French news

Free fraud service for UK homeowners living in France

Owners are encouraged to sign up for a free monitoring service from HM Land Registry to reduce risk

New civic tests for foreigners in France launch amid criticism

Applicants for some types of residency cards must now take 45-minute test

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

Favourable calendar for public holidays makes extended May break possible, with five guaranteed long weekends throughout year

news

David Hockney among France’s New Year honours list

Former Normandy resident awarded second grade of honour

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

Skier hit head on exposed rock during lesson with instructor

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

Italian state rail company aims to be first to provide rival service to Eurostar after investment boost from American fund

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

Power outage suspends all Eurostar and Eurotunnel travel

A power outage in the Channel Tunnel has caused mass disruption

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 2026 budget fails: special law needed to levy taxes

The law will now be required to keep spending at current levels and prevent US-style shutdown

Farming unions call for ‘Christmas truce’ as blockades continue

Mercosur trade deal vote has been postponed to January

French anaesthetist jailed for life for poisoning 30 patients, 12 fatally

Doctor tampered with infusion drips before procedures to tarnish reputation of other doctors and prove himself a saviour

French weekend weather forecast December 20 - 21: cold front on way

Heavy rain expected in several areas on Sunday

Mairie issues alert over snake on loose in Vendée

The five-metre long snake was reported to have been run over by a car last week but is yet to be found

Mercosur trade deal explained: why French farmers are angry and will it pass?

A decisive vote is due on Friday December 19. Unions say if it passes there will be major disruption

Mutuelle fees set to increase in France next year: see by how much

New taxes on mutuelle companies denounced by insurance federation

French man who fell ill abroad faces €137,000 bill to return home

The man had a heart attack just one day into his holiday

Hackers access classified French police information

Interior Minister calls data breach unprecedented for France

Latest: French farmer protests disrupt motorways and access to ski resorts

Action intensifies ahead of Mercosur trade deal vote on December 19. Map shows protests on Wednesday

Ryanair UK routes return to Bergerac for summer 2026

Dozens of flights to Dordogne airport offered by low-cost carrier in summer season

Photos: fresh snow boosts French ski resorts

More snow is expected in the Alps and Pyrénées this weekend, ahead of the popular Christmas season

French mayor fines engine idling motorists: What does the law say?

Is it illegal to keep your motor running when stopped in France?

French farmer protests intensify: motorways blocked, trains disrupted

Vote on EU-South American trade deal at end of week may see protests escalate

French MPs pass 2026 social security budget

Main budget bill is still being negotiated

How to dispose of bulky waste in France

Furniture, white goods…gas bottles? What counts as bulky waste and how to dispose of it

‘Super flu’ gains ground in France, vaccination urged

Strain of virus is more transmissible than counterparts leaving hospitals at risk of being overrun

French news

Free fraud service for UK homeowners living in France

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

Trending

New civic tests for foreigners in France launch amid criticism

Podcasts to improve your French in 2026

Owners of French mill seek help tracing history

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: not a presidential palace

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

Saint-Aubin-des-Châteaux: rural French village with historical and natural charm

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

French border IT failure blamed for Christmas getaway delays at Dover

Cold Christmas in France forecast

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

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

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

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

French 2026 budget fails: special law needed to levy taxes

Farming unions call for ‘Christmas truce’ as blockades continue

French anaesthetist jailed for life for poisoning 30 patients, 12 fatally

French weekend weather forecast December 20 - 21: cold front on way

Mairie issues alert over snake on loose in Vendée