Living in france

Unesco listing sought for French bistros and cafés

President Macron wants the establishments to be celebrated internationally

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

Many wrongly assume that the rules broadly mirror those of their home country

What changes for residents in France in February 2026

Changes include a reduction in energy bills and an increase in price for several brands of cigarettes

practical

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

Map: Auchan plan to sell 91 supermarkets across France

The group had previously said it would retain ownership of the rebranded supermarkets

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

The number of foreigners in France hits its highest level ever

My French cleaner is too familiar with me

Columnist Cynthia Spillman advises a reader on setting boundaries

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

Amounts taken depend on how much, and when, you are scheduled to pay

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

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

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

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

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