What do French People do during Summer? | 3 things to know
- Camille Alayrangues
- Jul 21
- 5 min read
How the French spend their summer 🏝️
July and August are sacred months in France. You’re wondering why? It’s les grandes vacances — the famous summer holidays! By the way, what do French people do during summer? As a Frenchwoman (and a big fan of vacations in general 😎), I’m going to try to tell you all about this cultural phenomenon!
The five-week holiday tradition in the Hexagone
Why is France so quiet in August?
The paid leave
In France, employees accumulate paid leave at a rate of 2.5 working days per month of actual work. So once you’ve worked for a full year, you earn the right to five weeks of paid holidays!
The French holiday tradition
The 5 week holiday has been a key part of French work culture since 1982. Most people take their time off during the summer months, especially between July 15 and August 15. ⛱️
During this period, the nation of wine and cheese is virtually at a standstill — except on the highways, where massive traffic jams stretch for miles as everyone heads south!
➡️ Curious about the history of the land of lights? Learn more about Bastille day!
Best summer destinations in France according to the French
Where do the French go on holiday in France?
The Atlantic coast
Overall, Parisians tend to head toward the ocean and chase the sun in July and August. The Atlantic coast, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region is an institution for summer vacations! Here are some of the top destinations in the area:
Les Landes:
Personally, it’s my favorite! I’ve been going there every year (at least once!) in July, for as long as I can remember. It’s a beautifully wild region, with pine forests, endless sandy beaches, and… lots of waves! 🌊
Le Pays Basque:
With the famous cities of Biarritz, Anglet and Bayonne… This region is a top spot for surfers — but also perfect for hikers, as it’s nestled between the ocean and the mountains!
La Gironde:
This is where I live now 😉, with Bordeaux as the main city. The region is famous for its world-class vineyards! The Frenchies also love to go to Arcachon bay to enjoy oysters and other seafood… or to climb the Dune du Pilat — the tallest sand dune in Europe!
La côte d’Azur
You’ve probably heard of this little gem of France — we call it the PACA region (short for Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur). Many French people choose to spend their summer holidays here, in places like Cassis (near Marseille), Nice, Cannes, or Saint-Tropez for example.
The Provence countryside is beautiful, and the Mediterranean Sea is much calmer than the Atlantic, with less wind and gentler waves. Depending on where you go, it can get pretty crowded — the region attracts a lot of tourists!
La Bretagne
The Brittany region also draws many holidaymakers — especially those looking for cooler weather (which is more and more appreciated with the recent heatwaves 🥵).
La Bretagne is well known for its strong local culture — it’s the land of cider, crêpes and lighthouses! Among the most popular spots are Saint-Malo and Perros-Guirec, beloved for their scenic views and seaside charm.
Les Alpes ou les Pyrénées
Believe it or not, 1 in 4 French people choose the mountains for their summer vacations! And here again, we have two teams.
The Pyrénées:
It’s my home region, in beautiful Occitanie 😉. It attracts French travellers who want to hike, camp, enjoy nature, peace and quiet. Places like Gavarnie, Cauterets, or Collioure are especially popular in July and August.
The Alps:
The Alps already enjoy a worldwide reputation, with iconic mountain towns like Chamonix and Samoëns, where you can admire Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Europe!
Bonus tip: French people flee Paris
You want to know something fun?
Parisians desert the capital in summer! Yes, nearly a quarter of them leave the city during August. So if you visit Paris during this time, you’ll notice the city has a different vibe — quieter, slower, and strangely peaceful (well, except for the tourists!).
➡️ Let’s not forget the islands! Île de Ré, Île d’Oléron, or Corsica are among the most popular destinations for the croissant lovers during the high season.
How the French like to spend July and August
Unlike Australia, the warm season in Europe runs from June to September! ☀️
Camping and seasonal rentals
People in the Hexagone often prefer seasonal rentals or hotels when going on holiday. Many also enjoy staying with friends or family.
And let’s not forget camping — it’s practically an institution in France! A lot of French families (mine included!) love renting a mobile-home in a campsite near the ocean… Or pitching a tent for the more adventurous ones!
Popular activities in summer in France
Here’s a list of some cool stuff we usually do during les grandes vacances:
Taking naps;
Eating ice creams;
Watching le Tour de France on TV 🚴;
Having long apéros that turn into dinners (and optionally reinventing the world one glass at a time);
Reading celebrity magazines;
Doing crossword puzzles;
Going to your friend’s pool 🏊♀️;
Enjoying a day at a French beach;
Working on your tan;
Playing pétanque;
Having a roadside picnic 🥖— especially on the highway picnic areas;
Enjoying a good book;
Watching the sunset over the ocean;
Watching the stars ✨;
Staying home and doing absolutely nothing!!!
Less glamorous activities in July and August in France
Here’s what every inhabitant of the land of baguettes has to deal with in summer:
Fighting off mosquitoes 🦟;
Dealing with sunburns;
Being stuck in endless traffic jam (because why wouldn’t 60 million people leave at the same time?) 🐢;
Burning your feet on scorching hot sand (aïe aïe aïe…)
Trying to sleep in 35°C without aircon or fan 🔥.
What do French people do during summer? To sum-up:
👉 In July and August, the country basically shuts down — as a big part of the population goes on holiday!
👉 You’ll often find two types of holidaymakers in France: those who head west to the wild Atlantic, and those who prefer the calmer Mediterranean coast.
👉 From timeless summer rituals to doing absolutely nothing, one thing’s for sure: the country of camembert and Napoléon takes it quite slow when the sun is out!
I hope this article inspired you! Now you’re ready to experience summer the French way… 😉 By the way, what’s YOUR favourite thing to do during the hottest season? Tell us all about it in the comments!
➡️ Looking to perfect your language skills? Traveling to a Francophone country is a great way to do it!