Gas prices
As of October 1st, the gas benchmark price in France will rise by 6.3 percent in October 2026, from €172.05 to €182.88 per MWh, according to the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE). This will add around €5.28 to the average monthly bill for households whose contracts are indexed to the benchmark price, while fixed-price contracts will not be affected. The CRE estimates that, if current conditions continue, the average annual gas bill in 2026 could be 10 percent higher than in 2025, or around €120 more.
Women’s health
Menstrual products such as underwear and cups bought in pharmacies will be covered by state health insurance from October 1st.
Cancer
France’s annual Octobre Rose breast cancer awareness month starts on October 1st.
Sick leave
The maximum term for long-term sick leave is cut from three years to one year for conditions not 100 percent covered by the health insurance system.
Healthcare costs
The maximum annual contribution of insured persons to health costs for medical deductibles and fixed contributions increases from €100 to €140 per insured person. Nearly 18 million people - minors, pregnant women, beneficiaries of the complementary solidarity health insurance - will continue to benefit from an exemption to this contribution.
Rent rules
From October 1st, 2026, rental contracts in France will include some new rules. Landlords will have to include a termination clause covering unpaid rent, charges or the deposit, although they must still follow the legal eviction process. In some areas, leases will also have to state that the property must be used as the tenant’s main home.
Politics
MPs return to the National Assembly after their summer break for a final 20-week session of parliament before the presidential elections. There’s plenty on the agenda – the comprehensive law against gender-based and sexual violence opens the session, followed by five weeks of debate on the 2027 budget. In the upper house, meanwhile, senators elect their president on October 1st.
Potential return of the "yellow vests"
In a blast from the past, calls are once again circulating in France for the 'yellow vests' (gilets jaunes) to take to the streets and roundabouts, in a protest against the rising cost of living on Saturday October 17th.
Local 'yellow vest' groups are calling for protests in dozens of towns and cities including Paris, Marseille, Nantes, Toulouse, Montpellier and Grenoble.
READ MORE: France's 'Gilets Jaunes' protesters urged to take to the streets again
Nationwide airline strike
French pilots and cabin crew have called a five-day nationwide strike from October 17th to October 21st, 2026, over planned changes to France's rules on combining employment and retirement pensions.
The strike could lead to flight cancellations, delays and schedule changes for airlines and crews covered by French labour law, although the scale of disruption will depend on how many workers take part. Airlines have not yet announced detailed plans, so passengers should check with their airline and airport closer to the dates.
Budget
The draft budget for 2027 is expected to be presented to France's parliament in early October, with parliamentary debate beginning in the National Assembly on October 12th. The Social Security budget is due to be discussed in the National Assembly from October 20th, before moving to the Senate.
Rental contracts
From October 1st, 2026, rental contracts in France will include some new rules. Landlords will have to include a termination clause covering unpaid rent, charges or the deposit, although they must still follow the legal eviction process.
In some areas, leases will also have to state that the property must be used as the tenant’s main home.
Landlords and tenants will also be able to optionally include their phone numbers in the contract to make communication easier and help prevent rent arrears and evictions.
Read more here.
Secondary school financial aid deadline
Lower-income families who have children in collège (middle school) or lycée (high school) are eligible for financial support to help pay for things like school meals, textbooks and other school equipment.
These grants are known as the bourse de collège and bourse de lycée. The amount paid out is dependent on your income and the number of children in your care. You can see the rates here and here.
These grants must be applied for online via the EduConnect portal by an October 15th deadline. If you want to check your eligibility, you can use this simulator for collège students and this simulator for lycée students.
Taxe foncière time
People paying the property tax online will have until October 20th at midnight to either pay or set up a direct debit. The money will be taken out of your account five days later. Meanwhile, those paying by other means (cheques, cash, etc.) need to pay by October 15th. This is only possible if your bill is under or equal to €300.
READ MORE: Taxe foncière: France’s 2026 property tax deadlines you need to know
Clocks go back
This year, we all get an extra hour of sleep on the night of Saturday, October 24th, into Sunday, October 25th.
Flu shot
The vaccination vouchers are sent to those deemed most vulnerable to contracting la grippe (flu) as France gears up for its annual flu season, which, according to l'Assurance Maladie, usually occurs between October and March.
READ MORE: When, where and how to get the flu vaccine in France in 2026
Film Festival
The Brittany seaside resort of Dinard rolls out the red carpet for its 37th British & Irish Film Festival from October 7th to October 11th. Actress Amira Casar, who grew up between England, Ireland and France, will chair the jury.
The festival’s official competition will feature six British and Irish feature films competing for the prestigious Hitchcock d’Or, alongside a “Talent of Tomorrow” section for first films by emerging directors. The programme will also include documentaries, shorts, masterclasses and special screenings, including Everybody Digs Bill Evans and the Irish film Once Upon a Time in a Cinema, starring Colin Morgan.
Information here.
Cancer awareness
The annual ‘Pink October’ campaign, which raises awareness about breast cancer screening and supports research, returns. Expect to see a range of events in your area.
School holidays
The two-week Toussaint holidays begin after classes on Friday, October 16th and students head back to school on Monday, November 2nd.
Salon du chocolat
The world's largest chocolate and pastry event brings together over 500 global participants, master chocolatiers, and pastry chefs. Features include live chef demonstrations, grand cru tastings, pastry workshops, chocolate sculptures, and a brand-new musical show replacing the traditional chocolate fashion show.
It opens at the Parc Expo at the Porte de Versailles in Paris on October 28th. For more information, click here.
Halloween
Halloween is not as big a deal in France as it is in the US, but it is becoming more popular here, with many families taking their young children trick-or-treating or setting out some pumpkin decor outside of their homes. But the next day also marks an important part of the French cultural calendar - the Catholic festival of Toussaint (All Saints’ Day), which has its own traditions.
READ ALSO: Halloween vs Toussaint: How to celebrate in France
Ben McPartland, The Local
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