Like everyone else, retirees deserve relaxing vacations to recharge, escape routine, and combat isolation by connecting with others. Fortunately, numerous financial aids make travel accessible. These include means-tested preferential stays from the National Agency for Holiday Vouchers (ANCV), pension fund support for most seniors, and transport discounts for seamless getaways.
The National Agency for Holiday Vouchers (ANCV), dedicated to funding holidays for employees and non-employees alike, partners with the National Old Age Insurance Fund (CNAV) since 2007 on the "Seniors on Vacation" initiative.
This program enables modest-income seniors to enjoy all-inclusive stays in France or Europe—by the sea, in the countryside, or mountains—at preferential rates.
Beyond affordable pricing, eligible retirees receive ANCV grants covering up to 50% of costs, capped at €160 or €135 based on stay length. Aid is limited to once per person per year and subject to income verification.
Stays feature comprehensive services: double-room accommodation, full board, daily activities, at least one excursion, evening entertainment, and transfers. Summer options avoid school holidays. To date, 600,000 seniors have vacationed with this support. Note: Caregivers for the elderly may also qualify.
Retirees can access aid from basic and supplementary pension funds to fund holidays.
This often includes negotiated preferential rates with holiday villages, such as those from Retirement Insurance via ANCV.
Financial grants, typically means-tested, cover portions of stay costs. For instance, Ircantec (supplementary pension for public service contract workers) funds up to 90% for affiliates, once every two years, based on income.
Similarly, the National Pension Fund for Local Authority Agents (CNRACL) provides aid for accommodation, transport, or vacation checks, scaled to recipients' reference tax income.
Retirees using trains or planes enjoy reduced fares for vacation trips.
SNCF offers annual vacation tickets for TGV INOUI, TER, or Intercités journeys: at least 25% off round trips over 200km, once yearly. Discounts reach 50% with holiday vouchers covering half the cost, subject to availability.
Seniors 65+ flying with Air France can get a senior card for up to 30% off tickets, including checked baggage.
