A Case for La Rentrée

During August, large parts of France slow down or completely stop. This summer vacation is more akin to a ritual for the French, with friends and families heading to the countryside or abroad to unwind, relax, and reflect. Paris, especially, is hit by this mass exodus – most independent shops close and the normally bustling metropolis simmers down to a gentle pace.

However, September comes and the city suddenly jolts back to life. This is known as La Rentrée (the return). Shops and cafés reopen, filled with reunited friends sharing stories and pictures of their summer breaks. There is an abrupt energy in the streets and the city swells with energy and excitement.

As you may have noticed, we here at Seymour HQ took our own annual holiday and now we’re back, reenergised, and brimming with anticipation at the huge exciting challenges that await us in the coming year; because that’s what La Rentrée is, an opportunity for revitalisation.

That said, you don’t have to be in France to experience La Rentrée, nor do you have to wait until next year – just taking a weekend, afternoon, or even a lunch break for introspection to unwind and reflect can be immensely rewarding. Disconnect, relax, pull away from the pressures that can hamper us in day-to-day life and, more often than not, you’ll come back reinvigorated and fresh, ready to push on and enjoy challenges and projects, new and old.

 

W.K.2014