France Releases School Calendar for 2026-2027

French education authorities have published the official school calendar for the 2026-2027 academic year, confirming term dates, holiday periods and public holidays well in advance.

The calendar sets out the precise date of the rentrée, the traditional start of the new school year when students return to class after the summer break.

It also details all school holiday periods throughout the year, including the autumn, Christmas, winter and spring breaks, as well as the summer holiday that follows.

In addition to school holidays, the calendar lists national public holidays, which apply to the whole population rather than only to students and teachers.

As in previous years, school holidays in mainland France are staggered across three geographical zones, known as A, B and C, so that breaks do not all fall at the same time nationwide.

This zoning system is designed to ease pressure on transport networks and tourist destinations by spreading out family travel during holiday periods.

Corsica, the French island region, continues to follow its own distinct school calendar, separate from the mainland zones.

With the dates now officially confirmed, families are being encouraged to start planning their year ahead, particularly when it comes to booking time off work.

Many parents are keen to identify the most advantageous moments to take leave, in order to make the most of school breaks with their children.

The early publication of the calendar also allows schools, local authorities and businesses linked to tourism to prepare their own scheduling well in advance.

Overall, the release of the 2026-2027 calendar gives households, educators and public services a clear framework for organising the academic year to come.