Grape harvest jobs in France 2026: September update and useful websites
Editorial update, 7 September 2026: the 2026 grape harvest is now under way in many French wine regions, and recruitment is still active. At the time of this update, France Travail’s national search for vendangeurs showed more than 500 offers, including positions starting during the week of 7 September, while other employers are recruiting for later in September. Vitijob also continues to list more than 150 vendanges-related opportunities. If you are available now, it is therefore still worth checking vacancies regularly. Harvest dates can change quickly according to grape maturity, weather and vineyard conditions.
Grape harvest jobs in France 2026 can be a good option for adults looking for short-term seasonal work outdoors. Every year, wine producers recruit workers for vineyards and wine cellars in several French regions. The work is usually physical, practical and temporary. It may include cutting grapes, carrying crates, sorting grapes, cleaning equipment, helping in the cellar or assisting with basic harvest logistics.
The grape harvest season in France generally runs from August into October, but there is no single national starting date. In 2026, job offers have included starts from August through September, with some positions beginning later in the month. Exact dates depend on the area, grape variety, maturity and weather, so applicants should confirm the expected starting date directly with each employer.
Where are grape harvest workers needed?
Seasonal vineyard work can be found in most French wine regions, including Alsace, Beaujolais, Bordeaux, Bourgogne, Champagne, the Rhône Valley, the Loire Valley, Provence, Languedoc-Roussillon and other wine-producing areas. Many picking jobs last only a few days or weeks, while cellar, vinification or broader vineyard roles may continue for longer.
Tip for applicants: prepare a short CV, meaning curriculum vitae, in French or English, and state your dates of availability clearly. Also say if you need accommodation or transport. The France Travail 2026 guide for Champagne and Alsace notes that jobs there are generally not provided with accommodation or meals and that workers may need their own means of transport. Conditions vary between employers and regions, so always check before travelling.
What should you check before applying?
Before accepting a grape harvest job, read the offer carefully. Check the start date, expected duration, working hours, salary, accommodation, meals, transport, insurance and the type of contract. Weather can interrupt or postpone harvesting, so some flexibility may be required.
France has a specific seasonal contract called the contrat vendanges. According to the French Ministry of Labour, one contrat vendanges can last for a maximum of one month. A worker can sign several successive harvest contracts, but their combined duration cannot exceed two months within a twelve-month period. Other vineyard or cellar positions may be offered under different forms of seasonal CDD.
The work can be physically demanding. Cutters usually spend long periods bending or kneeling in the vineyard. Carriers may have to move heavy crates, baskets or grape containers. Cellar work can involve cleaning, moving equipment and working in humid or noisy spaces. Previous experience is not always required, but motivation, punctuality and physical fitness are often important.
Editorial pay and legal note: the French minimum wage is called Smic, meaning salaire minimum interprofessionnel de croissance. As checked on 7 September 2026, the official Service-Public page lists a gross hourly Smic of €12.31 for an adult worker in mainland France. A collective agreement may set a higher minimum. Always check the rate stated in the offer, ask for a written contract and consult the current official Smic information before accepting a job.
Visa and work permit information
Citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland can normally work in France without a work authorisation. The European Economic Area includes the European Union countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. People from outside these countries usually need the correct permission before starting paid seasonal work in France.
For non-European seasonal workers, French official information states that seasonal work under the travailleur saisonnier status is limited to a total of 6 months per year. An employer may also need to obtain a work authorisation. The exact requirements depend on nationality, residence status and personal circumstances. Always consult the official information about work authorisation for a non-European employee, the seasonal worker residence permit and, when necessary, the French consulate before travelling.
Important: Voluntouring.org does not recruit workers, does not arrange paid jobs, does not provide travel reimbursement, does not provide visa support and does not issue invitation letters. This page is only an independent information resource to help readers find official job boards and useful search terms.
Useful websites to find grape harvest jobs in France in 2026
The best French keyword to search is vendanges. You can also try vendangeur, vendangeuse, saisonnier vendanges, aide caviste, caviste vendanges, ouvrier viticole, vendanges logé and vendanges 2026. The word logé means that accommodation may be provided or available.
- L’Agriculture recrute
This is the job platform connected with ANEFA, the French National Association for Employment and Training in Agriculture. Search for vendanges, vendangeur or viticulture, then filter by department, region and contract type. - France Travail
France Travail is the French public employment service. Search for vendanges, vendangeur or vendangeuse. You can also use the job code A1401. During the harvest season, regional pages and job searches are updated frequently. - Vitijob
Vitijob specialises in wine, vineyard and cellar jobs. It is especially useful for harvest roles, cellar assistant jobs, grape sorting, vinification work and other wine-sector positions. - Indeed France
Indeed often lists seasonal harvest offers from vineyards, agencies and local employers. Use filters for location, date of publication and contract type. Try adding logé if you are specifically looking for accommodation. - Jobagri
Jobagri publishes agricultural jobs in France. Search for vendanges, viticole, caviste or saisonnier. - APECITA
APECITA, the Association for Employment of Executives, Engineers and Technicians in Agriculture and Agribusiness, is more specialised. It can be useful for cellar, quality control, vineyard technician and other technical wine-sector positions. - L’Étudiant job board
This platform is aimed mainly at students looking for short jobs. Search for vendanges or cueillette.
Extra places to search
Some local agricultural organisations, regional employment services and wine-growing areas publish their own harvest information. France Travail has dedicated 2026 information for Champagne and Alsace and for Bourgogne-Franche-Comté.
If you already know where you want to work, combine the region or town with the word vendanges. For example: vendanges Champagne 2026, vendanges Bourgogne 2026, vendanges Bordeaux 2026 or vendanges Loire 2026.
Facebook groups can also be useful for discovering leads. You can visit our Facebook group about harvesting jobs in Europe. However, treat social media posts as leads rather than verified job offers. Never send passport scans, bank details or sensitive personal documents to unknown people, and be suspicious of anyone asking you to pay in advance for a job, contract or accommodation.
If you are not looking for a paid job and prefer a cultural exchange with food and accommodation, you can explore the free volunteering opportunities on our international database. Always check that the exchange is legal, fair and clearly explained before travelling.
