News

Cars and driving: What's new in France in 2025

From AI speed cameras to low-emission zones, we look at the changes set to transform French roads and driving regulations next year

State of French healthcare: key points of new official report

Findings included high patient satisfaction but still a too-high risk of infection in hospitals

Dordogne: See which communes have grown in population - and those that have fallen

A new report shows some villages have seen their numbers increase by between 20-30% in six years

news

Father’s anger at wine used in meals served to girl, 3, at state creche in Nice

‘I don't want my daughter to discover the taste of a wine sauce at this age’ he said

Storms and snow: French weekend weather outlook December 21 - 22

Up to 80cm of snow will fall in the Alps and the south-east faces gales of 130 km/h

New French PM Bayrou wants to retain Pau mayor role – is this possible?

There are strict limits on how many duties MPs and ministers can hold at the same time, but not prime ministers

Half of UK election postal votes - including from France - 'did not count'

Organisation recommends overhaul of voting process for Britons abroad

Residency rights and border changes: What's new in France in 2025

Language requirements for residency cards will get tougher, and border security changes are set to be implemented

Moves to end automatic citizen-based taxation of Americans living abroad

Eligible US citizens would be able to claim residency-based taxation status and see automatic requirement for annual American tax returns end

Gales of 130 km/h set to batter south-east France as Mediterranean storm arrives

Polar winds descending separately from the north will cause drop temperatures across much of country

Photos: Unusual tower for sale in France (could it make a quirky home?)

The seller claims the four-bedroom property could be converted into a comfortable home

Darty, Whirlpool, Boulanger: Price fixing of household goods exposed in France

The French competition watchdog fines 12 companies a total of €611m

Flu epidemic hits all of mainland France

Eight more regions are on alert with only Corsica spared

Remember: New TGV luggage limits now apply in France

Changes affect the number and size of bags allowed per person

Deals available on new electric cars as France’s state bonus set to end

Thousands of euros of discounts are available for many popular 100% electric models

Mont Blanc tunnel open again after 15 weeks of work

The major France-Italy route closed for renovations in September

Two earthquakes felt in France at opposite ends of country

The epicentre of quakes were shallow making them felt despite their low intensity

French councils ‘broke rules’ on smart camera surveillance of public

Illegal camera activity included the use of real-time facial recognition software

Recycling bins for clothes cannot cope in France

Fast fasion clothes are causing blockages although the problem is multi-faceted

Trenitalia rivals SNCF to offer train service to French ski stations

The service is a clear sign of the Italian operator’s strategy for the French ski resort market

‘Better healthcare and near Spain’: why we retired to Pyrénées-Orientales

In the first of a series on where readers retire to in France, we hear about why the Lauritsens chose to settle in the Pyrénées-Orientales, embracing French life

Wine scammers targeting retirees in south-west France handed prison sentences

One victim spent €14,000 on wine in six months

French air traffic controllers strike to ground flights at several airports

Other airports in the south are affected as well as those in Lyon and Corsica

How to recognise French road signs for recommended, not obligatory, behaviour

The signs are becoming increasingly used in some areas

Train set and other objects belonging to Charles de Gaulle sold at auction

The auction comes after a historical exhibition that included ‘the most important manuscript in French history’ as well as a vintage train set from the Soviet Union

5 things they don’t tell you about... Christmas in France

From la messe de minuit to les cadeaux, find out about typical French traditions

Cable damage stops opening of world-famous French cable car for skiers

Alpine area famous for off-piste routes faces tourism hit

How long, how much? All about the new Paris-Berlin train service

The new service will be the first high-speed direct train between the two capitals

Family benefits in France: new step needed to access online account

Heightened security measure in place following data loss from system hack

Warm days - then snow: French weekly weather forecast December 16 - 20

Temperatures highs of 20C in the south-west before polar winds arrive bringing snowfall

Three charged with taking bribes to provide false French tests for residency cards

The charges relate to the test de connaissance du français. It is thought that more than 250 applicants could be involved in a region of west France

Christmas parcels delayed at French airports due to DHL strike

The four-day action saw 80% of workers join the protest resulting in a significant backlog in deliveries and pick-ups, according to unions

French firm aims to cut food waste through 'upcycling'

Waste is taken from restaurants and turned into new products

Luthiers in Nice repair five- or six-figure violins and cellos

In a Nice workshop, two trained luthiers are busy helping musicians produce their best performances

Rise in number of French businesses failing

It means 44,000 jobs will be lost by end of year. We look at what help is available for small business owners

France set to pass emergency ‘budget law’: is it good or bad for your finances?

The country will effectively be without a budget from 2025, with knock-on effects for individuals and companies

EasyJet announces nine new flight routes from France including to UK

A service from Bordeaux to Birmingham is among the new announcements

French weekend weather outlook December 14 - 15: gloomy and chilly in the north

Cloudy skies are expected to dominate in the north, but in the south temperatures will still reach double figures

Chronopost, Colissimo, and Mondial Relay: Beware delivery scams in France

The surge in Christmas shopping always leads to an uptick of scams at this time of year

Police appeal for help as thefts of internet and phone cables increase in Brittany

‘These acts of vandalism threaten access to the telephone and internet network’, say police

Flu spreads in France: Four regions at epidemic level

All of the country is affected as the number of influenza cases rises

Centrist François Bayrou announced as new French prime minister

The veteran politician is currently mayor of Pau and a key Macron ally in parliament

Cyclist stabbed in row over road rights in Lyon

The argument with two men on an e-scooter reportedly broke out over right of way

Man leaves €10m to Normandy village just because of its name

Roger Thiberville is not thought to have ever visited Thiberville. ‘It is a lovely surprise just before Christmas’ said the mairie

Photo: French police stop driver over car covered in Christmas lights

Officers were appreciative of the decorations and took photos - but demanded that they were all removed

Bordeaux-Ireland flights: Aer Lingus to replace Ryanair

The three flights per week will replace a service previously offered by Ryanair, which has now stopped all flights to and from Bordeaux

Cash, cheque, bank cards: what payment types can a shop legally refuse in France?

There are clear rules on how, when and why businesses can refuse to accept payment

Properties you can buy for under €50,000, €150,000 and €1 million in Pas-de-Calais

One of France's most densely populated departments is reinventing itself to appeal to tourists

Drinks mis-sold as traditional kefir ‘mislead’ consumers in France

Many ‘kefir’ drinks do not contain the right ingredients, a consumer association says

Why is Bordeaux also known as the ‘port of the moon’?

The nickname hints at the long maritime history of the World Heritage city

Rules relaxed for French salary-savings scheme

Changes mean workers will be able to get hold of funds in more circumstances

What was happening in France 10, 50 and 100 years ago in December

A look back at events from the final month of the year 1924, 1974 and 2014

Fréjus Tunnel that connects France and Italy to close this weekend

The tunnel will close for 12 hours and not the 56 hours originally announced

Is my information safe with French estate agents?

Using major national estate agencies is an option if you need to have more confidence

Do I need to remove a disused septic tank in France after connecting to the mains?

Safety is the number one priority, says Sarah Bright-Thomas of Bright Avocats

Is there financial help to purchase a mobility scooter in France?

Some UK disability benefits remain for Britons living across the Channel

TotalEnergies opens service station for electric vehicles in Paris

It is the first of its kind in the capital and has ultra-fast charging

Conductors on French public transport will soon be able to check your address

Move is part of anti-fraud plans to prevent people from giving false information during fines including on SNCF trains

Dordogne village petitions against opening of nearby McDonald’s restaurant

Villagers say there are enough local restaurants, but mayor focuses on job opportunities

Tanker overturns on rural Normandy road spilling thousands of litres of fuel

Tests are being carried out into risk of pollution of local water supplies to homes

Speed limits to (mostly) drop to 30 km/h in this French city

The new measure will improve noise and pollution, improve safety and encourage cycling, say local authorities

12,500 French parking fines cancelled after IT bug

The fines had been issued in error after computer system was privatised

Watchdog highlights Christmas food shopping ‘scams’ in France

Pastries with palm oil, excess packaging, inflated prices…vote for the worst ‘scam’ in this food watchdog’s annual contest

Epidemic alerts raised in France: see how your area is affected

Bronchiolitis is bad nationwide while flu indicators are increasing in the north and east

Cheaper but slower… €10 train fare for Paris to Brussels route

Ticket sales are already open for journeys up to the end of March

‘Check your rent is not too high’: Mixed reaction to new Paris poster

The campaign contributes to the ‘clichéd, outdated caricature of the chubby, arrogant landlord’, one property specialist says

Woman removed from French easyJet flight after swearing incident takes legal action

The passenger was forcibly removed by border police after debate over cabin bag size and claims she ‘was treated like a terrorist’

December French rail strike: Less disruption expected than forecast

High-speed services should not be affected during the Christmas season

Act fast to benefit from this financial help to buy an electric bike in France

The government policy is coming to an end in the beginning of 2025

See which offences can result in a car being impounded in France

There is also a time limit and set procedure to follow to recover a car

SNCF comes fifth in European ranking of best train companies

Eurostar did not fare quite so well

Ministers to debate emergency law so France can continue to collect tax and pay expenses

The text is used to guarantee that public services will continue to function while maintaining the same constraints as in last year’s budget

Eight common cold and cough medicines to be pulled from open sale in France

These drugs containing the vasoconstrictor pseudoephedrine are banned from over-the-counter sale from December 11 due to the increased risk of complications

Snow is here (more on way): Many French ski resorts set to open this week

Resorts in the Pyrenees announced their opening dates following heavy snowfall on Sunday and Monday

Good news for residents in Brittany as extra trains confirmed

The services will begin running in 2025

News

Cars and driving: What's new in France in 2025

State of French healthcare: key points of new official report

Dordogne: See which communes have grown in population - and those that have fallen

Father’s anger at wine used in meals served to girl, 3, at state creche in Nice

Trending

Residency rights and border changes: What's new in France in 2025

Storms and snow: French weekend weather outlook December 21 - 22

French inheritance law: couples anxiously await EU decision as discussions continue

Police warn drivers of car headlights rules in France

Half of UK election postal votes - including from France - 'did not count'

Father’s anger at wine used in meals served to girl, 3, at state creche in Nice

Fines levied for failure to declare bank accounts held out of France

Storms and snow: French weekend weather outlook December 21 - 22

New French PM Bayrou wants to retain Pau mayor role – is this possible?

Half of UK election postal votes - including from France - 'did not count'

Residency rights and border changes: What's new in France in 2025

Moves to end automatic citizen-based taxation of Americans living abroad

Gales of 130 km/h set to batter south-east France as Mediterranean storm arrives

Photos: Unusual tower for sale in France (could it make a quirky home?)

Darty, Whirlpool, Boulanger: Price fixing of household goods exposed in France

Flu epidemic hits all of mainland France

Remember: New TGV luggage limits now apply in France

Should my stepchildren have inherited more under French inheritance rules?

What is the problem with Perrier water and could production really stop?

30th anniversary of discovery in France of world’s oldest cave paintings

Deals available on new electric cars as France’s state bonus set to end

Ryanair does U-turn on starting flights to and from major Paris airport

UK police pensioners get French social charges repaid

French inheritance law: couples anxiously await EU decision as discussions continue

Will French air traffic control strikes continue over Christmas?

Police warn drivers of car headlights rules in France

Mont Blanc tunnel open again after 15 weeks of work

Two earthquakes felt in France at opposite ends of country

French councils ‘broke rules’ on smart camera surveillance of public

Recycling bins for clothes cannot cope in France

Trenitalia rivals SNCF to offer train service to French ski stations

‘Better healthcare and near Spain’: why we retired to Pyrénées-Orientales

Wine scammers targeting retirees in south-west France handed prison sentences

French air traffic controllers strike to ground flights at several airports

How to recognise French road signs for recommended, not obligatory, behaviour

Train set and other objects belonging to Charles de Gaulle sold at auction

5 things they don’t tell you about... Christmas in France

Cable damage stops opening of world-famous French cable car for skiers

How long, how much? All about the new Paris-Berlin train service

Family benefits in France: new step needed to access online account

Warm days - then snow: French weekly weather forecast December 16 - 20

Three charged with taking bribes to provide false French tests for residency cards

Christmas parcels delayed at French airports due to DHL strike

French firm aims to cut food waste through 'upcycling'

Luthiers in Nice repair five- or six-figure violins and cellos

Rise in number of French businesses failing

France set to pass emergency ‘budget law’: is it good or bad for your finances?

EasyJet announces nine new flight routes from France including to UK

French weekend weather outlook December 14 - 15: gloomy and chilly in the north

Chronopost, Colissimo, and Mondial Relay: Beware delivery scams in France

Police appeal for help as thefts of internet and phone cables increase in Brittany

Flu spreads in France: Four regions at epidemic level

Centrist François Bayrou announced as new French prime minister

Cyclist stabbed in row over road rights in Lyon

Man leaves €10m to Normandy village just because of its name

Photo: French police stop driver over car covered in Christmas lights

Bordeaux-Ireland flights: Aer Lingus to replace Ryanair

Cash, cheque, bank cards: what payment types can a shop legally refuse in France?

Properties you can buy for under €50,000, €150,000 and €1 million in Pas-de-Calais

Drinks mis-sold as traditional kefir ‘mislead’ consumers in France

Why is Bordeaux also known as the ‘port of the moon’?

Rules relaxed for French salary-savings scheme

What was happening in France 10, 50 and 100 years ago in December

Fréjus Tunnel that connects France and Italy to close this weekend

Is my information safe with French estate agents?

Do I need to remove a disused septic tank in France after connecting to the mains?

Is there financial help to purchase a mobility scooter in France?

TotalEnergies opens service station for electric vehicles in Paris

Conductors on French public transport will soon be able to check your address

Dordogne village petitions against opening of nearby McDonald’s restaurant

Tanker overturns on rural Normandy road spilling thousands of litres of fuel

Speed limits to (mostly) drop to 30 km/h in this French city

12,500 French parking fines cancelled after IT bug

Watchdog highlights Christmas food shopping ‘scams’ in France