The Vacation Migration
Just as birds fly south for the winter, the French migrate to more pleasant climates each August. Parisiens head for the beaches in the South of France, the sporty head off to hike in the Alps, the cosmopolitan come to Bordeaux to sample the wine, and on it goes like a nation-wide game of musical chairs. In fact, many families “home swap” for the month, advertising their homes in magazines and newspapers as early as February, when the savvy French traveler books his plans.
Similar to other European countries, this phenomenon is concentrated to the month of August. The whole country shuts down. Restaurants and other small businesses post notices that they will be closed from the end of July until the first of September, reminding their clientele of their annual vacations. A very few places remain open to benefit from all the tourists, but choices are severely limited. Here in my neighborhood, it is strangely quiet. The outdoor market on Saturday was much smaller than usual, and I could hear many different accents and even languages among the few shoppers. The traffic is much more limited, and at certain times of the day, the center town square has a “ghost-town” quality. The only places I see crowds are the local cinema, which runs children and family films at half-price, and the laundromat (the only time of the year one sees children there)!
Our office at Christ Vous Appel is closed for two weeks, as well, so that our French employees can enjoy their vacation time with their family. I feel almost guilty, since I took my vacation time earlier, so I continue to work in my home office, though I admit I am taking the time to unwind, as well. If the entire country is going to slow down and enjoy the carefree days of summer, I think I’ll join them.
Similar to other European countries, this phenomenon is concentrated to the month of August. The whole country shuts down. Restaurants and other small businesses post notices that they will be closed from the end of July until the first of September, reminding their clientele of their annual vacations. A very few places remain open to benefit from all the tourists, but choices are severely limited. Here in my neighborhood, it is strangely quiet. The outdoor market on Saturday was much smaller than usual, and I could hear many different accents and even languages among the few shoppers. The traffic is much more limited, and at certain times of the day, the center town square has a “ghost-town” quality. The only places I see crowds are the local cinema, which runs children and family films at half-price, and the laundromat (the only time of the year one sees children there)!
Our office at Christ Vous Appel is closed for two weeks, as well, so that our French employees can enjoy their vacation time with their family. I feel almost guilty, since I took my vacation time earlier, so I continue to work in my home office, though I admit I am taking the time to unwind, as well. If the entire country is going to slow down and enjoy the carefree days of summer, I think I’ll join them.