Zone A School Holidays 2026
🇫🇷 France
Looking for Zone A school holidays 2026? You'll find the complete 2026 school calendar for Zone A, France right here — including all term dates, school holiday periods, public holidays, and important academic dates. Our data is sourced from Ministère de l'Éducation Nationale and covers 5 terms and 5 school breaks in school year 2026/27. Whether you're planning family travel during the school holidays, booking vacation care, or need to know when the 2026 school year starts and ends, this comprehensive Zone A school holiday calendar has everything you need.
Dates verified against official source for the current school year. Last verified: Sep 6, 2026.
Vacances de Noël (Christmas Break)
Dec 19 – Jan 3, 2027
Zone A Term Dates 2026/27
| Name | Start Date | End Date | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rentrée (Term 1 Start) | 46 | Students return to school on September 1, 2026. | ||
| After Toussaint (Term 2) | 47 | — | ||
| After Christmas (Term 3) | 40 | — | ||
| After Winter Break (Term 4) | 40 | — | ||
| After Spring Break (Term 5) | 69 | — |
Zone A School Holidays in school year 2026/27
| Break | Dates | Days |
|---|---|---|
| Vacances de la Toussaint (Autumn Break) | Oct 17 – Nov 1, 2026 | 16 |
| Vacances de Noël (Christmas Break) | Dec 19 – Jan 3, 2027 | 16 |
| Vacances d'Hiver (Winter Break) | Feb 13 – Feb 28, 2027 | 16 |
| Vacances de Printemps (Spring Break) | Apr 10 – Apr 25, 2027 | 16 |
| Vacances d'Été (Summer Holidays) | Jul 4 – Aug 31, 2027 | 59 |
Zone A Public Holidays 2026
| Name | Start Date | End Date | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toussaint (All Saints' Day) | 1 | — | ||
| Armistice 1918 | 1 | — | ||
| Noël (Christmas Day) | 1 | — | ||
| Jour de l'An (New Year's Day) | 1 | — | ||
| Lundi de Pâques (Easter Monday) | 1 | — | ||
| Fête du Travail (Labour Day) | 1 | — | ||
| Ascension | 1 | — | ||
| Victoire 1945 | 1 | — | ||
| Lundi de Pentecôte (Whit Monday) | 1 | — | ||
| Fête Nationale (Bastille Day) | 1 | — | ||
| Assomption | 1 | — |
Zone A School 2026 Calendar — Month by Month
January 2026
February 2026
March 2026
April 2026
May 2026
June 2026
July 2026
August 2026
September 2026
October 2026
November 2026
December 2026
Add Zone A School Holidays to your calendar
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Data last verified Sep 6, 2026. Dates come from the official source listed above — always confirm with your school or education authority before making important plans.
Detailed 2026 Zone A School Year Information
Rentrée (Term 1 Start)
Tue, Sep 1, 2026 – Fri, Oct 16, 2026
Students return to school on September 1, 2026.
After Toussaint (Term 2)
Mon, Nov 2, 2026 – Fri, Dec 18, 2026
After Christmas (Term 3)
Mon, Jan 4, 2027 – Fri, Feb 12, 2027
After Winter Break (Term 4)
Mon, Mar 1, 2027 – Fri, Apr 9, 2027
After Spring Break (Term 5)
Mon, Apr 26, 2027 – Sat, Jul 3, 2027
Zone A School Holidays 2026/27 — Key Dates
These Zone A school holiday dates for 2026 are sourced directly from Ministère de l'Éducation Nationale. France has 3 school holiday zones. Zone A covers Besançon, Bordeaux, Clermont-Ferrand, Dijon, Grenoble, Limoges, Lyon, and Poitiers. Autumn, Christmas, and summer holidays are shared across all zones; only winter and spring breaks differ. Holidays begin after classes on the start date and students return to class on the end date.
Planning Tips for 2026 Zone A School Holidays
⛷️ Zone A skis first
Zone A (Besançon, Bordeaux, Clermont-Ferrand, Dijon, Grenoble, Limoges, Lyon, Poitiers) takes the February winter break first in 2028 — the Alps and the ski season's priciest weeks follow the zones.
Data & source details Who this calendar applies to, where it came from, and when we will check it again
- Applies to
- Not yet recorded
- Does not apply to
- Not yet recorded
- Governance level
- Region
- Date status
- Binding on schools
- Source document
- Not yet recorded
- Published by the authority
- Ministère de l'Éducation Nationale
- Last checked by us
- Sep 6, 2026
- Next scheduled review
- Not yet recorded
- Known exceptions
- Not yet recorded
- Data version
- Not yet recorded
Source & Data Accuracy
Data source: Ministère de l'Éducation Nationale
Source last checked: September 6, 2026
Dates verified against official source for the current school year. Last verified: Sep 6, 2026.
Note: France has 3 school holiday zones. Zone A covers Besançon, Bordeaux, Clermont-Ferrand, Dijon, Grenoble, Limoges, Lyon, and Poitiers. Autumn, Christmas, and summer holidays are shared across all zones; only winter and spring breaks differ. Holidays begin after classes on the start date and students return to class on the end date.
Report a date error or source changeZone A School Holidays 2026 — Frequently Asked Questions
How many school holidays are there in 2026?
Most school systems have 4-6 major holiday periods throughout the year, typically including a long summer break, a winter/Christmas break, and shorter mid-term breaks in spring and autumn. The exact number depends on your country and region.
What is the longest school holiday?
The summer holiday is typically the longest school break worldwide. In Australia, it lasts about 5-6 weeks (December-January). In the UK, the summer break is approximately 6 weeks (July-August). In the US, summer break is the longest at 10-12 weeks (June-August). In Singapore, the year-end holidays last about 6 weeks.
Are school holidays the same across all states or regions?
No. School holiday dates vary by state, region, and sometimes even by individual school district or local council. While neighbouring areas often have similar schedules, you should always check the specific dates for your local area.
Can I take my child out of school during term time?
Rules vary by country. In the UK, taking children out of school during term time without authorization can result in fines. In Australia, it is generally discouraged but policies vary by state. In the US, policies are set by individual school districts. Always check with your school before planning term-time absences.
Do private schools have different holiday dates?
Yes, private and independent schools often set their own term dates, which may differ from government/public schools. However, most private schools follow similar schedules to nearby public schools, with minor variations. Check directly with your school for exact dates.
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