French News and Views in English

Updated: Dates and sectors of upcoming pension strikes in France

Storms set to end record-breaking dry spell in northern France

Can I get help meeting France’s mandatory garden clearance rules?

How close is France to finding a vaccine to treat cancer?

UK unveils launch price of new visa waiver: when and who is affected?

2 minutes ago

French news

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UK unveils launch price of new visa waiver: when and who is affected?

Updated: Dates and sectors of upcoming pension strikes in France

Wednesday 7 June 2023

Charged €100 for contactless beer payment in French bar

1 hour ago

Money

France’s pension reform strikes: Are they over now?

2 hours ago

French news

France’s new tick tracker: See if people have been bitten near you

2 hours ago

Health

Cut toll road prices in France this summer, urges transport minister

2 hours ago

French news

Relief as tsunami alert in southern France turns out to be a mistake

3 hours ago

French news

Should France ban new gas boilers? The case for and against

3 hours ago

Property

Rouen Armada: Sailing ship festival set to buoy northern French city

6 hours ago

French news

US star to fire starting gun on 100th Le Mans 24-hour race

6 hours ago

French news

Drug shortages fuelling attacks on pharmacists in France, says union

10 hours ago

Health

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How-to Articles

Practical articles on living in France

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How do Americans in France register for public health insurance?

25 May 2023

How to get better UK satellite TV reception in France

24 May 2023

Five tips on how to avoid credit card fraud in France

22 May 2023

Millions in France unaware of high blood pressure: How to spot signs

17 May 2023

How to keep your swimming pool open despite drought in France

15 May 2023

Money saver: How to pick up free items in France

23 May 2023

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The June 2023 edition of The Connexion is now out

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Your questions

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Can I get help meeting France’s mandatory garden clearance rules?

1 day ago

Property

Read the full story

France driving: What must residents and visitors carry in their cars?

Charged €100 for contactless beer payment in French bar

1 hour ago

Can I have my car serviced by another dealer in France?

1 day ago

Why did French pension body ask about UK National Insurance record?

3 days ago

Your questions HOW-TOS

Practical articles on living in France

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How do Americans in France register for public health insurance?

25 May 2023

Leave a tax-efficient legacy to charity with French and UK assets

12 April 2023

Phased retirement in France - how to claim your pension early

8 October 2022

Who can get a free health check in France and how do they work?

6 October 2022

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Your questions Questions

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Q: Charged €100 for contactless beer payment in French bar

A: In the the first instance, contact the bar with proof of the transaction (ie. your bank statement) and ask for a refund.

Q: Can I have my car serviced by another dealer in France?

A: Is it legal to have your car serviced by any dealer without endangering the manufacturer’s warranty? There is a Renault dealer in my town, where we have my wife’s Zoe serviced – can I have my Kia serviced there?

Q: Why did French pension body ask about UK National Insurance record?

A: When I left work in France, I was asked to provide a form from the UK with details of my N.I. payments so it could be taken into account for my French pension.

Q: How close to my neighbour’s fence can I build a shed in France?

A: There are two options in the case of a dividing fence or wall on the boundary, which in most cases will be in shared ownership, unless it is entirely on your property.

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Fast-track your knowledge on living in France

with our in-depth Connexion Help Guides

Income Tax in France 2023 (for 2022 income)*

Preview

Income Tax in France 2023 (for 2022 income)*

UPDATED 9 May 2023

- Primarily aimed at Britons, covers pensions, rent, ISAs, shares, savings and interest - but also contains significant general information pertinent to readers of other nationalities - Overview of online declarations + step-by-step guide to the French printed forms - Includes updates given automatically after this year's site opened

Preview

Visa and residency cards for France*

10 January 2023

- Visas and residency cards (cartes de séjour) for France help guide - Understand when visas and residency cards are required to move to France or come for an extended stay - Applies to Britons (post-Brexit) and to all other non-EU/non-EEA/Swiss nationalities - Useful to anyone considering a move to France, whether for work or otherwise, or wanting to spend more than three months at their French second home

Property

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Rural house prices boost, €12,000 homes: five French property updates

6 days ago

Property

Read the full story

Rural house prices boost, €12,000 homes: five French property updates

Key points to help you complete France’s new obligatory property form

Should France ban new gas boilers? The case for and against

3 hours ago

Noisy neighbours: France’s most outlandish and notorious disputes

2 days ago

Quarterly property prices in France ‘fall for first time since 2015’

31 May 2023

Property HOW-TOS

Practical articles on living in France

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How to keep your swimming pool open despite drought in France

15 May 2023

How to fill in new French property form and why it is causing problems

8 May 2023

How to wake up your swimming pool after winter (if restrictions allow)

11 April 2023

How to sell energy to the grid from your solar panels in France

3 April 2023

See more Property how-tos

Property Questions

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Q: French property syndics: What can I do if mine stops responding?

A: There are several avenues that you might try to resolve your situation, but first, we explain what a syndic is and the role it should play in a shared block of flats.

See more Property questions

Explore our how-tos on living in France

Find the right information you need to help you navigate life in France

How do Americans in France register for public health insurance?

25 May 2023

Health

The process can be lengthy and many recommend applying for private health insurance when first arriving in the country

How to get better UK satellite TV reception in France

24 May 2023

Everyday Life

We share expert advice and reader tips to keep your British TV programmes crystal clear

Five tips on how to avoid credit card fraud in France

22 May 2023

Money

We also look at what to do if you are a victim of bank card scam

Health

Money

Work

Family

Property

Science & Tech

Transport

Everyday Life

Environment

Second Homeowners

Brexit

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Post Brexit: When do Britons need to swap to French driving licence?

24 May 2023

Brexit

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Post Brexit: When do Britons need to swap to French driving licence?

Brexit: The real impact of 90/180 rule on second-home owners in France

European court set to rule on French lawyers’ Brexit case

28 May 2023

Brexit: British security guard in France allowed to keep job

15 May 2023

Security guard faces lay-off in France due to Brexit-related red tape

26 April 2023

Brexit HOW-TOS

Practical articles on living in France

See more Brexit how-tos

Explainer: How to bring family to live with you in France post-Brexit

1 February 2023

Brexit: How to reclaim overpaid French social charges

2 March 2022

Post-Brexit tax rules recap: How to send gifts between UK and France

6 December 2021

Visitor visa for France: How do we prove we own our second home?

9 December 2021

See more Brexit how-tos

Brexit Questions

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Q: Post Brexit: When do Britons need to swap to French driving licence?

A: This is one situation where Brexit has a reduced impact on Britons living in France due to a post-Brexit agreement on the issue.

Q: Post Brexit do I need a visa when leaving France for an EU holiday?

A: Europe’s upcoming Entry/Exit System is aimed at being a way of tracking the movements of non-EU visitors in and out of the Schengen area but it is important to note that it will not be equivalent to a visa.

Q: Should I swap five-year Brexit residency card for 10-year card?

A: For British citizens living in France, Brexit and the subsequent Withdrawal Agreement made it necessary to obtain residency permits to continue living here.