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No crisps, no party games: the unwritten rules of French children’s birthdays
Columnist Samantha David describes the ups and downs of a French birthday party for children
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French villages become living Advent calendars with different doors opening each day to give out treats
Local residents each choose a date in December, decorate their door or window and then on the day, open up and hand out hot drinks and edible treats to everyone outside
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Why up to 200,000 households in France risk paying tax – or paying more – in 2026
Lack of a 2026 full budget has many implications
New apprentice age limit
Several regions are experimenting with a new, higher age limit for apprentices to give better employment opportunities for those in the 25-30 age group, hit by poor job prospects in past years.
At present, apprentices must be under 25-years-old but the new trial will extend this to 30 and it is being tested for three years in seven regions: Bretagne, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Centre-Val-de-Loire, Grand-Est, Hauts-de-France, Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Pays de la Loire. The results could see it extended.
