Teenagers in France have varying experiences depending on where in the country they live - rural or urban, north or south. Here is an overview of the current situation regarding social activities and life in general for teenagers living in France.

Youth Organisations

There are many places to look for activities for young people including schools, colleges, tourist offices and town halls (Mairies). Sporting activities typically take place on a Wednesday or a Saturday. There is a national scheme for school-age children, known as Centres Aérés which runs activities throughout the school year on Wednesdays (either all day or in the afternoon as the majority of schools are closed). Parents can select which weeks to attend depending on the activities on offer, fees are dependent on the parent's income. Details are available from the school or town hall.

Many towns and cities have a music school (école de musique) running lessons and activities - again the school or Mairie are the best places to ask for information.

Scouting is still popular in France. The Scout and Guide associations have merged, details of activities can be found on the website SGDF (in French).

• For links to local branches of the movement see the Inter Scoutnet website: Click here

France has a government department specifically for young people, the Ministry of Youth and Sport (Ministère de la Jeunesse et des Sports) and a dedicated information service (Centre d'Information et de Documentation Jeunesse, CIDJ) which provides practical advice and employment initiatives.

• More information on the CIDJ website: Click here (in French)
• Details of many youth activities including clubs and holiday camps can all be accessed via the government website for the Ministry of Youth and Sport
• For a list and contact details for all recognised youth associations: Click here (in French)

School Holidays

The main summer holidays in France last approximately nine weeks and many families traditionally take a long break together during this period. However older teenagers may travel and there are various schemes to help reduce the cost of this.

• The EU youth section has details of cheaper travel and other youth schemes: Click here
• To find the school holiday dates in France: Click here (in French)

Holiday Camps

France has many holiday camps. Some are residential others open on a daily basis. They are known as Colonies de Vacances and many advertise on the Internet and can be searched by region, age group or activity. Typically they cater for 6 to 16 year olds.

Information about holiday camps is available from: 

• 123sejours
• Lescolos 
• The local Administration/Directions Départementales de la Jeunesse et des Sports (find local addresses with the Pages Jaunes yellow pages telephone directory)

Museums and other attractions

Museums traditionally allow free or reduced price entry for under 18s. Some offer courses and workshops in school holidays. Consult the local tourist office for details of those locally.

Cinema is very popular and in the summer there are often special cinema days (journée du cinéma) when films are shown around the clock at low prices. All year round students and children are allowed reduced price entry.

Exchange visits

Within the European Union and beyond there are many study exchanges for young people.

• The European Youth Portal is a good starting point for more information: Click here
• For more help on finding opportunities in France and beyond: Click here
• Club International organises exchanges for older teenagers and students in Paris: Click here

Voluntary work and exchanges

Voluntary work is also popular and often allows young people to gain valuable work experience. The European Youth Portal is a good source of information on projects and provides links to organisations looking for voluntary workers in France and elsewhere. 

• For links to organisations: Click here 
• For information on voluntary work worldwide contact the International Voluntary Service (IVS)

Voluntary work is a good way to gain work experience and can lead to permanent employment.

Youth Employment

Youth unemployment (chômage des Jeunes) is a problem throughout France. Reports have suggested that it is the cause of much of youth crime and the increasing number of suicides among the young.

Schools continue to stress the importance of obtaining qualifications and in particular the Baccalauréat (bac). For French students this is taken at age 18 and is the entrance qualification to higher education.

The legal side of working in France is governed by French labour law (code du travail). France has a mandatory 35-hour working week and there is often flexibility over when these hours are worked. Overtime is allowed but there are strict limits on the amount of this.

• Find more information in English on the European Job Mobility Portal (EURES): Click here

From the age of 14, youngsters in France may begin working formally as long as they have the agreement of their parents. This will usually be in the form of an apprenticeship and it may or may not be combined with continued schooling or training of a more vocational nature. There is the option to terminate the apprenticeship and return to school until age 16 if things do not work out.

• Information on this and other schemes is available from the Ministry of Employment: Click here (in French)

Over 14s may also take on holiday jobs but they must (if they are under 16) still have a minimum amount of holiday time and are only permitted to do jobs which are suitable for them physically. They are subject to the same rules regarding the maximum number of hours worked - that is no more than 10 per day and they may not do night work. Rules apply regarding contracts and minimum levels of pay. Employers must get permission before employing under 18s.

• For in depth information consult the Ministry of Employment website: Click here (in French)  

The French national employment service (Agence Nationale Pour l'Emploi, ANPE) operates over 600 offices throughout France.
These should be the first port of call for people looking for work as many of their services are provided free of charge (including the use of telephones and computers for job hunting activities). ANPE's website allows for registration online as a job seeker.

Temporary work can be found through an agency (agence de travail temporaire/agence d'interim). A social security number and evidence of residence in France are both needed in order to be placed.

Seasonal jobs are available throughout the year in France many of them within the tourist industry. In addition there is grape picking (vendange) and fruit picking. None of these jobs are particularly well paid but employees should in theory be paid at least the minimum wage (SMIC).

• For more information about working on farms contact the Services des Echanges et des Stages Agricoles dans le Monde/SESAME: Click here  
• Students and young people looking for temporary and part-time work should also contact the Centre d'Information et de Documentation Jeunesse (CIDJ) in Paris
• There are regional offices throughout France. For locations and open hours: Click here  
• For more information on voluntary work or to find voluntary work overseas, contact the International Voluntary Service (IVS)

Teenagers and Counselling

Teenagers who run into difficulties with alcohol, drugs can find help and support throughout France.

Many schools have regular visits from social welfare or health experts plus talks by local police and information on drink and drugs. Larger towns will often have a youth help centre (Centre Accueil et Aide aux Jeunes) where young people can go for help.

To find telephone numbers for local counselling and help services consult the front of a local telephone directory.

SOS amitié helps with drug related problems and Aids. It also provides a telephone counselling service.

• Some areas of France are also able to offer English speaking counselling services, see website Counselling in France
• SOS Helpline also offers English-language advice and support
  Tel: 01 46 21 46 46
  Open: 15:00-23:00 daily
  Website

Teenagers and Alcohol

Alcohol and its abuse remains a problem for the French. Figures suggest that as many as 17,000 people a year die as a direct result of alcohol and that the majority of these deaths occur in poor urban and rural areas.

The legal age for drinking alcohol in France is 16 although enforcement is very patchy and younger children are frequently seen drinking in bars.

Alcoholics Anonymous (Alcooliques Anonymes) is active in France and has some groups which operate English-speaking sessions. 

• Full details can be found on their website: Click here (in French) 
• The helpline is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Tel: 0820 32 68 83
• See the AA Europe website for English-speaking meetings in France: Click here 
• Information for children in an alcoholic family situation: Click here (in French)

Teenagers and Drugs

Although still a problem, the use of illegal drugs in France is less widespread than in many other developed countries. Responsibility for dealing with drugs in France rests with the Ministry of the Interior. 

• Further information on the website: Click here (in French)

Information includes latest initiatives to combat the problem, as well as the current legal situation. Use of drugs including cannabis is prohibited. Possession and sale of drugs is also subject to severe punishment.

The government publishes information for parents (in French) giving details of warning signs in children with drug problems. 

• For links to support groups and websites: Click here 
• More information and links to support groups on another government drug site: Click here (in French)

English language help can be found via the organisations mentioned previously in the Counselling section.

Teenage Pregnancy

School age children will receive a certain amount of education and advice regarding sexuality and preventing unwanted pregnancies. The French family planning organisation (Planning Familial) is responsible for providing information on contraception, abortion (avortement), sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS (SIDA).

• The website is comprehensive and provides information relevant to all regions of France: Click here (in French)

Termination of pregnancy (IVG) is legal in France up to 12-weeks after conception. There is a one-week period of compulsory "reflection" prior to termination, except in an urgent case where this can be reduced to two days.

In the first instance girls should approach their usual doctor or a public hospital or clinic which practises abortions. Girls under 18 will have to meet with a counsellor during the week prior to the process and in the days immediately after. There is no requirement for parental consent, but they must be accompanied by an adult (a person over 18 years) throughout the procedure.

AIDS (SIDA) continues to cause concern in France and public health centres throughout the country provide free and confidential information for those who need it. School age children are given information and reminded of the availability of condom machines in public places (often a machine outside a chemists) and in supermarkets.

Driving

The minimum age for driving in France is:

• 14 for a motorcycle or moped below 50cc and with a maximum speed of 45 Kph (28mph)
• 16 for a more powerful vehicle of 51 to 80cc and a maximum speed of 75 Kph (47 mph)
• 18 for a car or motorcycle over 125cc

Many French teenagers have scooters. Scooters of 50cc and below are not allowed on the motorway (autoroute). It is now a requirement for those 14 years olds who wish to ride a scooter or motorcycle to pass a written test and a practical test. This is in an attempt to reduce the number of serious accidents and deaths which occur each year.

A full driving licence is required for anything over 50cc.

Approved crash helmets must be worn by motorcycle riders and their passengers at all times. Third party (responsabilité civile/minimale/tiers illimitée) insurance is compulsory for all vehicles. Comprehensive insurance is also available. It is compulsory to carry the driving licence, vehicle registration papers and insurance documents at all times.

Driving and alcohol

Drivers in France are more regularly stopped and breathalysed now than in the past even in rural areas. A driver is considered to be driving drunk if the blood/alcohol level equals or exceeds 0.5 grams per litre. Serious punishments apply (including prison terms) if a driver is seriously over the limit or the presence of a banned substance (drugs) is detected.

To help young people learn to drive the government operates a scheme allowing those with financial difficulties to learn to drive at minimal expense.

• For more information: Click here (in French)
• Information for teenagers on learning to drive, highway code (code de la route) and getting a driving licence (permis de conduire): Click here (in French)

The Ministry of Transport website Sécurité Routière also gives the legal requirements for driving plus road safety information (in French).

Further Information

• See AngloINFO INFOrmation Page Living with Children in France
• See AngloINFO INFOrmation Page French Education & Schooling in France
• Teen Xpats started by a Scottish teenager living near Toulouse it provides a forum for young people to share their experiences and give advice for others newly arrived in France

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