Back to school and life after the holidays
6-minute read
The mythical French rentrée is in full swing. This is not just back to school for children, but the re-entry into everyday life and work after the traditionally laid-back (and slack) summer period.
It can feel like you have been plugged back into the mains.
In France, there are two new years: one on 1st January, for many to nurse an excessive gastronomic and/or alcoholic hangover from the “Le Reveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre” (new year’s feast), and one during the first week of September for the rentrée.
In July and August, some small businesses can close for up to a month. After the holidays, in the rentrée, life returns in earnest.
This big re-set is like back to school on steroids – and is a curious affair. In the preceding weeks, the advertising for school merchandise, from stationery to clothes and sports equipment, can become intense.
The big French summer holiday switch-off
You are on your lilo or sun bed trying to relax on your longed-for summer holiday, but the big brands are popping up everywhere to remind you of the temporary nature of your escape: it’s like having the Devil on your shoulder and in your ear. Just let me enjoy the holiday, alright.
Second to that, every time you enter a supermarket you have to navigate a giant stationery theme park. This phenomenon is because parents are given a long shopping list of items to purchase for school each year.
To enjoy your summer holiday, you must try and shut out the impending re-start before it begins.
The rentrée also extends to other spheres of life: literary, political, and other social and sporting activities. .
Renewed sense of purpose
At the end of August, local towns near here start to advertise their fairs for clubs at their local “Maison des Associations”.
| Rentrer: to return |
| Rentrée: the action of returning |
| Le régime: diet |
| La fête: party |
| Loisirs: hobbies |
| Septembre: September |
| Les vendanges: the grape harvest |
You can go along and be sold a new hobby, such as language learning, killing (hunting), yoga or even Taekwondo. One curious phenomenon is that often you are obliged to commit for a whole year. Don’t take that decision for that new hobby lightly.
So, the rentrée is not just about education or work it is also spiritual. It signifies new energy and intensity to push for different life experiences; a practical and soulful return to everyday life perhaps with a small twist, or
ambitious new life goals – and radically altered activities.
This cycle of life is something to embrace. It has a runaway momentum about it.
So has the concept of the rentrée changed in recent years?
We have noticed that while many smaller firms and owner-managed businesses, such as garages and boulangeries (bakers), do shut down for the traditional August congés (annual leave), there do seem to be more businesses willing to offer services during August – and you can get more done even if it takes a bit longer.
| Back to school | Stationery and more stationery |
| Political year starts | Literary year starts |
| Clubs and hobbies start again | Back to work after the holidays |
| Wine harvest | If it’s all too much, find your next fête. |
Now, we live in a digital 24/7 society where parcels (colis) can be dispatched to your home or a local Tabac or café. Nothing stops the global tech giants – not even the recalcitrant French August shutdown.
Here in the deep southwestern countryside, the summer holidays are marked with multiple village fêtes and feasts where you can have great fun and let your hair down. These continue into September.
The mood changes. Most noticeably, there is a shift down a gear in tempo – which is real – and valued. Out-of-town cars are getting lost in the lanes and more locals are just cruising around.
Even if you are having a staycation or working, you can still absorb some of this ambiance – and put certain to-do tasks on the back seat and adopt the mantra: don’t bother trying to sort anything out, it’s August and this is France.
2027 presidential election
Up in Paris, it is the biggest political rentrée of recent years. The presidential election 2027 – the hunt for the biggest political prize will start. It’s a slightly worrying prospect, so let’s not go there…
Life in the French countryside in September
Down here in the sticks, it is currently about harvesting rather than hustings. September heralds the start of the grape harvest; however, with 2026’s multiple canicules (heatwaves), the grape harvest started during the holiday period.
Here, corn is still a major focus of farming and it’s been a tough summer for many farmers with the absence of rain. As the corn fields turn a rusty colour, the spectacle of “marvellous farmers in their massive machines” arrives.
You can tell you’ve lived in the countryside for a long time when you get excited about that new sci-fi state-of-the-art combine harvester that arrived in the valley last year – and then go “ooh-aah” every time you pass it at different farms: “What a beauty!” That’s the one. There it is.”
Harvest time means vying for tarmac space with multiple agricultural convoys. Don’t go anywhere in a hurry or make sure you factor in extra time for potential hold ups.
With country festivals continuing, great clean summer-into-autumn produce and the warm weather normally stretching onwards – if it’s an Indian summer until the snow arrives on the mountains at the end of October/beginning of November – there are lots of outdoor activities to enjoy.
The major local event of this year is the papal visit. His holiness Pope Leo XIV will be in Lourdes at the end of the month to celebrate mass for 150,000 people, and charming the region and many millions more via television. Catholic or not, what a spectacle that will be!
The rentrée’s boundless energy is the way it forces and guides French society to shift gear and up its game after the long holidays.
It’s time to embrace being plugged back into the mains.
Disclaimer: This Peyroulat blog has been compiled as a useful information-only resource. If you are visiting attractions or services mentioned in the blogs, check availability and opening times.
© 2026, Peyroulat.com. All Rights Reserved. All the original content written on this website is copyrighted and belongs to the writer and publisher. All blogs on this website are original creative content.