French news

Nomad train at Rouen railway station in Normandy, France, beside a covered platform.

Normandy rail strike: five lines disrupted this Friday and Saturday

Ticket inspectors walk out after a knife attack on a colleague, with four unions backing the action

Sebastien Lecornu stands outdoors at a commemorative ceremony in Suresnes, France.

French PM says diesel stockpile release will cut prices by up to 18 cents per litre

Sébastien Lecornu used televised speech to promise release of ten million barrels of diesel and address lycée protests

Temperatures to drop by 12C as first snowfall to hit Pyrenees and Alps

Storms to continue in the south

health

French authorities mull early start to Covid jab campaign as cases rise

Concerns also raised about syringe shortages on eve of autumn campaign

New EU hand luggage rules published, 2027 start date revealed

Not all flights from UK to EU will be subject to the rules

Asian ladybirds in France: how to keep them out of your home

The insects can gather by the hundreds or even thousands inside homes as they seek shelter from the cold

SNCF launches flash sale of 450,000 TGV tickets at 45% off

Offer marks 45 years since the first TGV and runs until Thursday, for travel in October and November

TotalEnergies fuel stations and French refinery strike set for Thursday

The walkout raises fears for fuel supplies that are already under strain

Hundreds of thousands take to streets in French lycée protests

Teachers, politicians, and union security join protests to protect pupils and limit violence

Parisian suburb installs ‘bat boxes’ to combat tiger mosquitoes

Authorities in the commune of Suresnes hope the bats’ appetite for the insects will help cut numbers

Cover of one of world's most valuable books stolen from French arts centre

150kg cover created by Salvador Dalí taken but book remains safe

Storm and flood alerts raised in southern France

Departments face second powerful ‘Mediterranean’ storm in as many weeks

Second-home owner in south-west France sues commune over loud church bell

Owner said bell was so loud ‘she could not enjoy an apéro’ on her terrace

France considers changes to DPE certificates over summer heat

The certificates are needed when properties are sold or rented

French town set to replace speed bump with ‘intelligent’ traffic lights

Light turns green when approaching drivers are travelling within the speed limit

A black grouse displays beside a mottled white ptarmigan in snowy mountain terrain.

France grants long-awaited protection to two threatened birds

Breaking the rules can be punished by up to three years in prison and a €150,000 fine

Burnt stone structure surrounded by rubble and scorched trees

English-speaking community in southern France helps neighbours impacted by wildfires

Residents in the Pyrénées-Orientales lost their homes, pets, and personal belongings

Graphic: what is included in France’s 2027 budget

Several major changes to pensions, taxes, and spending as government seeks to reduce debt

Protests at a third of lycées in France, blockades now at ten universities

More than 2,500 arrests have been made and hundreds injured

Applying for French nationality: 200 readers share their experiences

Waiting times, unexpected hurdles and what readers wish they had known

French police use adapted radar to catch speeding cyclists

Bicycles are classified as vehicles and must follow road rules

People sit in blue chairs along Nice seafront overlooking the Mediterranean.

French weekend weather forecast October 3 - 4: storms persist in south-west

Temperatures to remain above average for season across the country

France expands cameras that catch drivers running stop signs

Follows successful trial of system near Paris

A view of a man separating piles of coins, with a piggy bank and house to show debts

French inheritance rules for foreign-law wills face legal challenge

Case could settle question of whether France's 2021 heir's levy rule can apply to wills governed by EU Succession Regulation

October 6, October 17: Is France set for a month of protests?

Call for return of the gilets jaunes amid union strikes and student protests

Ryanair boss suggests ticket prices to increase by up to 20% by next summer

‘There is no doubt in my mind, we’re underpricing air travel in Europe’

French gendarmerie vest beside a smartphone showing a map

Man arrested in murder inquiry after British retiree found dead outside home in France

Three others being sought. The victim has been named

‘Welcome back’: Macron would support UK attempts to rejoin EU

French President and Spanish Prime Minister would be open to UK returning to bloc, as Prime Minister Andy Burnham opens door to closer links

France returns to top of global ski destinations

Alps and Pyrénées helped drive the country’s third-best season on record

Photos: cars submerged during flash-floods in southern France

Two months’ worth of rain fell in a day in some areas. No major injuries reported

Video: tornado damages 35 homes in Normandy

‘Sheets of metal were sent flying 100 metres into the air,’ says mayor

Hundreds of dachshunds to descend on Paris this weekend

The charity walk will take place on the Champs-Élysées for the first time

SNCF releases Christmas holiday tickets - and Eurostar ski train returns

Ski trips from the UK start at around £125 one way

France records busiest summer for tourism in 15 years

US and UK visitors continue to rank among top non-resident tourists

Four firefighters injured tackling blaze near Bergerac airport

Some 15 residents living near the Dordogne airport were evacuated

Rainwater pours from a house roof, with an inset showing a flooded street beside a stone wall.

‘Stay home’: Red alerts as flash-floods hit southern France

Up to 400mm of rain forecast to fall today

Photo: wolf spotted near Saint-Tropez

Mairie warns residents to be cautious and confirms area is under surveillance

Tax all inheritance in France, says union chief

Leader of largest French union wants substantial changes to the current system of tax-free allowances

Blue autonomous cleaning vehicle on a tree-lined urban plaza

Driverless delivery vans could soon take to French roads

Transport ministry gives green light for use in public

Unwanted cold-calling in France: recipients advised to avoid declining calls

Readers say nuisance calls have continued despite new consent rules

List: 164 Auchan supermarkets set to become Intermarché or Netto

The stores are set to change banners from October

Catch up with stag mating season in France

Enjoy unedited 'slow TV' that immerses viewers in the natural sounds of a French forest

France’s far-right to form Senate group after election gains

Alliance will have up to 15 senators, allowing them to influence debates and motions in chamber

Tributes to Scottish-French crime author Peter May who lived - and died - in the Lot

The popular writer’s breakthrough novel was translated and released in French before being taken up by English-language publishers

Strong storms to hit southern France, heightened alerts raised

Up to 300mm of rain could fall in less than two days

Today’s French public sector strikes: where and when are demonstrations taking place

More than 150 marches to be held across France by unions

Children with parent outside a school gate

French school elections: how to vote for parent reps this autumn

Parents elect representatives to make decisions on child safety and school improvement

Toll reduction for A69 motorway in south-west France rejected

Toll to be determined before motorway between Toulouse and Castres opens

Disruption at French airports as air traffic controllers join public sector strike

Paris and Marseille hardest-hit by calls for flight cancellations

Functional ‘digital twin’ of human brain developed by Marseille start-up

Unique virtual brain allow neurosurgeons to simulate the effects of medical procedures

Map shows French post offices at risk of closure or change

Union says hundreds could be closed or replaced by smaller outlets

High turnout expected for this week's major public sector strikes in France

Public sector workers, firefighters, transport and education staff all plan walkouts for September 29

Fire burns 60 hectares around Carcassonne airport

Blaze happened during air show taking place on site

Rise in temperatures before rain returns: French weather forecast September 28 - October 2

Highs of more than 30C forecast between storms

Three women and a uniformed officer pose beside a rose garden outside a historic stone building.

US funding revives links to La Fayette's French château

French aristocrat fought alongside George Washington

Close-up of a black gendarmerie vest with reflective lettering on a person in a light blue shirt.

Murder inquiry launched after Briton, 85, found dead at his home in Gers in south-west France

The man had severe facial injuries, several suspects sought

Why hornets can be more dangerous in France in autumn

Cyclists, runners and walkers around the country attacked

New TGVs delayed as France opens railways to competition

Concerns grow over the future of smaller stations

Hiker rescued by helicopter after snake bite in French Pyrenees

The snake bit the woman as she approached it to take a photograph

EasyJet announces new routes from France including three to the UK

New direct flights will connect French regional airports with Manchester, Bristol, London and Málaga

Blue hatchback driving on a motorway with an inset map of France and nearby roads.

Anger over late-payment fees on France's tollbooth-free motorways

‘Non-payment should be treated as an error to be corrected not as a crime’

Young demonstrators hold protest signs, including one with a colourful map and French text.

Hundreds of climate protests set to take place in France this weekend

Climate activist Greta Thunberg lends support as nearly 260 towns and cities to host demos on Saturday

Stolen car tracked across Paris before owner cuts engine to stop thieves

Three young suspects were arrested after the car was stopped

Weekend weather: Unseasonal heat expected across most of France

Despite rain on Sunday in the west, dry conditions mean the risk of wildfires remains in the south

Laptop screen showing the Service-Public.fr French government website homepage

French forced heirship rules: government updates Service-Public website

Website is now clearer about France’s 2021 law clarifications

‘We’ve been shocked by how many people have been ill’ - British couple caught up in suspected norovirus outbreak on Corsica trek

Hikers report vomiting, diarrhoea and weakness, with some forced to cut their trips short