La Rentrée: More than just the start of the school year in France

It's that time of year again: the summer holidays are over, and children are heading back to school. In France, there is a specific term for this moment: La Rentrée, which translates to "the return." However, this expression encompasses much more than just the start of the school year. When I first encountered La Rentrée in France, I was amazed at how deeply ingrained it is in French culture.

A ritual filled with tradition and anticipation

La Rentrée is almost like a sacred ritual. In addition to the obligatory purchase of school supplies and books, a new outfit is often needed. Shops prepare meticulously for this moment, and their marketing strategies are geared towards the needs of La Rentrée. Shopping lists for school supplies are displayed in supermarket windows, and the shelves are stocked with pens, notebooks, and backpacks.

A nationwide return from the summer break

What surprised me most is that La Rentrée doesn't only affect children, who often have more than two months of vacation, but also adults, who start wishing each other a "bonne Rentrée" from the end of August—and not without reason. In France, it seems everyone somehow manages to take an extended break over the summer. Entire industries take an unofficial pause in August, and many offices and administrative departments are closed for the entire month. How exactly this works is still a mystery to me, but it seems to be a firmly established social system deeply rooted in the culture.

From fashion to politics: The rentrée effect

By the end of August, everything revolves around this special moment: fashion magazines present the "Rentrée style" of the year, television adjusts its programming to the new season, and publishers release their latest books specifically for La Rentrée. Even politics has its own Rentrée schedule. After the summer holidays, politicians return to their duties, and the labor unions use this moment to regroup and announce the first strikes.

September: The real start of the year

It's not an exaggeration to say that La Rentrée is a cultural new beginning. Many French people talk about it as if the year begins in September rather than January. Even my little daughter has been asking me over the past few days when the new year will finally begin—and she's not entirely wrong. It really feels as if there are two parallel calendars: the calendar year and the school year.