What’s happening in France this week
A public service and a rail strike are pencilled in, while MPs return for the final session of parliament before the presidential elections, and the government officially unveils its proposed budget for 2027
Monday
Fashion – The opening day of Women’s Fashion Week for Spring-Summer 2027 in Paris. The event runs to October 6th.
Human Rights – The winner of the Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize will be announced in Strasbourg. Three people have been shortlisted: Iranian‑American journalist, author and women’s rights activist Masih Alinejad; Hungarian human rights lawyer and co‑chair of the Hungarian Helsinki Committee Márta Pardavi; and Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh.
Sport – Belgium host France in Brussels, in the second matchday of the Uefa Nations League. The match kicks off at 8.45pm and will be broadcast live on TF1.
Find out what’s changing in France with our weekly and monthly outlook
Tuesday
Strikes – France’s public-sector unions have called for a nationwide day of strikes and demonstrations on September 29th, covering the three branches of the civil service: central government, local authorities and the public hospital system.
Railway workers have also called a strike across France on September 29th. The Sud Rail union is calling on railway workers, arguing that “working conditions have continued to deteriorate, exacerbated by the heatwave”.
State visit – France’s President Emmanuel Macron starts a two-day state visit to neighbouring Spain.
Wednesday
International politics – Argentine President Javier Milei arrives in Paris for a three-day visit to France, according to Argentine media.
Budget – The government will officially present the draft budget for 2027. The Social Security budget will follow no later than October 6.
Thursday
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.
Gas – The gas benchmark price in France will rise by 6.3 percent, 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.
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.
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.
Rents – 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.
Strike – A twice-postponed 24-hour strike by easyJet France pilots in a dispute over working conditions is scheduled for October 1st.
Film Festival – The 37th Fameck Arab Film Festival – which runs to October 11th – opens in the Moselle town.
Friday
Sport – France’s Uefa Nations League challenge enters its third match, as Zinedine Zidane’s Bleus entertain Italy at Stade de France. The match kicks off at 8.45pm and will be broadcast live on TF1.
