The French agricultural sector plays a significant role in the country’s economy. France is the leading country in Europe for the production of cereals and sugar beets and the second for the production of wine and milk. The livestock sector is also very important, with many farms raising cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats.
In the north and center of the country, cereal farming prevails. In the west, farms are predominant. In Brittany, the Loire, and the Rhône Valley, horticulture, fruit growing, and viticulture are mainly practiced. Aquitaine, Languedoc-Roussillon, Alsace, and Burgundy are famous for wine production.
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Given the importance and spread of the agricultural sector throughout France, it is not difficult to find work in this sector, which employs nearly a million seasonal workers each year. Work that can be done without a diploma or professional experience. Most requests are concentrated during the summer season or during the harvest season of products, but there are indeed other farms that are looking for staff all year round. In the case of seasonal or temporary work, accommodation and meals are normally included. Compensation is established in accordance with existing union agreements.
Keep in mind that working in the countryside is heavy and physically demanding.
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I would like to highlight these job search sites in the field of agriculture:
- Pole-Emploi also contains many offers for seasonal agricultural work
- ANEFA as well as information on the site contains temporary or permanent job offers in the agricultural and livestock sector
- APCA (Permanent Assembly of Chambers of Agriculture) offers jobs for
- Journal Agricultureannonces sector specialized in agriculture with a section dedicated to job offers
- Association Apecita which promotes integration to work in the agricultural and agri-food sector
- Agrajob, a site specialized in agriculture and catering, contains job offers for specialized staff
Potato Harvest
This is a seasonal job that mainly affects the months of August, September, and October, periods that may vary slightly depending on weather conditions. Farmers start looking for staff as early as May.
The potato collection is done mechanically, while manual work consists of sorting them. This step is carried out immediately after harvesting, in the field. All waste collected with the potatoes (soil, stones, rotten potatoes, grass, etc.) must be eliminated. Employees work 6 days a week.
This is tiring work; you must stand all day, but it is done in a friendly atmosphere and there is a chance to chat with colleagues (thus also improving your language skills). Some companies provide other accommodations; if they do not offer it, they will recommend nearby lodging and pick you up in the morning by bus. To search for work, you can refer to Pole-Emploi
Harvest
This is also a seasonal job that mainly takes place during the month of September; the dates may vary slightly depending on weather conditions. Grapes can be harvested manually or mechanically. The required roles are mainly two: the binder (who cuts the bunches and places them in a basket) and the carrier (who places these baskets on the means of transport).
This is physically demanding work and is paid in accordance with the law (around €10/hour). The workweek is 35 hours. Knowledge of the language is not strictly necessary for the job, but at least basic knowledge would be appropriate, both for dialogue at work and in case you need to look for accommodation, as not all companies offer it, and in cases where they do, it may be deducted from your paycheck. To search for work, you can refer to Pole-Emploi by using the search term ‘vendangeur’ (harvester) or ‘vendange’ (harvest)
Viotijob, is rather an agency specialized in job offers in the wine sector. For specialized staff
Last updated 12/01/2020
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