Living in france

Can you vote by proxy in French elections?

French and EU citizens are eligible to vote in municipal elections

How to get UK TV signal back in French home?

Newer satellite box models can help

€1.2m Dubai case ruling shows importance of knowing French tax residency rules

Couple ordered to pay backdated taxes to France

practical

Homeowners in France warned of solar panel scam danger

Unscrupulous sellers target homeowners who are keen to install solar panels, says consumer rights group

Paris group promises help to ‘live your best life’

WICE is a vibrant English-speaking community offering classes, workshops, and social events to help expats integrate and thrive

Why I love where I live... in Nantes

Reader Sue Alouche, 66, and her French husband set up 'Knowing Nantes', a network for the anglophone community in the city

Was it a mistake to move to France?

Columnist Cynthia Spillman has some advice for a reader who is getting cold feet

From civil servant to vacataire, clinical psychologist and super mum

Reader Flavia Campos, 44, explains how a move to Lille brought the variety she craved

What are the rules about splitting the bill in France?

Columnist Cynthia Spillman offers some advice on the sometimes awkward clash of food and money

Senators examine proposal to guarantee access to cash machines in rural areas of France

Some 18.6% of French communes had access to at least one local ATM in 2024

Why making friends in France can take time – and how to succeed

Columnist Cynthia Spillman offers advice on forming lasting relationships

How to save money on fashion and clothes in France

Growing number of second-hand shops are selling clothes by weight

France’s population growth concentrated along Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts

State statistics agency Insee also identified the five regions north of the Loire, excluding Brittany and Loire-Atlantique, as areas where the population has remained the same or is shrinking

Best French communes to live in named in 2026 ranking

Criteria include beauty, heritage, health, nature and accessibility by public transport

What is France’s free ‘pass Culture’ and how is it changing in 2026?

The scheme aims to facilitate young people’s access to culture

More bank branches in France are closing

Some 3% of branches are shutting every year, reports banking union

Barking dogs in France: when noise becomes a nuisance and how to take action

There are nearly 7 million dogs in France and their barking is a common problem

How to become just as chic as your French friends

Columnist Cynthia Spillman helps a reader to find sartorial inspiration

Safety and local taxes are top concerns before French municipal elections

Residents also cite cleanliness and environment as major factors

French census criticised for question on parental birthplace

Groups believe responses could be used to fuel discriminatory policies

How joining a choir in rural France helped me build a new life after retirement

Connexion reader Abigail Gammie explains how singing offered a fun way to make friends – and learn the language

How I reinforced my barn's 150-year-old timber beams

Columnist Nick Inman shares his experiences restoring an old French farmhouse

Why I love where I live... in Bordeaux

Briton Tim Pike, 55, loves the dynamic city in south-west France, setting up a history blog, a band – and even a one-man show

Should we join in with our French neighbours' social activities?

Columnist Cynthia Spillman advises a reader on joining in with friends and neighbours

Drinking tap water restricted for children in south-west France communes

Haute Garonne prefecture says the measure is precautionary and due to high chlorate levels

Grieving while in France: personal ways to honour those we have lost

Columnist Cynthia Spillman shares her advice for commemorating loved ones

How I acquired a purebred puppy in France

Columnist Sue Adams looks forward to years of companionship with a new Jack Russell terrier

How can residents complete French census if abroad at the time?

Millions required to complete census across next month

Can I leave my bin outside if it is not a collection day in France?

Communes set local collection days that vary depending on location

Must restaurants serve you free tap water in France?

There are several rules surrounding beverages in French restaurants

France’s 2026 census begins: Who must do it and how?

Census is carried out each year but only some residents need to complete it. English-language assistance is available

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

Hunting by bow is expanding in France: rules and licences

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

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?

What else is changing in France in 2026? Military service, eclipses and more

We also show the bank holiday dates in 2026 and links to our 10 previous articles on what is new this year

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

Dragon's Pen: a creative haven for writers in central France

The vibrant community for writers and artists in Creuse and Indre fosters creativity through workshops and anthologies

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

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

Expansion would mean 3,000 new jobs

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

A reader responds to columnist Nick Inman's article on the changes in France

How to lower the amount you pay for insurance in France

‘Big three’ insurances all set to see costs rise in 2026

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

Informal tips known as ‘étrennes’ are widespread practice

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

Les soldes d’hiver have fixed dates and limits on stock

New DPE requirements affect 11 million flats in France

Certificates evaluate the energy performance of exterior walls, windows, roofs and shared areas

Over one million in France miss out on flight delay compensation

Growing trend of airlines trying to avoid paying out, research finds

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

There are various routes to follow dependent upon the issue

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

Columnist Samantha David describes the ups and downs of a French birthday party for children

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

Living in france

Can you vote by proxy in French elections?

How to get UK TV signal back in French home?

€1.2m Dubai case ruling shows importance of knowing French tax residency rules

Homeowners in France warned of solar panel scam danger

Trending

Are second homes in France a good investment?

MAP: See how your location in France affects online food shop prices

How to get UK TV signal back in French home?

What are penalties for not conforming with new septic tank request?

More than a million people in France hit by bank account data breach

Ryanair may allow dual British nationals to travel to UK without UK passport despite ETA rules

La Voie Bleue: European Cycle Route of the Year is in France

Paris group promises help to ‘live your best life’

Why I love where I live... in Nantes

Was it a mistake to move to France?

From civil servant to vacataire, clinical psychologist and super mum

What are the rules about splitting the bill in France?

Senators examine proposal to guarantee access to cash machines in rural areas of France

Why making friends in France can take time – and how to succeed

How to save money on fashion and clothes in France

France’s population growth concentrated along Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts

Best French communes to live in named in 2026 ranking

Unesco listing sought for French bistros and cafés

Financial mistakes newcomers to France make – and how to avoid them

What changes for residents in France in February 2026

What is France’s free ‘pass Culture’ and how is it changing in 2026?

Map: Auchan plan to sell 91 supermarkets across France

French visas, cartes de séjour and removals of foreign nationals in 2025

My French cleaner is too familiar with me

Do unmarried partners of French and EU citizens have the same rights as married ones?

I had no debits taken for French residential tax - what should I do?

More bank branches in France are closing

Barking dogs in France: when noise becomes a nuisance and how to take action

How to become just as chic as your French friends

Safety and local taxes are top concerns before French municipal elections

French census criticised for question on parental birthplace

How joining a choir in rural France helped me build a new life after retirement

How I reinforced my barn's 150-year-old timber beams

Why I love where I live... in Bordeaux

Should we join in with our French neighbours' social activities?

Drinking tap water restricted for children in south-west France communes

Grieving while in France: personal ways to honour those we have lost

How I acquired a purebred puppy in France

How can residents complete French census if abroad at the time?

Can I leave my bin outside if it is not a collection day in France?

Must restaurants serve you free tap water in France?

France’s 2026 census begins: Who must do it and how?

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

Hunting by bow is expanding in France: rules and licences

Is it time to shorten France's school holidays?

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

What else is changing in France in 2026? Military service, eclipses and more

France school holidays: 2026–27 dates confirmed

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

Dragon's Pen: a creative haven for writers in central France

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

Over one million 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