France’s Pacs contracts rise 10-fold in 20 years

The Pacs civil union has marked its 20th birthday, with the latest statistics showing 194,000 registered in 2017, up from 20,000 a year in the early days.

Connexion journalist

Published Wednesday 27 November 2019 - 15:00 Modified Wednesday 27 November 2019 - 15:00

It is now almost as popular as marriage – 233,915 in 2017.

The Pacs was voted in after a battle in Parliament. In 1999, 25% involved same-sex couples, but that has dropped to 4%.

Stay informed:
Sign up to our free weekly e-newsletter
Subscribe to access all our online articles and receive our printed monthly newspaper The Connexion at your home. News analysis, features and practical help for English-speakers in France

Centrist François Bayrou announced as new French prime minister

The veteran politician is currently mayor of Pau and a key Macron ally in parliament

France set to pass emergency ‘budget law’: is it good or bad for your finances?

The country will effectively be without a budget from 2025, with knock-on effects for individuals and companies

Chronopost, Colissimo, and Mondial Relay: Beware delivery scams in France

The surge in Christmas shopping always leads to an uptick of scams at this time of year

Police appeal for help as thefts of internet and phone cables increase in Brittany

‘These acts of vandalism threaten access to the telephone and internet network’, say police

Flu spreads in France: Four regions at epidemic level

All of the country is affected as the number of influenza cases rises

Cyclist stabbed in row over road rights in Lyon

The argument with two men on an e-scooter reportedly broke out over right of way

Man leaves €10m to Normandy village just because of its name

Roger Thiberville is not thought to have ever visited Thiberville. ‘It is a lovely surprise just before Christmas’ said the mairie

French road sign expands to Spain - but most drivers unaware of its meaning

Road sign is only in use for specific weather conditions

Letters: Can Hybrid cars leave you stranded without a spare wheel in France?

Readers share their experiences - their and solutions - over what to do if you do not have a spare in case of a flat tyre

Photo: French police stop driver over car covered in Christmas lights

Officers were appreciative of the decorations and took photos - but demanded that they were all removed

Letters: This photo tip makes it easier to renew UK passports in France

A Connexion reader shares how to make renewing a UK passport more straightforward

Drinks mis-sold as traditional kefir ‘mislead’ consumers in France

Many ‘kefir’ drinks do not contain the right ingredients, a consumer association says

Bees protected from Asian hornet attacks by award-winning French device

Frédérique Ripet has won a top business award for creating a device that protects hives from deadly attacks

Why is Bordeaux also known as the ‘port of the moon’?

The nickname hints at the long maritime history of the World Heritage city

Bordeaux-Ireland flights: Aer Lingus to replace Ryanair

The three flights per week will replace a service previously offered by Ryanair, which has now stopped all flights to and from Bordeaux

Rules relaxed for French salary-savings scheme

Changes mean workers will be able to get hold of funds in more circumstances

Few French newspapers were founded before 1945

Many newspapers were deemed to have collaborated during World War Two

Try out this Chartreuse and walnut macaron recipe

This tasty treat combines the liquer from Isère with a nutty flavour to create one France's favourite confectioneries

New pollution bans from January: Which cars and which cities in France?

Changes mean vehicles with Crit’Air level 3 will be banned in four cities

Interview: French cheesemonger on what it takes to become the best in the world

Vincent Philippe describes the effort that it took him to achieve the title of World's Best Cheesemonger, some of his favourite cheeses and France's biggest strengths involving cheese

Fréjus Tunnel that connects France and Italy to close this weekend

The tunnel will close for 12 hours and not the 56 hours originally announced

Is my information safe with French estate agents?

Using major national estate agencies is an option if you need to have more confidence

Do I need to remove a disused septic tank in France after connecting to the mains?

Safety is the number one priority, says Sarah Bright-Thomas of Bright Avocats

Is there financial help to purchase a mobility scooter in France?

Some UK disability benefits remain for Britons living across the Channel

France’s Pacs contracts rise 10-fold in 20 years

The Pacs civil union has marked its 20th birthday, with the latest statistics showing 194,000 registered in 2017, up from 20,000 a year in the early days.

France set to pass emergency ‘budget law’: is it good or bad for your finances?

EasyJet announces nine new flight routes from France including to UK

French weekend weather outlook December 14 - 15: gloomy and chilly in the north

Centrist François Bayrou announced as new French prime minister

France set to pass emergency ‘budget law’: is it good or bad for your finances?

Festive French phrases and words for the Christmas period

EasyJet announces nine new flight routes from France including to UK

French weekend weather outlook December 14 - 15: gloomy and chilly in the north

Chronopost, Colissimo, and Mondial Relay: Beware delivery scams in France

Police appeal for help as thefts of internet and phone cables increase in Brittany

Flu spreads in France: Four regions at epidemic level

Cyclist stabbed in row over road rights in Lyon

Man leaves €10m to Normandy village just because of its name

French road sign expands to Spain - but most drivers unaware of its meaning

Letters: Can Hybrid cars leave you stranded without a spare wheel in France?

Photo: French police stop driver over car covered in Christmas lights

Letters: This photo tip makes it easier to renew UK passports in France

Cash, cheque, bank cards: what payment types can a shop legally refuse in France?

Letters: Sliced bread is simply too sweet in France

Properties you can buy for under €50,00, €150,000 and €1 million in Pas-de-Calais

Drinks mis-sold as traditional kefir ‘mislead’ consumers in France

Bees protected from Asian hornet attacks by award-winning French device

Why is Bordeaux also known as the ‘port of the moon’?

Bordeaux-Ireland flights: Aer Lingus to replace Ryanair

Rules relaxed for French salary-savings scheme

Letters: Are French disabled badges not valid in UK?

What was happening in France 10, 50 and 100 years ago in December

Discover French magical Christmas châteaux in the Loire valley

Few French newspapers were founded before 1945

Try out this Chartreuse and walnut macaron recipe

New pollution bans from January: Which cars and which cities in France?

Interview: French cheesemonger on what it takes to become the best in the world

Fréjus Tunnel that connects France and Italy to close this weekend

Is my information safe with French estate agents?

Do I need to remove a disused septic tank in France after connecting to the mains?

Is there financial help to purchase a mobility scooter in France?

France’s Pacs contracts rise 10-fold in 20 years

The Pacs civil union has mar­ked its 20th birthday, with the latest statistics showing 194,000 registered in 2017, up from 20,000 a year in the early days.

France set to pass emergency ‘budget law’: is it good or bad for your finances?

EasyJet announces nine new flight routes from France including to UK

French weekend weather outlook December 14 - 15: gloomy and chilly in the north

Centrist François Bayrou announced as new French prime minister

France set to pass emergency ‘budget law’: is it good or bad for your finances?

Festive French phrases and words for the Christmas period

EasyJet announces nine new flight routes from France including to UK

French weekend weather outlook December 14 - 15: gloomy and chilly in the north

Chronopost, Colissimo, and Mondial Relay: Beware delivery scams in France

Police appeal for help as thefts of internet and phone cables increase in Brittany

Flu spreads in France: Four regions at epidemic level

Cyclist stabbed in row over road rights in Lyon

Man leaves €10m to Normandy village just because of its name

French road sign expands to Spain - but most drivers unaware of its meaning

Letters: Can Hybrid cars leave you stranded without a spare wheel in France?

Photo: French police stop driver over car covered in Christmas lights

Letters: This photo tip makes it easier to renew UK passports in France

Cash, cheque, bank cards: what payment types can a shop legally refuse in France?

Letters: Sliced bread is simply too sweet in France

Properties you can buy for under €50,00, €150,000 and €1 million in Pas-de-Calais

Drinks mis-sold as traditional kefir ‘mislead’ consumers in France

Bees protected from Asian hornet attacks by award-winning French device

Why is Bordeaux also known as the ‘port of the moon’?

Bordeaux-Ireland flights: Aer Lingus to replace Ryanair

Rules relaxed for French salary-savings scheme

Letters: Are French disabled badges not valid in UK?

What was happening in France 10, 50 and 100 years ago in December

Discover French magical Christmas châteaux in the Loire valley

Few French newspapers were founded before 1945

Try out this Chartreuse and walnut macaron recipe

New pollution bans from January: Which cars and which cities in France?

Interview: French cheesemonger on what it takes to become the best in the world

Fréjus Tunnel that connects France and Italy to close this weekend

Is my information safe with French estate agents?

Do I need to remove a disused septic tank in France after connecting to the mains?

Is there financial help to purchase a mobility scooter in France?

The Pacs civil union has marked its 20th birthday, with the latest statistics showing 194,000 registered in 2017, up from 20,000 a year in the early days.