Hey! Over here…Yeah… F-r-a-n-c-e.

Newcomers to France, thinking how nice it would be to set up a business here in the shade of the old olive tree, do not often realize how the French economy works. After living and working here as a freelancer and entrepreneur for 25-odd years, I confess that I don’t either. Hell, most days I don’t see how it manages to function at all.

However. I do know that fluctuations in seasonal economic activity play an important role in France, maybe more so than elsewhere. Over the years, as an aid to myself in my various endeavors, I’ve compiled a calendar to help predict business activity in France. It is based solely on personal observation of socio-temporal flux. While I claim that it tracks French economic activity fairly reliably (and is therefore useful), I am the first to admit that it really doesn’t shed light on one of the world’s more puzzling economic mysteries: how does France stay on as a First World country?

Note: the French business year starts in August, a month that arguably sets the tone for the rest of the year.

August: (Les Grandes Vacances)
80% of France is on the beach or in the mountains or sitting in traffic jams, attempting to get to the beach or the mountains. Unless you’re writing a book or repainting the kid’s bedroom you shouldn’t think about working.
Skeletal health services, ice cream vendors, and some paint stores remain open.
Productivity Index: 0

September: (La Rentrée)
France is back from the beach, but is immersed in a) recovering from vacation stress and b) preparing the children for the start of the school year, two endeavors that are inherently incompatible. However, productive work is envisagable after the 21st.
Productivity Index: 3

October:
A full month without bank holidays. Much to do, so little time. Many deals are born in October.
Productivity Index: 8

November:
Work holiday every week, evenly spaced. If the holidays falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, there are lots of 4-day weekends. If they fall on Wednesday people feel cheated. If they fall on a weekend, the President declares a national day of mourning. No real work is done in November.
Productivity Index: 3

December: (Les Fêtes)
The last ten days of December (and first few days of January), frenchpersonnes are on holiday. Traditionally, this time is spent with extended family, many of whom do not see each other for the rest of the year. There are many sumptuous meals prepared during this period and 63% of the world’s total of both good and bad cholesterol is consumed in just 2 weeks. Early December is for planning dinner menus and gift shopping. Not much work gets done.
Productivity Index: 2

January: (L’Indigestion Nationale)
Hangovers, detox and post-prandial guilt consume the first three weeks of January. Serious production can start again around the 21st.
Productivity Index: 2

February: (Vacances Scolaires)
School holidays. Frenchpersonnes are on the ski slopes with their kids for 10 days.
Productivity Index: 3

March:
No holidays! Work!
Productivity Index: 8

April: (Pâques)
Two week Easter holidays. Much needed relief after a month of March where every weekday is a workday.
Productivity Index: 1

May:
Bank holiday every week (although the day off on Pentecote has theoretically been downgraded). Similar business climate to November, aggravated by the fact that the first summery days gets people thinking about how close August is.
Productivity Index: 2

June:
No holidays! But it’s summer. Who wants to work during summer?
Productivity Index: 6

July:
20% of frenchpersonnes are on holiday. This reduces August’s traffic jams considerably. The remaining 80% of the people are working frenetically to clear up there desks before les Grandes Vacances.
Productivity Index: 7

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