Living in france

La politesse: what habits can make you seem rude to French people?

Sometimes it can be all too easy to commit a cultural faux pas without even realising it. We look at some of the most common

PHOTOS: Study shows greenest and healthiest places in live in France

The number of green spaces was a major criteria considered in new health ranking which also looked at healthy food shops, bathing areas and hiking trails

How to find out more about an area in France before you move there

Platforms abound on ways to tell if a town or neighbourhood might be suitable for you

The five best places to live in France, according to new ranking

The ranking used a vast array of data and criteria to sort more than 34,900 towns nationwide

Change to France’s school holiday zone system under review

The long-used ‘three-zone’ system could change soon, but critics question the possible economic impact

People in south-west of France are the most polite, survey claims

The poll gave 15 cities a score out of 10 for rudeness, and also asked about tipping habits and French stereotypes

Six pieces of advice if you plan to grow old in France

Having difficult conversations early is key to ageing happily abroad says columnist Cynthia Spillman

Autumn leaves: Rules on what to do with garden waste in France

It is illegal to burn garden waste in France (except if you are granted special permission by the mairie). We explore what to do with autumn and green garden waste instead

Brexit blamed as number of Britons with second home in France plummets

New survey results show the number of households in England with a second home in France has fallen by 30,000 in a decade

Meet British singer-songwriter Terry Scott Jr, based in Normandy

He got his big break in 1970 playing in front of 600,000 people at the Isle of Wight festival

The pioneering Brit who was French town’s first foreign councillor

Cycle campaigning and city pride were a springboard to role in local politics in Albi

Britons in France among those fearing struggle to get UK vote rights

That is a key finding of a recent survey of 7,000 Britons abroad and comes as the UK plans to open voter registration for those living out of the country

Why did French pension body ask about UK National Insurance record?

A reader asks if there is any link between the British and French pension systems and if it is possible to claim state pensions from both countries

Newcomers must not put off swap to French driving licence

Reader issues warning to others as he faces sitting French test due to delay

Six books to read about moving to France for a new life

You should be able to empathise with their experiences

Is a UK will from 27 years ago still valid in France?

We look at why it pays to review your will every few years

What documents do I need to start my French income tax declaration?

We look at which documents will help you to fill out your French tax declaration

How to check your investments stay on track for life in France

Partner article: Rob Kay from Blevins Franks examines how if you move to France, it may be advantageous to make some changes to your investment portfolio

Does French state pension income have to be declared?

Tax offices will take account of what has already been paid

Is there a US-France agreement not to tax Social Security income?

US retirement pensions are subject to specific rules under double tax treaty rules

How to get free mental health support in France

People who live in France can have eight sessions with a psychologist which are fully reimbursed by the public healthcare system

Which are the most and least stressful cities in France?

Major French cities have been ranked according to how stressful they are - which ones get your blood pressure boiling?

Can I stay registered to my GP in the UK if I am a resident in France?

We also look at which medical cards French residents should use when travelling

Last chance to complete Britons abroad voting survey

The British in Europe group wants to build up a picture of election rights and habits of Britons in France and other countries overseas

The monthly warning siren in France: What does it mean?

Sirens sound on the first Wednesday of each month across France. Here is why

Recap: 12 changes in France - eye tests, Covid rules, heat pumps, fuel

We highlight recent changes that may affect your life in France

French retirement debate: your experiences of working in your 70s

Readers who worked on for many years past the standard retirement age - some even into their late 80s - share their thoughts

Mayor pays tribute to US actor Richard Belzer who lived in Aveyron

The actor, best known for his role as detective John Munch in the series Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, died at the weekend

Can I belong to US Medicare and the French healthcare system?

We look at the rules for Americans living in France who want to retain their Medicare health plans

Career change in France: Alpacas really feel like family

Sophie Hargreaves tells The Connexion how she went from housing to husbandry

French Census 2023 has begun: How it works

We explain what the census asks, how to know if you need to reply, how to fill it in if you need to, and where to find an English translation and help guide

France taxes at source so why do I have to complete a tax return?

Understanding the income tax system is important to anyone making a permanent move to France

What is the best way to renew my British passport from France?

We look at HM Passport Office processes applications coming from overseas

French work permits should be subject to points system, says MP

The idea is under review and could be added to a new immigration bill. Applicants would have more or fewer points depending on their degree, language skills or origin

Has 'votes for life' for Britons in France now come into effect?

A bill enabling people living abroad for more than 15 years to vote in the UK received Royal Assent in April

Is there a start-stop internet service for second homes in France?

We look at the options for people who only spend a few weeks at a time in France and want to avoid paying for a year-long connection

Five things they don’t tell you about entertaining in France

Is it ok to top up your own glass? Is it acceptable to serve store-bought dishes? We have some answers for you

Marseille only French city to make World’s Greatest Places 2022 list

US’s TIME magazine praises southern city for its cultural and culinary attractions

How long can a Brexit carte de séjour card-holder spend in UK?

British people have a right to live in the UK and there is no time limit to this, however be aware of how much UK time you clock up for tax resident purposes

Nîmes tops list of best towns in France for people to retire in

The ranking is based on healthcare accessibility, weather, shopping options, cultural and sporting activities, the environment, security, and the proportion of retirees living there

France lockdown: Can I move home from the UK to France?

Yes, if you are moving to what will become your main residence. You must have the right paperwork and follow Covid-19 guidelines in both countries

What can we do about our neighbour's deafening woodcutter?

When a neighbour situation goes above and beyond 'normal' behaviour, it is best to make contact informally but legal steps can be taken

Should a car kept in France have French plates?

If a UK-registered car is taken out of the country for more than 12 months, it is deemed 'permanently exported' and may not remain registered in the UK

Should I make a new will before 'full' Brexit?

John Kitching, a director of French Law Consultancy Limited, answers a reader query on making a will and inheritance laws after Brexit

I was sent a speed fine but can’t recall if I was driving?

The driver can ask for copies of the photos from the radar camera and the fine notice will state options, including contesting the fine

Can I hold a secondhand sale at my home in France?

A sale like this comes under the rules for a vente au déballage and it is possible if it is for secondhand items belonging to yourself, and is done no more than twice a year

What can I do in France about the derelict house next door?

Abandoned property in France must be looked after by its owner, however if the situation is more complicated it is usually the mairie’s responsibility

International wills can be misleading

Partner article: What happens when an international will is drawn up without specifying that English not French law should apply?

Healthcare in France: How to register an S1 when in French system?

When someone is in the French health system by residency and so are already in the system, the changeover should be simple. We explain

Second homes in France: Where is most popular?

The Haute-Alpes has the highest percentage of French-owned second homes, with the Var the most popular department in absolute terms - but Paris most impacted by “the Airbnb effect”, figures show.

France to simplify squatter eviction for second home owners

Evicting illegal squatters from your property is set to become easier in France as the government works to simplify and speed up the process for both main and second homes.

Keeping second homes in France secure after Brexit

Helpful advice on keeping your property in France secure whilst unoccupied

'We downsized our French property and won back our time'

Mike and Susie Griffith's sprawling property in Lot that they bought in 2004 was 'extremely time-consuming'. After 12 years they downsized to a more modest 155m² property in a neighbouring village

Why do French restaurants have such bright lighting?

'A blight on France' is what former Minister of Culture of France, Jack Lang, called France's suburban developments, which he connects to a lack of serious art training in the French education system

Basic living expenses cost €1,059 per month in France, study finds

Bills and rent make up 70% of spending in lower income households a new study has revealed. We share tips for saving money on household expenses

Why, despite Covid, do many people in France report feeling happier?

A recent poll found that residents of Grand Est and Pays de la Loire were the happiest. On the negative side, key worries concerned climate change and the future of French society

ECJ is to rule for first time on Britons’ EU citizenship

The EU’s top court is to rule on whether Britons may retain EU citizenship rights after Brexit in one of several cases on the issue before European judges

Ten changes for residents in France from November 2021

November brings TV licence bills, a new winter tyre law, ‘phantom’ gas price rises and a ban on certain police check reports on sat nav devices

French-themed books to read this month

Explore hidden corners of France this month and how they change you when you live in them in two of our book pics, plus a whimsical Paris tale

France or UK: Are you paying your taxes in the right country?

Partner article: A guide to the rules in France as well as in the UK for paying taxes

Brocante vendors in France limited to just two events a year

As brocantes and vide-greniers start to animate towns and villages again, warnings have been issued that individuals can sell at only two events per year

RAFA charity helps members with health pass pointers and Covid calls

The association is part of UK-based charity RAFA, and has 157 members (French and British) spread over a vast area in south west France

Homesharing schemes in France bridge divide between the generations

Schemes offering students cheap, or even free, rooms in the homes of elderly people or families in return for companionship or help in the house are growing in popularity

French farmhouse renovation: Turning a rubble pile into garden feature

Faced with an ugly mound of rubble on his land in France, Nick Inman set out to channel a historical green site in America

'Why can’t France cherish what the world loves about their country?'

'France cannot remain stuck in the past, a theme park for tourists, but it seems determined to erase the very features that made it the world’s most popular tourist destination'

Chateau life in France: 'Cold winters and hard work but no regrets'

More than 1,500 of France’s 40,000 chateaux are currently for sale but what is the reality of chateau living in France?

Standard of living in France increasing, latest report finds

A recent report calculated a household's living standards by comparing disposable household income to consumption. It found that in 2019, France’s average standard of living was €22,040 per year, a big jump from the previous year

Boom in eco-villages in France for those seeking simple community life

A far cry from the hippy communes of the past, 'écolieux' offer the chance to escape the rat race and embrace self-sufficiency

‘Rural French regions like Limousin offer great retirement prospects’

Forget the Mediterranean, says one of France’s foremost geriatric specialists, Professor lain Franco, less obvious rural regions tick all the boxes instead

Update: Voting rights in UK and French elections for Britons in France

The ability to vote for life in UK elections has moved closer to reality for Britons who move abroad– but in France they are no closer to regaining votes in local elections

5 ways to review pension options for your life in France

Partner article: ‘Financial planning should be structured around your personal circumstances and objectives’

French farmhouse renovation: Get creative with cost-effective windows

Dividing up a loft space and a lack of light calls for creative thinking at a farmhouse renovation in France

French farmhouse renovation: How to increase space in an old house

Nick Inman charts the ups and downs of renovating an old French farmhouse. Here he urges to make sure to give yourself enough time to do renovation work

Second-home owners: How long until French property can be main home?

Depending on whether you are moving from outside France or within, your main residence will be such once you have established yourself there with the intention to stay