# Working time rules in France

> French working time explained: the 35-hour week, 10-hour daily and 48-hour weekly maximums, 20-minute break, daily and weekly rest. With sources from the official Code du travail numérique.

URL: https://timetracking.tech/labor-laws/france
Language: en
Last updated: 2026-10-24

The French Code du travail sets the legal working week, the maximum hours and the minimum rest. The famous 35 hours is not a maximum but the threshold for overtime. Here is the summary, with links to the official Code du travail numérique.

Last reviewed: 2026-10-24

## The rules at a glance

| Topic | Rule | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Legal working week | 35 hours per week; this is the threshold for overtime, not a maximum | [art. L3121-27](https://code.travail.gouv.fr/code-du-travail/l3121-27) |
| Daily maximum | 10 hours of effective work per day; a collective agreement can raise this to 12 hours in certain cases | [art. L3121-18](https://code.travail.gouv.fr/code-du-travail/l3121-18) |
| Weekly maximum | 48 hours in a single week, and 44 hours per week on average over 12 consecutive weeks | [art. L3121-20 – L3121-22](https://code.travail.gouv.fr/code-du-travail/l3121-20) |
| Breaks | At least 20 consecutive minutes as soon as daily work reaches 6 hours | [art. L3121-16](https://code.travail.gouv.fr/code-du-travail/l3121-16) |
| Daily rest | At least 11 consecutive hours | [art. L3131-1](https://code.travail.gouv.fr/code-du-travail/l3131-1) |
| Weekly rest | At least 24 consecutive hours, plus the 11 hours of daily rest | [art. L3132-2](https://code.travail.gouv.fr/code-du-travail/l3132-2) |

> **Not legal advice.** This page summarises the general statutory rules for adult employees. Collective agreements, sector rules, young workers and executives can have different rules, and laws change. Check the linked official source or ask an employment lawyer before you rely on a rule. TimeTracking accepts no liability for decisions based on this page.

## 35 hours is a threshold, not a limit

The legal working week is 35 hours. Hours above that are overtime and are paid or compensated as such; they are not forbidden. The actual maximums are 10 hours of effective work per day, which a collective agreement can raise to 12 hours in certain cases, and 48 hours in a single week, with an average of at most 44 hours per week over 12 consecutive weeks.

For payroll, this means every hour above 35 has to be identified per week, and for compliance the 48-hour and 12-week average limits have to be watched.

- [Overtime explained](https://timetracking.tech/glossary/overtime)

## Breaks and rest

As soon as daily work reaches 6 hours, the employee is entitled to a break of at least 20 consecutive minutes. Between two working days, at least 11 consecutive hours of rest apply. Weekly rest is at least 24 consecutive hours, plus the 11 hours of daily rest.

Night work, Sunday work and specific sectors have their own rules in the Code du travail and in collective agreements; we do not summarise them here.

- [Rest time explained](https://timetracking.tech/glossary/rest-time)
- [Break rules explained](https://timetracking.tech/glossary/break-rules)

## How TimeTracking helps

TimeTracking records start, end and breaks for every shift, keeps every correction in an audit log and exports approved hours as CSV or XLSX, so overtime above 35 hours per week is easy to identify for payroll. A French rule pack with warnings for the limits above is not built in, so check the rules yourself. The app is available in 20 languages, including French. TimeTracking is free for up to 5 users; Core costs €1 and Pro €3 per user per month.

- [Belgium](https://timetracking.tech/labor-laws/belgium)
- [Spain](https://timetracking.tech/labor-laws/spain)
- [Weekly timesheet template](https://timetracking.tech/timesheet-templates/weekly)

## Official sources

- [Code du travail, art. L3121-27 (Code du travail numérique)](https://code.travail.gouv.fr/code-du-travail/l3121-27)
- [Code du travail, art. L3121-18 (Code du travail numérique)](https://code.travail.gouv.fr/code-du-travail/l3121-18)
- [Code du travail, art. L3121-20 à L3121-22 (Code du travail numérique)](https://code.travail.gouv.fr/code-du-travail/l3121-20)
- [Code du travail, art. L3121-16 (Code du travail numérique)](https://code.travail.gouv.fr/code-du-travail/l3121-16)
- [Code du travail, art. L3131-1 (Code du travail numérique)](https://code.travail.gouv.fr/code-du-travail/l3131-1)
- [Code du travail, art. L3132-2 (Code du travail numérique)](https://code.travail.gouv.fr/code-du-travail/l3132-2)

## Frequently asked questions

### Is 35 hours the maximum working week in France?

No. 35 hours is the legal working week and the threshold for overtime. The maximums are 48 hours in a single week and 44 hours per week on average over 12 consecutive weeks.

### How long may employees work per day in France?

At most 10 hours of effective work per day; a collective agreement can raise this to 12 hours in certain cases.

### When is a break required in France?

As soon as daily work reaches 6 hours, a break of at least 20 consecutive minutes.