Loisirs

Loisirs is a French term for activities undertaken during free time for enjoyment, recreation, or personal development. Historically derived from the Old French loisir, the word connotes freedom from obligatory tasks. In contemporary usage, loisirs encompasses a broad range of voluntary activities pursued outside paid work, including physical activities, cultural participation, socializing, travel, and hobbies.

Common categories include sports and outdoor pursuits; arts and culture; reading and learning; gaming and digital media; volunteering and community life; travel and tourism; crafts and DIY.

Leisure intersects with health and well-being, social cohesion, and economic activity. Societies regulate leisure time through work hours, holidays, and access to public spaces. The leisure industry covers services and products such as sport facilities, museums, libraries, media, travel, and equipment.

Current trends include digital leisure, streaming services, mobile gaming, and online communities, along with concerns about unequal access to leisure opportunities and the impact of screen-based activities on physical activity. Environmental sustainability and inclusive design are increasingly considered in planning and programming for loisirs.

See also: leisure time, recreation, hobby.