Vendanges 2026: Grape Harvest Jobs in France and What They Pay

Each year, wine estates across Burgundy-Franche-Comte need more than 40,000 grape pickers to bring in the harvest, according to CAVB. For job seekers - students, people between contracts, or anyone looking for short-term outdoor work - the vendanges are one of the more accessible seasonal employment options in France: no diploma required, no prior experience needed.

When Does the 2026 Harvest Start?

France Travail and regional professional organisations expect the 2026 vendanges in Burgundy-Franche-Comte to begin between early and mid-August in most domains. That start date can shift depending on the local area and weather conditions, so check directly with the estate or monitor the job platforms listed below as the date approaches.

What Work Is Involved?

The main harvest roles are:

• Coupeur - cuts grape clusters from the vine using secateurs
• Porteur - collects filled harvest baskets and moves them to the collection trailer
• Ouvrier caviste - a cellar hand who processes grapes once they arrive at the winery

None of these roles requires a diploma or previous experience. Employers are mainly looking for motivated people prepared to work outdoors, in a team, in a physically active setting. The work is concentrated and time-sensitive - domains need people who can commit for the duration of the harvest period.

Most recruitment in BFC is concentrated in Cote-d'Or (department 21) and Saone-et-Loire (department 71).

Pay and Financial Benefits

The source does not publish a fixed pay rate - terms are agreed between the employer and worker at the point of hire. What is confirmed by France Travail and regional partners: in all the viticultural departments of the region, harvest wages can be combined with RSA (the French income support benefit). If you currently receive RSA and are considering a harvest role, speak to your France Travail adviser or the departmental council before signing anything - the rules are manageable but worth understanding in advance.

Seasonal workers can also access housing support through Action Logement, which is worth exploring if you are not based near the estate.

Who Can Apply - Including Students

Roles are open to all candidates. Since 2024, a "Vendanges Etudiantes" programme has run specifically in Bourgogne, covering departments 21, 71, and 89. VITA Bourgogne organises the matching between student candidates and wine domains. For students under 26, the programme covers the cost of a train ticket to the station closest to the estate - a practical help for anyone coming from a city or studying at a distance. The programme was introduced to address the shortage of seasonal workers that domains face each harvest, and VITA Bourgogne handles all the logistics so applicants do not need to coordinate transport themselves.

How to Apply

France Travail, ANEFA Bourgogne-Franche-Comte, FRSEA, and VITA Bourgogne coordinate the annual recruitment campaign together. Free platforms let candidates browse and apply:

• francetravail.fr - employers post vacancies and candidates apply directly, with adviser support available. For 2026, dedicated harvest welcome desks are open at agencies in Chalon, Macon, Lons-le-Saunier, Auxerre Bricheres, and Dijon Sud, in addition to the existing desk in Beaune.
• lagriculture-recrute.org - a free platform with support from departmental agricultural services.
• vitabourgogne.com - the specialist vine-and-wine job platform in Bourgogne, backed by 4,500 vignerons and negoces. Free to use, no account creation required, and applications take only a few minutes.

ANEFA also provides free guidance to candidates throughout the campaign. If you are new to seasonal agricultural work, one of the France Travail agencies above is a practical first point of contact.