Key practical and cultural dates for your diary in France for October 2025 Including the start of the Entry/Exit System, daylight saving time and open days in French chateaux
Graph: how September’s inflation affects household budgets in France Tobacco and service costs rose well above average
How to manage tricky family visits after moving to France Columnist Cynthia Spillman shares tips on how to cope with challenging visitors
practical France’s ‘Service Public’ online information portal changes web address Update provides additional authenticity to help fight fraud
How to renew a five-year Brexit WA residency card online in France Interior Ministry asked prefectures to set up standardised sites: several, but by no means all, have now done so
How I became an interior designer after moving to France Reader Sylvana Delvalle used her creative background to carve out a new career redesigning people's homes
Electric cars, solar panels, bank payments: six changes for residents in France in October 2025 Some benefits are also increasing
From Anus to Montcuq: France’s funniest place names revealed List, compiled by holiday rental site Toploc, focuses on signs guaranteed to amuse
14 recent and upcoming changes in France you may have missed in September Including latest on Mont Blanc tunnel closure and changes to chèque énergie
It frustrates me that my parents do not want to learn French when they visit Columnist Cynthia Spillman advises a reader living in France on parental education
Explained: How to go to a French university as an overseas student Final submission deadlines are in December-January to start in the following autumn
A comprehensive guide to living in Lyon Discover everything you need to know about living in Lyon, from transport options and safety tips to housing prices and education opportunities
Graphic: One in five French workers employed in state sector There are nearly six million workers in the ‘fonction publique’ in France, covering several areas
I moved to France and became a fluent French–speaking heating engineer Reader Stewart Paterson, 62, tells us how he retrained and learned the language How a Brittany commune hopes to get strangers talking Why I love where I live... in Biarritz I hate it when the French get my name wrong
How do bailiffs organise their work in France? Commissaires de justice have a range of activities French interiors: the Parisian art of stylish living Divorce costs set to rise for most in France from September New national TV channel for French regions launches An opportunity for my partner means embracing change in my life in France Health rules, sick notes, fibre grants: 10 changes for residents of France in September
Five things they don't tell you about… la rentrée The official end of the summer holidays in France brings a mixture of relaxation and return to work
Items that cannot (or should not) be transported by removal companies in France Movers will not take certain goods for reasons of safety or value
How do I get my expat friend to learn French? Cynthia Spillman offers advice to a reader who feels monopolised by her English-speaking neighbour
Retiree asks that church bells in French village stop at night so she can sleep The lady claims the bells ring over 100 times a night, locals say this is part of local heritage
France to release official ‘survival guide’ to help people prepare for emergencies 30-page pamphlet outlines how to respond to industrial accidents, terrorist attacks, extreme weather and even the outbreak of war
Mobile post office trucks to continue in parts of rural France La Poste says mobile services serve community needs over profit
Heatwaves: What help is available in France to keep home cool? There have already been several spells of intense heat in 2025
August 15 bank holiday in France: what is celebrated and will shops be open? You may be in luck if you are looking to do some shopping
Request over garden boundary plants has caused tension with French neighbour Columnist Cynthia Spillman advises a reader over best approach with neighbour
Britons in France prompted to send postcards to their UK MPs Campaigners are urging for a link to be made with British MPs to convince them of the benefits of ‘overseas constituencies’.
Buying a second-hand boat in France is 'harder than buying a house' There are implications surrounding the country of registration and UK VAT
Five things they don't tell you about... summer cooking in France Less about cooking and more about entertaining, here are five French ways to plan a meal alfresco
Energy bill rises and other changes in France in August Also interest rates on government regulated savings accounts set to fall
'I'm worried my husband will leave me for a younger, slimmer French woman' Columnist Cynthia Spillman advises a reader struggling with insecurity
New powers to issue fines proposed for France's municipal police Agents may soon be able to issue fines for graffiti, driving without a licence, and taking alcohol into sports stadiums
How I became an online English teacher after moving to France Former community safety officer John Mainland, 53, tells how his love of helping others led him in a new direction
What are the new plans to end cold calls in France? Moves to completely end unsolicited commercial calls are taking shape following years of complaints and failed solutions
Who do the new French language tests changes affect - and from when? Use our handy graphic to see if this applies to you
Mandatory militarised civic service for youths in France aged 16-25 starts this autumn Journée de défense et de citoyenneté is compulsory for many young people
Our French gîte: we swapped UK traffic jams for a simpler life in Burgundy Caroline and Richard Williams transformed their lives by relocating to run a guesthouse in rural France
French home decor tips: how to create a warm, authentic interior with vintage charm Designer Zoé de Las Cases shares her ideas on white wood floors, second-hand finds, ambient lighting and seasonal flowers in her book La Maison
France’s summer holiday habits: more aoûtiens than juilletistes We look at when and where the French are going on holiday this year
Personalised coffins grow in popularity as secular funerals rise in France Many orders for unusual designs come from British residents
Tax benefits scheme for rural businesses revived in France Relocating your business to the countryside areas could unlock tax exemptions and payroll benefits
Is it possible to switch Amazon Prime account when moving to France from US? Certain content is geo-restricted
Living in Orne: facts about this department of northwest France From transport to healthcare, what is it like to live in this charming Normand department?
BBC Sounds to block listeners abroad – this is how to keep access Radio to remain available in France via commercial services
Videos: Relive July 14 fireworks and drone shows that lit up France for Bastille Day Show in Toulon used drones for impressive display
‘Child-friendly’ stickers for cafés to launch in France Red stickers will promote spaces that welcome children in face of growing – and controversial – ‘no-kid’ movement
Why I love where I live… in Strasbourg How roller derby helped Australian Carlie Bonavia settle into French life
Live in rural France? Know what your communautés de communes does They are also known as 'Les Com-coms'
The house we bought in France is just too big for us and we can't afford the upkeep Columnist Cynthia Spillman gives her advice on a common dilemma
Our French gîte: Couple combine farming with tourism in Burgundy Owner Ghislaine Bentley explains why juggling a beef farm and popular chambre d’hôtes is worth the hard work
French court rules in favour of ducks in neighbour’s noise complaint case Couple who bought house should have realised that sound of quacking would be an issue
'Our historic Normandy chateau was a World War Two battlefield' A British couple's dream retirement home was once the site of a key battle for the Allies in 1944
'France is a fantastic place to have a baby' New mum Therese Nyström speaks about her pregnancy journey and the experience of giving birth in France
Why do members of my family mock my life in France? Columnist Cynthia Spillman gives her advice on dealing with negativity
A comprehensive guide to living in Bordeaux We look at the region's property market, healthcare, education, and transport options
Reviving rural France: café culture brings a small Dordogne community together 'We are getting more and more English members, so if any readers live in the area, please do drop in.'
French car registration documents go digital - but not yet for foreign residents La carte grise can now be uploaded into France Identité app alongside driving licences, ID cards and cartes Vitale
Nine changes for people living in France in July 2025 Gas prices increase, public zones go smoke-free, and physical sick-leave notes become more secure
Comment: Jogging is no longer a joke in France Columnist Sarah Henshaw notes how the once-maligned activity has become a passion in the country
Where drought alerts apply in France and what restrictions you may face More areas issued with warnings and restrictions - including hosepipe bans - as new heatwave arrives
How I became a calligrapher after moving to France When engineer Cristina Urzicaru, 31, moved to Versailles, her improved work-life balance offered more free time to take up the practice
More identity checks and less police trust outlined in report: when can you be stopped in France? Hundreds of thousands of checks are carried out each day
19 recent and upcoming changes you may have missed in France Includes radar cars and refunds on bottles, sick-leave rules and free underseat luggage
2025 summer sales begin in France: end dates and rules Shops can sell products at a loss… but must follow certain other guidelines
Beware ‘customs advance’ on deliveries to France Columnist Nick Inman was surprised by a supplementary delivery charge on his parcel from the UK
Missing letters in France: what to do if your post has not arrived as expected French postal system rated more efficient than both the UK and the US ones in recent report
France’s Fête de la Musique brings music to streets nationwide this Saturday Up to five million people are expected to take part in this first weekend edition in years
Explained: The dos and don'ts of French municipal rubbish dumps Waste-recycling centres, tips and rubbish dumps are called déchèteries in French
Try these tips for learning French when you are in your fifties Columnist Cynthia Spillman’s husband failed O-level French twice but then passed his GCSE and AS-level aged 52 - she shares the tips that helped him become more fluent
What happens to France’s nuclear waste and where is new waste 'mega site' planned? The majority of France’s radioactive waste poses little threat
What you risk if you make too much noise at your French home Disputes around heightened noise levels are common in France
Where could there be water shortages in France? The majority of groundwater sources are seeing levels fall as summer begins
This weekend’s European archaeology festival sees hundreds of events in France Dig sites usually closed to the public will be opened up, many with tours and workshops
Did you know? These items are banned at a French vide-grenier clear-out sale You should be aware of prohibited items if planning to declutter this summer
How to reclaim your health in later life while living in France Columnist Cynthia Spillman explains how a recent health scare helped her make the right lifestyle changes – from utilising France's excellent healthcare and enjoying its picturesque countryside
‘We came to France for a 12-month sabbatical and decided to stay’ Texas couple fell in love with the culture and language
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