French news

France’s Assurance Maladie pushes to ban smoking for young people

Health agency seeks to follow UK example in creating a ‘tobacco-free generation’

European airports at ‘critical point’ due to EES, warns trade body

Five-hour queues reported as calls for EES suspensions grow

Best mosquito spray in France named by consumer experts

Consumer magazine ranks top repellents as tiger mosquito season continues

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Queues for low-cost air conditioners as France braces for further heatwave

‘Maybe thirty seconds after the store opened, everything was gone’

Thousands more evacuated as wildfires spread across southern France

More than 7,000 fires have reportedly broken out in France so far this year

French weekend weather forecast July 4 - 5: temperatures rise on eve of new heatwave

Highs of 40C possible in the south as all regions see temperatures increase

Large tree beside a pond with cottages and reflections under a cloudy sky.

Tulip tree from George Washington uncovers hero in France

Dutch historian brings new nuance to the US's 250th birthday

Skunk cabbage shoots growing from the forest floor in spring in Hokkaido.

Eradication of invasive skunk cabbage underway in eastern France

Fight against foreign plant underway in Bas-Rhin

Leading French supermarkets to sell fuel at cost price this weekend

Prices remain higher than usual despite recent falls

What is known about Orange service outages this week in France

Two disruptions in three days have led to customer outrage on social media

‘What a pity’: Readers react to Brittany Ferries route closures

Travellers lament Brittany Ferries’ decision to end routes

Where in France to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence

From Paris to Nice, find the best Fourth of July events near you

French PM to chair crisis meeting as new heatwave looms

Public services are preparing for new struggles from this weekend

Marseille landlord handed record €100,000 fine over illegal Airbnb rental

The judge rejected the owner's claim that the apartment was his principal residence

Drivers in France bring legal case over ‘phantom braking’

‘My car suddenly stopped on motorway at 100km/h’

Free pop-up beaches and natural swimming areas reopen in Paris for the summer

Sites will be accessible from this weekend with several located along the River Seine

Severe rip current warning issued for south-west France beaches

Four departments of Nouvelle-Aquitaine under alert

Most private radar car flashes in France do not result in fines, says driving organisation

Four out of five recorded flashes did not lead to a fine in 2024, it claims

New law in France to limit cold calling ruled partly unconstitutional

Provisions create risk of multiple penalties for same offence, says court

Intense forest fire with bright flames and thick smoke over a dark tree line at night.

Forest fire warnings raised across southern France following heat and strong winds

Several Mediterranean departments on red-level alert at start of July

Male hands filling a clear glass with tap water from a stainless steel kitchen tap

French doctors warn over tap water pollution risk

Alert follows ongoing concerns about cadmium contamination

Yellow-flowered water primrose common in French gardens is illegal to plant

Once established, it spreads rapidly in water systems, with even small fragments capable of forming new plants

Rome airports call for pause to EES checks this summer amid growing queues

Airports fear being overwhelmed by passenger numbers

What is known about the plane crash that killed 11 near Nancy

The plane, carrying nurses on an introductory skydiving experience, suddenly plummeted shortly after take-off, the mayor said

Storms batter south-west France as heatwave eases

Videos: violent storms damage roofs and bring down trees

Peugeot and DS cars recalled in France over door handle safety defect

Owners can check affected models in government list

Zvergpinscher in a pet transport case on a blue train seat inside a train carriage.

UK vets defend pet health certificate cost for travel to France

Animal Health Certificate fees justified says UK vet body

Swimmers in the Seine in Paris near a crowded riverbank and tree-lined promenade.

Updated June 29: 1,000 extra deaths in three days of heatwave in France

74 drownings have also been recorded since start of period of extreme heat

Green pharmacy cross sign on a sunny street in Nice, France, between tall buildings.

Record French heatwave ends for most this week

The south-east remains on alert for heatwave conditions, but highs will remain above seasonal averages in the north

Group of football supporters standing together outside a stadium entrance.

French rugby players come to the rescue after retirement home lift breaks down

'Before we started warming up I told the players that we were going on a little mission,' said the coach

Two flamingos standing in shallow pastel water with clear reflections at sunrise.

Pylons threaten Camargue nature reserve in south of France

15 environmental groups launch appeal to President Macron

French Asterix comic cover with illustrated characters and interior panels.

New Asterix book marks 50 years of celebrated film

The animated classic holds a special place in France’s enduring love for Asterix

Private island in Brittany with five beaches for sale at €2.5m

The six-hectare site in Morbihan includes two houses

Two smiling adults holding drinks in a rustic indoor setting.

Relief for Britons following French inheritance clarification

But heirship rule expected to still apply to many US-law wills

Commune near Nice closes its beaches despite heatwave

Bathers disappointed after Saint-Laurent-du-Var closes five of its main beaches over pollution fears

Pope Leo XIV in white vestments smiles while addressing the faithful at St Peter’s.

Pope will hold public mass in Paris during France visit

Leo XIV to celebrate mass at Place de la Concorde and Champs Elysées in September

SNCF allows free ticket changes and cancellations amid heatwave

Measures apply to passengers travelling on TGV INOUI and OUIGO services

EasyJet opens new domestic route connecting northern France

The service began on June 22 and will operate twice a week

French presidential candidate Gabriel Attal calls for the UK to rejoin the EU

Former prime minister said Brexit was a ‘disaster’ for both the UK and continent

Popular gîte in French Alps on sale for €350,000

An 18th-century building of around 440m²

Dover’s biometric EES kiosks likely to stay shut over summer for UK-France trips

Airports also facing issues and say it is critical they are solved by September at the latest

Alcohol consumption in public places banned in Paris

The measures are aimed at reducing pressure on hospitals

People sitting and swimming along the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris during a heatwave.

Updated June 26: alcohol banned in Paris as heatwave pummels east and north

Hospitals fear influx of patients

French weekend weather forecast June 27 - 28: will heatwave last?

Arrival of storms will bring relief to some areas

Campaigners demand ‘fair deal’ for UK voters in France

Improved postal voting rules included new bill

'It was like a hallucination': French curator tells how he found Mozart manuscript by chance

Composition written by Mozart and his student given world premiere earlier this week in Paris

Ryanair reluctantly drops family seating charge after regulatory pressure

The move follows an investigation by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority

Tree-lined campsite in southern France with tents, caravans, parked cars and a gravel road.

British woman dies in French campsite during extreme heatwave

The elderly woman fell ill while staying at the campsite

TotalEnergies to maintain fuel price cap at rural stations in France

Around 1,000 stations will continue to operate under the €2.09 diesel cap

Swimming in France: the rules, risks and hidden dangers

Rules differ between canals, rivers, lakes and the sea

French heatwave: three-year-old dies after becoming trapped in car

An investigation for involuntary manslaughter has been opened

France updates application process for civil partnerships

New digital tools help couples prepare Pacs agreements and supporting documents before attending the mairie

Electric ants and Asian hornets: France pushes for EU-wide eradication effort

Ecology minister demands greater EU coordination to tackle invasive species

French voted 'most beautiful language' by American poets

Frequently cited words include amour, fleur, mélange and papillon

Why is France behind on air-conditioning use?

Only 17% of French people consider air-conditioning environmentally friendly, survey shows

50 French departments at heightened risk of forest fires

Heatwave contributes to increased threat

New heatwave expected to hit France in early July

Experts say third major heatwave could impact crops and lead to water shortages

Four in 10 French garages breach fraud and malpractice rules

1,600 garages of all sizes inspected by government watchdog

BBC iPlayer Radio homepage open in a web browser on a computer screen.

Closure of BBC Radio 4 Long Wave: how can I continue listening in France?

As of this weekend, listeners will no longer be able to access the station on their radios

Heatwave in France: 72 departments placed on red alert

The heatwave is expected to persist until Sunday

Why are so many trains in France cancelled during heatwaves?

Commuters point to countries in Africa and Asia where trains still run in extreme heat

Four days of cinema tickets for just €5 in France

The 41st edition of the Fête du Cinéma takes place from June 28 until July 1

Swimmer tells of 'biting fish' at French Mediterranean beach

Reports of bites from grey triggerfish that have powerful jaws of 22 teeth have made headlines several times in recent years

French public services plan July 2 strike

Public bodies say they are in ‘mortal danger’ from proposed reforms

French hospitals activate heatwave ‘plan blanc’ as emergency visits rise

Hospitals see influx of patients with heat-related illnesses

Forty drown in five days: why France’s heatwave has turned deadly

Half of all deaths by drowning in 2025 occurred in rivers and lakes

First Ebola case confirmed in mainland France

A humanitarian doctor tested positive after returning from an Ebola-affected country

Fuel prices at lowest level in France since end of February

Prices fell by more than 10 cents in a single week

Calculator, British pound notes, notebook and pen used for household budgeting.

UK inheritance tax changes: questions raised over impacts for Britons in France

Full implications are still being assessed by legal experts

Beware of a common summer driving habit that could land you with a €35 fine in France

Many drivers are unaware that their choice of footwear could lead to a fine

Mountains of potatoes pile up in France amid overproduction

Rising production and slowing demand has created large surpluses across the French potato sector

Neoclassical building with a large portrait display mounted on the right side.

Who is Marc Bloch, the next French citizen to enter the Panthéon?

Academic and Resistance fighter is central figure of the sixth interment ceremony under President Emmanuel Macron

Q&A: What France's inheritance clarification means for foreign-law wills

We look at who is now exempt from 2021 forced-heirship rule and the situation for second-home owners and dual nationals

Brexit 10 years on: campaigners say 'we'll go on until everyone has their cards'

On anniversary of referendum advocacy group pledges to continue work

Where are tap water restrictions in place in France?

Nearly two dozen departments are restricting water usage in some way

French news

France’s Assurance Maladie pushes to ban smoking for young people

European airports at ‘critical point’ due to EES, warns trade body

Best mosquito spray in France named by consumer experts

Queues for low-cost air conditioners as France braces for further heatwave

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Thousands more evacuated as wildfires spread across southern France

What are penalties for overstaying 90-day allowance in France?

Leading French supermarkets to sell fuel at cost price this weekend

Best mosquito spray in France named by consumer experts

Private island in Brittany with five beaches for sale at €2.5m

‘What a pity’: Readers react to Brittany Ferries route closures

Peugeot and DS cars recalled in France over door handle safety defect

Thousands more evacuated as wildfires spread across southern France

French weekend weather forecast July 4 - 5: temperatures rise on eve of new heatwave

Tulip tree from George Washington uncovers hero in France

Eradication of invasive skunk cabbage underway in eastern France

Leading French supermarkets to sell fuel at cost price this weekend

What is known about Orange service outages this week in France

‘What a pity’: Readers react to Brittany Ferries route closures

Where in France to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence

French PM to chair crisis meeting as new heatwave looms

Marseille landlord handed record €100,000 fine over illegal Airbnb rental

Thousands evacuated across southern France as wildfires near homes

Web app lets French homeowners check effect of coastal erosion where they live

EU-wide €3 tax on small parcels comes into force

Drivers in France bring legal case over ‘phantom braking’

1,600 drones to light up Paris on July 13 Fête nationale show

Brittany Ferries to end two UK-France routes and sell two ferries

France braces for more intense heat from this weekend

How the heatwave has affected mosquitoes in France

€3.65billion Marseille-Nice rail project on track

Free pop-up beaches and natural swimming areas reopen in Paris for the summer

Severe rip current warning issued for south-west France beaches

Most private radar car flashes in France do not result in fines, says driving organisation

New law in France to limit cold calling ruled partly unconstitutional

Forest fire warnings raised across southern France following heat and strong winds

French doctors warn over tap water pollution risk

Yellow-flowered water primrose common in French gardens is illegal to plant

Rome airports call for pause to EES checks this summer amid growing queues

What is known about the plane crash that killed 11 near Nancy

Storms batter south-west France as heatwave eases

Peugeot and DS cars recalled in France over door handle safety defect

UK vets defend pet health certificate cost for travel to France

Updated June 29: 1,000 extra deaths in three days of heatwave in France

Record French heatwave ends for most this week

French rugby players come to the rescue after retirement home lift breaks down

Pylons threaten Camargue nature reserve in south of France

New Asterix book marks 50 years of celebrated film

Private island in Brittany with five beaches for sale at €2.5m

Relief for Britons following French inheritance clarification

Commune near Nice closes its beaches despite heatwave

Pope will hold public mass in Paris during France visit

SNCF allows free ticket changes and cancellations amid heatwave

EasyJet opens new domestic route connecting northern France

French presidential candidate Gabriel Attal calls for the UK to rejoin the EU

Popular gîte in French Alps on sale for €350,000

Dover’s biometric EES kiosks likely to stay shut over summer for UK-France trips

Alcohol consumption in public places banned in Paris

Updated June 26: alcohol banned in Paris as heatwave pummels east and north

French weekend weather forecast June 27 - 28: will heatwave last?

Campaigners demand ‘fair deal’ for UK voters in France

'It was like a hallucination': French curator tells how he found Mozart manuscript by chance

Ryanair reluctantly drops family seating charge after regulatory pressure

British woman dies in French campsite during extreme heatwave

TotalEnergies to maintain fuel price cap at rural stations in France

Swimming in France: the rules, risks and hidden dangers

French heatwave: three-year-old dies after becoming trapped in car

France updates application process for civil partnerships

Electric ants and Asian hornets: France pushes for EU-wide eradication effort

French voted 'most beautiful language' by American poets

Why is France behind on air-conditioning use?

50 French departments at heightened risk of forest fires

New heatwave expected to hit France in early July

Four in 10 French garages breach fraud and malpractice rules

Closure of BBC Radio 4 Long Wave: how can I continue listening in France?

Heatwave in France: 72 departments placed on red alert

Why are so many trains in France cancelled during heatwaves?

Four days of cinema tickets for just €5 in France

Swimmer tells of 'biting fish' at French Mediterranean beach