HELP GUIDES

Income Tax in France

Healthcare in France

Inheritance Law and Wills in France

Visas and residency cards for France

Evergreen

Is there a way to check if an email address has been hacked in France?

Following several recent data breaches in France, readers are asking how to spot suspicious activity on their accounts

UK government pensions and social charges: has French law changed?

Reader reports being told by an accountant new rules affect this income from 2025

How to swap coins for supermarket vouchers in France

€46 million was exchanged via Coinstar terminals in 2025

practical

Who can help with solar panel paperwork in France?

In many cases your installer should handle most of it but other avenues for help do exist

Camping in France: what you should know before you go

From basic tent pitches to fully equipped resorts, knowing what to expect makes a difference

Washing your car at home in France risks a fine

What seems like a harmless way to clean your car can lead to penalties

How to obtain a photo if caught speeding in France

Images are only available for a limited period of time

What are the recycling rules in France?

We are all encouraged to go greener, but making sense of what can and cannot be recycled is not always obvious. We cover what objects can and cannot go in yellow French recycling bins

French residence card graphic overlaid on a bright Eiffel Tower riverside scene in Paris

Brexit cards give Britons in France similar - but not identical - rights to EU citizens

The WA residency card aimed at allowing Britons to continue living in France as they did before 2020 - with some exceptions

A view of someone looking at paperwork with a calculator and house model in the foreground

French residential tax debits have not been taken - what should I do?

Many opt for monthly payments from January to October

Orne: the ‘Cotswolds of France’ that remains a hidden gem

Often overlooked by tourists and second-homers, this department in north-west France has so much to offer

Border checks at Charles de Gaulle airport

I have overstayed the 90 day rule in France - what will happen?

Rules limit how long travellers can remain in EU without requiring a visa

Four,Friends,Making,A,Toast,During,A,Meal,At,A

La politesse: what habits can make you seem rude to French people?

Sometimes it can be all too easy to commit a cultural faux pas

Chimney sweeping rules in France: Can you do this yourself - and how often is required by law?

Insurance companies have their own requirements

15 things you can do at a French pharmacy other than buy aspirin

We look at the services, treatments and advice offered by local pharmacists in France

What are the rules concerning barking dogs in France?

Repetitive noises such as barking dogs can lead to fines – even if they happen during the day

A view of a toll booth in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Map: where are there free motorways in France?

Only around one-quarter of France’s main road network is free from tolls

Explained: what does an 'A' symbol on a car in France mean and rules for use

The sticker is a common sight on French roads

A graphic of someone using a laptop to look up property values and prices

How to see the sale price of property in France near you

A government online tool includes data from the last five years

Nine ways a French job centre can help jobseekers - and employers

From CV advice to language lessons the new France Travail is gearing up to increase employment

What is the difference between a French carte de séjour and a titre de séjour?

The terms are often used interchangeably, we explain why

Scams in France: watch out for these telephone prefixes

Stay alert to these numbers as they are often used by fraudsters

LIST: Calendar of main pollen allergies in France month by month

At these times the air is thick with allergens

What should you expect to pay for car insurance in France?

Prices continue to rise - and premiums too - industry report shows

What is the process for getting glasses in France?

All people with health insurance can access free glasses

French bureaucracy: 12 ways your local France Services office can help

Staff at these local government offices are your first point of contact for any administration and paperwork issues

Where can I find my French driving licence number?

Hiring a car abroad and checking licence points are among reasons you may need this

A four part image showing Ohio, a squirrel, an iron, and literature books

10 English words French speakers find hardest to pronounce

A reminder that tricky pronunciation goes both ways when learning a language

When and at what times can you mow your lawn in France?

We look at the rules surrounding grass cutting and other garden-related noise

15 things you can do at a tabac in France apart from buy cigarettes

With tobacco sales falling your local tabac is diversifying into banking, printing and much more

Why do some French house numbers have bis or ter after them?

The Latin terms are used when buildings are added to existing plots

12 things you can do at your mairie in France apart from get married

Services, paperwork and key local help available in your commune

Ten things French prefectures can help you with – beyond cartes de séjour

Your local department can help in both the serious and fun moments of life

What are valid forms of ID in France and must I always carry one?

French authorities can ask people to prove their identity in various situations

Explained: The rules of France’s contrôle technique car checks

Includes deadlines, inspection rules, costs and penalties - plus the latest changes for 2026

12 things you can do at a French post office other than buy stamps

La Poste’s diversification strategy means you can now organise home help, get your medicines delivered and much more

Can we renew a carte de séjour online in France?

We look at the process involved in applying for a new residency permit and the variations depending on type

See map showing all of France’s main airports

France has around one airport for every 400,000 people, but they are not all used for commercial flights.

Urban myth or true: Is it illegal to call a pig Napoleon in France?

The rumour is decades old, we ask an historian if it is really against the law to name a pig after the French emperor

What are alcohol limits for France-UK travel? Per person or per car?

Allowances vary depending on the type of alcohol

Rules for cutting your lawn in France on public holidays and Sundays

There is a reason you do not hear the permanent background drone of lawnmowers and hedge trimmers - and what to do if your neighbour does not respect the rules