Grape harvest jobs in France: regions, harvest contract and pay

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What does a grape picker actually do?

A cutter snips bunches with secateurs, row after row, and drops them into a bucket or basket. The work is done bent over or crouching, in sun or drizzle, and days start early to make the most of cooler morning temperatures.

Porters collect the buckets and carry back-baskets or crates, often weighing 30 to 40 kg, to the trailer. Other jobs include sorting on the sorting table, helping in the cellar at pressing time, and driving tractors or harvest trailers.

When and where does the harvest take place?

Picking starts in late August in southern vineyards such as Languedoc-Roussillon and the Rhône Valley, then moves to Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, the Loire and Alsace in September. Some sweet or late-harvest wines are picked well into October.

Exact dates depend on grape ripeness and weather, so an estate may bring its start forward or push it back by a week. A campaign usually lasts from eight days to three weeks, with possible pauses on days of heavy rain.

Hand picking or machines: why it matters for jobs

Champagne and many Burgundy and Beaujolais appellations require or favour hand picking, which keeps demand for cutters high. Elsewhere, harvesting machines shrink the crews but create openings for drivers, sorters and cellar workers during the same weeks.

Who is allowed to work the harvest?

Citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland can work in France freely, with a valid ID card or passport and no permit. The harvest contract is also open to employees on paid leave and civil servants alongside their main job.

Other nationals need a document that allows work. For seasonal jobs, the employer applies online for a work authorisation and the consulate then issues a visa; the multi-year seasonal worker card allows up to six months of work per year over three years.

How much does a grape picker earn in 2026?

Pay cannot fall below the French minimum wage (SMIC), set at €12.31 gross per hour from 1 June 2026, or €1,867.02 gross per month for 35 hours, nor below the agricultural collective agreement minimum if that is higher for the job.

At the end of the contract, pickers receive a holiday allowance equal to 10% of total gross pay. Hours above 35 per week are paid 25% extra up to the 43rd hour, then 50% extra, as summarised by the labour inspectorate.

How many hours will you work?

The legal maximum is 10 hours a day and 48 hours a week, with an average of 44 hours over twelve weeks. A break of at least 20 minutes is due after six hours of continuous work, and daily rest must last at least 11 hours.

The French harvest contract explained

The contrat vendanges is a specific fixed-term contract limited to one month, covering preparation, picking and clearing equipment. The same worker may sign several, with one or more growers, as long as the total stays within two months over any twelve-month period.

The contract must be in writing and handed over within 48 hours. It does not carry the usual end-of-contract bonus, but a payslip is required with every payment and the hourly rate must equal that of permanent staff in an equivalent job.

Housing and meals: what to expect

Some estates, especially in Champagne and Burgundy, house and feed their pickers for free; others deduct a contribution or offer nothing at all. Group housing must be declared to the prefecture and meet safety, hygiene and drinking-water standards.

In the vineyard, the grower must provide free drinking water, toilets, a place to eat and any protective equipment required. A car and a driving licence are often appreciated, because many vineyards are far from public transport, particularly in rural Burgundy.

Getting hired for the French harvest: step by step

Large houses start recruiting in spring and smaller estates keep hiring until the first days of picking. A simple application, clearly stated dates and a quick reply are often enough, because no experience is needed for cutting grapes.

1. Pick one or two wine regions that match your dates, from the south in late August to the north in September.
2. Write a short CV stating exact availability, physical fitness and whether you hold a driving licence.
3. Search France Travail listings for "vendanges" and "viticulture", plus regional chamber of agriculture boards.
4. Contact estates and wine cooperatives directly by email or phone from May or June onwards.
5. Ask in writing for the contract type, hourly rate, expected hours and housing arrangements.
6. If you are a non-EU national, confirm before travelling that the employer has obtained your work authorisation.
7. Pack boots, rain gear, gloves and your ID, then confirm your arrival date with the estate.

Costs, documents and pay at a glance

The table below lists what a picker should budget for and check. Pay figures are the 2026 legal minimums; other costs vary widely depending on whether the estate provides accommodation and meals during the campaign.

A typical day in the vines

The day often starts around 7.30 am with rows being allocated. Teams cut until noon, eat on site or at the estate, then return for the afternoon. The team leader checks that bunches are cut cleanly and that damaged fruit is left out.

Common mistakes and scams to avoid

The harvest attracts many applicants and a few dishonest middlemen. The same traps appear every season and can be costly, especially for workers travelling from abroad with limited savings.

• Paying "registration" or placement fees to an intermediary: lawful recruitment in France is free.
• Starting without a written contract or MSA declaration, which leaves you uninsured after an accident.
• Accepting piece rates or a flat daily amount that works out below the hourly minimum wage.
• Travelling without confirmed accommodation to a region where everything is fully booked.
• Skipping proper rain gear and footwear, a frequent reason pickers quit halfway through.

Grape harvest in France: frequently asked questions

The answers below cover the most common situations. For a specific case, the local labour inspectorate and the MSA, the agricultural social security body, remain the reference contacts for farm workers and their employers.

Do you need experience to pick grapes?

No. Most estates take beginners for cutting after a short demonstration. Fitness, punctuality and following instructions matter more than experience. Porter, forklift and cellar jobs, however, require more stamina or specific skills, and some estates ask for previous harvest references.

Can under-18s work the harvest?

Yes, with limits. Young people aged 14 and 15 may only do light work during school holidays, at most seven hours a day, and the employer must notify the labour inspectorate. Many estates nevertheless restrict picking jobs to people aged 18 and over.

Can you combine the harvest with another job?

Yes. The harvest contract was designed so that employees on paid leave and civil servants could take part in the picking. Combined work must still respect maximum working hours and the cap of two months of harvest contracts over twelve months.

How much can you earn in a two-week campaign?

At 39 hours a week on the 2026 minimum wage, two weeks come to roughly €1,000 gross before overtime premiums and the 10% holiday allowance. Take-home pay depends on social contributions and any deduction for housing or meals.

What paperwork do you receive at the end?

The employer must hand over a work certificate, the France Travail certificate used for unemployment rights, the final settlement statement and the last payslip. Keep them all: they prove your hours and can open or top up unemployment entitlements in France.