Let’s talk about the back-to-school season and September in France.
We’ll start by talking about the back-to-school season. It’s really the big event of the month of September. In France, back-to-school means that students, pupils, university students, from kindergarten to university, return to classes, return to school for a new school year. But before back-to-school, just before, usually in July–August, it’s time for school supplies shopping. Parents rush into stores to buy the school supplies. The school provides a strict list of what parents must buy for their children so they can go back to school with the right materials.
And so, in September, back-to-school in France this year, I think it’s on September 1st. It falls on a Monday, Monday, September 1st. It’s nice that it starts on a Monday! And students, pupils, schoolchildren will begin a new school year. They will enter a new class. It’s always a bit stressful because you don’t know if you’ll be with your friends. You may have to make new friends. So, it’s the unknown and often a source of great stress, but also of excitement.
But it’s not only children for whom September is stressful and a sign of renewal. For almost everyone, employees especially, go back to work in September. July and August are generally reserved for vacation. Not the whole two months, but a large part of them. The French take two to three weeks of vacation in the summer. But it’s true that during July–August, even if you’re working, the pace is much more relaxed and more easy-going since many things are on pause. For example, French administration works much more slowly, and since it’s not very fast to begin with, it becomes even slower in summer. So, all these procedures slow down. Also, factories, for instance, workers usually take three weeks off at the beginning of August. So, many things run in slow motion in July–August. The pace of work is really lower, slower. So, September is truly the restart, and there’s a lot more work. Work comes back. So, it can be a source of stress. It’s important to rest well in July–August to be ready for the restart in September.
Moving in September
September is also maybe a month of renewal since many French people move during the summer. I’ll take my case: I moved this summer, I moved in August, and so for me September means renewal. I have a new house, a new office, so I have to build new habits. But indeed, the period is broader than just July–August; let’s say spring–summer, many French people move because it’s a good period to move. It’s not too cold. On the other hand, it’s hot, which isn’t great for moving. But still, it’s a period of real estate searching, of moving.
New habits in September
And so, September is also a month when people take on new habits. Some French people also make resolutions for back-to-school. These are not necessarily the same as New Year’s resolutions, not as symbolic. But they may be new, good habits, like starting sports again, joining a gym, eating a little better. These are small things we may want to do. I won’t say we’ll do them, but at least we want to do them in September.
The economic recovery in September
September is also an economic recovery, because, as I said, July–August slows down the economic pace, except for tourism which is very strong. But in other areas, for example, for Ohlala French Course, there’s a little decline, fewer students in July and August, because of course, students take vacation and want to enjoy it. And in September, things pick up again, with new students taking on new habits, such as language learning. So September is also a sign of economic recovery. It goes together: we go back to work. And of course, if you work normally, you also earn a bit more money.
The associations fair in France
September, you may not know this, but in France it’s quite well known. It’s the month of associations fairs. So, what’s the associations fair? It’s basically a big gathering of all the associations. It’s organized by town or village, each organizing its own associations fair. Sometimes several towns or villages group together. These are sports clubs and leisure associations that present themselves so you can sign up for the new season. Generally, when you sign up for a sports association, a club, or leisure activities like creative or musical hobbies, it starts in September and ends in June, following the school year. So, if you want to join a sport or creative activity or anything else, I strongly invite you to go to the associations fair if you live in France. It’s also a very good way to meet locals. Honestly, if I moved abroad and wanted to meet more locals, maybe make friends, talk with them, I would join a sports club or an association. And I recommend it: if you’re an expat in France, in September, check out the associations fair in your town and maybe sign up for an association or sports club. Sometimes it’s really cheap. For example, I’m in a badminton club. I pay 20 euros for a year. 20 euros per year. Honestly, sometimes it’s super affordable. Sometimes a bit more expensive, depending on the sport or hobby. But it’s accessible and a great way to meet locals and talk with them.
So, in September, in France, it’s usually on the weekend, the last weekend of August or the first weekend of September. You can go to the associations fair. If you miss it, check with your town’s associations. Usually, you can still sign up until September or October. It’s quite flexible. So, that’s my little tip for expats in France: go check out the associations fair.
The grape harvest in France
September is also the grape harvest season in France. The harvest is the picking of grapes to make wine or champagne. Of course, it’s mainly in wine regions such as Burgundy, my current region Champagne, also the Bordeaux region, and in Alsace. Basically, in all regions where there are vineyards, it’s harvest time. Many seasonal workers work during the harvest, as it’s a special period, and it’s a busy time for winegrowers.
Autumn in France
September is also the beginning of autumn. I think we’ll do another episode to talk more about autumn in detail. But it’s also the time of preparing for winter. It’s a bit depressing because summer is over. And there’s also some excitement because colder weather is coming. But then, the end-of-year holidays will arrive. We slowly begin to prepare for the holidays, but also for winter. Many people start taking cures, such as supplements or vitamins to prepare for winter. It makes me think I should do it too—it would probably be good for me.
Conclusion
So, that’s it for September and the back-to-school season in France. I think I’ve covered most of the important things. Don’t hesitate to leave me a comment if you like this new format, a bit more personal, a bit more spontaneous. Tell me, don’t hesitate—I know that on some platforms you can leave a short message. I read them all, so don’t hesitate to let me know if you enjoy it.
And if you want to go even further, know that you can join Ohlala la France +, it’s the premium version of this podcast. You’ll get access to this episode in more detail with vocabulary exercises, especially the words I just used. There will also be a listening comprehension activity to check you understood everything, and a written expression exercise so you can talk about the same topic from your own perspective. For example, you’ll talk about back-to-school and September in your country. How does it happen there? And you’ll get direct correction thanks to Ohlala French Course’s AI.
And if you want to go even further and speak French with real people and a native teacher, as I said, our conversation classes open today. They’re already available, so you can register and join our September session, joining a small conversation group of 3, 5, or 6 students maximum with a dedicated native teacher. You’ll talk about super interesting topics, current events, history, culture, and daily life of course. This way, you’ll learn to speak about all topics in French, with a teacher by your side to correct you, explain things, clarify details, and especially help you speak better French.
