Living in france

Why I love where I live... in Biarritz

Reader Alex Gaines, 42, from North Carolina, moved to the south of France in 2013 for studies and surfing, and has never looked back

I hate it when the French get my name wrong

Columnist Cynthia Spillman offers advice to a reader who is frustrated by mispronunciation

How do bailiffs organise their work in France?

Commissaires de justice have a range of activities

magazine

French interiors: the Parisian art of stylish living

A sumptuous new book offers an exclusive peek inside some of the capital’s most voguish homes

Divorce costs set to rise for most in France from September

Use of mediator will help speed up cases, but comes with additional bill

New national TV channel for French regions launches

Free-to-air TNT channel 19 went live on September 1

An opportunity for my partner means embracing change in my life in France

Cynthia Spillman confronts a fresh world, as her husband has a chance to get back in the game

Health rules, sick notes, fibre grants: 10 changes for residents of France in September

The end of the month will see property renovation and electric car leasing schemes return

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

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’.

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 for work, her improved work-life balance gave her 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