Ryanair brings back Brive-Stansted service
Low-cost carrier Ryanair has confirmed the return of its Brive-London Stansted route for the summer 2026 season, with tickets now on sale.
The route will fly twice a week on Mondays and Fridays between March 30 and October 23, with prices starting from €16.99 one-way.
The Brive-Stansted route was one of several axed last winter as the budget airline cut the number of services to regional French airports – a move it said was driven by increased French airport taxes introduced in February 2025.
Auchan supermarkets will now be sold
Auchan has announced plans to sell 91 supermarkets across France, reversing an earlier strategy that would have seen most sites simply rebranded.
In November 2025, Auchan said its 261 supermarkets and franchised stores would gradually switch to the Intermarché or Netto brands, operated by Les Mousquetaires, but stay within Auchan Retail France. It has now confirmed that this will apply to 164 sites only, by April 2027.
Most of the remaining supermarkets will instead be offered for sale, depending on their “geographic or economic situation”. Auchan will keep 11 sites, mainly in the Paris region, to be run under other, as yet unspecified, formats.
MPs back free hospital parking
A proposal to guarantee free parking at public hospitals for patients, with limited free access for visitors has been approved by French MPs.
The bill ensures patients can park for the full duration of their medical care, while visitors would be entitled to two hours free, after which charges could apply up to a daily cap of €15.
The measure aims to address criticism of rising hospital parking fees, often levied by private operators, which can represent a significant extra cost for patients and families.
The Senate must still examine the bill before it can become law. If passed, it will apply only to public hospitals and not to private healthcare facilities.
Income tax bands increased for 2026 declarations
Income tax bands for declarations in spring 2026, based on income received in 2025, have been increased in line with inflation.
The government has confirmed a 0.9% rise in all tax bands, designed to neutralise the effects of inflation on household taxation.
As in previous years, this means households whose income has risen broadly in line with prices should avoid moving into a higher tax bracket, or becoming liable for income tax when they were not previously. Full exemption from income tax continues to apply to the lowest earners, with income taxed progressively from €11,600.
Stricter rules for air travel disputes
New rules on flight delay and cancellation claim disputes came into force in France in February. This relates to situations where airlines do not pay out on claims.
Previously, passengers could file for disputes under €5,000 directly in court. Under the new system, mandatory prior mediation with the Médiateur du Tourisme et du Voyage is required, which can take up to six months.
Only after that can a case proceed to court, subject to fees and using a huissier to issue a summons (note certain airlines are not part of the mediation scheme, such as Vueling and Tunisair). Grouped claims for people on the same flight are now restricted to family members only.
At EU level, work is continuing on a revamp of flight compensation rules. MEPs want to improve passenger rights, including a higher minimum compensation amount and new rights to take on board free small wheeled cabin luggage as well as a free personal item. If EU ministers do not agree further talks will ensue to find a compromise.
Worst airports for punctuality detailed
France’s airports performed poorly overall for flight punctuality in a new global ranking, despite relatively good performance by Toulouse and Lyon.
The AirHelp World’s Best Airports 2025 list ranks airports using on-time performance (60%), customer service (20%) and food and shopping facilities (20%).
Toulouse scored best nationally with an overall score of 7.64 out of 10, followed closely by Lyon Saint-Exupéry and EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg.
However, French airports ranked relatively low worldwide. Toulouse placed 101st globally, Lyon 102nd and EuroAirport 108th out of 250 airports. Paris Orly ranked 117th, while Charles-de-Gaulle was 184th. Nice and Beauvais were among the lowest-scoring French airports.
AirHelp data shows only 70% of flights in France departed on time, placing the country among the worst performers in Europe for punctuality, alongside Portugal and Greece.
Globally, Cape Town Airport topped the ranking.
Surge in energy scams
There has been a surge in energy-related scams targeting consumers, according to Enedis.
Fraudsters are reportedly contacting people by phone, email, or text, claiming to represent Enedis or its partners, in attempts to sell products or extract personal or banking information.
Enedis stresses that it never sells products, never requests sensitive information, and does not make unsolicited commercial calls or emails. Any official visit to a property is either scheduled in advance or announced in writing, except in emergencies.
Customers suspecting a scam can contact Enedis on 09 70 83 19 70, register on the Bloctel opt-out list, report spam to 33 700, or notify the DGCCRF via SignalConso.
Affordable Michelin restaurants
The Michelin Guide has revealed its 2026 ‘Bib Gourmand’ list in France, with 75 restaurants chosen not only for their food, but also for their good value for money.
The list was unveiled on February 10, ahead of the release of the full Michelin Guide 2026, which is set for March 16.
Established in 1997, the Bib Gourmand list highlights establishments that offer a good-quality meal for around €45 per person in Paris, and €40 elsewhere (not including drinks).
There are now 430 Bib Gourmand restaurants in France.
‘Click to Pay’ rollout
A new online payment method known as Click to Pay is expected to arrive in France shortly, as card networks seek to compete with services such as Apple Pay, Google Pay and PayPal.
Backed by Visa, Mastercard, Groupement CB and American Express, Click to Pay allows customers to make online purchases without entering their full card details each time. Instead, users pre-save their card information via their bank or card provider, then select a card from a secure page when paying on participating websites.
The system, already available in some countries, was initially expected to launch in France in 2024 but was delayed. No exact rollout date has yet been confirmed.
Sightings reported as caterpillars return early
Authorities are warning residents to watch out for processionary caterpillars, which are appearing earlier than usual due to mild winter temperatures.
Pine processionary caterpillars are usually seen from January to May, mainly in the south and west, while oak processionary caterpillars appear later in northern regions. This year, sightings have been reported up to two months early in some areas.
Authorities urge the public not to touch or attempt to destroy caterpillars, to keep pets away, and to report sightings via the official government app or website.
Contact can cause severe skin irritation, eye inflammation, respiratory problems and, in pets, potentially fatal reactions if ingested.
New campaigns to trap Asian hornets start
Local authorities are once again rolling out spring campaigns to trap Asian hornets, an invasive species now present in almost all regions.
Communes including those in Charente-Maritime, Maine-et-Loire, Gard and Sarthe are distributing traps, bait and advice to residents, often free of charge. These traps are designed to let smaller insects escape while capturing hornets.
Specialists stress that traps should be removed after April or May to avoid harming other insects. Residents who discover a nest are advised to contact their mairie or a professional pest controller, rather than attempting removal themselves.
Fishing app not yet enforced
Recreational sea fishers in France are, in theory, required to report catches of certain species via a new EU app, but the obligation is currently suspended pending technical adjustments.
The measure has officially applied since January 9, 2026, under an EU regulation, requiring some recreational catches to be declared using the RecFishing app. Species concerned include sea bass, pink sea bream and tuna.
However, the French government says registration and reporting requirements are temporarily on hold, as the EU finalises the app’s rollout. Clarification on when the system will become fully operational in France is expected in March.
Occitanie undertakes train refunds
The Occitanie region is reimbursing TER train passengers following a year of frequent service disruptions. In 2025, 7.8% of liO TER trains were cancelled (excluding weather events), and only 86.5% arrived on time, below the 90.7% target.
Eligible passengers must hold an annual FréquenciO’ or Kartatoo subscription active during September–November 2025 or January 2026. Monthly direct-debit subscribers will have seen their February payments waived, while annual-pass holders will be refunded the appropriate sum.
Additional refunds apply for routes including Toulouse–Rodez, Toulouse–Latour-de-Carol, and Toulouse–Pau.
Winter tyres rules remain unenforceable
France’s Loi Montagne, which requires winter tyres or snow chains in certain mountainous areas between November 1 and March 31, remains unenforceable four years after coming into effect.
Although drivers theoretically face a €135 fine for non-compliance, no penalties can yet be issued because the government has still not signed the final decree authorising sanctions.
Note that insurers may still refuse compensation after an accident if winter equipment was legally required but not fitted.
Breakdown fees rise
Fees for roadside breakdown assistance on motorways have increased, with new national rates published in the Journal Officiel.
A standard motorway callout now costs €151, with a 50% surcharge applied at night (18:00–08:00), weekends and public holidays. Higher rates apply to vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, and extra charges may be added for parts or repairs.
On motorways, drivers must contact the concessionaire operating that stretch of road, not their insurer. Only authorised mechanics may attend motorway incidents. Payment is required upfront, although many insurance policies reimburse the cost.
Speed cameras to flash again
Visible flashes are returning to speed cameras, with trials under way in Gard, Yvelines and Marne.
Most cameras switched to invisible infrared systems around a decade ago, partly to create uncertainty among drivers. Authorities now say visible flashes have an “educational” value. If the trials are deemed successful, flashes could be rolled out nationally.
More departments restore 90 km/h limit
A total of 52 departments have now opted to reverse the 80km/h limit on secondary roads introduced in 2018, with Eure becoming the latest to approve a return to 90km/h.
A 2019 law allows departments to raise limits on suitable roads following safety studies.
