vacances

Vacances is a term used in French to denote a period of leisure from work or school, during which people rest, travel, or pursue personal activities. The concept exists in many languages and is generally equivalent to the English word vacation or to the notion of a holiday in various cultural contexts. In everyday French usage, vacances typically refer to a longer, planned break rather than a single day off.

Etymology and usage. The word derives from Latin vacare, meaning to be free or empty. In French, the plural form vacances emphasizes the extended nature of the period. The related verb prendre des vacances means to take a vacation, while a short period of leave from work is more often described as congé.

In French-speaking countries, vacances widely include both school holidays and periods of official or social leisure. In France, for example, the school year is punctuated by vacances scolaires, including a long summer break and shorter breaks around Noël (Christmas), hiver (winter), and printemps (spring). Outside schools, adults may also plan vacations, sometimes tied to work sabbaticals or public holidays. The term is commonly used in tourism and travel contexts as well, since vacations are a peak season for domestic and international travel.

Global context. While many Romance-language communities use a cognate of vacances, the exact timing, duration, and public expectations surrounding vacations vary by country and institution. In English-speaking regions, the equivalent concept is often called vacation or holiday, with differences in usage between workplaces and schools.

See also: congé payé, jours fériés, tourism, school holidays.