-
‘No evidence third party involved’ in deaths of British couple in south-west France
Investigators update The Connexion on Dawn Kerr and Andrew Searle case
-
MPs push to remove low emission zones in France
Critics say the zones penalise lower-income households, but the government has warned abolishing them could cost billions
-
Trump tariffs: Americans in France hit by dollar drop
Europe has said the tariffs will cause the economy to ‘massively suffer’ as France plans retaliation
Pompiers will not need to pay péage
When responding to emergencies off the motorway, pompiers have in the past had to pay tolls

EMERGENCY service vehicles are to be given free passage on French motorways when travelling to emergencies after MPs agreed the measure as part of the 2018 budget.
The vote came as forest fires were being fought on many parts of the Mediterranean and was promoted by Alpes-Maritimes MP Eric Ciotti. He said it was “amoral” that pompiers had to pay tolls when heading to save lives.
Previously, pompiers and others were only given free autoroute access if attending an incident on the motorway itself.
The government will now negotiate the free travel with autoroute companies – which are thought to make more than 20% profit on the roads, totalling about €1.5billion a year.
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