This post from the early days of my blog is as true as ever. Especially as France seems to be experiencing a year of heatwave. Bonnes vacances!
Overheard snippet of conversation amongst female coworkers, roughly translated:
“I really need some.”
“Me too. It’s been way too long.”
“How long’s it been?”
“Months. Not since the winter and that was far too short.”
“If I don’t get some soon, I’m gonna die.”
I was red-faced before I figured out what they were talking about. It’s the one thing the French absolutely cannot live without: holidays.
Since the law was first passed in 1936 granting every French worker the right to les congés payés, the annual paid vacation has been inscribed in the culture of this country. Since then it has mushroomed from two to five weeks.
There are two major categories of holidays: les petites vacances (spring, fall and winter breaks) and les grandes vacances, that lovely stretch of two long summer months. They all march to the rhythm of the school calendar. But whether or…
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FranceSays 
since our 2 “old babies” are gone, we’ve never taken our vacation in July and/or August… but May-June or September… 🙂
Far better idea – and we are trying to get into that groove too! Nice weather and fewer tourists along with cheaper costs. What’s not to like?