline Dion? Come join our French conversation groups!