Living in france

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

practical

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 definitively 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

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

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

I became a published psychic medium after moving to France

Reader Claudia Amendola Alzraa, 37, explains how she found her calling

What is considered a ‘modest income’ in France?

12.6% of people were in this category in 2021, according to recent research

Royal British Legion poppy seller marks over 30 years of fundraising in France

Campaign stalwart Catherine Curtis, 81, is still selling Remembrance poppies

Why I love where I live... on Réunion island

Reader Barry Kacher, 65, moved to France from the UK for work in 1982. Since then he has settled on France's overseas department in the Indian Ocean

Homeowner finds gold worth €700,000 buried in his French garden - and can keep it

Gold coins and ingots were discovered as he began digging to put in a pool

Long queues for opening of Shein store in Paris despite child sex doll row

World-first physical store for Chinese e-commerce giant embroiled in controversy

What are the rules on metal detecting in France?

Focus on protecting potential archaeological finds means lack of clarity for amateurs

What do I need to do if my partner dies when we are at our second home in France?

Several steps must usually be taken in first 24 hours

Village gives free rat poison to tackle infestation in southern France

Local authorities hope the measure will greatly reduce rat numbers in the area

What to do when family or friends need help while you are in France

Assisting loved ones means setting boundaries, says columnist Cynthia Spillman

How Verteillac's mayor revived a French village through community engagement

Connexion meets Régis Defraye, a Dordogne mayor who has brought a dying village to life using collaboration and apolitical thinking

French supermarkets revamp to retain custom

Smaller floor areas, lower shelves and more specialist counters among new features

Key practical and cultural dates for your diary in France for November 2025

Including the start of more Entry/Exit System checks, Armistice Day and changes for Ryanair passengers

My husband is far too fussy with French food

Columnist Cynthia Spillman on how to encourage more adventure in culinary matters

Wood heating costs rise again this winter - as do the risks for buyers

Over seven million households heat with wood

Household confidence is on the rise in France

Record-high rating for importance of saving money backed by perceived increase in ability to save

Britons ordered to leave France over bad first year of work lose court appeal

Order was upheld despite their Dordogne gîte business now doing better. They say they have ‘absolutely nothing to go back to in the UK’.

Why glasses cost so much in France – and how to find cheaper options

Price of seemingly similar glasses can vary by as much as double

Self-employed in France can claim state benefits if business fails

Allocation des travailleurs indépendants applies if certain conditions are met

I'm not confident enough with my language skills for French interviews

Columnist Cynthia Spillman advises a reader on how to get to grips with learning

French village latest to end door-to-door rubbish collection

The €1 million project is intended to ‘reduce anti-social waste behaviour’

Card payments overtake use of cash in France

Cash use is declining where there are other payment alternatives

What are the proposed changes to child allowance rules in France?

Over two million families could see a change to their allocations familiales if measure is approved

Living 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

Trending

UK retirees win government pension charges victory in France

Festive travel reminder for residency card holders as new border checks expand in France

Hérault red flood alert after 300mm of rain hits southern France

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

France responds to EU’s proposed solutions to inheritance law ‘problem’

Major IT failure hits French banks and La Poste

Cyberattack on La Poste: are Christmas parcels impacted?

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 definitively 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

A comprehensive guide to living in Montpellier

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

American Church in Paris to host baby loss remembrance service

Join the club: the American Club of Lyon

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

Why your parcels may soon become more expensive in France

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

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

When should you avoid doing DIY in France

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

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

Map: How French groundwater levels are faring in November

I became a published psychic medium after moving to France

What is considered a ‘modest income’ in France?

Royal British Legion poppy seller marks over 30 years of fundraising in France

Why I love where I live... on Réunion island

Homeowner finds gold worth €700,000 buried in his French garden - and can keep it

Long queues for opening of Shein store in Paris despite child sex doll row

What are the rules on metal detecting in France?

What do I need to do if my partner dies when we are at our second home in France?

Village gives free rat poison to tackle infestation in southern France

More readers speak out on French citizenship denial over foreign income

What to do when family or friends need help while you are in France

How Verteillac's mayor revived a French village through community engagement