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It’s a subject that comes up twice every year, but which still causes so much confusion. We are talking about the time change. Every time, it’s the same thing. Should you go back or forward your watch? Will we gain an hour of sleep or lose one?
This year, we’re helping you by telling you everything you need to know. You won’t be lost thanks to us. Furthermore, we will offer you a way to remember the time change easily and quickly. The French language is even more beautiful when it allows us to remember important things.
The history of the time change
First of all, let’s go back in more detail to the history of the time change in France. The latter saw the light of day for the first time in 1916, while the First World War was raging. The goal was then to save energy by taking advantage of natural light.
Finally, the measure disappeared after the Second World War, before returning in 1975 following the oil crisis of 1973-1974. Once again, the objective was to reduce energy consumption. To do this, the government wanted to align the hours of activity with the hours of sunshine.
To have
Time change: this date on which the transition to winter time will take place
Since 1998, all countries in the European Union have changed their time. For the coming summer, the time change takes place on the last Sunday in March. As for winter time, the change takes place on the last Sunday in October.
When will we switch to standard time?
So, like every year, the time change will take place on the last weekend in October. This time, it will take place on the night of Saturday October 26 to Sunday October 27. At 3 a.m., you will need to adjust your clocks. But then, should we move forward or backward? To change to winter time, you will have to go back one hour.
Concretely, at 3 a.m., it will be 2 a.m. again. Which means an extra hour of sleep or a little more time to enjoy your morning. Here’s a simple mnemonic to help you remember: in October, we move the time BACK, while in APRIL, we move FORWARD to switch to summer time.
The next time change will take place during the last weekend of March, on the night of Saturday March 29 to Sunday March 30.
An effective measure?
When the October time change occurs, the French complain of waking up in the morning without sunlight, and returning from work at night. Many of them then campaigned for the time change to stop. They want to keep daylight saving time throughout the year.
To have
Time change 2024: the official date of the changeover to winter time not to be missed
It must be said that the energy savings achieved by changing the time are, today, marginal. Indeed, according to the Ecological Transition Agency (Ademe), the measure saves approximately 351 GWH of electricity each year.
If this doesn’t resonate with you, know that this represents 0.07% of total electricity consumption in France. The more the years go by, the less we notice a significant impact. Enough to constantly relaunch the debate on the legitimacy of the time change. But it is not for this year that we say goodbye to it. SO, you have to be prepared to change the times on your watches and electronic devices.
