How to

What you can challenge on a French taxe d’habitation bill - and how to do it

Over €700 million was erroneously collected for the property tax last year

How to sell your jewellery or gold in France

The sale of gold is highly regulated in France. We give tips to make the most of the booming market

2024 rules for repatriating a body to or from France

The cost of transporting the deceased can vary considerably, and you may need to appoint a funeral director both in France and the repatriation country

practical

Explained: 2024 inheritance tax for family members in France

Any bill also depends on the amount left and the nature of the assets

When, where, how: 2024-2025 flu vaccinations in France

The new campaign begins on October 15. Here are the details and how to get a jab

How to reserve a free session with a psychologist in France

People with a range of ‘light to moderate’ issues can benefit from 12 consultations without first seeing their GP

How to keep hunters out of your garden in France

They can enter your land unless you take steps to explicitly state that you do not want them to

Some French ATMs now allow card-free cash withdrawals - how does it work?

The system could be useful for those who have forgotten their bank card

Passengers on French trains can be paid to carry parcels

Travellers can earn up to €20 via an eco-friendly idea from a new start-up

How to correct your 2024 French tax declaration

Changes can be made until December

New scam over household bins in France: how to avoid being caught out

The scam relates to your council-issued bin

French second-home tax errors: How to know if overpaid and what to do

Amount of taxe d’habitation wrongly collected is said to have doubled last year. Refund requests can be made

How to save energy and money running your swimming pool at French home

Try these tweaks to avoid excess electricity and water bills

Second home in France: how to save on running costs

Tax reductions and aid for renovation work can also help boost investment value

Box tree caterpillar cases rise in France: How to protect your hedges

Climate change is helping the insect to spread across the country, requiring a multi-pronged approach to tackle the threat

Grass clippings: what to do if the tip does not accept them in France

Rennes metropole is the first to bring in a ban - and has ended door-to-door pick ups - but other areas have followed

How to apply for seasonal work in France as a non-EU citizen

Job adverts, work permits and visas - we explain the rules for employees and employers

Ways to avoid queues at motorway tolls in France

You can make travel easier by anticipating the 133 payment barriers

How to check for leaks in your French home without a smart water meter

Homeowners should do regular checks to monitor their water consumption

Tax declarations in France: How to tell an official email from a scam

Staying alert can help protect you and your money during this declaration period

How to be an organ donor in France

Family members are interviewed after a death over donation plans

How to contest increased or ‘catch up’ energy bills in France

There are several options which may result in a partial refund or a recalculation of a bill

Key financial steps to take after the death of family member in France

Unlocking bank accounts, cancelling contracts, we look what you need to do in the months following the death

How to wake up your swimming pool when temperatures get warmer

We look at the different steps you need to take to get your pool ready for the warmer days ahead

How to keep boars off land in France: natural ways or electric fence?

Homeowners are seeing more damage each year as numbers of the animals increase

Why Google Maps has disappeared in France and how to get it back

Searches for place names no longer lead to the online map

What to do (and not to do) after a home burglary in France

Around 596 break-ins are reported daily

How homeowners successfully challenged French property tax rise

We explain how to spot incorrect assumptions on your taxe foncière bill

How to make a police complaint by video link from your home in France

Scheme allows most crimes to be reported online. It will roll out nationally this year

Compare, switch, save: Which French electricity contract is best?

How to work out the right contract for you and avoid termination charges if you change provider

How to avoid falling victim to ‘false bank advisor’ scams in France

These types of scams have ‘exploded’ in recent years, says a cybersecurity expert

Money-maker: How to rent out your car in France Airbnb-style

Online platforms match car owners with drivers looking for short-term hire

How to send a registered letter online from home in France

The postal service can print and send them for you

How to send a parcel from your own letterbox in France

La Poste can pick up packages of up to 5kg from your home

Life insurance pay-out scam resurfaces in France - how to spot it

The con involves realistic notaire letters but there are tell-tale signs

How to get free help with French admin problems

Pimms Médiation can guide you through the maze of bureaucracy - even if you do not speak French

Understand the rules for caravans in France

Weight class, licences, speed limits, fines and insurance

Buying and selling a home in France: What is the viager system?

France has an unusual way of buying and selling a home based on estimates of the seller’s life expectancy. In many cases it is the only realistic way for homeowners to release equity from their property

American expats in France: 5 tips for your first tax season

The rules require US citizens to file with the IRS, their state and the French authorities

How to get a free pair of glasses in France

Opticians must recommend at least one free pair under the French 100 Santé scheme

4 tips to stay safe and check icy roads in real-time in France

We cover journey planning, safer driving - and tyre socks

Residency card, tax, visa: Who to inform and how if you move in France

Our guide to ensure changes of address are taken into account

France’s ‘catastrophe naturelle’ insurance system: how to claim

This specific compensation covers serious weather events such as earthquakes, floods and landslides and can only come after a government decree

Bin, forest? How to dispose of your Christmas tree legally in France

Be aware that there can be tough fines for fly-tipping and even worse for dumping it in a forest

Ten tips on insurance claims for storm damage in France

How to navigate the French insurance system if your property or belongings have been affected by high winds or rain

Tips to help avoid chimney fires as numbers increase in France

Correct wood, regular upkeep; we look at what you can do to reduce the risk

How to learn French through language acquisition

We look at the difference between language learning and language acquisition, and how these can be used to boost your French skills

Can you bring your own wine to a French restaurant?

The practice is becoming increasingly popular as people’s budgets are squeezed, but it is important to be 100% clear on the restaurant’s rules before showing up bottle-in-hand

Explainer: Speed cameras, fines and driving licence points in France

We look at the history of France’s speed camera network and how the related fines work today

How to build a snake hotel in your French garden as population falls

Jonathan Kemp makes snakes welcome in his garden in spite of his phobia

How compensation for electricity power cuts works in France

Power cut payments are calculated per five-hour outage

How to get help to pay for care home fees in France

There are a number of financial aid plans available and routes to explore

How to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning in French home

Warnings raised after Storm Ciaran causes spike in cases

The six new US bills which could affect Americans in France

Americans in France should contact their congresspeople to voice their support for six upcoming bills that could help them, says an expat association

Explainer: burials, cremations and funerals in France

We look at the rules and procedures following a death

How to see a doctor if you cannot sign up with GP in France

You can still get treatment but will not be reimbursed the same as with a médecin traitant

Six pieces of advice if you plan to grow old in France

Having difficult conversations early is key to ageing happily abroad says columnist Cynthia Spillman

Explainer: ‘tutelle’ and other forms of power of attorney in France

France has two main court-ordered systems for looking after the interests of vulnerable people but other options also exist

How to become a guide dog trainer in France

The dogs tend to be Golden or Labrador Retrievers as these breeds are known for their good-natured demeanour and ability to be trained effectively

How does EU's 90/180-day rule work when visiting France?

The 90/180-day rule impacts non-EU citizens visiting France, including Britons, Americans, New Zealanders, and others.

Plumbers, locksmiths: how to avoid scams with urgent repairs in France

Tradespeople are highly regulated - even in emergency situations

How to become a volunteer firefighter in France

Fire stations are always looking for volunteers and the selection criteria is less strict than you might imagine

How to watch the rugby world cup on French TV for free

All of the remaining Rugby World Cup matches, including the final, are on TF1

Four tips for saving money on internet and mobile contracts in France

Try these tips to save cash on smartphone and internet plans, especially if your usage is low or you have a second home

Travel: How to be reimbursed if affected by strike action in France

Widespread disruption is expected for travellers on Friday due to a nationwide strike

How you must try to resolve neighbour disputes amicably in France

A mediator must always be used before taking certain issues to court

Britons in France to reclaim right to vote but what paperwork needed?

The UK Parliament is set to consider how Britons who have been abroad for more than 15 years can re-register to vote in next elections

How to get financial help to repair a smartphone in France

The national ‘bonus réparation’ scheme is set to include broken smartphones from next year

Tips to avoid kilometrage fraud when buying second-hand car in France

Around one in ten second-hand cars is thought to have a false reading on their odometer

Reminder: How to find the best petrol prices near you in France

Interactive maps show the cheapest service stations

Explainer: DPE survey and new energy audit for properties in France

Key points on the mandatory 'diagnostic de performance énergétique' and extra audit for low-rated homes

Rise in solar panel scams in France and how to spot the tricks

Homeowners looking to install solar panels warned to be sceptical of ‘too good to be true’ deals

How to dispose of rubble, bricks and other renovation waste in France

Planning ahead can be beneficial when it comes to cleaning up after renovation work

How to protect copies of documents from identity theft in France

The government website adds a watermark to digital copies of passports, identity cards or driving licences

How to dispose of different waste items in France

What to bin, what to return and what to recycle? Our guide on how to manage your household waste efficiently