Is the vacation calendar evolving for the French?
It is one of the key takeaways from Sunweb’s summer 2026 review.
While July and August still account for a large share of departures, the periods before and after the peak season are gaining ground more strongly.
This shift is also accompanied by later bookings.
It is one of the key takeaways from Sunweb’s summer 2026 review.
While July and August still account for a large share of departures, the periods before and after the peak season are gaining ground more strongly.
This shift is also accompanied by later bookings.
August in the lead, but July holds up better
The core of summer doesn’t move in the same way across the months.
Compared with 2025, July remains steady with a slight 1.5% increase in travelers, while August — still the main departure month with 35% of travelers — declines by 22%.
This evolution also affects the major sun destinations, notably Greece (-25%) and Tunisia (-33%) in August.
Conversely, Spain shows a smaller decline (-8%), driven in particular by Lanzarote (+9%). In July, the Spanish destination even records a +21% rise, while Tunisia retreats slightly (-5%).
These gaps mainly reflect a more uneven demand at the height of the season, with certain destinations continuing to perform well despite the overall August drop.
Compared with 2025, July remains steady with a slight 1.5% increase in travelers, while August — still the main departure month with 35% of travelers — declines by 22%.
This evolution also affects the major sun destinations, notably Greece (-25%) and Tunisia (-33%) in August.
Conversely, Spain shows a smaller decline (-8%), driven in particular by Lanzarote (+9%). In July, the Spanish destination even records a +21% rise, while Tunisia retreats slightly (-5%).
These gaps mainly reflect a more uneven demand at the height of the season, with certain destinations continuing to perform well despite the overall August drop.
April, May and June show stronger gains
Beyond the August month, the figures mainly point to a rise in departures outside the very peak season.
Travelers who left in April rose by 30%, while May and June each posted a 20% increase.
This trend could continue after the summer. To date, bookings for October are up 45% versus the previous year.
The surge is especially notable for Sunweb’s three main sun destinations: +132% for Tunisia, +53% for Greece, and +37% for Spain.
And this October clientele isn’t limited to couples or travelers with no school constraints; families currently account for 62% of reservations.
Travelers who left in April rose by 30%, while May and June each posted a 20% increase.
This trend could continue after the summer. To date, bookings for October are up 45% versus the previous year.
The surge is especially notable for Sunweb’s three main sun destinations: +132% for Tunisia, +53% for Greece, and +37% for Spain.
And this October clientele isn’t limited to couples or travelers with no school constraints; families currently account for 62% of reservations.
Last-minute bookings rise by 40%…
This shift in the calendar comes with another change. The French have waited longer before booking.
Reservations made in June and July for summer departures rose by 40% compared to 2025. They now account for 25% of July departures with Sunweb.
The phenomenon follows a particularly quiet March for summer bookings. According to the tour operator, geopolitical tensions and the war in the Middle East weighed heavily on bookings.
Reservations made in June and July for summer departures rose by 40% compared to 2025. They now account for 25% of July departures with Sunweb.
The phenomenon follows a particularly quiet March for summer bookings. According to the tour operator, geopolitical tensions and the war in the Middle East weighed heavily on bookings.
… but travel habits remain stable
If the French tend to spread their vacations more evenly across the year, their travel habits remain relatively stable.
All-inclusive remains overwhelmingly predominant, with 77% of stays in July and 76% in August.
The duration of stays, on the other hand, is changing more. The 8-day formats are gaining ground, rising from 37% to 45% of departures in July and from 44% to 47% in August. Conversely, 15-day stays fall sharply in July, from 13% to 7.5%.
In terms of accommodation, July reveals different trade-offs by category, with a 60% rise in 3-star bookings and 18% in 5-star, while 4-star bookings fall 15%.
Aparthotels also rise by 27%, while hotels decline by 9%. In August, the drop in departures affects all categories, from -10% for 3-star to -30% for 4-star and -15% for 5-star.
All-inclusive remains overwhelmingly predominant, with 77% of stays in July and 76% in August.
The duration of stays, on the other hand, is changing more. The 8-day formats are gaining ground, rising from 37% to 45% of departures in July and from 44% to 47% in August. Conversely, 15-day stays fall sharply in July, from 13% to 7.5%.
In terms of accommodation, July reveals different trade-offs by category, with a 60% rise in 3-star bookings and 18% in 5-star, while 4-star bookings fall 15%.
Aparthotels also rise by 27%, while hotels decline by 9%. In August, the drop in departures affects all categories, from -10% for 3-star to -30% for 4-star and -15% for 5-star.
