Tuesday
Back to school – Millions of school-age children head back to classes after the long summer holidays.
Sick leave – Tuesday also marks September 1st, when a host of new laws and regulations comes into force. From September 1st, 2026, new rules will limit the length of sick leave prescriptions in France. A first sick-leave prescription will normally be capped at 31 days, while extensions will be limited to 62 days.
READ ALSO: Everything that's changing in France in September 2026
Medicine – New reimbursement rules will apply when pharmacists offer patients a hybrid or biosimilar alternative to a reference medicine.
Electric cars – The purchase or rental of a used electric vehicle from a professional will be eligible for financing through energy saving certificates (CEE), from September 1st.
Fast fashion – A decree setting out terms of French anti-fast fashion law targeting Shein, Temu and AliExpress comes into force.
Retirement – From September 1st, the suspension of France’s 2023 pension reform will begin to affect people whose retirement takes effect from that date. The new rules apply to pensions taking effect from September 1st.
READ ALSO: French pensions: What is changing in September 2026?
Tobacco – The price of some tobacco products in France will change. While several cigarette brands will become more expensive, others will see small price cuts. For example, Mademoiselle cigarettes will rise to €11.20 a pack, while Lucky Strike Red, Blue and Ice will fall from €11.50 to €11.20. Pueblo Classic cigarettes will also drop to €10.50.
Work – The maximum period of unemployment benefits for people leaving work through a rupture conventionnelle reduces from 18 months to 15 for employees under 55, and to 20.5 months for over 55s.
Electronic billing – From September 1st, 2026, all businesses in France, including freelancers and micro-entrepreneurs, must be able to receive electronic invoices. However, small businesses and micro-enterprises will not have to start issuing electronic invoices until September 1st, 2027.
READ MORE EXPLAINED: New electronic billing for self-employed workers in France
Gas – Gas prices are set to rise again. The Energy Regulation Commission (CRE) says the average reference price will increase by 5.6 percent, from €162.89 to €172.05 per MWh, following a smaller drop in August. The increase is linked to higher wholesale gas prices.
Sport – French football’s transfer window closes on Tuesday, September 1st at 7.59pm.
Wednesday
History – President Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Macron are expected to be in London for the official unveiling of the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum in London. The exhibition will open to the public on September 10th.
Thursday
Back to school II – school-age children on the island of Corsica return to classes.
Saturday
Street market – More than one million visitors are expected to visit the massive Braderie de Lille in the historic northern city, which opens on Saturday and runs throughout the weekend.
Rugby union – France’s Top 14 league kicks off, with Bordeaux v Racing 92 and – on Sunday – La Rochelle v Toulouse the big games of the opening weekend; while promoted Vannes travel to Castres for their first match back in the top flight of men’s professional domestic rugby.
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