News

Ryanair to run new UK-Toulouse flight

It will be the second direct link between the south-west of France and England

Rain, calm, rain: French weekly weather update March 24 - 28

Temperatures to be warmer than average for the time of year but not for long

Self-service wine vending machine approved for French roadsides

Innovative machines offer convenient wine access while adhering to alcohol laws

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French prefecture expels woman for breaching work permit with self-employment

Working as a micro-entrepreneur is not permitted under a titre de séjour salarié

La Poste told to look at stopping six-days-a-week post deliveries in France

The postal service's business model needs to adapt to falling demand for letters, say state auditors

Stomach flu cases surge in France: six regions particularly affected

The number of hospital and GP visits for seasonal gastroenteritis is almost at record levels, say health chiefs

French ski resort properties avoid energy rental ban (for a while)

Ban on category G properties is postponed until 2034 in mountain regions

Prefect calls headlight flashing a security risk: when is it legal (and when not) in France?

‘Headlight flashing allows wanted individuals to avoid the police’

Now is the time for people in France to ‘scarify’ their lawn

The practice, which should be done twice a year, enables the grass to thrive

Storms in south, rain to cover all regions: French weekend weather update March 22 - 23

Temperatures remain higher than average despite the dreary conditions

French village limits speed to 20 km/h - could this extend across France?

Increasing numbers of towns are lowering speed limits in their centres

France-Scotland ferry project: Almost 80,000 travellers a year expected

Ferry link would bring £11 million in revenue for Scotland, MP claims

Wind and wave warnings increase in south of France, Saharan sand to land in Brittany

Storm Martinho is currently passing through the Mediterranean

Flight cancellations and diversions to France as London Heathrow airport closes due to fire

Over 1,000 flights are affected. We look at what rights passengers have

BNP Paribas plans large-scale branch closures in France

Around a third of physical branches will close amid ‘changes in the way people bank’

Map: Which areas of France are most at risk of earthquakes?

Highest warning level is reserved for overseas departments but several areas of mainland France also face risks

How France’s ‘back to school’ grant works and the amounts for 2025

The aid is means-tested and will increase by 1.7% this year

France plans crackdown on fraud around obligatory energy ratings for homes

All homes being sold or let need an up-to-date DPE

Gale warnings increase and new storm set to hit south of France in coming days

Powerful winds expected to impact Mediterranean coastline on Friday

France sees dozens of tornadoes a year: Are any as strong as those in the US?

Many areas of the country are prone to tornadoes, but few cause damage, injury or death

Armed conflict, industrial accidents, epidemics: French government plans ‘crisis’ booklet for residents

The online pamphlet will cover preventative measures, tips on how to minimise risks, and a ‘civic’ section promoting national unity

New hybrid ferry to run on Normandy-Portsmouth route next month

New ship will reduce CO² emissions by around 15% per journey

4.1 earthquake shakes Nice and surrounding areas: more tremors may come in aftermath

Residents report buildings shaking. It was the strongest quake in 20 years in the area and others followed

AI finds ‘soaring’ cases of fraud in French home renovation applications

More than 40,000 cases were detected in 2024, the housing agency states

Assess your health with new official online platform in France

The platform will help to create a national ‘barometer of commitment to physical activity’

Spring sees return of Asian hornets in France: Action to take now

The hornets are particularly damaging to bee populations

Chance to go owl-spotting in France this weekend

The ‘Nuits de la chouette’ are intended to help people spot the birds of prey and learn more about them

Facial recognition set to replace passports for Britons travelling from France

High-tech cameras can match travellers faces to passport info to allow quicker re-entry

Map shows the cities in France with 30 km/h speed limits for drivers

The map shows where the lower limit is in force, along with the year it was adopted

Flying in France: Ryanair to levy €100 charge for people arriving late for flights

Rules on boarding passes are also set to change in the coming months

French party leader says Americans should return Statue of Liberty

‘Apparently you despise it…so she’ll be very happy here with us’

Identities of 12 million people in France potentially leaked in cyberattack: how to protect yourself

Data is for sale and can be used by scammers for ‘phishing’ fraud

British tourist claims rape by Paris taxi driver: Police search suspect

An investigation into the alleged assault has now been opened

Is it correct that a new London-Lyon Eurostar link is planned?

It is thought that a recent agreement could see the creation of more direct international train routes

Temperatures rise before storms and rain: weekly French weather outlook March 17 - 21

Strong winds in the south-west and persistent rain in Occitanie are forecast

Scam alert: Watch out for fake text messages from French banks

The new phishing technique seeks to convince victims to provide their bank details

Plans to extend deer hunting season in France

Extending by three months would help cut growing red deer numbers, government says

Roadworthiness checks for motorbikes remain obligatory, rules French court

The ruling comes despite fierce opposition to the contrôle technique from many riding groups

Nearly 7,000 Britons have been granted French nationality since Brexit

The UK consistently ranks among the top five countries for people gaining French citizenship, with 6,863 people acquiring the nationality between 2021 - 2023

Second-hand cars: Understand new French tax that looms

The new ‘malus écologique’ will be calculated based on CO2 emissions, weight, and kilometrage

Small lakeside French hamlet to be sold at auction - starting price €450,000

The tourist site has a collection of 13 gîtes and a swimming pool

Map shows average income of households near you in France

Compare your income and standard of living with others in your area, and in the rest of the country

Three new flight routes announced for south-west France including one to UK

Toulouse airport attempts to bounce back with easyJet withdrawal imminent

Big limitations on number of new second homes in Chamonix

Some 70% of the housing stock in the popular mountain resort town are currently second homes

Chilly with some showers and snow: French weekend weather outlook March 15 - 16

Storm Konrad will hit the south-east and Corsica

Nice to make public transport free to all under 11s from July 1

It is latest major city to offer free public transport to some – or all – passengers in France

Ryanair to withdraw from airport in north of France

The airline has threatened to cut services to 10 regional airports across France

Only a few days left to trim garden hedges in France or risk a fine

Some areas ban the practice, with the recommended no-trim period lasting until August

Rise in measles cases in France: map shows areas most affected

We look at common symptoms and advice to limit spread of disease

When must a bank reimburse a customer scam victim in France?

Reimbursement can depend on whether the customer has been ‘negligent’

Fake police steal cash and jewellery during ‘home visit’ in south-west France

Gendarmerie have issued advice on what to do if supposed police officers visit you at home out of the blue

French working week should increase to 36 hours to fund defence, says entrepreneur association

This would ‘save our pension system’ and ‘finance the war effort’, the group president says

Change to nurses’ role in France: How could patients be affected?

It comes after MPs passed a bill to expand the role, and improve provision in medical ‘deserts’

French ski stations set to become part of Swiss ‘Magic Pass’ subscription

Ski pass provides unlimited access to nearly 100 Alpine resorts

TGV InOui, Ouigo, Intercités: tickets for French summer train travel open

Tickets are available up to December for certain popular locations… but does the early bird really get the best prices?

Map: Top 10 French departments best for health in new 2025 ranking

The results are based on factors including the number of cycle lanes, and hospitals per 10,000 residents

New blanket of snow arrives in southern French Alps

Further snow is expected in mountain valleys despite risk of storms elsewhere

Photos: A look inside the new French TGV

A two-storey bar, better visibility of luggage and increased accessibility for disabled travellers are listed among the highlights

TGV: Trenitalia opens ticket sales from €27 for new Paris-Marseille route

The Italian operator has announced competitive prices for its summer journeys

Divorced French woman must pay ex-husband’s €400,000 debt: Why?

The law that links former partners financially is controversial

Update: Americans protest possible consulate closures across France

Rallies took place in Strasbourg, Lyon and Bordeaux on Friday (March 7)

MAP: French communes with ‘forever chemicals’ detected in tap water

The results come from a focused study on the excessive presence of PFAS in some water sources

Richard Branson aims to raise €800m to rival Eurostar in UK-France train link

If it goes ahead the entrepreneur is aiming to launch the service by 2029

Ski stations in Pyrénées close early due to lack of snow

Major resort shut doors two weeks early as rain and storms made it too dangerous to ski

Is your letter box correctly installed? These are the French rules

Regulations state standards for size, letter opening, location, and lock type

Bird of prey attacks jogger in France

Buzzard attacked runner on the head. The birds can be territorial during nesting season

Which car models have highest contrôle technique failure rates in France?

CTs are compulsory for vehicles over four years old and must take place every two years

Brittany will be the best place to watch this week’s lunar eclipse in France

The longest view will be in Ouessant, the small island off the far west of the region

Six charged over major parcel delivery scam in France

The scam, worth an estimated €30 million, led to companies issuing false refunds

List: The sanctions cyclists risk if they break road rules in France

It comes after the Paris mairie promises harsher sanctions after a campaign to spot rule-breakers

Forest fires break out in south-west France and behind Nice

Tree branches blown onto powerlines sparked blaze in Dordogne. Investigations into arson are being opened as a result of fires in south-east

A week of storms ahead for France: weather outlook March 10 - 14

Several storms are expected in the south-east

Six in ten people support return to obligatory national service in France, poll shows

Support is stronger amongst voters for right-wing and far-right parties

Sail across the Atlantic on a cargo yacht from France

New transatlantic service takes around 15 days and will cost €2,000 to €3,000

What are rules for police checks on drivers - and why so many in south-west?

‘We want to make dangerous drivers worried’, says police chief