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Each September, the French partake in an annual ritual known as la rentrée (literally, “the return”). It marks the end of summer vacation (les grandes vacances), and a return to school and work.

Whether you're a student, a professional, or somewhere in between, la rentrée is like the start of a brand-new year. A time to pause, reset, and bring intentional order back into your days.

Here’s everything you need to know about la rentrée, plus how to embrace this seasonal shift and prepare your home, habits, and mindset for the months ahead, just like the French do.

Summer Vacation in France

The French very famously value their time off, and with 4 to 6 weeks of government-mandated paid vacation each year, it’s not uncommon for people to take two to three weeks off in August. It’s actually more surprising when someone doesn’t. Over time, this custom has evolved into a near-necessity for French people, and once you experience it firsthand, it’s easy to see the appeal.

Most French residents flee their cities or towns to the South of France, their country homes, or a sunnier European destination to fully disconnect. Even businesses follow suit. Many shops, bakeries, and restaurants close for part (or all) of August. If you’ve ever visited France this time of the year, you’ve probably noticed it too.

What is La Rentrée?

In France, la rentrée refers to the return to everyday life after the long summer holidays. It begins in late August and early September as schools reopen, office buildings refill, and daily rhythms resume.

Cities and towns begin to feel alive again. You start to see familiar faces: neighbors on the street, the local boulanger behind the counter back from break. Friends catch up over an apéro and share their stories from their summer vacations. Students throw parties to reconnect with classmates before classes pick up. There’s definitely a celebratory feeling in the air.

Of course, the shift from leisurely summer days to structured schedules isn’t always seamless. For those of us who thrive on routine, la rentrée is welcome. But if you’ve just spent a month lounging on a beach, the full inbox, never-ending to-do list, or looming school semester might feel jarring. Still, everyone’s in the same boat, and that shared experience makes it a little easier. And hopefully you return feeling rested, restored, and ready to get things done.

La rentrée also marks the official restart of cultural life in France. Major book releases, political announcements, and TV schedules are timed around it. September is prime time for new book launches (la rentrée littéraire), and local studios fill with sign-ups for fall dance, fitness, and art classes. It’s the moment when everything comes back to life.

La Rentrée vs. Back to School

In the U.S., “back to school” typically refers to a time when students and teachers return to the classroom. School supply shopping, new class schedules, and the end of a three-month summer break.

La rentrée, by contrast, is much broader. It’s a cultural reset that impacts nearly all aspects of French life. While it does include the start of the school year (la rentrée scolaire), it’s something everyone experiences.

I’ve always appreciated this more inclusive approach. Even when you’re long past your school days (like I am), there’s something so satisfying about a seasonal reset and the chance to ease into the rest of the year with renewed purpose.

How to Prepare for La Rentrée

You might not be returning from a month-long holiday in the French countryside, but you can still embrace the spirit of la rentrée in the weeks ahead. At its core, la rentrée is about approaching the everyday (work, errands, routines) with new energy and intention. There are numerous ways to embody this mindset, no matter where you are. Here are a few simple ideas to help you transition into fall feeling refreshed and inspired.

Envision the Rest of Your Year

Take a moment to look ahead and imagine what you want the coming months to feel like. It might be progressing on personal goals, cultivating more balance, or embracing new adventures, but visualizing your ideal end of the year gives you clarity and motivation. You might even make a Pinterest mood board to get you inspired.

Consider jotting down a few aspirations or milestones to guide you through the season with purpose and focus. October through December gives us one more quarter to make this year whatever we want it to be.

For me, la rentrée is my time to refocus on my New Year’s resolutions. I often slow down on my goals in the middle of the year, but Q1 and Q4 are when I really like to zone in. I also know that the holidays will be busy. I usually return to the U.S. for Christmas and spend early January with my family. So I intentionally plan for December to be more relaxed and give myself space to recharge before the new year begins.

Refresh Your Home

Fall marks the start of cocooning season. With more time spent indoors through the colder months, it’s important to give your space the reset it truly deserves.

Begin with a deep clean. If you’ve just returned from vacation, there might not be much surface cleaning to do, so focus instead on decluttering and reorganizing. Sort through your drawers, cabinets, closets, and any overlooked corners.

Then, add some small autumnal touches to your space. I don’t decorate my space too much for fall (the French aren’t as crazy about seasonal decor as us Americans are). However, I like to bring in fall candles and one or two wool blankets, which my two cats love curling up on once the heatwaves are behind us.

Restock your pantry with essentials and take inventory of what’s been used over summer. I make sure to have some fall staples on hand: lots of vegetable stock and dried legumes for fall soups, spices like cinnamon, turmeric and nutmeg, plus a few jars of applesauce and pumpkin puree for baking.

If you want to dive deeper, I’ve put together a full guide on how to cozy up your home for fall.

Curate Your Fall Wardrobe

Ease your closet into the new season by incorporating cozier staples and layering pieces. Even though la rentrée feels like fall, the weather in September can still be quite warm, so there’s no rush to stow away all your summer clothing just yet. Instead, I begin bringing out transitional pieces like knitwear, boots and fall jackets.

It’s also the perfect time to create your fall shopping list, build a seasonal capsule wardrobe or make a Pinterest board of outfits you’d love to create. And of course, my blog has plenty of seasonal style inspiration. Here are some of my favorite fall fashion posts to get you started:

Organize Your Routine

If you’ve been used to the long, somewhat chaotic days of August, then revamping your routine can get you back on track. As many of you know, the French lifestyle is all about balance, so map out your daily schedule to include work, play, and rest. Thoughtful planning ensures you don’t just stay productive, but also nurture your well-being.

To plan your day-to-day routine, consider using tools like planners, apps, or even physical journals and agendas. I personally use Notion and Google Calendar to keep on top of it all.

If you’re looking to make your routine feel more seasonal and avoid burnout, I have a full post of fall bucket list ideas to help you slow down and savor the season.

Switch Up Your Beauty & Wellness Routines

Seasonal shifts call for adjustments in self-care. As chillier days arrive, many women in France head to the French pharmacy to update their beauty routines with richer moisturizers, hydrating masks, and nourishing treatments that protect skin, lips, and nails from the drier air.

It’s also a good moment to revisit your wellness habits. Around this time of the year, I like to stock my cabinet with whatever I need for the season. My fall wellness shopping list includes immune-boosting supplements (especially Vitamin D), herbal teas, and anything I’ll want on hand for cold and flu season: tissues, cough drops, and over-the-counter medications like Doliprane (acetaminophen).

Review and Reset Your Budget

After a summer of travel, dining out, and perhaps a bit of shopping (guilty), now is the perfect time to check in with your finances. I’ll admit, I always hesitate to open my banking apps after a long holiday, but taking stock is always worth it.

With the holiday season on the horizon, reviewing your spending now ensures you’re prepared for the months ahead too. Look at where your money went over the summer. Adjust your budget to reflect seasonal expenses and set a few realistic saving goals.

If you went overboard on vacation, consider trying a no-spend challenge for September or October. It’s an easy way to reset your habits and get back on track.

Decide What to Read & Watch

In France, la rentrée also marks the launch of new books, movies and TV shows. Even if you’re not following French media, this is the perfect time to curate your own reading and watchlist for fall.

There are certain classics I return to every autumn (Gilmore Girls and Gossip Girl), but I also seek out new TV shows to watch. Last year, it was Grotesquerie and Shrinking. For movies, I’m always checking the UGC listings to see what’s just hit French cinemas.

Let me know what you’re planning to read and watch this season. I’m always looking for new titles to add to my list!

Reconnect Socially

After the slower pace of the summer holidays, the French often return home eager to reconnect. Follow their lead and set aside some time to catch up with family and friends. It could be as elaborate as hosting an end-of-summer dinner party or something more casual like meeting for coffee or an apéritif at your favorite spot.

Across France, community life definitely picks back up again during la rentrée. Many local classes resume, cultural events pop up, and calendars begin to fill. It’s the perfect time to join a club, attend a lecture, or sign up for a class. Anything that incorporates connection into your week.

I find autumn to be one of the best times to meet new people since locals are back in town and settled into their regular routines.

How are you preparing for la rentrée this year? Let me know in the comments below.

How to Prepare for La Rentrée

In this Article

Summer Vacation in France

What is La Rentrée?

La Rentrée vs. Back to School