French News and Views in English

Tennis ball size hailstones batter homes in central and west France

Holiday home gardens in France fall victim to Brexit 90-day rule

French military jets brush in mid-air ‘near-miss’ in practice session

How to check for water restrictions in your area of France

Ascension Day holiday: prepare for heavy traffic on French roads

19 hours ago

French news

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Ascension Day holiday: prepare for heavy traffic on French roads

What’s coming up?: The week ahead in France

Wednesday 25 May 2022

French property watch: Life in full swing in Haute-Garonne

24 minutes ago

Property

French court orders 4G antenna switch-off over cow health concerns

23 minutes ago

French news

France one of EU’s worst culprits for pesticide-grown fruit and veg

18 hours ago

French news

Leclerc recalls cooked chicken across France due to listeria risk

18 hours ago

French news

Why diesel prices are falling but petrol prices still rising in France

18 hours ago

French news

Wildfires: French law may require you to cut back at-risk vegetation

19 hours ago

French news

France’s pension top-up aid unclaimed by 50% of people, study shows

20 hours ago

French news

French driver fined €135 as hearing aid mistaken for hands-free gadget

22 hours ago

French news

French DIY: My mission to build a cost-effective garden pergola

1 day ago

Property

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What are France Services points and how can they help you?

6 days ago

How to top up your UK state pension when you live in France

17 May 2022

How to heat your home through France’s district heating network

11 May 2022

How to become a volunteer firefighter in France

7 May 2022

Six tips to trace the history of your home in France

22 April 2022

€300 to €600 grant given to connect more homes in France to fibre

15 April 2022

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Property

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Tax rises, artisan fees: Five updates for property owners in France

5 days ago

Property

Read the full story

Tax rises, artisan fees: Five updates for property owners in France

French property watch: Discover the chic and glamorous Alpes-Maritimes

French property watch: Life in full swing in Haute-Garonne

24 minutes ago

French DIY: My mission to build a cost-effective garden pergola

1 day ago

French company’s self-service concrete dispenser growing in popularity

14 May 2022

Property HOW-TOS

Practical articles on living in France

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How to heat your home through France’s district heating network

11 May 2022

Six tips to trace the history of your home in France

22 April 2022

€300 to €600 grant given to connect more homes in France to fibre

15 April 2022

CEE: France’s home renovation grant for main and second homes

18 April 2022

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Property Questions

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Q: French property rights: How does tontine clause work on first death?

A: The inclusion of a tontine clause in the purchase deed of a property has long been popular among British buyers, especially where either or both have children from another relationship.

Q: How do I find out the estimated value of property online in France?

A: It is true that the property price comparison and estimate services in the UK, provided by platforms such as Zoopla, do not have equivalents in France.

Q: Must I pay France’s ‘garden shed’ tax on a replacement structure?

A: The rules on obtaining permission and paying taxe d’aménagement for features such as garden sheds are slightly different if the project involves rebuilding an existing structure.

Q: French property: How long after buying can I claim for hidden faults?

A: A vice caché usually applies to the sale of objects but also extends to property.

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Income Tax in France 2022 (for 2021 income)*

Preview

Income Tax in France 2022 (for 2021 income)*

4 April 2022

- Primarily aimed at Britons, covers pensions, rent, ISAs, shares, savings and interest - Overview of online declarations + step-by-step guide to the French printed forms - Includes updates given automatically after this year's site opened

Preview

Inheritance Law and Wills in France*

20 February 2020

Get to know the formalities around French succession rules and considerations for buying property

Covid-19

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Coronavirus: Daily updates on the situation in France

23 hours ago

Covid-19

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Coronavirus: Daily updates on the situation in France

Covid-19: Rules for travel to and from France

Defective FFP2 Covid masks recalled across France

17 May 2022

President Macron considers widower’s appeal for Covid remembrance day

12 May 2022

Mask requirement on public transport in France to end on May 16

11 May 2022

Covid-19 HOW-TOS

Practical articles on living in France

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How to get a Covid recovery certificate in France and as a tourist?

29 January 2022

US and other non-EU visitors to France: how to get a vaccine pass

27 January 2022

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Covid-19 Questions

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Q: What are the Covid requirements for travel from France to Belgium?

A: Belgium, like France, uses the EU Digital Covid Certificate, which can be accessed through the TousAntiCovid app and used for travel within the bloc.

Q: Can non-residents be vaccinated against Covid in France?

A: France’s Covid vaccination campaign is open to people over the age of five in France.

Q: Covid France: Does receiving different vaccines reduce their efficacy?

A: People aged 60 and over, immunosuppressed patients and care home residents are now being offered a fourth Covid vaccine dose in France, although this booster remains optional.

Q: Does France recognise the Novavax vaccine for international travel?

A: France classifies people entering the country as being ‘fully vaccinated’ 28 days after the administration of the single-dose Janssen vaccine, or seven days after the second dose of another vaccine approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the interior ministry states.

See more Covid-19 questions

Explore our how-tos on living in France

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

What are France Services points and how can they help you?

6 days ago

Everyday Life

There are over 2,000 centres around the country with trained staff who can help with administrative procedures

How to top up your UK state pension when you live in France

17 May 2022

Money

We explain how former UK residents can still pay voluntary National Insurance to build up a full UK state pension, how much to pay and which form to fill in

How to heat your home through France’s district heating network

11 May 2022

Property

More than two million properties use a local réseau de chaleur. Prices are not affected by global events as the power is produced locally

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‘Embarrassed to be British’: Britons in the EU share views on Brexit

5 May 2022

French news

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‘Embarrassed to be British’: Britons in the EU share views on Brexit

Britons in France: What is the benefit of EU long-term resident card?

Brexit cost couple £47,000 on Aviva first death life assurance policy

5 days ago

Explainer: Using a UK driving licence as a British resident of France

2 May 2022

Visiting France for six months: French long stay visa VLS-T explained

29 April 2022

Brexit HOW-TOS

Practical articles on living in France

See more Brexit how-tos

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

A guide to the temporary long-stay visa for France and how to apply

9 December 2021

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Brexit Questions

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Q: Applying for ‘returned goods relief’ to take items from France to UK

A: This, where applicable, ensures that UK customs does not treat the items as being ordinary French-bought ones which could attract UK VAT and, in some cases, import duty.

Q: Can you start a French visa while already in the country?

A: In that case, do we have to come back to the UK and then return to France after the start of the 180 day visa or can we simply stay in France?

Q: Does Brexit mean higher university fees for Britons in France?

A: No, since you were living in France before 2021, you will be covered by the Withdrawal Agreement and presumably have residency cards to prove this.

Q: How do I apply for a French visa if I live in Northern Ireland?

A: France’s dedicated visa application website states that visa applications from residents of England, Wales, Scotland, Jersey, Guernesey, Alderney, the Isle of Wight, the Falkland Islands, the Isle of Man or Northern Ireland are all processed at the French consulate in London.

See more Brexit questions

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Do you have a question about life in France? Liv and our team of journalists are here to answer your queries.

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The May 2022 edition of The Connexion is now out

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Magazine

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Inspiring articles on French culture, travel, food and drink, and language

France’s oldest active lighthouse reopens to public - tides allowing

1 hour ago

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France’s oldest active lighthouse reopens to public - tides allowing

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Tennis ball size hailstones batter homes in central and west France

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Ascension Day holiday: prepare for heavy traffic on French roads

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French court orders 4G antenna switch-off over cow health concerns

France one of EU’s worst culprits for pesticide-grown fruit and veg

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How-to Articles

Practical articles on living in France

The May 2022 edition of The Connexion is now out

Property

Tax rises, artisan fees: Five updates for property owners in France

French property watch: Discover the chic and glamorous Alpes-Maritimes

French property watch: Life in full swing in Haute-Garonne

French DIY: My mission to build a cost-effective garden pergola

French company’s self-service concrete dispenser growing in popularity

Property HOW-TOS

Practical articles on living in France

Property Questions

Q: French property rights: How does tontine clause work on first death?

Q: How do I find out the estimated value of property online in France?

Q: Must I pay France’s ‘garden shed’ tax on a replacement structure?

Q: French property: How long after buying can I claim for hidden faults?

Fast-track your knowledge on living in France

with our in-depth Connexion Help Guides

Covid-19

Coronavirus: Daily updates on the situation in France

Covid-19: Rules for travel to and from France

Defective FFP2 Covid masks recalled across France

President Macron considers widower’s appeal for Covid remembrance day

Mask requirement on public transport in France to end on May 16

Covid-19 HOW-TOS

Practical articles on living in France

Covid-19 Questions

Q: What are the Covid requirements for travel from France to Belgium?

Q: Can non-residents be vaccinated against Covid in France?

Q: Covid France: Does receiving different vaccines reduce their efficacy?

Q: Does France recognise the Novavax vaccine for international travel?

Explore our how-tos on living in France

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

What are France Services points and how can they help you?

How to top up your UK state pension when you live in France

How to heat your home through France’s district heating network

Health

Money

Work

Family

Property

Science & Tech

Transport

Everyday Life

Environment

Second Homeowners

Brexit

‘Embarrassed to be British’: Britons in the EU share views on Brexit

Britons in France: What is the benefit of EU long-term resident card?

Brexit cost couple £47,000 on Aviva first death life assurance policy

Explainer: Using a UK driving licence as a British resident of France

Visiting France for six months: French long stay visa VLS-T explained

Brexit HOW-TOS

Practical articles on living in France

Brexit Questions

Q: Applying for ‘returned goods relief’ to take items from France to UK

Q: Can you start a French visa while already in the country?

Q: Does Brexit mean higher university fees for Britons in France?

Q: How do I apply for a French visa if I live in Northern Ireland?

Ask Liv

The May 2022 edition of The Connexion is now out

Magazine

France’s oldest active lighthouse reopens to public - tides allowing

What does ‘de’ mean in a French surname: Is it a sign of nobility?

How many of these 12 fruity French expressions do you know?

Luxury treehouse, giant maze: Six unusual places to explore in France

Six French phrases to use when things go wrong or you have ‘zoned out’

Gentille Alouette: True meaning of the not-so-gentle French kids’ song

Map: our tour of France by local apéritif