The French Translation of 'Back to School' | Language Connections (2024)

The back to school season is a big deal for American parents and children. This notion also holds true in France, where their back to school traditions are as elaborate, if not more than that of America’s. In France, they call it ‘la rentrée.’ It’s not only about students or the ‘liste des fournitures’ (theFrench translation is ‘the school supplies list’). It’s estimated that during this period, 40% of Parisians return to the city, after deserting it to tourists and those who can’t take a break during Late July and August. What do the French do after they’ve recharge their batteries after a long summer break? Read more about the French rhythm of life leading up to, during, and after the back to school period!

La Rentrée: The FrenchTranslation of Back to School

A typical school day in France starts around 8:30 am and ends at 4:30 pm. Most children finish school in early July, and return around the 4th of September. All over the city, as September approaches, you’ll find a variety of displays and ads saying “C’est la rentrée!” or “Vive la rentrée!” Machine translation services will provide you with the definition “the start of the school year” for the expression “la rentrée,” butthe true French translationhas more uses than that. The literal translation of the expression in the French language is “at the return.” However, if you localize the translation, you’ll see it can also be used interchangeably for “See you this fall!” or “See you in September.” It can also be used as a reference to a point of time and to explain when something will happen.

Back to school in France starts during the fourth season, l’automne (Autumn). In August, there is a sense of a collective vacation—people get two or more weeks of holiday. Major sectors of France slow down. Many restaurants, shops and other businesses close completely, despite August being one of the months with the most tourists. For most people, the period means a genuine break and a time for relaxation!

The break usually lasts 9 long weeks. Many children set off on their journey across France to see their grandparents and cousins. Some that are 4 years old or over get on special SNCF trains with animatrice (hosts) that will accompany and supervise them in the station and on board for safety. Some kids may choose to stay in Paris with their parents, or attend their local Centre de Loisirs, a daycare service run by The Hôtel de Ville (translated as ‘the City Hall that houses the city’s local administration’) Some travel to the Normandy beaches, while some go on excursions in the city.

TheFrench Translation of Back to School Rituals

When school is about to start, parents become busy doing back to school shopping. Stores like Monoprix (a major French retail chain company) or supermarkets with les affaires de la rentrée (back to school deals and sales) are filled with mothers waving lists of school supplies in their hands, trying to interpret the teachers’ requests.

School teachers in France are known for being specific with their lists. They are very detailed, down to the brand of the supplies. For instance, they’ll ask for porte-vues folders with 60 clear inserts. Likewise, students start to use fountain pens when they move into the second grade. Some teachers prefer black ink, while some prefer blue. Then at the beginning of the school year, teachers organize meetings with parents to discuss their plans and expectations of the children.

Back to school shopping is such a big deal that the French government actually steps in to regulate it. Every year, the Education Ministry provides a fournitures scolaires liste modèle (the french translation is‘a school supplies list’) for primaire, collège and lycée pupils that teachers can use as a guideline. The list is intended to lower costs, and reduce the weight of growing children’s le cartable (school bag). Teachers are required to request for rentrée equipment that are reasonable and can be reused over the years.

Author:Language Connections

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