228 October 2021 (Digital edition)

View All Back Issues

228 October 2021 (Digital edition)
(€5.80 TTC)


On the front page:

Residency card limbo stopping us getting jobs

Thousands of Britons living in France face legal worries – with some unable to take up job offers – as delays hold up around 10,000 Withdrawal Agreement (WA) residency cards.

See the full story on the front page and continued on page 2

Could the death penalty be brought back?

On the eve of the 40th anniversary of the abolition of the death penalty (September 18), far-right polemicist and possible presidential candidate Eric Zemmour said he was “philosophically... in favour” of executions during an interview on French TV.

Amnesty International’s Anne Denis gives her take on the back page.

A new era begins at the British embassy in Paris 

New British ambassador Menna Rawlings is the first woman in the role after 36 men since the time of the Duke of Wellington, who bought the building which is her official residence.

Read our interview with the UK’s ambassadrice on page 8

French news explained:

Ferries prepare for 2022 bounce-back year

Brittany Ferries is hoping to bounce back next year with a fourfold increase in 2021 passenger numbers and a €25million injection from a new partner. Other firms which operate the cross-Channel route are buoyed by a huge port extension – and new 1,000m² duty-free shop – at Calais.

Learn more on page 2

Will everyone need a third Covid dose?

The EU is to give its official view in early October on whether it recommends everyone aged 16 or above should receive a Covid booster jab. Some 48 million are now double vaccinated in France. 

Find out more, plus the key dates to know, on page 3

Deaths prompt warning on naturopath disinformation

Two deaths of people using naturopaths this summer have provoked a warning about the dangers of alternative medicine. In one case, a 44-year-old woman paying €1,000 a week for a fasting treatment in a Loire chateau was found dead in her room.

Read the full story on page 5

Record year as buyers seek houses away from big cities

The booming property market is heading for a record year – led by rural areas, suburbs and medium-sized towns and cities, in a radical change to the usual pattern. Year-on-year prices for September in Paris dropped 1.5% but rose 6.4% in rural areas.

See more on page 6. You can also stay up to date with French property news in our Property section online

‘Van life’ trend fuels rush to buy and hire

Camper van companies are enjoying a surge of interest following the easing of Covid restrictions and a growing trend for four-wheeled ‘home’ travel. 

Understand recent French headlines with The Connexion’s in-depth analysis in our news sections pages 1-12. We cover French news in daily articles online along with further analysis in our monthly print editions. View our subscription options

Brexit and France:

Fears over UK’s mixed nationality rules

Mixed-nationality families have spoken of their worries as the deadline approaches for visas and means tests being imposed on those wanting to move from the EU to the UK. One couple fears they may not be able to return home together.

Can you extend a 90-day stay for medical reasons?

A reader has asked if there is a way for a UK national to extend a visit to France beyond the 90-day limit after his wife had an accident and requires regular medical follow-ups.

Uncover the issues caused by the UK leaving the EU in our Brexit section on page 5. Plus stay informed with the latest Brexit news online in our Brexit section 

Practical advice for living in France:

Make sense of Crit’Air stickers

Crit’Air stickers, showing how polluting a car is, are required in more and more French cities. How do you get one, and what pitfalls should you watch out for?

Read the guide on page 19

Owning a second home in France: Can I insure a car at my French address?

Can I insure a car in France using the address of my second home there? Also, is it possible to insure month by month or would I have to insure for a full year?

Get the answer on page 19

New changes in France for October 

Paris speed limit changes, rising gas prices and a new offer from SNCF.

See our October updates for residents in France on page 32

Estate planning and how to benefit your family: Your FAQs 

What are some of the estate planning challenges that British expatriates face here and the steps you can take to improve your position? 

Find more tips and advice for managing your money in France in our Money and Tax section on pages 33 and 34, and online

Reader questions answered:

You asked, we answered. Send your queries to questions@connexionfrance.com 

  • How can we keep pigeons away from our garden?
  • How can I check how many points I have left on my driving licence?
  • What is a DCEM travel document?
  • Can shops give a voucher instead of a refund for returned goods?

Get the answers to your questions on page 18 and elsewhere. You can also find answers to reader questions in the Your Questions section online

French Living:

French hills are just the tonic after a bustling summer

Explore some of the hidden villages and charming cities, mountain vistas and outdoor activities of France’s main magnificent and varied mountain ranges. 

From Banker to cheesemonger: ‘I want to be an ambassador of this heritage’

Runner up at this year’s World’s Best Cheesemonger Competition in Tours, Grégory Giraudon talks to The Connexion about his career change from finance to fromage.

Recipes: French cooking with fruit and nuts

The latest cookbook by Ferrandi School of Culinary Arts explores the infinite variety of fruits and nuts, and reveals how they can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes. Try these three super recipes at home, including a fruity and spicy tagine.

Gardening tips: Camelia envy and ‘black gold’

Find advice for growing camellias and composting tips for your home.

You’ll find more culture and lifestyle articles, alongside recipes, quizzes and more, in our ‘French Living’ pull-out which comes free with every print edition

More in the October edition: 

Community: ​​Tragic Esther puts missing persons charity in spotlight

Work: How to ‘convert’ any foreign qualifications

Your story: Cold winters and hard work – the realities of buying a chateau, but we don’t regret it

Property: ‘Hobbit’ housing grows with trend for low-impact living

Li​ving: Homesharing schemes bridge divide between the generations

Comment: Why are French people so attached to shopping centre chain restaurants?