Allez, on a avancé !

The effects of French daylight saving time

• Nous avons perdu une heure de sommeil (et on le sent encore un peu, non ?)

• Les journées sont plus longues et on profite de la lumière du soir plus tard.

• On s’amuse à régler toutes les horloges – du four, du micro-ondes, de la voiture… un vrai casse-tête !

Mais bon, vive l’heure d’été ! Plus de soleil en fin de journée, un air de renouveau… un vrai vent de changement souffle sur cette nouvelle saison. (But hey, vive l’heure d’été! With more sunshine at the end of the day and a fresh sense of renewal, a true breeze of change is sweeping through this new season.)

What is French daylight saving time?

France, like many other European countries, moves the clocks forward by one hour in March to mark the start of French daylight saving time. This adjustment was originally introduced to make better use of natural daylight, allowing for brighter evenings and, in theory, energy savings.

Although losing an hour of sleep can be tough, many people appreciate the benefits of French daylight saving time. The longer evenings mean more time to enjoy outdoor activities, and in France, cafés and terraces fill up with people making the most of the extended daylight. It is also a sign that spring has truly arrived, bringing with it a fresh start and a boost in energy.

Petit lexique du changement d’heure

• Passage à l’heure d’été = Change to summer time
• Avancer l’horloge d’une heure = Move the clock forward by one hour
• Changement d’heure = Time change
• Heure d’été = Daylight saving time
• La nuit se raccourcit = The night becomes shorter
• Le soir il fait jour plus tard = It stays light later in the evening
• Réglage de l’heure = Time adjustment

Spring quotes to inspire you

• “Il y a des pluies de printemps délicieuses où le ciel a l’air de pleurer de joie.” – Paul-Jean Toulet.
  “There are delightful spring rains where the sky seems to weep with joy.”

• “Certains matins de printemps ont une fraîcheur de grenouille.” – Francis Dannemark.
  “Some spring mornings have the freshness of a frog.”

• “Amour et les fleurs ne durent qu’un printemps.” – Ronsard.
  “Love and flowers last only for a springtime.”

• “Mars qui rit, malgré les averses, prépare en secret le printemps.” – Théophile Gautier.
  “March, laughing despite the showers, secretly prepares the spring.”

• “Ô jours de mon printemps, jours couronnés de roses.” – André Chénier.
  “Oh, days of my springtime, days crowned with roses.”

C’est aussi le moment idéal pour quelques expressions de saison

•  Un vent de changement = A wind of change

• Faire le grand ménage de printemps = To do a big spring cleaning

• Tourner la page = To turn the page

• S’épanouir au fil des saisons = To blossom over the course of the seasons

How do you feel about daylight saving time?

Some people love the extra daylight, while others take a few days to adjust. What about you? Do you enjoy French daylight saving time, or does it take you a while to settle into the new rhythm?

Let me know in the comments!