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.

How can I know the real number of protestors?

Why is there often a difference in protestor numbers between what authorities and organisers say?

How can I find out route of gilets protest?

I am supposed to be coming to Paris from the UK on the weekend of February 15-18 but I am now unsure what to do because of the yellow vest protests. However I have just read your article which says that the numbers were fewer this weekend and also that they followed a prearranged route. What was this route and how would it be possible to find out that route in the future?

Can I have holidays in the first year of my contract?

My mother, British and aged 51, has just been offered a permanent job in France (CDI), which is great. However, she has been told she is not entitled to any paid holiday for the first 12 months of employment. She is expected to work all 52 weeks of the year. Is this legal? Is there not an EU law that prevents this? Have other people experienced the same? H.T.

Is our different-sex Pacs valid if returning to UK?

We are in a different-gender Pacs [a French form of civil partnership open to same and opposite sex couples, often entered into for property purchases] and are considering returning to the UK. Will our Pacs be recognised there? B.F.

Am I insured for subsidence?

Is subsidence covered by household insurance? G.V.

What’s the law on petrol cans?

Can I legally transport spare diesel or petrol in a can in my car and does the law change on this when you cross the border to another EU country? K.R.

Can undeclared driver use a car in France?

Once in a while I drive the family car even though I am not declared to the insurer as either a main or secondary driver. If I have an accident, will I still be covered by the insurance? M.M.

I had to change my motorbike’s speedo

I brought my Triumph motorbike to France and was required to change the speedometer, which showed mph and kph, to one showing only kph. This seems petty. D.K.

Can I become French if my job income is from abroad?

Connexion journalist Oliver Rowland answers the multiple diverse questions of whether one can become French if they're job income is from abroad.

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.

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

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.

Loading some business profiles...

Loading some classifieds...