The school calendar 2025-2026: a period of 11 consecutive weeks of classes for students in this zone

IN BRIEF School zones: France divided into A, B, and C. Spring holidays zone A: from April 4 to April 20, 2026. Easter Monday: April 6, 2026, no break for zone A. Consequence: 11 weeks of consecutive classes for zone A. Comparison: zone B with 10 weeks and zone C with 9 weeks. Ascension bridge: only four days off for zone A. Zone B: benefits of public holidays for a lighter schedule. Zone C: better situation than zone A, despite some inconveniences.

The school calendar for the year 2025-2026 has notable characteristics, especially for students in the zone A. Indeed, this zone will face a difficult period, marked by 11 consecutive weeks of classes without any interruption. This situation raises questions about the impacts on students’ work rhythm, especially in comparison with other zones.

School holidays by zones

The French territory is divided into three zones, A, B, and C, to manage school holidays fairly. Each zone has its own holiday dates, determined to limit tourist overloads and smooth the flow of vacationers. During the 2025-2026 school year, students in zone A, which includes academies such as Besançon, Bordeaux, and Lyon, find themselves in a delicate situation, with a calendar forcing them into a long period of uninterrupted work.

Disrupted holidays

Initially reliant on a balance, students in zone A will enjoy their Christmas holidays from December 20 to January 5 and the All Saints’ holidays from October 18 to November 3. However, as spring arrives, an imbalance becomes apparent. The spring holidays are scheduled from April 4 to April 20, 2026, and this calendar does not take into account a significant contingency: Easter Monday falling on April 6 will not allow for an extended weekend.

A straight stretch of 11 weeks of classes

After these spring holidays, students in zone A face a true challenge by chaining 11 long weeks of classes before the big holidays begin on July 5, 2026. This sustained pace stands in stark contrast to other zones: zone B benefits from a break after 10 weeks, while zone C only has to endure 9 consecutive weeks of classes before the summer holidays.

Public holidays: a crucial issue

The distribution of public holidays also plays a fundamental role in this configuration. In May, while for zone A the Ascension bridges will only allow for a brief break of four days, zone B will benefit from several extended weekends thanks to public holidays falling on a Friday. Thus, May 1 and May 8 will enable enjoying long weekends, helping to relieve the pressure of the last term.

Comparison with zone C

As for zone C, although it finds itself in a more favorable situation than A, it also suffers from disadvantages. The spring holidays for this zone are set from April 18 to May 4, 2026, rendering the idea of an extended weekend with May 1 falling during these holidays moot. However, the arrangement of other public holidays somewhat compensates for this loss, with additional breaks in May.

Predictable conclusion

In summary, zone A will be the most affected by the school calendar for the year 2025-2026. Students will face increased academic pressure due to the 11 consecutive weeks of classes ahead of them. The question arises: how will this situation impact their well-being and academic performance? It remains to be seen what the repercussions of this particular calendar will be on the journey of these students. Broader reflections on the future of school holidays would also merit being engaged here, along with the need to adapt school rhythms to the needs of children.