Recap: 5 practical updates from the last week in France

You can now send prescriptions to pharmacies online

Updates to the online health space Mon Espace Santé mean patients can now send medical prescriptions to pharmacies in advance.

Online prescriptions sent to you by your GP or other doctors can be found in the ‘documents’ section of the online space or app and can be forwarded to a pharmacy of your choice.

It means your prescription will already be prepared for you when you arrive, saving time for both you and pharmacists, as well as allowing more time for patient-specialist advice.

Although not all pharmacies are able to receive prescriptions via the service many can.

Read more: How to send a prescription to a French pharmacy online

Toulon brings in a low-emission zone for vehicles

Toulon in southern France last week implemented a Zone à faibles émissions (ZFE), becoming the 12th city in France to do so.

All vehicles passing through must now display a Crit’Air sticker, and drivers must ensure their vehicles are eligible to enter.

The Connexion’s article below lists all current ZFEs in France – including the restrictions they entail – alongside a map of where future zones will be implemented by 2025.

Read more: Where in France must drivers now display a Crit’Air pollution sticker?

Forest fire forecast launches

A map highlighting the risk levels of forest fires in French departments has been launched by Météo France.

It will be updated on a daily basis and shows the risk of a forest fire in every mainland French department (and Corsica) according to one of four levels.

It will run until the end of September and return each year (starting in Mid-May).

Similar maps have existed for some time for the emergency services but this is the first time a version has been made available to the wider public.

Read more: How does France's new wildfire risk forecast work? Where can I see it?

List of France’s most environmentally friendly beaches

The list of beaches and marinas accredited with the Pavillon Bleu flag for sustainability has been updated for 2023, with 14 new additions to the list.

There are now 511 beaches that are able to fly the blue flag now, with the highest number found in the Occitanie region.

Beaches are assessed on a number of criteria including water and waste management, education and awareness, and their safety and ethical approach.

Entry to the scheme is voluntary and communes have to pay.

Read more: These have been ranked France’s most environmentally friendly beaches

Kits to convert cars from diesel to hybrid on their way

A French company is set to launch a product that converts older petrol and diesel vehicles into hybrid vehicles.

Installation of the plug-in rechargeable battery will give cars a 70km electrical range, and crucially will allow cars to bypass future low-emission zone restrictions in French cities.

Although the kit comes with a hefty €7,500 price tag, the team behind it say it is cheaper than buying a new hybrid vehicle – and the government is considering offering financial aid to purchase it.

Read more: French firm invents kit to convert petrol cars into plug-in hybrids