theotherside

I am hoping to make it back to France next yr for a trip around the Pyrenees with a hire car from the end of august. From my previous experiences school vacation is generally over by the end of the 3rd week in August. A current search on the net indicates summer holidays start on the 3rd or 4th of July, but there is no end date given for any of the regions. Would anyone have any further details and/or can I safely assume the summer break will be over by the start of the 4th week in Aug 2015?

theotherside

I have just come across the site below, and it appears the summer break ends on the 30th August. I did ask a local in France (2011) about the summer break and I was advised most people are back at work by the last week of August. Would anyone have any information about this? Essentially is France still bustling with tourists in this last week?
Thanks

Link to site

http://www.schoolholidayseurope.eu/france.html

mariajohanna

School starts again at the 31st of August 2015. Though, like this year, it might change to one or two days later, definitely not earlier.

Cathinjoetown

Huge change for the better in crowds and traffic once school starts. However, our area (Southwest France very near Pyréneés), sees an upsurge in empty-nester tourists (lots of camper vans). Great atmosphere really.

Not really an indication of 2015 but I hope you have the weather we're having this September, best month of the year thus far.

kerouac

Here are all of the school calendars for France: http://cache.media.education.gouv.fr...017_296178.pdf

It is important to know which school holidays are taking place through the year as well, since there are 3 school zones in France using different dates for everything except the summer and Christmas vacations. Certain museums or attractions can become hellish if you are in the wrong place at the wrong time.

theotherside

Thanks for the responses,

I think I'll play on the safe side and wait for the school vacation to be over before renting the vehicle. Most likely I will fly in late August, travel to Toulouse, and pick up a vehicle for the start of sept.
cheers

sfgirl42

How much time will you be spending in the area? If it's 21 days then consider a lease-hire from one of the French car companies. You prepay in US$, it's a fixed price (based on model selected and amount of time) and includes everything but flats and running out of gas. I used the program for a number fo trips...AND you get a brand new car, direct from testing at the factory.
I spent my trips in the Aude and Ariege departments so a car was a necessity and a new car was a joy to drive on the moutain roads (I lived in the mountains in northern California so I know mountain road driving...).
I almost always stayed there during the bumper period...
I usually rented a gite and the rates for those depends on the seasons...high and super high were the priciest and most popular and of course when plane fares cost the most also...
The super-super busy part is during the Tour de France (July). You'd run into a lot of Brits in the area, some expats who've settled there, some who come because it's more affordable. Me, I just fell in love with it the first time I went...midnight, first day of Spring, 2000.