Which snakes are in France and where? 'People's first reaction when they see a snake is to kill it – which is illegal', says snake expert Matthieu Berroneau
Pebbles, shells, sand: hefty French fines possible for beach souvenirs Fines of up to €150,000 could make you think twice about taking a bit of the beach home
Alert over fire risk in French forests as most blazes caused by people ‘Nine in 10 fires come from human carelessness,’ say authorities in the wake of a wildfire that destroyed 600 hectares in the south of France
news Be vigilant over these large ticks found in south of France The ticks are mainly known for spreading Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, and have been reported in 11 departments so far
The big difference between keeping bees in France and the UK Sue Adams explores the contrasting approaches of French and British beekeepers
Take part in France's garden bird-counting weekend Home owners are being urged to count and identify birds in their garden for an hour at the end of May to help protect avian wildlife in France
FUN PHOTO: Seagull steals a set of dentures in Brittany Bird swooped down to steal mystery set of teeth from under a bench
French motorway closed after hives fall out of lorry releasing bees Dozens of hives were cracked open after toppling during a crash
These plants are endangered in France and should not be picked More than 400 plants are protected in France – but more must be done to educate the public about them
Seven essential apps hikers must have in France From identifying the local flora and fauna, to ensuring you know your route, we highlight six top apps for hikers taking to French trails this spring
Which areas of France are most at risk from earthquakes? Earthquakes can sometimes be felt across the country
No mow May: homeowners in France asked to let grass grow ‘There is no life in a 4 cm-long lawn’ warns one expert, saying that longer grass helps bees and insects to thrive
MAP: which areas in France already have water shortages? Water reserves are above average in some areas due to heavy autumn rainfall but some areas have shortages
Vosges birds to ‘recuperate in Norway’ as part of French trial The plan is aiming to help the emblematic birds, proponents say - but critics say it is a ‘textbook example of what not to do’ Book shows how to cook with the weed black bryony in south-west France Eagle attacks and injures paraglider mid-flight in Savoie, east France Why there are more processionary caterpillars in France this year
Meet France's great garden acrobat With its bright yellow and blue plumage, the Eurasian blue tit is easy to spot in the garden. Gold prospecting firm to target four communes in Brittany Spring into plant swap season and visit a local French ‘TrocPlantes’ French court removes approval for new road - a year after it is built French town overrun by rabbits puts up posters of… rabbit stew recipe Coastal erosion: Hundreds of French homes risk becoming uninhabitable
Open Gardens France: Vibrant borders and crisp hedges in Mayenne After two years clearing rubbish and brambles, Edward Moss and David Marsh delight in sharing their ‘garden rooms’
Brown bear numbers in France rise for first time in 30 years Some 83 brown bears and 16 bear cubs were recorded in the Pyrenees last year
Grass cuttings are no longer accepted at some public tips in France Increasing numbers of public déchetteries are asking you to take care of your cuttings at home
‘Highly damaging’ fruit-eating fly at risk of spreading in France Damage could range from 20-100% of harvests, experts have warned
VIDEO: Hunters say they caught (and released) golden jackal in France They are ‘90% sure’ the animal was a jackal, and are now waiting for DNA test results
French hotels charge less if guests take shorter showers The ‘water saving’ option enables guests to limit their water usage and save resources
Tiger mosquitoes now in Normandy, last region of France to escape them The tiny insects were first detected in France in 2004
Call for action over bears in France after hiker killed in Slovakia Local authorities say we ‘cannot wait until someone dies’ in France to bring in changes
PHOTOS: Study shows greenest and healthiest places in live in France The number of green spaces was a major criteria considered in new health ranking which also looked at healthy food shops, bathing areas and hiking trails
Be aware of caterpillars when walking your dog in France Certain caterpillars can cause necrosis of the tongue in dogs and are appearing earlier each year
Discover hidden nature reserves in France by volunteering How to find your local conservation group and help protect natural spaces not open to the public
Processionary caterpillars in French forest blamed for sick dogs A woman who walked her pets in a tree-covered area had to rush them to the vet
Starling ‘invasion’ wreaks havoc on French city Thousands of the birds have set up camp on roofs, leading to piles of mess, excessive noise and a bad smell. Children’s play areas have been closed
Otters make a comeback in France - how you can help them thrive The recolonisation project is slowly working but the population remains fragile
Fishing is banned off west coast of France to protect dolphins The month-long ban has been denounced by fishing groups but environmentalists say more in needed
‘Hyper-aggressive' seabirds force Marseille to take action Some say the gulls ‘represent the city’ but authorities now have permission to act to reduce their number
Family house in France must be demolished despite planning permission The owners say the issue has cost them €400,000
France’s most beautiful trees revealed - is one near you? Three trees were chosen as winners with one going ahead to represent France in the European contest this February
Secret lives of bats in France: Garonne river is a motorway and buffet We learn about the only mammal that can fly and how they use aerial landmarks to hunt
VIDEO: French mayor frees fox whose head was stuck in pipe The mayor came across the animal during a visit to the city’s old fortifications
Drinking water in towns near Lyon polluted above permitted levels The water serves 166,000 residents in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Migratory birds you may see overhead or stopping off in France Large, small, white, black or brightly-coloured - here are six species of birds you may spot as they make their journeys
Processionary caterpillars already spotted this year in France The insects - which have highly-irritating, toxic hairs - typically only emerge in warmer months
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
€1bn plan announced to safeguard under-threat biodiversity in France The initiative includes the planting of a billion trees and the establishment of more protected areas. Environmental groups say it is not enough
French minister calls new 10-year glyphosate authorisation ‘stupidity’ He called the EU’s decision ‘an environmental step backwards’
Autumn leaves: Rules on what to do with garden waste in France It is illegal to burn garden waste in France (except if you are granted special permission by the mairie). We explore what to do with autumn and green garden waste instead
Do I risk fine if I walk my dog off-lead in France? Dogs must remain on-lead in certain circumstances, including where you are walking, and the breed of dog you own
13 tree fairs and arboretums across France to visit this November No matter where you live, there are events, exhibitions and markets centred around the cultivation of trees - we have listed several for your diary
French wildlife charity to turn hunting enclosure into nature reserve The deer and wild boar were bred to be shot by hunters but will now live out their days on the property
Lynx spotting adventure gives hope to reintroduction scheme in France The dazzling spectacle of a prowling Iberian lynx is thanks to one of Europe’s most successful conservation programmes
Chaos as stag falls through garage roof at house in south-west France The 150kg animal panicked as it could not escape, damaging the garage. The home in the Dordogne is at the foot of a cliff and the stag is thought to have fallen
Visit epic Terra Botanica - France’s magical biodiversity theme park Like the Eden Project on steroids, glow-in-the-dark plants and environmental ideas with a Disney twinkle
Trees in France bloom like in spring as weather disrupts nature cycles Ecosystems, already fragile from previous temperature anomalies, are not following seasonal patterns, impacting their survival
MAP: What are France’s high risk ‘Seveso’ sites and where are they? Why are the sites called ‘Seveso’ and which region has the most sites nationwide?
Listen: Stag bellowing season underway in French forests Did you know that now is stag bellowing season in France, and that every year, nature-lovers gather to listen out for the sound and even compete to imitate it best? We explain.
Discover the aesthetic joys of a super ‘dry’ French Occitanie garden Cathy Thompson visits a stunning garden in the Aude where layering, minimal watering and constant evolution are wonderfully combined
French law: Can I cut an overhanging branch from neighbour’s tree? France’s Code Civil includes specific rules on encroaching branches and trees
Plea to plant local flowers in your gardens in France Gardeners can play a significant role in helping to maintain the country’s biodiversity, a new study suggests
PHOTOS: why there are so many more storks in France now Birds usually migrate south to Africa but more are opting to stay - as these images show
Why 'cicada' song in Brittany is not what it seems (and sounds like) An environmental group was alarmed by the sound, which is usually heard in Mediterranean areas, but a local entomologist has a more logical explanation
New Ryanair routes, barge travel and traffic: 7 French travel updates Our weekly wrap of transport news in France
France drought: checks find hundreds breaking water usage rules 6,000 checks have been carried out this year and will continue into autumn. Those breaking rules risk fines of up to €1,500 (€7,500 for businesses)
France garden tips: try agapanthus, it is hardier than you think The evergreen types are ideal for a Mediterranean climate, coming as they do from the western and eastern cape in South Africa
It was not all bad: 5 positive French stories to end week on a high From swallows in sitting rooms to alpaca animal therapy, here are some of the best good news stories from France this week
Large numbers of jellyfish spotted on beaches in southern France Here is how to avoid them and what to do in case of a sting
New cull list of wildlife 'pests' upsets conservationists We look at species on the latest three-yearly ‘pest’ list and the reactions
Raising awareness of tourism dangers for cuddly French Alpine marmots The main message is do not feed them as it interferes with their natural development
Salamanders and singing toads in France Nature lover, Jonathan Kemp, spots a rich variety of species in his local environment
Wildfires: French law may require you to cut back at-risk vegetation In southern regions of France, residents whose property is within 200m of woodland must prune or clear plants which could enable a fire to spread
Protected forest cats come back from the brink of extinction in France A boost in biodiversity is credited as a reason for the forest cats’ return
France’s marmots are back as they emerge from a winter of hibernating The mountain-dwelling ‘ground squirrels’ have been spotted in the French Alps
Gardeners in France told to stop cutting hedges in bird nesting season Bird experts share the best time to trim hedging in the north and south of France
Health warning with France in peak period for dangerous caterpillars ‘Processionary’ caterpillars can cause severe skin and throat reactions, blisters, conjunctivitis, and asthma attacks
The turtle hospital rescuing Loggerheads injured on French shores France’s Mediterranean beaches may become future breeding grounds for sea turtles but they are at risk of injury - from humans
The genet - a rarely seen carnivore is at home in French woodland Nature expert, Jonathan Kemp, on his chance encounters with a nocturnal hunter
Northern Lights captured in spectacular photos above France The phenomenon occurs this far south every 10 to 20 years
French mayor decree legally allows noisy cockerels Noisy countryside cockerels in an Haute-Savoie (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes) commune are now legally free to crow to their heart’s content after a mayor took out a decree to preserve “life in the countryside”.
First wolf aggression towards man since animal’s return to France An ex-soldier used a machete in rare daytime encounter with five wolves as he walked alone in the south
Electric ants, hornets: The battle against invasive species in France The electric ant which has a painful bite was first detected in France last summer. Experts are now racing against the clock to stop the spread