Vacation habits: how do the French travel?

The survey reveals a well-identified vacationer profile. The majority of respondents are men (69%), with a strong representation of those aged 45 and over, who make up over 75% of the sample. The car is the preferred means of transport for our respondents, and in particular the internal combustion vehicle (petrol, diesel), favoured by 71% of the sample. 61% of respondents said they travelled more than 600 km to reach their vacation destination.
 

The survey confirms that summer is unquestionably the season for major departures. Nearly 34% of respondents take to the road in August, closely followed by 33% in July. That's more than three quarters of respondents who plan to leave between July and August. This period corresponds to a quest for maximum escape, with optimal sunshine and ideal temperatures for outdoor activities. This peak is also marked by heavy traffic on the freeways.

This trend can be observed across all age groups, although it varies according to family or professional situations:

• Young adults aged 18 to 34 remain anchored to the summer months, but stand out with a certain flexibility. A quarter of them also go away outside school vacation periods.
   
• Among 34-55 year-olds, August is the preferred month, accounting for up to 48% of departures. This may be due to their children's school schedules. This category favors departures over the two summer months, which reinforces the concentration of summer departures. These age groups mostly travel with their families.
   
• Seniors aged 65 and over have different vacation habits. They are less constrained by professional or family obligations, and prefer to leave in September/October (40%), far from the summer crowds, showing a preference for the low season.
   

Holidaymakers' preferences in terms of destinations reveal great diversity. The survey reveals that among the most popular vacation destinations, south-east France tops the list, with 31% of preferences expressed. Mediterranean beaches appeal for their sunny landscapes and seaside activities. For lovers of cultural and natural escapades, the lush green landscapes of the Massif Central and the Southern Alps also appeal.

However, 29% of holidaymakers choose to go abroad. These choices perfectly capture the diversity of holidaymakers' expectations, between sea, mountains and cultural discoveries.

Foreign destinations are particularly attractive to younger people. Up to 39% of 18-24 year-olds choose destinations outside France for their vacations. This choice is motivated by a desire for cultural discovery. This international openness is also strong among 25-44 year-olds, between 34% and 36% of whom travel outside France.

Conversely, senior citizens prefer closer destinations, notably the South-West (27%) and the South-East (32%).

The northern regions (East and West) remain less popular overall, but their appeal increases significantly in September and October. In particular, the most flexible holidaymakers (seniors or couples without children) are choosing these destinations out of season, going against the grain of traditional summer flows.

Respondents show a marked preference for sunny, touristy areas, with real variation according to age and period of departure.
 

The survey reveals that vacation planning is largely centered on the family circle. The majority of holidaymakers go as a family (44%) or as a couple (43%).

This close-knit vacation model reflects a desire for comfort and logistical simplicity, but also for intimacy and quality relationships during the stay.

Younger people (18-24) are the exception, with a higher proportion of trips with friends (27%), well above the overall average of 8%. This age group also favors groups of three or more people, breaking with the logic of couples or families.

Most vacations are over long distances: 61% of holidaymakers travel more than 600 km, a figure linked to a complete change of region or even country. Respondents traveling in combustion-powered vehicles are over-represented on these long-distance journeys.
 

Summer is marked by a clear domination of the car as the main mode of transport for vacations. According to our survey, 71% of holidaymakers still choose the internal combustion engine for their summer journeys, underlining its accessibility and versatility.

However, there has been a rise in the number of hybrid drivers, to 16%, and electric cars, to 5%.
 

Although summer remains the most popular time of year, bridging periods throughout the year are synonymous with departures.

24% of our respondents leave outside school vacations. The main secondary peaks are the May bridges at 17%, the April vacations at 16%, and the winter vacations at 12%.

At 40%, the 65+ age group takes the most vacations outside school vacations. The 55-64 age group shows a similar logic (29% outside school vacations), but is more present on the May (19%) and April (14%) bank holidays.

The 35-44 and 45-54 age groups prefer May bank holidays, April vacations and winter vacations, as they represent the age groups with the highest family vacation rates (79% and 65%).

The 18-24 and 35-34 age groups also go away outside the school vacations, at 26% and 20% respectively, reflecting a certain flexibility on their part (students or young people without children).