Your Questions

Do you have a question about life in France? Email our man in the know, Oliver Rowland, at news@connexionfrance.com

Why can I not cancel health policy with a month’s notice?

My health mutuelle provider says I cannot cancel with a month’s notice but need to wait until the anniversary date. Do mutuelles not come under the same rules as other contracts which you can cancel with a month’s notice? J.G.

Can French shops refuse to take change?

Can a shop refuse payment in small change? J.P.

Is my expensive new drug ‘free’ in France?

I read with interest the response in the August edition to a question about 100% reimbursement for the arthritis treatment Adalimumab for someone moving to France.

My situation is similar but I have been prescribed a newer drug, Cosentyx. Would this also be available to me? Also, as I am moving as a pensioner, I am worried that there would be a period during which I would not qualify as a resident for the purposes of medical treatment and that I may need to take out a private policy. Is that right? C.J.

Is insurance valid during licence swap?

I applied to change my UK driving licence to a French one [which now has to be done in writing to a centre at the Nantes prefecture] and have been waiting months for an attestation acknowledging my application.

I am now driving on an expired licence and with no attestation. Is my car insurance still valid? H.F.

Does household insurance pay to remove wasps’ nest?

Does household insurance cover having a wasps’ nest removed from my roof? What if the wasps come back? G.B.

Are French classes smaller?

I have heard that class sizes in France are smaller than the UK. Is it true? J.B.

Why do prefectures need fingerprints?

Why do some prefectures require fingerprints when you apply for a carte de séjour? Mine did not. K.M.

Where does term cerfa come from?

Why are some official forms in France called “cerfa”? J.D.

What is the Journal Officiel?

Connexion sometimes mentions the Journal Officiel – what is this and who publishes it? B.M.

Can my unused insurance be refunded?

My car insurance starts on November 1 each year. I sold my car on August 7 and have not bought another car.

I cancelled my car insurance and asked the insurers for a refund of the September and October months of the policy but the insurance company says that none is payable. Is this correct? R.B.

Must dog wear muzzle on train in France?

Does my dog have to be muzzled if we are travelling on the train? G.S.

Are there reductions for senior citizens in France?

We want to retire to France but would like to know: does France give reductions for “seniors” who live there? If so, would we be included if we are not French? L.D.

Is there a top-up ombudsman?

Is there an ombudsman for health mutuelles? Mine is refusing to pay for a second stay in hospital. GT

Has Paca region changed name to be Region Sud?

HAS the region Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur – known as ‘Paca’ – changed name to be ‘Région Sud’? It seems unclear. G.B.

Green bonus for second-hand car in France

I read in Connexion about the discount ‘bonus’ given for buying a new Zoe electric car. Is this also available if you buy second-hand and how does it work in such a case? L.F.

May motorbikes ‘weave in and out’ of traffic?

Is it legal for motorbikes or scooters to weave in and out of traffic? I am told it is only ‘tolerated’ and in the case of an accident the insurance firm may not pay out. I.S.

Changing carte de séjour address

I received my carte de séjour (residency card) in 2016, valid for five years, and had no problems gaining this with the prefecture in Avignon.

Connexion has provided a lot of information about applying for a card but can you explain about changing address when you move? B.M.

French law: can we keep stray dog I found?

We found a stray dog with no ID chip/tattoo, can we keep it? I.G.

Can firm insist that I work a bank holiday in France?

My employer told me to work November 1, a bank holiday. Is this legal? F.F.

Selling business - how to reassure buyers

We are selling our language centre but it needs to be run by English-speakers. How can we reassure potential buyers as to their status in France after Brexit? T.W.

What are a mayor’s ‘police powers’?

In a recent edition you mention the ‘police powers’ of a mayor. What does this refer to? P.W.

What are the rules about burning waste in a bonfire?

Can you create a bonfire to burn waste in your garden? Do the rules vary from department to department? D.B.

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