Strikes, French property tax deadlines: Key dates in October
The month sees several administrative changes - as well as a celebration of French architecture
Major disruption is expected on the trains in early October, but there are fun festivals including overnight stays at chateaux
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October 1
Parking fees for many SUV drivers in Paris triple, and the speed limit on the city’s ring road drops to 50 km/h from 70 km/h, despite opposition from the Ile-de-France region and national politicians.
Unions are calling for major cross-sector strike action, with workers from the private and public sectors, and teachers in particular, joining the demonstrations.
Rail unions have announced they will join the strike, however only 'slight' disruption is expected for rail traffic'.
Read more: French workers called to join mass strike on October 1
Read more: French rail unions announce they will join October 1 strike
October is also breast cancer awareness month in France, with the 'Octobre rose' campaign looking to raise awareness and increase prevention against it.
The Wero banking app will also become available for clients of major French banks, including BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole, Société Générale, and La Banque postale.
The new system, which relies on Sepa payments, is designed to be an alternative to Apple Pay and Pay Lib for secure transactions by mobile phone. The exact date of Wero's rollout will depend on individual banks.
October 2
Tickets for TGV (InOui and Ouigo) and Intercités train journeys covering the Christmas period – December 15 to January 8 – go on sale at 06:00.
Millions of tickets are expected to be sold on the first day, and are available on a first-come first-served basis.
Due to a yield management system used by French rail operator SNCF ticket prices rise on routes as more tickets are sold and fewer seats are available.
October 6
Grandfather’s day (Fête des Grands-Pères) falls on this Sunday.
October 9-13
The Fêtes des Vendanges de Montmartre takes place across these dates.
Organised by the mairie of Paris’s 18th arrondissement, this famous wine festival has been going for almost 90 years. More than 400,000 people took part in 2023.
October 11-12
Parent representatives will be elected to schools on these dates. In Réunion and Mayotte, they will be elected October 4-5.
October 15
The deadline to pay property ownership tax bills (taxe foncière) via non-digital methods (at a tabac or through cash or cheque) is October 15.
Read more: LIST: Key dates in 2024 for France’s property owner’s tax
The autumn/winter vaccination campaign also begins on October 15, providing flu and Covid-19 jabs.
Those over the age of 65, as well as vulnerable/immunocompromised people and their carers are recommended to be vaccinated.
However, anyone can make an appointment to receive the vaccinations.
October 17
Deadlines to apply for a bursary for children attending collège or lycée end on October 17 (or October 31 for children attending Cned).
Applications can be made using a paper form or via one of two online portals, as the service public website explains.
October 18-20
A series of events will be held as part of the Journées nationales de l’architecture.
The events seek to raise public awareness of the wealth of modern architecture and the stories of the buildings that surround us.
Read some articles from our architecture section (search ‘architecture on our website) for some inspiration, and find a list of events here.
Across France, chateaux will also be opening their doors on these days, offering a nocturnal experience during the Nuit des Châteaux event.
October 19 - November 4:
The Toussaint half-term school break begins on October 19, lasting two weeks.
The holiday runs on the same dates for children in all school zones.
Read more: Calendar: French school holidays for 2024-2025 and 2025-2026
October 20
Homeowners paying taxe foncière digitally (via their personal space on the French tax website or the impots.gouv app) have until October 20 to pay.
October 27
Clocks go back at 03:00 in the morning (to 02:00), giving an extra hour of sleep.
October 31
Although overshadowed by La Toussaint (All Saints’ Day, a public holiday in France falling on November 1), Halloween is increasingly celebrated by children in France, and you may be visited by some trick or treaters in costume.
