The United States could learn quite a bit from the French. The priorities in our country are in stark contrast to those in France who understand that an overworked and underpaid society is not productive. Money and power do not trump the people’s right to a good quality of life. Being healthy, well-rested and educated does make a difference in some countries. No wonder so many politicians and right wingers dislike the French here. They continue to worship the almighty dollar. Sigh!!
Photography by The Best Beaches
From CBS
“In my line of job, I am a journalist working on a French newspaper. We have eight weeks of vacation — eight weeks of vacation,” says Stephane Marchand, a senior economics editor at the French newspaper, Le Figaro. “Eight weeks, yes. I know it may be surprising for you because I know in the U.S. you might have only two or three, if you’re lucky, but we have eight.”
Like most Frenchmen, Marchand has no guilt about taking so much time off. In fact, it’s the law: full-time workers in France are guaranteed at least five weeks vacation — guaranteed those long lazy days in the sun, and leisurely lunches in outdoor cafes.
Photograph by landahlauts (Flickr)
On top of the five weeks, there are another dozen public holidays, and a maximum 35-hour work week, with no paid overtime allowed. Managers like Marchand, who work more than 35 hours a week, get more time off.
“The so-called 35-hour work week gives us 22 more days a year,” says Marchand.
Twenty-two more days in addition to the eight weeks vacation?
“Yes,” says Marchand. “Which is a lot.”
Normally busy streets in Paris empty out in July and August, when most locals take their annual holiday. Shops and businesses are often deserted for a month, sometimes longer. Whole apartment buildings are shuttered when Parisians flee the city.
Photograph by The Best Beaches
The French are so passionate about their vacations, they put pleasure before profit. As tourists throng the streets and summer temperatures hit their peak, Paris’ most popular ice-cream parlor is closed for a whole six weeks. It’s the kind of business bonanza that would be seized upon by Americans, but the French don’t seem to care.
“The big difference is money, the place of money in your life,” says Marchand.
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