Guide Congés Payés - French Paid Leave
Complete guide to congés payés (paid leave) in France. Understand how the French paid leave system works, from accrual to the main vacation period and fractionnement days.
Understanding Congés Payés
Congés payés (paid leave) is a fundamental right in France. All employees are entitled to at least 5 weeks of paid vacation per year, guaranteed by the Labour Code (Code du Travail).
The Reference Period
Leave is calculated over a reference period from June 1 to May 31. Leave earned during this period can be taken in the following "vacation year" (also June 1 to May 31).
Main Vacation Period
French law requires at least 12 consecutive working days of leave be taken between May 1 and October 31. This reflects France's cultural emphasis on substantial summer vacations.
Fractionnement Days
If you take some of your "main" leave outside the May-October period, you may earn bonus days: 1 day for 3-5 days taken off-peak, 2 days for 6+ days. This encourages taking leave year-round.