Living in france

How I managed to cut the cost of energy bills at my French home

Connexion reader Anthony Powell embraced renewable solutions in years-long renovation project

Bowhunting in France: rules, licences and why the practice is expanding

40,000 hold a permit to hunt with a bow and arrow

Is it time to shorten France's school holidays?

Pascal Bressoux, professor of educational sciences at the University of Grenoble Alpes, explains why the school timetables need a rethink

practical

Your neighbour can legally check (part of) your tax assessment in France

There are strict conditions that must be met, however

UK-EU talks raise hopes of easing post-Brexit rules for Britons in France

Several proposals and plans could ease some post-Brexit complications

French mairie offers ‘civil baptisms’ - what are they?

France offers several secular alternatives to religious ceremonies

New 2026 civic tests in France: 50 example questions in French

Candidates must score 80% on tests to pass

How long must I keep important documents in France?

Tax notices, family records, healthcare….what should you keep and for how long?

France school holidays: 2026–27 dates confirmed

An additional day will be given in May 2027 as it falls between two public holidays

Home and daily life: What’s new in France in 2026

Changes include rises in cost of postage and a ban on cold calling

Restoring a 400-year-old French property: an Englishman's award-winning journey

Ron Alldridge transformed a derelict house in Var into a masterpiece, blending history with craftsmanship

Photos: Dordogne home recreated as a gingerbread house

Tasty model includes architectural features taken from the real property

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

France’s end-of-year tips: how much to give firefighters, cleaners, and waste collectors

Informal tips known as ‘étrennes’ are widespread practice

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

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

Electricity bills to remain stable for most homes in France, says government

Significant rises are not forecast for customers on regulated tariffs in next two years

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

Six financial checks that every expat in France should do each January

A small amount of organisation now can save considerable stress later

SFR customers in France warned to be vigilant following cyberattack

Data from potentially millions of customers were taken following data breach

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

Strong growth noted along the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts

Owners of French mill seek help tracing history

'We are looking for old photographs from before it closed,' say couple who restored the building

Hackers access classified French police information

Interior Minister calls data breach unprecedented for France

French MPs pass 2026 social security budget

Main budget bill is still being negotiated

Where are lumpy skin disease cases affecting cattle in France?

The outbreak has led to compulsory culls of cattle

Deadlines for sending Christmas post from France to UK and other destinations

Deadlines for many international destinations are different

French citizenship: requirements, exceptions and what to expect

An inside guide from one of our team who has recently become French

I lost my cat from French home - then the scammers moved in

Connexion reader in south-west France raises the alarm about missing pets after her own disappeared this summer

Photos: our cosy and ecological home in the south of France

Reader Lucy Truscott, 49, describes how she and husband made a home for themselves in Hérault

Is ‘the good life’ still popular? What buyers of smallholdings in France look for

Self-sufficient living is still in demand

Warnings issued over connecting to public WiFi networks in France

Lack of encryption and risk of connecting to ‘fake networks’ leave users at risk of hacking attempts

How to set up a fuse box in a French home

Columnist Nick Inman charts the ups and downs of renovating an old French farmhouse

How to arrange a green funeral in France

Obsèques écologiques have been slow to gain popularity in the country

Burglary attempt at my French home left me terrified

Columnist Cynthia Spillman offers some advice on improving security

France impacted by EU approval for €3 tax on small parcels from outside the union

Tax could coincide with separate French fees for parcels says Finance Ministry

President Macron defends French ‘laïcité’: what is this?

Teachers say younger students are shunning secularism in France

Does registered mail in France come with insurance? La Poste lost €1,000 package

Complaints can be taken to postal ombudsman

French supermarket’s ‘vegetarian wolf’ Christmas advert is worldwide hit

Clip has been viewed millions of times after version with English subtitles spread

Last day to benefit from free online call with a French notaire

‘Virtual fair’ provides opportunity to ask notaires about matters relating to property, inheritance etc

La Baule is a classic French case study in the evolution of the grand resort

The coastal town renowned for its Belle Epoque villas, Art Deco elegance, and modernist designs, attracts tourists and remote workers alike

I'm worried my dogs will be terrified by French neighbour's fireworks

Columnist Cynthia Spillman recommends some strategies to manage the situation

Why I love where I live in... Chamonix

Sophie Nolan, 34, from Wales, moved to Chamonix in 2023 and helps travellers explore the region on multi-day hiking tours

Why French women are suddenly the internet’s sleep gurus

We look at the trend — and whether French bedtime habits really outshine Britain’s.

I became a professional upholsterer after moving to France

Jo MacDonald, 59, describes how she monetised her hobby in Gers

France’s key tax deadlines for December

Second-home owners must pay their taxe d’habitation this month

Good news for many micro-entrepreneurs in France: plans to lower VAT threshold rejected by Senate

Vote reverses proposal to lower tax exemption thresholds for self-employed workers

How to survive driving while senior and nervous on French roads

Columnist Cynthia Spillman provides some useful advice on getting behind the wheel

How we set up a seniors' club in the south-west of France

Richard and Patricia Romain, both 76, moved from Kent, UK, in 2013 and now live near Carcassonne in Aude

Senators vote for €5 tax to be levied on small parcels sent to France

Government wants the tax fixed at €2 as higher amount risks being overturned

What level of wealth is needed to be considered rich in France?

Opinions differ over whether calculations should refer to income only, or total wealth

Christmas 2025: festive concerts, carols and markets across France

From traditional English-language church services to local Christmas markets and seasonal theatre, here are some highlights of Yuletide events recommended by Connexion readers

French pet owner fined whenever cat goes onto neighbour’s property

Feline triggers penalties if crossing the boundary after an alleged series of misdemeanours including leaving paw prints...

Casino to open over 400 new stores across France: see where

The retail group runs Casino, Vival, Spa, Naturalia and Franprix brands

Christmas warning over French postal customs fees

Anyone sending or receiving cards and parcels from abroad during the festive period should take care

I need to leave my husband in France but have no money. What can I do?

There are many potential sources of help, by phone or in person

Voluntary national military service to return to France

Proposal has widespread support across political spectrum and public in a poll

Can neighbour legally fly their drone over our property in France?

Drones are popular hobby but cannot be used everywhere

ChatGPT told me to move to a small town in southern France to cure burnout - so I did

44-year-old American had never previously set foot in Uzès

France’s official public survival guide - what does it contain and where can you get it?

‘Everyone responsible’ guide offers advice for dealing with catastrophic events

Graph: French inflation levels among lowest in Europe

Annual inflation of 0.8% is far below Germany (2.3%) and UK (3.6%)

A comprehensive guide to living in Montpellier

A guide to transport, property and lifestyle in the popular Southern city

How to reserve a French cemetery plot - and what does it cost?

The majority of cemeteries are run by mairies

American Church in Paris to host baby loss remembrance service

Service is open to all and includes readings and music

Join the club: the American Club of Lyon

Connect with fellow US expatriates, celebrate American traditions, and integrate into French society – explore membership benefits and activities

MPs suggest extra tax on fast-food outlets as numbers grow in France

Potential bill amendment aims to halt rapid expansion of fast-food establishments

Why your parcels may soon become more expensive in France

End of customs exemptions for small parcels imminent as EU addresses overseas e-commerce firms

French census 2026: how it works, questions asked and must you answer?

National survey creates a snapshot of life in France in order to plan budgets and organise services

Public transport, roads, tap water: French residents’ priorities for local spending in poll

Majority of people experienced infrastructure issue in last year

When should you avoid doing DIY in France

Columnist Nick Inman helps you decide when to contact - and to wait for - a professional

What is the French Legion of Honour awarded for – and can foreigners receive it?

There is a limit of 100,000 Chevalier in an Order, but only 75 Grand’croix

Britons lack awareness of their Withdrawal Agreement rights in France, survey finds

Fewer than 60% of respondents to the British in Europe survey were familiar with pension entitlements post-Brexit

Map: How French groundwater levels are faring in November

Replenishing begins but remains below 2024 levels

Living in france

How I managed to cut the cost of energy bills at my French home

Bowhunting in France: rules, licences and why the practice is expanding

Is it time to shorten France's school holidays?

Your neighbour can legally check (part of) your tax assessment in France

Trending

Six skiers, including a Briton, die in French Alps after weekend avalanches

Flu epidemic in France: how long will it last?

New night ski train boosts rail travel to French Alps resorts

UK-EU talks raise hopes of easing post-Brexit rules for Britons in France

French farmer protests: renewed road blockades and demonstrations as Mercosur anger remains

Commission votes to raise French income tax bands in boost for taxpayers

Why was passport stamped when entering France?

UK-EU talks raise hopes of easing post-Brexit rules for Britons in France

French mairie offers ‘civil baptisms’ - what are they?

New 2026 civic tests in France: 50 example questions in French

How long must I keep important documents in France?

France school holidays: 2026–27 dates confirmed

Home and daily life: What’s new in France in 2026

Restoring a 400-year-old French property: an Englishman's award-winning journey

Photos: Dordogne home recreated as a gingerbread house

France’s proposed voluntary national service: military revival or costly misstep?

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

25 Grand Frais stores to open in France as American investors prepare to purchase chain

Old France is still here – if you know where to look

How to lower the amount you pay for insurance in France

France’s end-of-year tips: how much to give firefighters, cleaners, and waste collectors

Winter sales 2026: when do they start in France and what are the rules

New DPE requirements affect 11 million flats in France

Millions in France miss out on flight delay compensation

What to do if Christmas parcels in France arrive late or damaged?

No crisps, no party games: the unwritten rules of French children’s birthdays

Explosion at chemical plant near Lyon: where are other ‘at risk’ sites 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

Electricity bills to remain stable for most homes in France, says government

Many of France’s chambres d’hôtes face closure under 2026 tax and social charge changes

Six financial checks that every expat in France should do each January

SFR customers in France warned to be vigilant following cyberattack

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

Owners of French mill seek help tracing history

Hackers access classified French police information

French MPs pass 2026 social security budget

Where are lumpy skin disease cases affecting cattle in France?

Deadlines for sending Christmas post from France to UK and other destinations

French citizenship: requirements, exceptions and what to expect

I lost my cat from French home - then the scammers moved in

Photos: our cosy and ecological home in the south of France

Is ‘the good life’ still popular? What buyers of smallholdings in France look for

Warnings issued over connecting to public WiFi networks in France

How to set up a fuse box in a French home

How to arrange a green funeral in France

Burglary attempt at my French home left me terrified

France impacted by EU approval for €3 tax on small parcels from outside the union

President Macron defends French ‘laïcité’: what is this?

Does registered mail in France come with insurance? La Poste lost €1,000 package

French supermarket’s ‘vegetarian wolf’ Christmas advert is worldwide hit

Last day to benefit from free online call with a French notaire

La Baule is a classic French case study in the evolution of the grand resort

I'm worried my dogs will be terrified by French neighbour's fireworks

Why I love where I live in... Chamonix

Why French women are suddenly the internet’s sleep gurus

I became a professional upholsterer after moving to France

France’s key tax deadlines for December

Good news for many micro-entrepreneurs in France: plans to lower VAT threshold rejected by Senate

How to survive driving while senior and nervous on French roads

How we set up a seniors' club in the south-west of France

Senators vote for €5 tax to be levied on small parcels sent to France

What level of wealth is needed to be considered rich in France?

Christmas 2025: festive concerts, carols and markets across France

French pet owner fined whenever cat goes onto neighbour’s property

Casino to open over 400 new stores across France: see where

Christmas warning over French postal customs fees

I need to leave my husband in France but have no money. What can I do?

Voluntary national military service to return to France

Can neighbour legally fly their drone over our property in France?

ChatGPT told me to move to a small town in southern France to cure burnout - so I did

France’s official public survival guide - what does it contain and where can you get it?

Graph: French inflation levels among lowest in Europe