The unstable geopolitical situation worries and has repercussions on the daily lives of the French and the Gersois. No departure, budget reduction or alternatives, families must make choices regarding their summer vacation. Report from the Auch market.
The price of fuel has suffered a sharp increase in recent weeks, inflation continues to be felt in other industries as well. But yet, the summer holidays are approaching: top start on July 4, 2026 for schools… So, how do Auscitains prepare for their holidays in such conditions?
Well, some don’t prepare them, like Tej, 59 years old and a trader on the Auch market and in the Gers since 2014. “In the summer, I can’t, that’s when we sell the best on the markets.” he explains.
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Yet his daily life has nevertheless been turned upside down by this rise in the cost of living in recent times. “The price has almost doubled. I had to go get some goods in Spain, but I’m waiting for it to drop.”
Almost stuck in his activity, Tej even carpools with merchants who also go to get their products elsewhere, in order to save on fuel.
“I don’t necessarily see any difference”
Others do not necessarily feel concerned by this price increase. “I don’t necessarily see any difference,” explains Kevin, 31, “My partner earns a pretty good living.” It’s a year like any other in terms of vacations, for him, but which is also subject to upgrades. “We work more during the year to have good vacations,” says Anaick, 38, in the midst of creating his business.
This accommodation is not for everyone. Thierry, a 54-year-old archaeologist visiting Auch, explains that he does not feel this difference either, but for other reasons. “Personally, I don’t have a car, I never had one and I’m even happy with the price increase.”
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He, who imagines a world without cars, only travels by bike and train for the holidays. He also prefers not necessarily to leave in the summer: “I don’t have any vacations planned in the summer or winter, I take some free time here or there, during the week.” This solution is also considered by Tej, through his activity: “Rather in September”.
Between proximity, help and forecast budget
The preferred destinations? Karine, a territorial civil servant, opts instead for Spain: the annual meeting with her family. “There, the cost of fuel is lower, so we just have to make the journey and then we leave the car, we do everything by bike.” The proximity of the vacation spot many choose it, between France or Spain, the Auscitains are far from exotic landscapes.
On a national scale, Sébastien Lecornu announced, on April 21, aid of 50 euros on fuel according to certain criteria: an income of less than 17,000 euros per year and traveling more than 15 km to get to his place of work. This aid, which could help low-income households to go on vacation more easily, is not unanimous. Winona, 30, is eligible: “For only 50 euros, I won’t do the paperwork, it’s too much administration.”
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Too little for some, but perhaps useful for others. The forecast budget allocated to vacations on average this year is 1,530 euros according to an Ifop study, or 150 euros less than in 2025.
Not everyone is on an equal footing in terms of purchasing power, war in the Middle East or not. But with this conflict with an uncertain outcome, the difference on the 2026 summer holidays should nevertheless be felt by everyone.
