News

Mandatory militarised civic service for youths in France aged 16-25 starts this autumn

Journée de défense et de citoyenneté is compulsory for many young people

Portuguese man o’ war sightings force French beach closures

Venomous species is often mistaken for jellyfish

French weekly weather forecast July 28 - August 1: unsettled north, high winds in south

A new low-pressure system is due to move in from the Atlantic, bringing wet and blustery conditions

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We solve 20-year mystery of Normandy house abandoned by Britons

Village mayor launched an appeal in June for help to find owners who just 'disappeared'

French ‘flying man’ Franky Zapata crashes during Channel-crossing attempt on air scooter

He was trying to make a return journey between France and England using his latest invention

Paris plane tries to land four times at Nice and fails due to weather

The Air France flight ended up landing at Marseille airport

Enedis warns of surge in fake agents and fraudulent home visits

The electricity distribution operator has published advice for identifying genuine technicians

French weekend weather forecast July 25-27: sunshine returns for most areas

A high pressure system moves closer to the country ending the spell of unsettled weather

How France’s 2026 draft budget could affect you – in detail

From frozen pensions to new charges for doctor visits, we break down what has been proposed

Hopes rise for solution to France’s 2021 inheritance law

Controversial legislation is forcing many Britons and Americans to sell

DNA samples taken in Dordogne murder case of Briton Karen Carter

Police hope to eliminate suspects in case of retired teacher found stabbed outside her home

Elaborate ‘fake payment’ SMS scam in France - how to protect yourself

Some victims say scammers arrive at their home

Video: flash floods hit communes near Paris – alerts continue

Streets and cars submerged and residents evacuated

Tourists face fines on France’s A13 motorway due to removal of toll booths

Many are confused by the new free-flow system

France resident hit with €1,195 bill for charging car in Spain

The British motorist charged his EV at a Shell Recharge station

French MPs respond to outcry over re-legalisation of pesticide linked to bee deaths

Law aims to re-authorise pesticide that is only banned in France, but more than 1.5 million sign petition against it

Tick season lasting longer in France: where are they most common and how to prevent them?

Parents are being warned in particular to check their children for ticks as animals spread throughout France

British woman dies after rafting accident in Alps

The 69-year-old fell from raft during guided tour along the Guisane river

French weekly weather forecast July 21–25: summer pauses with rain, storms, and cooler temperatures

Storms are expected from Wednesday onwards particularly in the south

Woman found dead on rocks in Normandy is Brazilian not British as reported, say police

Her body was found in the early hours of July 18 below the cemetery of a church

Storm warnings raised in 21 French departments

Strong winds, hail and intense rainfall forecast across much of the country

EU looks to increase Etias travel authorisation fee from €7 to €20

Second-home owners and other visitors from the UK and US will need this from autumn 2026

What dangerous snakes are in France and what to do if you spot one

Anyone killing a snake risks a fine and potentially a prison sentence

Ryanair says flights over France must be protected from air traffic controller strikes

Strikes at start of the month cost airlines over €100 million as budget airline claims workers ‘wanted time off’

French weekend weather forecast July 19 - 20: Temperatures peak before violent storms

Heightened alerts for heavy rain are in place in Normandy and Brittany

Homes evacuated after forest fires in Brittany and south of France

Over 1,000 firefighters combined to tackle fires, with blazes near Marseille still ongoing

Brittany Ferries announces 2026 schedule: New France-UK route

In addition the popular Poole-Cherbourg route will run year-round

Why some beaches and lakes are being closed in France

Affected sites include some in Landes and Lot-et-Garonne

Europe’s worst airlines ranked: UK carriers among poorest performers

Flag carriers and low-cost airlines both received low scores for customer satisfaction and reliability

Map shows updated forest fire risk areas in France

Strong winds in the south increase danger, prompting authorities to close several areas to public

Interest rate of French Livret A savings account to fall in August

It marks the biggest drop in the rate since 2009

Six hospitalised after botulism outbreak from tinned carrots in France

The cases were all around the same town in the west of the country

Rosyth-Dunkirk ferry faces further delays, 2025 launch unlikely

Scottish port requires upgrade before service can launch

Threats of censure, ‘social war’, ‘too hard on middle-class’: reaction to France’s austerity budget

François Bayrou looks set for an uphill struggle to pass text with €44 billion of savings this autumn but has backing of centrist MPs after ‘brave’ announcement

Graph: How France plans to save €44billion in 2026 budget

Freeze on public spending and change to pensioners’ tax allowance are among measures

€1 train tickets in France: budget travel to beach resorts draws crowds

Hundreds of thousands of cut-price tickets are available on popular summer holiday routes in north and south

France unveils 2026 budget plan: €44 billion cuts and possible holiday reduction

Threat of a vote of no confidence that could oust Prime Minister François Bayrou raised across political spectrum

How many bank holidays does France get vs Europe and US?

See how France compares as MPs debate taking away two of the country’s jours fériés

France 2026 budget: will there be an année blanche and how could it affect you?

Prime minister is searching for €40 billion in savings from the upcoming budget, which could see tax bands frozen

France is one of five EU countries to test age-verification app for sensitive online content

The European Commission seeks to protect children from risks such as grooming, harmful content, addictive behaviours, and cyberbullying

Videos: Relive July 14 fireworks and drone shows that lit up France for Bastille Day

Show in Toulon used drones for impressive display

‘Child-friendly’ stickers for cafés to launch in France

Red stickers will promote spaces that welcome children in face of growing – and controversial – ‘no-kid’ movement

Big drop in telephone fees but rises for food and services: France’s June 2025 inflation stats

Year-on-year inflation picks up to reach 1% in France

Macron pledges billions in extra defence funding for French army

By 2027 the sum given to the military will have doubled from 2017, but the president did not lay out where extra funds will come from

American walker found dead on Tour du Mont Blanc trail

The body of 70-year old hiker was found by mountain rescue team

Photos: violent storms cause widespread flooding in south of France

Up to 200 mm of rain fell in the Pyrénées, hitting drought-stricken communes

French weekly weather forecast July 14–18: warm but no heatwave expected

Temperatures will climb to reach 30-35C for most of the country at the end of the week

Rise in number of drownings in France due to heatwave

More than 100 people have died since June 1, including 19 children

France to change the rules to legitimise illegal speed bumps

Up to 400,000 speed bumps are to be legalised, angering road safety associations

Privacy rights in France highlighted by Pelicot case against Paris Match

The 72-year-old's legal fight against the magazine underscores the clash between privacy rights and public interest in France

15 things you can do at a French pharmacy other than buy aspirin

We look at the services, treatments and advice offered by local pharmacists in France

France puts forward 18 plans to simplify life for disabled people

The measures aim to streamline administrative procedures and reduce delays

French officials order the destruction of a house in Perpignan

The villa was constructed over ten years ago

Driver who killed British jogger tests positive for drugs

Tourist was struck by vehicle as she was out running with her husband

New flight tax rises would put small French airports ‘at risk’

Carcassonne, Poitiers, and Bergerac said to be particularly vulnerable due to reliance on low-cost airlines

How does healthcare work for foreign residents of France when abroad?

We also look at how Americans visiting the US and Britons visiting the UK are covered

How does France mark July 14, and where are the best firework displays in 2025?

Paris, Lyon, Cannes and Strasbourg are among highly-rated displays

The 10 most popular baby names in France in 2024

The report also shows the top names in your region

French employers’ chief wants to reduce sick pay for unvaccinated staff with flu

It is one of several suggestions put forward to combat spiralling social security debt

Is a date set for start of EES border controls this autumn?

We also look at which passport lanes French visa and residency card holders will use

French weekend weather forecast July 12 - 13: high temperatures and lots of storms

Heatwave warnings will not come into force but highs of 35C are expected

Wasps, mosquitoes, hornets, ants: how to deal with summer insects in France

Natural repellents can keep some pests away

What to do if stung by a jellyfish at a beach in France

Swimmers may spot the aquatic animal close to the shoreline

Melons sold in Carrefour supermarkets recalled across France

Elevated pesticide levels mean the fruits may be dangerous to eat

Ban on barbecues in Finistère in bid to limit wildfires

Restrictions in place in dozens of communes as authorities work to prevent repeat of 2022 blazes

First native case of dengue fever in 2025 recorded in mainland France

The disease is spread by tiger mosquitoes

Heatwaves and drought in France: wildfire warnings multiply for summer 2025

Dried-out soil raises risk of blazes spreading rapidly, but they can be hard to predict due to their human origin

Map: groundwater situation worsens in France, with 39% of levels already below normal

Water basins are seeing levels drop as summer heat continues

British jogger dies after being hit by car in eastern France

The 35-year-old was running with her husband

Bayeux Tapestry to be loaned to British Museum: things you may not know about iconic artefact

The tapestry - which may not be that French after all - is not the only one of its kind. The Connexion speaks to a woman who has spent ten years creating an exact replica

Photos: ‘apocalyptic scenes’ as wildfire burns outskirts of Marseille

Violent fires in south of France impact flights and force 150,000 residents to stay indoors overnight

Doctolib phishing alert: how to spot scams and what to do if targeted

Millions of users have been warned to watch out for unofficial email addresses and suspicious message links

Fraud inspections in France led to billions in extra tax payments in 2024

€16.7billion of fraud detected – and €11.4billion of back tax payments

Flights grounded at Marseille airport due to nearby wildfire

Vehicle fire led to more than 30 hectares burning as strong winds caused blaze to spread

Photos: snow returns to French Alps in July

Temperatures have dropped 5 - 10°C below seasonal norms in the east of the country

News

Mandatory militarised civic service for youths in France aged 16-25 starts this autumn

Portuguese man o’ war sightings force French beach closures

French weekly weather forecast July 28 - August 1: unsettled north, high winds in south

We solve 20-year mystery of Normandy house abandoned by Britons

Trending

Portuguese man o’ war sightings force French beach closures

Mandatory militarised civic service for youths in France aged 16-25 starts this autumn

Who do the new French language tests changes affect - and from when?

We solve 20-year mystery of Normandy house abandoned by Britons

DIY solar panel kits: Are they worth fitting or not in France?

French driving rules that surprise foreign drivers

Bed bugs infestations on rise in France: how to protect yourself

French ‘flying man’ Franky Zapata crashes during Channel-crossing attempt on air scooter

Paris plane tries to land four times at Nice and fails due to weather

Enedis warns of surge in fake agents and fraudulent home visits

French weekend weather forecast July 25-27: sunshine returns for most areas

How France’s 2026 draft budget could affect you – in detail

Hopes rise for solution to France’s 2021 inheritance law

DNA samples taken in Dordogne murder case of Briton Karen Carter

Elaborate ‘fake payment’ SMS scam in France - how to protect yourself

Video: flash floods hit communes near Paris – alerts continue

Tourists face fines on France’s A13 motorway due to removal of toll booths

France garden tips: try agapanthus, it is hardier than you think

What is mystery movement calling for total shutdown of France from September?

Rural French pharmacies: 'Radical change is needed to stop closures'

France resident hit with €1,195 bill for charging car in Spain

EES border controls to launch soon: we answer your questions

Invasive Japanese beetles detected in eastern France

Ryanair may boost staff bonuses for catching oversized luggage, including for French flights

Photos: where to go star-gazing in south-west France

EES digital border checks: start date officially confirmed

French MPs respond to outcry over re-legalisation of pesticide linked to bee deaths

Tick season lasting longer in France: where are they most common and how to prevent them?

British woman dies after rafting accident in Alps

French weekly weather forecast July 21–25: summer pauses with rain, storms, and cooler temperatures

Woman found dead on rocks in Normandy is Brazilian not British as reported, say police

Storm warnings raised in 21 French departments

EU looks to increase Etias travel authorisation fee from €7 to €20

What dangerous snakes are in France and what to do if you spot one

Ryanair says flights over France must be protected from air traffic controller strikes

French weekend weather forecast July 19 - 20: Temperatures peak before violent storms

Homes evacuated after forest fires in Brittany and south of France

Brittany Ferries announces 2026 schedule: New France-UK route

Why some beaches and lakes are being closed in France

Europe’s worst airlines ranked: UK carriers among poorest performers

Map shows updated forest fire risk areas in France

Interest rate of French Livret A savings account to fall in August

Six hospitalised after botulism outbreak from tinned carrots in France

Rosyth-Dunkirk ferry faces further delays, 2025 launch unlikely

Threats of censure, ‘social war’, ‘too hard on middle-class’: reaction to France’s austerity budget

Graph: How France plans to save €44billion in 2026 budget

€1 train tickets in France: budget travel to beach resorts draws crowds

France unveils 2026 budget plan: €44 billion cuts and possible holiday reduction

How many bank holidays does France get vs Europe and US?

France 2026 budget: will there be an année blanche and how could it affect you?

France is one of five EU countries to test age-verification app for sensitive online content

Videos: Relive July 14 fireworks and drone shows that lit up France for Bastille Day

‘Child-friendly’ stickers for cafés to launch in France

Big drop in telephone fees but rises for food and services: France’s June 2025 inflation stats

Macron pledges billions in extra defence funding for French army

American walker found dead on Tour du Mont Blanc trail

Photos: violent storms cause widespread flooding in south of France

French weekly weather forecast July 14–18: warm but no heatwave expected

Rise in number of drownings in France due to heatwave

France to change the rules to legitimise illegal speed bumps

Privacy rights in France highlighted by Pelicot case against Paris Match

15 things you can do at a French pharmacy other than buy aspirin

France puts forward 18 plans to simplify life for disabled people

French officials order the destruction of a house in Perpignan

Driver who killed British jogger tests positive for drugs

New flight tax rises would put small French airports ‘at risk’

How does healthcare work for foreign residents of France when abroad?

How does France mark July 14, and where are the best firework displays in 2025?

The 10 most popular baby names in France in 2024

French employers’ chief wants to reduce sick pay for unvaccinated staff with flu

Is a date set for start of EES border controls this autumn?

French weekend weather forecast July 12 - 13: high temperatures and lots of storms

Wasps, mosquitoes, hornets, ants: how to deal with summer insects in France

What to do if stung by a jellyfish at a beach in France