The Myth of French Indolence: What Lies Behind the Country's Love of Summer Vacation The notion that the French are perpetually on vacation has become a cliché.
Every summer, as Europe struggles to keep its economies afloat amidst tourist season, France appears to be in a state of suspended animation.
But the country's reputation for 30 days of paid leave per year is based on a myth. Behind this stereotype lies a complex interplay of cultural, historical, and economic factors that have evolved over centuries.