French travelers are showing a shift in their summer vacation preferences, favoring family stays and all-inclusive packages over traditional holiday options. According to the 2026 summer report by Sunweb, the peak travel months of July and August still account for the majority of departures, but there is a growing trend of travel before and after the high season. August remains the most popular departure month, with 35% of travelers, although this is a 22% decline compared to the previous year. July, on the other hand, shows a small increase of 1.5% in travelers. This shift is affecting major sun destinations, with Greece and Tunisia experiencing significant declines of 25% and 33%, respectively, in August. Spain, however, is seeing a smaller decline of 8%, partly due to the island of Lanzarote, which saw a 9% increase in visitors. In July, Spain even recorded a 21% growth in travelers, while Tunisia saw a slight decline of 5%. The trend of traveling outside the traditional high season is becoming more pronounced. Departures in April have risen by 30%, while May and June each saw a 20% increase. This pattern may continue into the fall, as reservations for October are up by 45% compared to the previous year. Tunisia, Greece, and Spain are seeing particularly strong growth, with increases of 132%, 53%, and 37%, respectively. Notably, the increase in October travel is not limited to couples or those without children; families now account for 62% of the bookings. Additionally, last-minute bookings have risen by 40%, indicating a growing flexibility in travel planning. Another change in travel behavior is the timing of reservations. French travelers are booking their summer trips later than before, with 40% more bookings made in June and July compared to 2025. This late booking trend accounts for 25% of travelers departing in July. This shift follows a particularly slow period for summer reservations in March. According to Sunweb, the geopolitical situation and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East have played a significant role in shaping these booking decisions. Despite the changes in travel timing and destination preferences, the French continue to favor all-inclusive vacation packages, which account for 77% of stays in July and 76% in August. The length of stays is also evolving, with 8-day trips becoming more popular, increasing from 37% to 45% of departures in July and from 44% to 47% in August. In contrast, 15-day stays are declining, dropping from 13% to 7.5% in July. Accommodation preferences are also shifting, with 3-star and 5-star hotels seeing increases of 60% and 18%, respectively, while 4-star hotels are down by 15%. Apparthotels, which combine hotel and apartment features, are also seeing a 27% rise in bookings, while traditional hotels are down by 9%. In August, however, all categories of accommodation experience declines, ranging from 10% for 3-star to 30% for 4-star hotels.