The French and vacations

August is already upon us. For many people, summer is a time to get together with family and forget everyday worries. France, one of the great tourist nations, is the ideal destination for those who want to take French courses or just discover the country.

The French, France and abroad

But what kind of vacations do the French themselves prefer? In fact, 80% of French people prefer to stay in France for their vacations, confirming the common idea that the French are not keen on long journeys. For you, who often come from afar to learn French in France, this may seem strange. Is this a sign of chauvinism, or is it a decision imposed by economic motives?  Whatever the case, in summer, almost 65% of French people go on vacation for an average of two weeks, and the seaside remains their favorite destination compared to the mountains and the countryside.

This video can explain it more:

Popular parts of the world: Countries close to the Mediterranean, such as Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece, have long been very popular. Next come reservations for the Asian continent, with a preference for Thailand and Vietnam. A large number of French people also enjoy Tunisia and Morocco. Choosing Spain or the Balearics, for example, guarantees a sunny holiday at a reasonable price. What’s more, it’s interesting to note that it’s mostly people from the Paris region who choose to travel outside France.

Evolving trends

France is no joke when it comes to vacations, and it’s not just in soccer that we’re world champions! In fact, we’re champions in every category, with almost five weeks’ vacation a year! It all began in 1936 with the introduction of paid vacations. Back then, it was just a question of two weeks’ rest a year, but it was already a great step forward… Finally, what has been new in recent years is the development of e-tourism, the use of the Internet and the rise of low-cost airlines. 72% of French people use the web before their trip to compare fares, consult customer reviews or find accommodation with a private owner.

Going on vacation, and financing it, can be a long-term project for some: 28% of summer holidaymakers say they are saving for more than a year to go on vacation, a figure that rises to 43% among blue-collar workers. This may lead them to give in to the temptation of credit: 30% of French people say they are ready to take out a loan to afford a trip, a proportion that rises to almost half among young people, who are more lavish than their elders.