French news

Farmer protests in France: Blockades in place on several major roads

Tractor convoys head for Paris ahead of a major protest planned for Thursday

Readers share their photos of snowy France

Wintry images from Vendée to Champagne

Flights cancelled, A8 motorway closed as snow continues to fall across France

Up to 15cm of snow is expected in parts of the north

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Top Paris restaurants to sell off 20,000 tableware items

Pieces set to go on sale include glassware, cutlery, and silverware, as well as bistro tables and chairs. Money raised will go in part to charity

2025 world economy rankings: France classed above the UK and US

France’s low inflation rate helped it beat many other nations

Speed, alcohol, drugs: French ski resorts take action

Behaviour of some skiers a cause for concern as severity of injuries worsens

French farmer protests: where roadblocks and disruption are restarting

A major demonstration is planned for Paris as well as a ‘siege’ of Toulouse

Snow causes transport havoc across France - more expected tonight

More than 1,000 kilometres of traffic jams were recorded in the Paris area. Some roads are closed and flights, buses and trains impacted, with six deaths recorded

French court hands out prison sentences and damages in Brigitte Macron cyberbullying cases

Ten people were found guilty over online comments claiming the president wife is a transexual woman and paedophile

France targets imports from South America over banned chemical concerns

Avocados, mangoes, and cherries among food items set to be tested before entry

Hazelnut, chocolate… pork? France’s traditional galette des rois gets a modern makeover

January 6 marks Epiphany and the famous galette, eaten across France

France school holidays: 2026–27 dates confirmed

An additional day will be given in May 2027 as it falls between two public holidays

French doctors begin 10-day strike: most GP surgeries expected to close

Patients needing care should turn to pharmacies, on-call doctors, or emergency wards

French weekly weather forecast January 5 - 9: bitter cold and snow

Up to 10cm of snow is due in Brittany and Normandy. Toulouse, Dordogne and the Pays Basque will also see flocons

Should France follow Italy and make ski helmets mandatory?

Mountain rescue services report an increase in interventions in recent seasons, attributing accidents to faster skiing, crowded pistes, and risky behaviour

French weekend weather forecast January 3 - 4: very cold

Some rural areas forecast to see overnight temperatures of -10C

Flights, ferries, trains: What's new in France in 2026

Changes include new transport links and operator changes for popular routes

Six good news stories from France in 2025

From revolutionary eye surgery and sporting successes, to successful fundraising for iconic French brands, the year was full of feel-good news

Why is New Year's Eve known as Réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre in France?

You may have heard French friends use this term but they might not know where it comes from

French farmer protests: union calls for ‘mass restart’ of action

January 7 is highlighted as day for key action - other unions are yet to commit

UK-France trains back after long night of delays to Eurostar and Le Shuttle

Power outage in the Channel Tunnel stopped all services for several hours

France’s proposed voluntary national service: military revival or costly misstep?

Concerns have emerged over scheme's potential overlap with the recently abandoned Service national universel

Money, taxes, pensions: What's new in France in 2026

New money-saving budget, allowances, income tax freeze and retirement age

Dates 2026: Family allowance payments and other French benefits

The payment date varies if it falls on a weekend

Burglaries in Dordogne: Signs that show a home is at risk

A series of break-ins have been reported over the Christmas period

‘It’s the place we are happiest’: why George Clooney and family become French

‘My kids have a much better life [and] speak perfect French’, the Hollywood star says

Power outage suspends all Eurostar and Eurotunnel travel

A power outage in the Channel Tunnel has caused mass disruption

Explained: France's ‘Grand Froid’ plan and what it does

Several departments including Paris have enacted plans for cold temperatures

Which medical appointments will see higher fees in France in 2026?

We look at specialists affected and how reimbursement for patients will work for new tariffs

New farmer blockade set up in south-west France, others continue

New protest action is at the Foix tunnel and impacts travel into the Pyrénées and January action announced at Cherbourg port

France speed cameras 2026: phones and seatbelts not detected - yet

Recent reports in French media claim systems can identify these offences

Health and medicine: What's new in France in 2026

Changes include a new minimal fee for certain foreign residents and the development of the France Santé health centre network

25 Grand Frais stores to open in France as American investors prepare to purchase chain

Expansion would mean 3,000 new jobs

France’s end-of-year tips: how much to give firefighters, cleaners, and waste collectors

Informal tips known as ‘étrennes’ are widespread practice

‘A legend of the century’, ‘incredibly French’: tributes paid to Brigitte Bardot

The former actress and animal rights activist died on December 28 at the age of 91

January 1 easyJet strike: French union calls for ‘zero take-offs’

Minority cabin crew union calls for one-day walkout over scheduling issues

France braces for a chilly end to 2025

French weekly weather forecast December 29 - January 2 sees temperatures drop to below freezing in many areas

'Remove traffic lights and road signs to encourage safer driving', says Louis Sarkozy

Son of former president says it would encourage 'more responsible' driving

Culture, sport and events: What's new in France in 2026

Events include the Tour de France, the Six Nations and new museum openings

Brigitte Bardot, global film star and tireless campaigner for animal rights, dies at the age of 91

She rose to international prominence in the 1950s and 1960s before leaving cinema at 39

Cars and driving: What's new in France in 2026

Changes include licence exchange fees, motorway toll changes and speed camera changes

More than a quarter of new car registrations in France are electric

EV sales hit new record in November 2025

Ryanair’s presence confirmed at Tours-Val de Loire airport

Bookings for summer flights to Marseille and Morocco are already open

Peak in flu cases in France expected in January

Pressure on hospitals is expected to intensify after the holiday period

France sees coldest Christmas Day in 15 years as ‘grand froid’ plan triggered

Sharp drop in temperature sees cold weather plan activated in more than a dozen departments

French farmer protests: major A64 blockades lifted - others continue

Action is also continuing outside mairies and other public buildings in south-west

Residency rights and border changes: What's new and changing in France in 2026

Including the EU’s launch of travel authorisation scheme ETIAS and the continued ‘phase in’ of its digital borders system, EES

New rules aim to stop ‘spoofing’ calls in France: what are these?

Calls from French numbers abroad will need to be verified or show as ‘hidden number’, with residents urged to be vigilant about answering

Ryanair confirms routes to Dole-Jura airport maintained in summer 2026

Airline previously said that more routes to France will be axed next year

Explosion at chemical plant near Lyon: where are other ‘at risk’ sites in France?

An estimated 2.5 million people live within a kilometre of a French Seveso site

Farmer blockades to continue on motorways over Christmas in south-west France

Protests are being maintained on the A64, A83 and A63 and on departmental roads

Interview: UK-France relations will only get stronger this year says new British Ambassador

The Connexion speaks to Sir Thomas Drew, who took up the role on September 1

New healthcare fee in France: more retirees set to face charge

New wording brings extra people into scope of fee originally aimed especially at American retirees

Dual citizenship under threat: what the US bill means for Americans in France

We must stop senator’s plan to ban dual American citizenship say Franco-American lawyers

Cyberattack on La Poste: are Christmas parcels impacted?

Parcel tracking services remain down for second day

Christmas gifts and food: How much are French households spending this year?

People are buying nine presents each on average

Confrontations with wild boar increase in France despite more hunts

Boar numbers are rising and the ‘unpredictable’ animals can cause serious injury

France responds to EU’s proposed solutions to inheritance law ‘problem’

However wait continues for couples affected as officials consider further follow-up

Hérault red flood alert after 300mm of rain hits southern France

Several roads and public areas closed in Montpellier due to flooding

UK retirees win government pension charges victory in France

Successful campaign by foreign residents should bring relief to hundreds of public sector pensioners

Many of France’s chambres d’hôtes face closure under 2026 tax and social charge changes

Measures designed to curb Airbnb-style lets are set to hit traditional B&Bs particularly hard

SFR customers in France warned to be vigilant following cyberattack

Data from potentially millions of customers were taken following data breach

Festive travel reminder for residency card holders as new border checks expand in France

The EU’s Entry/Exit System is being rolled out progressively

Road blockades by farmers continue on Monday despite call for Christmas truce

A meeting between local union leaders and officials in Toulouse will determine pre-Christmas blockades

Retired French butcher takes Chronopost to court over year-long missing parcel

Parcel containing homemade foie gras went missing in December 2024 but butcher says company did not acknowledge issue

French weather forecast for Christmas week: where will there be snow?

Temperatures will drop to nearly 5C colder than seasonal averages

Five departments on orange alert as heavy rain and floods continue in south of France

Conditions are expected to worsen through the afternoon

‘I saw flames’: Air France plane makes emergency landing in Lyon after technical fault

Flight carrying 173 passengers to Ajaccio diverted to Lyon-Saint-Exupéry on Saturday

Farmers’ protests ease but key motorway blockades hold firm in south-west France

Pressure on the government over its handling of cattle culls continues as Christmas nears despite a drop in protests

French border IT failure blamed for Christmas getaway delays at Dover

Cross-Channel ferries and Eurotunnel hit by technical issues on exit checks

Cold Christmas in France forecast

High-pressure system will move into France from north-east at the start of next week

British ‘Puppet Master’ conman in French jail wins phones back on appeal

Robert Hendy-Freegard was given a six-year sentence after hitting two gendarmes with his car

Alleged British hacker in jail in France offers to help with police data breach

Recent attack targeted police files

‘Elves crossing’: Normandy village installs fun roadsigns for Christmas

Heuland has also cleared its airspace to ensure safe passage for Santa Claus and his reindeer

New census data shows French population growth: how does your area fare?

Strong growth noted along the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts

French news

Farmer protests in France: Blockades in place on several major roads

Readers share their photos of snowy France

Flights cancelled, A8 motorway closed as snow continues to fall across France

Top Paris restaurants to sell off 20,000 tableware items

Trending

2025 world economy rankings: France classed above the UK and US

Snow causes transport havoc across France - more expected tonight

French farmer protests: where roadblocks and disruption are restarting

French doctors begin 10-day strike: most GP surgeries expected to close

Many of France’s chambres d’hôtes face closure under 2026 tax and social charge changes

Films and series to watch in January 2026 to improve your French

French weekly weather forecast January 5 - 9: bitter cold and snow

2025 world economy rankings: France classed above the UK and US

Speed, alcohol, drugs: French ski resorts take action

French farmer protests: where roadblocks and disruption are restarting

Snow causes transport havoc across France - more expected tonight

French court hands out prison sentences and damages in Brigitte Macron cyberbullying cases

France targets imports from South America over banned chemical concerns

Hazelnut, chocolate… pork? France’s traditional galette des rois gets a modern makeover

France school holidays: 2026–27 dates confirmed

French doctors begin 10-day strike: most GP surgeries expected to close

French weekly weather forecast January 5 - 9: bitter cold and snow

Home and daily life: What’s new in France in 2026

Work and education: What's new in France in 2026

Free fraud service for UK homeowners living in France

Should France follow Italy and make ski helmets mandatory?

New civic tests for foreigners in France launch amid criticism

Workers in France can take 17-day break using only eight days of leave in 2026

David Hockney among France’s New Year honours list

Warnings over off-piste skiing in French Alps after American dies

Trenitalia targets launch of London–Paris Channel Tunnel trains by 2029

French weekend weather forecast January 3 - 4: very cold

Flights, ferries, trains: What's new in France in 2026

Six good news stories from France in 2025

Why is New Year's Eve known as Réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre in France?

French farmer protests: union calls for ‘mass restart’ of action

UK-France trains back after long night of delays to Eurostar and Le Shuttle

France’s proposed voluntary national service: military revival or costly misstep?

Money, taxes, pensions: What's new in France in 2026

Dates 2026: Family allowance payments and other French benefits

Burglaries in Dordogne: Signs that show a home is at risk

‘It’s the place we are happiest’: why George Clooney and family become French

Power outage suspends all Eurostar and Eurotunnel travel

Explained: France's ‘Grand Froid’ plan and what it does

Which medical appointments will see higher fees in France in 2026?

New farmer blockade set up in south-west France, others continue

France speed cameras 2026: phones and seatbelts not detected - yet

Health and medicine: What's new in France in 2026

25 Grand Frais stores to open in France as American investors prepare to purchase chain

France’s end-of-year tips: how much to give firefighters, cleaners, and waste collectors

‘A legend of the century’, ‘incredibly French’: tributes paid to Brigitte Bardot

January 1 easyJet strike: French union calls for ‘zero take-offs’

France braces for a chilly end to 2025

'Remove traffic lights and road signs to encourage safer driving', says Louis Sarkozy

Culture, sport and events: What's new in France in 2026

Brigitte Bardot, global film star and tireless campaigner for animal rights, dies at the age of 91

Cars and driving: What's new in France in 2026

More than a quarter of new car registrations in France are electric

Ryanair’s presence confirmed at Tours-Val de Loire airport

Peak in flu cases in France expected in January

France sees coldest Christmas Day in 15 years as ‘grand froid’ plan triggered

French farmer protests: major A64 blockades lifted - others continue

Residency rights and border changes: What's new and changing in France in 2026

New rules aim to stop ‘spoofing’ calls in France: what are these?

Ryanair confirms routes to Dole-Jura airport maintained in summer 2026

Explosion at chemical plant near Lyon: where are other ‘at risk’ sites in France?

Farmer blockades to continue on motorways over Christmas in south-west France

Interview: UK-France relations will only get stronger this year says new British Ambassador

New healthcare fee in France: more retirees set to face charge

Dual citizenship under threat: what the US bill means for Americans in France

Cyberattack on La Poste: are Christmas parcels impacted?

Christmas gifts and food: How much are French households spending this year?

Confrontations with wild boar increase in France despite more hunts

France responds to EU’s proposed solutions to inheritance law ‘problem’

Hérault red flood alert after 300mm of rain hits southern France

UK retirees win government pension charges victory in France

Many of France’s chambres d’hôtes face closure under 2026 tax and social charge changes

SFR customers in France warned to be vigilant following cyberattack

Festive travel reminder for residency card holders as new border checks expand in France