French news

‘Brown foam’ appears across beaches in south-east France amid record May heat

People reported unusual yellow-brown patches in the water during the Pentecost weekend heatwave

Do not buy: French authorities warn of 52 dangerous items sold online

Recalls include children’s toys and electrical items such as hairdryers

Heatwave: Eight French departments placed under orange alert

See the map of affected departments

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15 recent and upcoming changes in France you may have missed in May

Includes water restrictions, residence permits and ETAs

France braces for hottest day of heatwave as seven deaths linked

Temperatures are expected to exceed 35C in parts of western France as officials warn residents to stay vigilant

France homeowner faces legal trouble over 4cm land encroachment on neighbour’s property

Any construction encroaching on a neighbour’s land may be required to be removed

Notaire fees on French property sales rise

97 French departments have now decided to apply the higher fees

French justice minister calls for three-year halt to legal immigration

‘We have reached the limits of our capacities for integration and assimilation’, Gérald Darmanin says

Two die after being swept away by sea currents in south-west France

Heatwave draws bathers to unsupervised beaches

Sun flare on a blue background next to a coloured map of France.

France heatwave: Paris and western regions on alert

Heat forecast to intensify on Tuesday

Whit Monday holiday: how it works in France and how much it raises for state

It used to be a simple bank holiday like any other - but the tragic events of 2003 changed everything

French heatwave set to continue amid record May temperatures

Hottest days and nights to come in next few days, warn forecasters

France suspends Dover’s EES border checks amid long queues

Waiting times reduced and traffic ‘free flowing’ on Sunday, says port

How a Paris tasting changed views on French and US wine

May 24 marks 50 years since the ‘Judgement of Paris’ when Californian wines triumphed

France’s EV charging points: survey highlights frequent breakdowns and uneven pricing

Consumer group points to only two-thirds of public chargers fully operational in 2025 and price variations of nearly 500%

Patients in France face delays of over five months to see specialists

New survey reveals large variations in waiting times between different departments

Skies in western France set to turn orange as Saharan sand dust arrives

Sand particles could pose health risks for those with respiratory conditions

EES flags nearly 7,000 Schengen overstayers since launch

We look at how to make sure you follow 90/180 days visiting rule to avoid being caught out

Hot spell in France: what temperatures to expect this week?

Many towns and cities will experience their first 30C of the year says Météo-France

Rave parties on the rise in France as tougher law proposed

Recent gatherings have drawn crowds of up to tens of thousands of participants

French residents warned over fraudulent ‘Assurance Maladie’ emails

Scammers are using urgent requests for personal details to target recipients

French woman to pay €30,000 in compensation for beating lynx to death

Woman hit lynx as it entered her chicken coop

The Grand Palais in Paris lit up at night beside a wet, reflective street.

French museums open free for European Night this Saturday May 23

From pyjama parties to lightsaber workshops, find events and participating museums near you

Bullfight suspended in south-west France commune

Event stopped after organisers failed to prove the presence of an ongoing tradition of bullfighting locally

France’s iconic 2CV to be made again - but in electric version

The aim is to ‘recapture the spirit’ of the instantly-recognisable design

SFR takeover talks extended until June: key points customers in France should know

Deal involving Bouygues Telecom, Free and Orange could affect millions of mobile and internet users in France

A view of an Urgences hospital sign in France

Why doctor waits are rising in France and where delays are worst

Waiting lists to see specialists are growing, survey shows

France rallies to find donor for seriously ill boy

French president among those who helped publicise the case of four-year-old Elio suffering from rare form of leukemia

New law proposed in France would widen the use of ‘smart’ CCTV cameras

A new bill aims to expand AI-powered surveillance but faces criticism from pro-democracy groups

Porcelaine de Limoges becomes first craft to receive EU-wide geographical protection

French product’s designation marks a major milestone in preserving Europe’s craft heritage

TGV passengers in France spend night on train after fatal accident causes widespread delays

Rail passengers suffer seven-hour delay after man killed by train on Paris–Lyon rail line

Transavia launches five new international flights from western France

Low-cost carrier targets winter sunseekers with new expansions

Where in France you are most likely to see a viper

This year is looking similar to last when it comes to the snakes’ presence

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

Latest on EU extra free cabin bag and flight payout reforms

MEPs overwhelmingly supported proposals to allow all passengers extra hand luggage in January

France hantavirus update: contact cases continue to test negative

‘Nothing suggests variant is more dangerous or transmissible’ says health minister

Plumber on the kitchen floor repairing pipes beneath a sink unit

French court warns DIY home renovators can face hidden defect claims

Couple obliged to pay back €120,000 house sale proceeds

French melon growers optimistic for the season ahead

Warm weather and recent rainfall have created favourable growing conditions ahead of next month’s harvest

Mercury in canned tuna: what the tests show in France

The testing was part of a campaign launched by well-known brand Petit Navire

France refused entry to 200 Britons and 190 Americans in 2025

More than 1,100 UK citizens were found to be illegally present in the EU, official data reveals

Swatch CEO defends watch launch as tear gas used after shoppers in France turn violent

Swatch CEO Nick Hayek Jr called the overcrowding "good news" despite scenes of widespread chaos

Why you may see 'bin' bags on trees across forests and towns in France

The purpose of the bags can be determined by their colour and location

Ryanair Malta Air Boeing airliner approaching Luqa airport against a blue sky

Ryanair rules out summer flight cancellations due to fuel issues

Fares are dropping due to lower demand - but are likely to increase later

Highs of 36C in south-west France expected this week - then a big drop

Revised conditions point towards dramatic rise and fall of around 15C

A view of someone filling a glass of water from the tap

High water consumption letters sent to Dordogne residents in error

Homeowners are warned to be vigilant

Two Volkswagen EVs catch fire in France during charging amid ongoing recall

Two recalled Volkswagen vehicles caught fire within days of each other

How France chooses names for storms - and why the public is now involved

France’s next major storm could carry a name suggested by a member of the public

Summer flight ticket price increases ‘inevitable’ due to jet fuel issues

Airlines are unlikely to absorb costs from rising kerosene prices, but widespread fuel shortages not expected

Which city is best in France for dog owners?

Annual study ranks areas on factors including green spaces and pro-pet policies

Solar panel fires across France: what may be causing them

A number of fires are currently under investigation in France

French dog believed to be world’s oldest dies aged 30

The French Alps rescue became a social media favourite in his final days

UK King’s Speech and Britons in France: postal votes and closer EU links

Plans fall short of major voting changes called for by campaigners and some MPs

Gîtes de France among three booking websites to be hit by cyberattack

Data relating to more than two million bookings accessed over the weekend

‘Speeding’ as a cyclist in France: what are the penalties?

What the law says when cyclists break the rules

French weekly weather forecast May 18 - 22: highs of 30C in south-west

Rain at start of week will be pushed away with sunny and calm conditions dominating from Wednesday

Self-employed pensions ‘underpaid’ in France

Many micro-entrepreneurs experience problems when trying to claim their payments

‘Good and bad places to swim’: 2026 French beach water quality map released by environmental group

More than one in five beaches are classed as either ‘discouraged’ or ‘avoid’ in annual ranking

Beer overtakes wine in France for first time

Consumers drank around 10 million litres more beer than wine in 2025, industry report shows

France’s rental crisis deepens as eviction delays hit 21 months on average

Tensions experienced by national council commissaires de justice members were 'particularly high'

France swaps US tech for European alternatives to Zoom and ChatGPT

The use of American video conferencing tools such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams are to be phased out in the public sector

Hundreds of extra French communes recognised as ‘natural disaster’ zones

The recognition unlocks insurance compensation for homes affected by droughts and flooding

Row over international student fees as Strasbourg looks to strike off non-payers

Some 40 students are facing not being able to complete their studies as they have not paid 16 times more than the standard fees

A view of a French hospital emergency entrance

Hantavirus in France: close contact case pretransmission ruled out

Health Minister says all 26 contact patients tested negative

Two people drown during sea walking session in Brittany

Strong currents turn sea walk into a deadly incident

12 oil pumps running in Alsace amidst global shortages

Independent company produces 60 barrels per day

Online simulators show how the August 12 eclipse will appear in your commune

See timing and coverage of the eclipse from your commune

Cruise ship VB Englishman with a tug alongside on the sea off Portsmouth.

Cruise ship carrying 1,700 people leaves Bordeaux after norovirus quarantine

Outbreak left more than 50 passengers ill, alongside unrelated death of Briton, 92

Call to pull up and report highly allergenic ragweed in south of France

Health risks increase in summer if left to grow

EasyJet to open new route from Bordeaux: see all scheduled routes

The new route will be the low-cost airline’s 47th from the Gironde airport

Children to be able to use UK e-gates from age of eight to reduce border queues

Change open to UK and EU nationals as well as citizens from countries such as Australia, Canada and the US

French weekend weather forecast May 16 - 17: cool but rain eases

Temperatures will be closer to a typical March day than mid-May but will begin to rise

Authorities race to contain invasive electric ants in southern France

Species will spread rapidly unless efforts are intensified, scientists say

Seven-year sentence demanded for former French president Nicolas Sarkozy

Appeal concerns alleged Libyan financing of his 2007 presidential campaign

French minimum wage to increase by 2.4% on June 1, 2026

It follows rise on January 1 and keeps France’s rate among highest in EU

FFP2 mask demand jumps fivefold in France after hantavirus case

One patient remains in intensive care and 26 contact cases in confinement

French news

‘Brown foam’ appears across beaches in south-east France amid record May heat

Do not buy: French authorities warn of 52 dangerous items sold online

Heatwave: Eight French departments placed under orange alert

15 recent and upcoming changes in France you may have missed in May

Trending

Two die after being swept away by sea currents in south-west France

EES flags nearly 7,000 Schengen overstayers since launch

France braces for hottest day of heatwave as seven deaths linked

French heatwave set to continue amid record May temperatures

French justice minister calls for three-year halt to legal immigration

France heatwave: Paris and western regions on alert

Whit Monday holiday: how it works in France and how much it raises for state

France braces for hottest day of heatwave as seven deaths linked

France homeowner faces legal trouble over 4cm land encroachment on neighbour’s property

Notaire fees on French property sales rise

French justice minister calls for three-year halt to legal immigration

Two die after being swept away by sea currents in south-west France

France heatwave: Paris and western regions on alert

Whit Monday holiday: how it works in France and how much it raises for state

French heatwave set to continue amid record May temperatures

France suspends Dover’s EES border checks amid long queues

How a Paris tasting changed views on French and US wine

Paris airport strike on June 18: which routes are at risk of delays?

Nice airport letting foreign travellers use e-gates

Shoppers in France warned after ham recalled from supermarkets over listeria fears

France’s EV charging points: survey highlights frequent breakdowns and uneven pricing

Dover ferry delays: Bank holiday queues grow as Entry-Exit System slows crossings to France

France sees early-season heat: how long will it last?

Constitutional Council blocks removal of low-emission zones for drivers in France

Tick season returns in France: where and when the risk is highest

More than 600 Ferraris to descend on village in Vienne

Patients in France face delays of over five months to see specialists

Skies in western France set to turn orange as Saharan sand dust arrives

EES flags nearly 7,000 Schengen overstayers since launch

Hot spell in France: what temperatures to expect this week?

Rave parties on the rise in France as tougher law proposed

French residents warned over fraudulent ‘Assurance Maladie’ emails

French woman to pay €30,000 in compensation for beating lynx to death

French museums open free for European Night this Saturday May 23

Bullfight suspended in south-west France commune

France’s iconic 2CV to be made again - but in electric version

SFR takeover talks extended until June: key points customers in France should know

Why doctor waits are rising in France and where delays are worst

France rallies to find donor for seriously ill boy

New law proposed in France would widen the use of ‘smart’ CCTV cameras

Porcelaine de Limoges becomes first craft to receive EU-wide geographical protection

TGV passengers in France spend night on train after fatal accident causes widespread delays

Transavia launches five new international flights from western France

Where in France you are most likely to see a viper

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

Latest on EU extra free cabin bag and flight payout reforms

France hantavirus update: contact cases continue to test negative

French court warns DIY home renovators can face hidden defect claims

French melon growers optimistic for the season ahead

Mercury in canned tuna: what the tests show in France

France refused entry to 200 Britons and 190 Americans in 2025

Swatch CEO defends watch launch as tear gas used after shoppers in France turn violent

Why you may see 'bin' bags on trees across forests and towns in France

Ryanair rules out summer flight cancellations due to fuel issues

Highs of 36C in south-west France expected this week - then a big drop

High water consumption letters sent to Dordogne residents in error

Two Volkswagen EVs catch fire in France during charging amid ongoing recall

How France chooses names for storms - and why the public is now involved

Summer flight ticket price increases ‘inevitable’ due to jet fuel issues

Which city is best in France for dog owners?

Solar panel fires across France: what may be causing them

French dog believed to be world’s oldest dies aged 30

UK King’s Speech and Britons in France: postal votes and closer EU links

Gîtes de France among three booking websites to be hit by cyberattack

‘Speeding’ as a cyclist in France: what are the penalties?

French weekly weather forecast May 18 - 22: highs of 30C in south-west

Self-employed pensions ‘underpaid’ in France

‘Good and bad places to swim’: 2026 French beach water quality map released by environmental group

Beer overtakes wine in France for first time

France’s rental crisis deepens as eviction delays hit 21 months on average

France swaps US tech for European alternatives to Zoom and ChatGPT

Hundreds of extra French communes recognised as ‘natural disaster’ zones

Row over international student fees as Strasbourg looks to strike off non-payers

Hantavirus in France: close contact case pretransmission ruled out