Fun Summer Words in French

Les Grandes Vacances in France

The French government requires workers in France to receive a minimum of five weeks of paid vacation per year (in addition to national holidays). Many French people go away for a month-long vacation in the summer, when children are out of school. This tradition of long summer holidays is called les grandes vacances.

Many small businesses will close during this time, as people head out of the cities to go au bord de la mer(to the seashore), à la campagne(to the countryside), or à la montagne(to the mountains). There are even special French words to describe people based on which month they take their vacations: those who go in July are called les juillettistes(the July vacationers), while those who go in August are called les aoûtiens(the August vacationers)!

Summertime Holidays in Québec

You may have noticed that there are two national holidays for people who live in Québec! The Province of Québec has a special status as a nation within Canada due to its French heritage and unique culture. So, while all of Canada celebrates Canada Day on July 1 (the date of the establishment of the Canadian Confederation), the fête nationale du Québec(Québec National Holiday) is celebrated on June 24. Historically, this was a Catholic saint's day called la Saint-Jean-Baptiste(Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day), celebrating the patron saint of the original French settlers in Québec. Today, it's a secular official holiday for everyone in the Québec province, but some people still call it la Saint-Jean!

National Anthems in France and Québec

The national anthem of France is called la Marseillaise(the Marseillaise). As a song about revolution and liberation, the first line is Allons, enfants de la patrie, le jour de gloire est arrivé(Let's go, children of the fatherland, the day of glory has arrived).

For people who live in Québec, there are two national anthems!

• The official Canadian national anthem O Canada(O Canada), which talks about protecting the homeland, can be sung in English or French. The French version begins O Canada! Terre de nos aïeux(O Canada ! Land of our ancestors).

• The national anthem specific to the Province of Québec and sung on June 24 for the province's national holiday is called Gens du Pays(People of the Country). Written by Gilles Vigneault in the 1970s, it celebrates Québec's French heritage and its people's love of the land. It begins Gens du pays, c'est votre tour de vous laisser parler d'amour(People of the country, it's your turn to let yourselves speak of love).