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Announcing a Baby and Taking Leave in France

Tell your manager you're expecting, ask about maternity, paternity and parental leave, and plan your return.

In France maternity leave (« congé maternité ») is 16 weeks for a first or second child, and the second parent gets a « congé paternité et d'accueil de l'enfant » of 25 days, the first 4 taken straight after the birth, on top of 3 days of birth leave paid by the employer. During leave you are paid daily allowances (« indemnités journalières ») by the Assurance Maladie, often topped up under your company's collective agreement. Afterwards either parent can take unpaid « congé parental d'éducation », with a modest allowance from the CAF.

Smiling professional colleagues in a modern office sharing a coffee break discussion.
Photo: Kampus Production on Pexels
  1. 1

    J'ai une nouvelle à vous annoncer : on attend un bébé.

    I have some news: we're expecting a baby.

    Tip: Formal: to your manager.

  2. 2

    Félicitations ! C'est prévu pour quand ?

    Congratulations! When is it due?

  3. 3

    L'accouchement est prévu en mars.

    The baby is due in March.

  4. 4

    Je pars en congé maternité en janvier.

    I'm going on maternity leave in January.

  5. 5

    J'ai droit à combien de semaines ?

    How many weeks am I entitled to?

  6. 6

    Je voudrais prendre mon congé paternité.

    I'd like to take my paternity leave.

  7. 7

    Les quatre premiers jours sont obligatoires.

    The first four days are compulsory.

  8. 8

    Qui me paie pendant le congé ?

    Who pays during the leave?

  9. 9

    Vous touchez des indemnités journalières de la Sécu.

    You receive daily allowances from the health insurance.

  10. 10

    Est-ce que l'entreprise maintient le salaire ?

    Does the company top up the salary?

  11. 11

    Je dois remplir un formulaire pour les RH.

    I need to fill in a form for HR.

  12. 12

    Je pense prendre un congé parental après.

    I'm thinking of taking parental leave afterwards.

  13. 13

    Je peux passer à temps partiel à mon retour ?

    Can I go part-time when I come back?

  14. 14

    Qui va me remplacer ?

    Who's going to cover for me?

  15. 15

    Je vais passer mes dossiers avant de partir.

    I'll hand over my files before I go.

  16. 16

    N'hésitez pas à m'appeler en cas de besoin.

    Don't hesitate to call me if needed.

  17. 17

    On va se débrouiller sans toi.

    We'll manage without you.

    Tip: A colleague you're on first-name terms with says this.

  18. 18

    Profite bien de ton bébé.

    Enjoy this time with your baby.

  19. 19

    On a trouvé une place en crèche.

    We've found a place at a nursery.

  20. 20

    Je reprends le travail en septembre.

    I'm going back to work in September.