Cheap fuel, cool your home: This week’s best practical advice articles
A round-up of The Connexion ’s most helpful stories from the last seven days
Our best practical articles from the last week
1. Do you know what number to call in an emergency in France?
Although most people living in France will be aware of the basic emergency numbers – 15, 17, and 18 – there are a host of other numbers to call that could get you quicker to the service you need.
As well as dedicated lines for children in danger, domestic abuse and out-of-hours healthcare, there is also a number to report a terrorist attack.
Alongside the French numbers, there is also a pan-European emergency number that can put you through to the correct line, if you are unsure exactly what service you need.
Read more: What numbers should I dial in an emergency in France?
2. How to keep your house cool in the summer heat
France is buckling up for another record-breaking summer, with degrees of over 40C already recorded in Corsica this June.
In this week’s property wrap, we looked at the state of the 5 million plus French homes that become thermal heat traps in the summer months, leaving temperatures dangerously high inside.
Even if you do not live in one of these houses, it is good to have some tips to help cool you – and your house – down in summer.
Our article covers tips including when you should have windows open or closed, how to effectively use fans, and how you can even save money when cooling down this summer.
Read more: How to keep your house cool in the high heat of the French summer
3. Tax on new ‘heavy’ cars extended
A tax on cars weighing over 1.8 tonnes – set to finish at the end of 2023 – will be extended.
Currently, for every 10 kgs above the weight threshold, an extra €10 is paid as an ‘ecological tax’ when first registering the vehicle.
But France’s transport minister Clément Beaune has said that the threshold will be lowered so that lighter cars will also have to pay the tax. He did not specify what the new threshold would be.
Heavier cars produce more CO², with the tax designed to get more people to drive vehicles that are less polluting.
Electric cars over the as yet unconfirmed new weight threshold will be exempt from the tax, however.
Read more: France set to lower weight tax threshold for new gas-guzzling vehicles
4. Obtaining a European health insurance card
This article looks at how French residents can get a carte européene d’assurance maladie (Ceam), the European version of a health insurance card.
It provides access to emergency healthcare when you are visiting other European countries.
The card, valid for two years, is ordered via Assurance Maladie and simply has to be presented to healthcare authorities in the country you are visiting to access the healthcare system.
If your card does not arrive in time for your holiday, you can also receive an attestation to say you have ordered one, which is valid for three months.
Read more: French health insurance travel card: How it works and how to get one
5. Cheaper fuel on summer weekends
French supermarket giant E.Leclerc is offering petrol sold “at cost” at its almost 700 service stations on summer weekends.
Valid until August 13, any driver can fill up at the pump and pay the price E.Leclerc purchased the fuel for.
The supermarket said it is to help French people improve their purchasing power.
Read more: French supermarket chain to sell cheaper fuel on summer weekends
