Contents
Key points
- In France, la rentrée is the return to work and school after the summer holidays. A back-to-work seminar relaunches the team and sets priorities until the end of the year.
- Aim for the second half of September, after the start of the French school year on 2 September 2027.
- In Provence, the late season combines good weather and quiet.
Why hold a seminar in September
- Reconnect the team after the summer holidays.
- Review the first half of the year and set priorities until December.
- Welcome the people who joined over the summer. See the onboarding seminar.
- Make the most of the late season: in Provence, spring and the late season are the most pleasant times of year. See corporate retreats in Provence.
Key dates
French school holidays are staggered across three zones (A, B and C). Provence (the Aix-Marseille education authority, or académie) is in zone B of the school calendar.
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| End of the 2026-2027 school year (start of the summer holidays) | Saturday 3 July 2027 |
| Assumption Day (public holiday) | Sunday 15 August 2027 |
| Start of the 2027 school year (rentrée scolaire) | Thursday 2 September 2027 |
| All Saints’ school holidays 2027 (Toussaint) | Saturday 23 October to Monday 8 November 2027 |
| All Saints’ Day (public holiday) | Monday 1 November 2027 |
| Armistice Day (public holiday) | Thursday 11 November 2027 |
For other periods of 2027: spring school holidays in zone B from 17 April to 3 May, Ascension Day on Thursday 6 May (with a “bridge” day off for pupils on Friday 7 May), Whit Monday on 17 May.
A back-to-work agenda
- Review of the first half of the year, in a short plenary session.
- Priorities until December: workshops by team, choice of three projects.
- Outdoor activity to enjoy the end of the summer. See team building ideas.
- Dinner on a terrace. See company party.
- Written commitments before leaving.
Where to hold it
In September, countryside venues in the Luberon, the Alpilles or the Var lend themselves to outdoor seminars; on the coast, the sea is still warm. Book before the summer: the rentrée is a busy period.
Describe your back-to-work seminar.
Sources and method
Information checked on 11 November 2026.
- Arrêté du 21 juillet 2026 fixant le calendrier scolaire 2027-2028 — Légifrance : school year starting 2 September 2027, All Saints’ holidays 2027, zone B
- Arrêté du 22 octobre 2025 fixant le calendrier scolaire 2026-2027 — Légifrance : 2027 holidays in zone B, Aix-Marseille académie
- Jours fériés 2027 — Service-Public.fr : calendar of public holidays
Frequently asked questions
When does the French school year start in 2027?
According to the decree (arrêté) setting the 2027-2028 school calendar, pupils go back to school on Thursday 2 September 2027. The 2027 All Saints’ holidays (Toussaint) run from Saturday 23 October to Monday 8 November 2027.
What is the best time for a back-to-work seminar?
The second half of September: teams are back, the start of the school year is over, and in Provence the end of the summer still brings warm, sunny days, with fewer visitors than in July and August.
