News

Two men detained over death of British retiree in south-west France

Separate attempted murder triggers wave of arrests

‘Space flight is a uniting adventure’ - French astronaut’s speech after return to Earth

‘I searched for borders, I searched for division, and I did not see any of those’

Wild boar keep destroying French garden: how to keep them out

Boars can damage lawns, vegetable patches and orchards searching for food

driving

Can a car fail a contrôle technique check due to missing its reversing camera?

Find out when a car can fail its inspection and how drivers can challenge the decision

17 cases of serious side effects reported in France linked to misuse of weight-loss drugs

Two-thirds of cases involve medicines such as Wegovy and Mounjaro obtained without consulting a doctor

Virgin unveils design of new Paris-London trains

The service would give passengers another option to Eurostar for crossing the Channel

Thousands of Dordogne residents to receive mobile phone alert

The test will simulate a violent wind warning

French scientists voice concern as two-thirds of water tables at below-average levels

Autumn rainfall is needed with only 7% of tables seeing levels rise at the end of September

Dordogne takes action to make cycling easier

New charter aims to create safer, better-connected routes across the department

Nomad train at Rouen railway station in Normandy, France, beside a covered platform.

Normandy rail strike: five lines disrupted this Friday and Saturday

Ticket inspectors walk out after a knife attack on a colleague, with four unions backing the action

French lycée pupils plan new national demonstration next week

Education minister begins to outline changes including 3,000 teachers added

Farmers attempt ‘go-slow’ road protest over fuel prices near Toulouse

Farmers also attempted blockade of oil depot before it was broken up by police

French finance minister becomes latest to back UK rejoining EU

‘Come back, anytime,’ said Mr Lescure, but what would rejoining look like?

France’s A69 motorway opening delayed as protesters gather

Weekend demonstrations planned against new road as toll prices are announced

Man accused of stabbing British toddler in French playground to stand trial

Abdalmasih Hanoun is accused of attacking 13 people and faces charges of attempted murder

French prime minister's mobile phone number found by hackers of underwear store

Personal details of 25 of the 36 members of the government can reportedly be found on the internet after company hacks

Semaine du Goût: five French food and drink festivals to try in October

Autumn marks harvest season in France, with thousands of free culinary events across the country

Temperatures to drop by 12C as first snowfall to hit Pyrenees and Alps

Storms to continue in the south

French authorities mull early start to Covid jab campaign as cases rise

Concerns also raised about syringe shortages on eve of autumn campaign

A view of bags in overhead storage on a train

New EU hand luggage rules published, 2027 start date revealed

Not all flights from UK to EU will be subject to the rules

More direct US-France flights announced for 2027

United, American and Delta add new routes

SNCF launches flash sale of 450,000 TGV tickets at 45% off

Offer marks 45 years since the first TGV and runs until Thursday, for travel in October and November

TotalEnergies fuel stations and French refinery strike set for Thursday

The walkout raises fears for fuel supplies that are already under strain

Hundreds of thousands take to streets in French lycée protests

Teachers, politicians, and union security join protests to protect pupils and limit violence

Parisian suburb installs ‘bat boxes’ to combat tiger mosquitoes

Authorities in the commune of Suresnes hope the bats’ appetite for the insects will help cut numbers

Cover of one of world's most valuable books stolen from French arts centre

150kg cover created by Salvador Dalí taken but book remains safe

Robin Davis smiles at a café table in a warmly lit Parisian interior, wearing a black-and-white patterned dress.

‘France saved my life’: American moves to Paris - then survives breast cancer twice

As part of breast cancer awareness month, we talk to Robin Allison Davis about her journey of healing in France

Storm and flood alerts raised in southern France

Departments face second powerful ‘Mediterranean’ storm in as many weeks

‘It can’t be done’: US voter struggles to mail ballot from France

American readers report continued postal problems

Second-home owner in south-west France sues commune over loud church bell

Owner said bell was so loud ‘she could not enjoy an apéro’ on her terrace

France considers changes to DPE certificates over summer heat

The certificates are needed when properties are sold or rented

Green and harvested fields beside a rural road under a cloudy sky

Giant batteries could be coming to a French roadside near you

Container-sized sources can be installed in parking spaces or on cleared areas beside roads

UK e-gates to use facial recognition instead of passports

Upgraded systems should make crossing UK border quicker, with plans to widen scheme to other nationals

What to expect from October 6 protests in France

Unions back student protests as hundreds of schools remain closed today

French town set to replace speed bump with ‘intelligent’ traffic lights

Light turns green when approaching drivers are travelling within the speed limit

Drought worsens as 83,000 people in France left without tap water

Lack of rain continues to threaten more than a million with the loss of tap water

French weekly weather forecast October 5 - 9: much cooler and rain

Temperatures to drop by up to 10C with a definitive shift to autumn weather

French court bans Airbnb-style letting after neighbour complaints

Nice court rules owners must respect co-ownership rules on noise and disturbance

Driver holds a smartphone over a steering wheel inside a car.

Phone at the wheel: drivers now face licence suspension anywhere in France

The measure was previously introduced by individual prefectures

Why one in three people in France admit to dumping rubbish illegally

But 98% tell poll they dispose of it correctly

A black grouse displays beside a mottled white ptarmigan in snowy mountain terrain.

France grants long-awaited protection to two threatened birds

Breaking the rules can be punished by up to three years in prison and a €150,000 fine

Burnt stone structure surrounded by rubble and scorched trees

English-speaking community in southern France helps neighbours impacted by wildfires

Residents in the Pyrénées-Orientales lost their homes, pets, and personal belongings

Graphic: what is included in France’s 2027 budget

Several major changes to pensions, taxes, and spending as government seeks to reduce debt

Protests at a third of lycées in France, blockades now at ten universities

More than 2,500 arrests have been made and hundreds injured

Applying for French nationality: 200 readers share their experiences

Waiting times, unexpected hurdles and what readers wish they had known

French police use adapted radar to catch speeding cyclists

Bicycles are classified as vehicles and must follow road rules

People sit in blue chairs along Nice seafront overlooking the Mediterranean.

French weekend weather forecast October 3 - 4: storms persist in south-west

Temperatures to remain above average for season across the country

France expands cameras that catch drivers running stop signs

Follows successful trial of system near Paris

A view of a man separating piles of coins, with a piggy bank and house to show debts

French inheritance rules for foreign-law wills face legal challenge

Case could settle question of whether France's 2021 heir's levy rule can apply to wills governed by EU Succession Regulation

October 6, October 17: Is France set for a month of protests?

Call for return of the gilets jaunes amid union strikes and student protests

Ryanair boss suggests ticket prices to increase by up to 20% by next summer

‘There is no doubt in my mind, we’re underpricing air travel in Europe’

French gendarmerie vest beside a smartphone showing a map

Man arrested in murder inquiry after British retiree found dead outside home in France

Three others being sought. The victim has been named

‘Welcome back’: Macron would support UK attempts to rejoin EU

French President and Spanish Prime Minister would be open to UK returning to bloc, as Prime Minister Andy Burnham opens door to closer links

France returns to top of global ski destinations

Alps and Pyrénées helped drive the country’s third-best season on record

Photos: cars submerged during flash-floods in southern France

Two months’ worth of rain fell in a day in some areas. No major injuries reported

Video: tornado damages 35 homes in Normandy

‘Sheets of metal were sent flying 100 metres into the air,’ says mayor

Hundreds of dachshunds to descend on Paris this weekend

The charity walk will take place on the Champs-Élysées for the first time

SNCF releases Christmas holiday tickets - and Eurostar ski train returns

Ski trips from the UK start at around £125 one way

France records busiest summer for tourism in 15 years

US and UK visitors continue to rank among top non-resident tourists

Four firefighters injured tackling blaze near Bergerac airport

Some 15 residents living near the Dordogne airport were evacuated

Rainwater pours from a house roof, with an inset showing a flooded street beside a stone wall.

‘Stay home’: Red alerts as flash-floods hit southern France

Up to 400mm of rain forecast to fall today

Photo: wolf spotted near Saint-Tropez

Mairie warns residents to be cautious and confirms area is under surveillance

Tax all inheritance in France, says union chief

Leader of largest French union wants substantial changes to the current system of tax-free allowances

Blue autonomous cleaning vehicle on a tree-lined urban plaza

Driverless delivery vans could soon take to French roads

Transport ministry gives green light for use in public

Unwanted cold-calling in France: recipients advised to avoid declining calls

Readers say nuisance calls have continued despite new consent rules

List: 164 Auchan supermarkets set to become Intermarché or Netto

The stores are set to change banners from October

Catch up with stag mating season in France

Enjoy unedited 'slow TV' that immerses viewers in the natural sounds of a French forest

France’s far-right to form Senate group after election gains

Alliance will have up to 15 senators, allowing them to influence debates and motions in chamber

Tributes to Scottish-French crime author Peter May who lived - and died - in the Lot

The popular writer’s breakthrough novel was translated and released in French before being taken up by English-language publishers

Strong storms to hit southern France, heightened alerts raised

Up to 300mm of rain could fall in less than two days

Today’s French public sector strikes: where and when are demonstrations taking place

More than 150 marches to be held across France by unions

Children with parent outside a school gate

French school elections: how to vote for parent reps this autumn

Parents elect representatives to make decisions on child safety and school improvement

Toll reduction for A69 motorway in south-west France rejected

Toll to be determined before motorway between Toulouse and Castres opens

Disruption at French airports as air traffic controllers join public sector strike

Paris and Marseille hardest-hit by calls for flight cancellations

Functional ‘digital twin’ of human brain developed by Marseille start-up

Unique virtual brain allow neurosurgeons to simulate the effects of medical procedures