French News and Views in English

MAP: How to see where wildfires are in France in real time

Water conflicts multiply in France as drought restrictions extended

3,000 people evacuated as wildfire spreads in southern France

Drought map update: See the French departments with water restrictions

New winter air routes, bigger ferry: Eight France travel updates

2 hours ago

French news

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New winter air routes, bigger ferry: Eight France travel updates

What’s coming up? The week ahead in France

Friday 12 August 2022

Orange weather alerts persist for western France as heat peaks

5 minutes ago

French news

An image tribute to France’s Petit Nicolas illustrator Sempé

21 minutes ago

French news

Tough weekend on roads in France as forecaster issues black alert

2 hours ago

French news

Why will pensioners in France not receive 4% increase this month?

4 hours ago

Money

Coffin materials, abandoned plots: France changes rules on funerals

5 hours ago

French news

France’s wildfires rage on as minister warns of more to come

1 hour ago

French news

Watch out for the August ‘shooting stars’ above France tonight

5 hours ago

French news

Can French residents drive their UK-registered car to France?

5 hours ago

Travel and Transport

Station bag thief caught after laptop inside tracks him to French city

5 hours ago

French news

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How-to Articles

Practical articles on living in France

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How to report an error on your French income tax assessment

3 August 2022

What to do if structural cracks appear in your French property

29 July 2022

Help bees - grow their favourite colour flowers in your French garden

22 July 2022

How to grow redcurrants in your French garden

19 July 2022

Solar panels on French property: how to make your own electricity

12 July 2022

Explainer: how to get police to check on your home in France when away

6 July 2022

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The August 2022 edition of The Connexion is now out

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Property

See more Property news

Second home hotspots, pergolas, cracks: Five French property updates

1 day ago

Property

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Second home hotspots, pergolas, cracks: Five French property updates

When are property sales in France free from capital gains tax?

Property watch: Hérault - good value houses away from Montpellier

1 day ago

An unsellable house, garden sharing: Four French property updates

4 August 2022

From a rented caravan in UK to buying entire French hamlet for €26,000

2 August 2022

Property HOW-TOS

Practical articles on living in France

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What to do if structural cracks appear in your French property

29 July 2022

Solar panels on French property: how to make your own electricity

12 July 2022

Explainer: how to get police to check on your home in France when away

6 July 2022

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

11 May 2022

See more Property how-tos

Property Questions

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Q: Can I still get an oil boiler in my French home if no other option?

A: Since July 1 it has no longer been possible to install a new oil-fired boiler (chaudière au fioul) in any French home due to them being considered too polluting.

Q: Can I have an outdoor fire pit or chiminea in my French garden?

A: It is permitted to have a chiminea (cheminée d'extérieur) or fire pit (brasero) in your garden for cooking, heating or simply for decoration.

Q: How can I get a copy of the title deeds for a property in France?

A: A property’s title deeds, called the acte de propriété or sometimes the titre de propriété, is crucial if you plan to sell a property.

Q: How much value will a swimming pool add to my French house?

A: There is a very good chance that the value of your house will rise by more than this amount.

See more Property questions

Fast-track your knowledge on living in France

with our in-depth Connexion Help Guides

Preview

Healthcare in France*

23 May 2022

- Understand the French healthcare system, how you access it and how you are reimbursed - Useful if you are new to the French healthcare system or want a more in-depth understanding - Reader question and answer section Aimed at non-French nationals living here, the guide gives an overview of what you are (and are not) covered for. There is also information for second-home owners and regular visitors.

Preview

Inheritance Law and Wills in France*

19 February 2020

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

Covid-19

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What next as state-of-emergency Covid measures end in France?

1 August 2022

Covid-19

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What next as state-of-emergency Covid measures end in France?

Covid-19: Rules for travel to and from France

Coronavirus: Daily updates on the situation in France

6 hours ago

Covid France: seventh wave ebbs but public urged to remain cautious

30 July 2022

Travel, border controls: Five Q&As about France’s new Covid bill

29 July 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: Is Covid health pass still needed for hospital appointment in France?

A: When France’s vaccine pass system came to an end on March 14, health pass requirements remained in place for non-emergency visits to health and care settings.

Q: Can I get Covid booster jab while not yet in French healthcare system?

A: Everyone who is a resident in France has the right to get Covid vaccinations for free, whether they are in the healthcare system or not.

Q: France Covid: Must positive tests be confirmed by PCR for health pass?

A: First of all, if you have Covid symptoms and/or you have carried out a home test and it has come back positive, you should self isolate. You should confirm your result with a PCR test and list the people with whom you have had close contact here.

Q: What are the latest Covid rules for teenagers travelling to France?

A: My question is: does that one equate to her being vaccinated or unvaccinated?

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

How to report an error on your French income tax assessment

3 August 2022

Money

The ‘avis d’imposition’ stating how much income tax you owe are ready for many people in France - we explain what to do if you spot a mistake

What to do if structural cracks appear in your French property

29 July 2022

Property

We explain who to contact and how to navigate the ‘catastrophe naturelle’ insurance claim process - there are time limits

Solar panels on French property: how to make your own electricity

12 July 2022

Property

We explain each stage of fitting solar panels - from planning permission and installation to selling back to EDF

Health

Money

Work

Family

Property

Science & Tech

Transport

Everyday Life

Environment

Second Homeowners

Brexit

See more Brexit news

Explainer: How has Brexit changed UK passport checks at EU borders?

26 July 2022

Brexit

Read the full story

Explainer: How has Brexit changed UK passport checks at EU borders?

Fight goes on, says lawyer as court rejects case on Britons’ EU rights

Britons in France threaten to sue Aviva UK over life assurance losses

20 July 2022

Brexit cards in France: Timing rules to swap five-year cards confirmed

15 June 2022

President Macron has a new EU vision that could include the UK

8 June 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

See more Brexit how-tos

Brexit Questions

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Q: Is it viable to still use my French mobile in the UK post-Brexit?

A: Now that the UK has left the EU, if I go over to England for a short holiday, will I still be able to use my French Mobile (with a Leclerc SIM Card) in the UK and, if so, will I incur roaming charges? Alternatively, will my French-registered mobile accept a UK SIM card?

Q: Can I get a withdrawal agreement S1 when I turn 66 this year?

A: Reader Question: We're resident in France thanks to the withdrawal agreement with an S1 that covers us both because my husband was old enough for one and I came in under his as his wife.

Q: What happens if I cannot help but overstay my 90 days in France?

A: In general, non-EU citizens such as Britons and Americans without long-stay visas who remain in France – or other Schengen countries – for more than 90 days within any 180-day period are subject, in theory, to a €198 fine and may find it more difficult to enter the country or obtain a visa in the future.