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French villages become living Advent calendars with different doors opening each day to give out treats

Local residents each choose a date in December, decorate their door or window and then on the day, open up and hand out hot drinks and edible treats to everyone outside

Farmer blockades to continue on motorways over Christmas in south-west France

Protests are being maintained on the A64, A83 and A63 and on departmental roads

Interview: UK-France relations will only get stronger this year says new British Ambassador

The Connexion speaks to Sir Thomas Drew, who took up the role on September 1

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New healthcare fee in France: more retirees set to face charge

New wording brings extra people into scope of fee originally aimed especially at American retirees

Dual citizenship under threat: what the US bill means for Americans in France

'We must stop senator’s plan to ban dual American citizenship’ – Franco-American lawyers

Cyberattack on La Poste: are Christmas parcels impacted?

Parcel tracking services remain down for second day

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

Several roads and public areas closed in Montpellier due to flooding

UK retirees win government pension charges victory in France

Successful campaign by foreign residents should bring relief to hundreds of public sector pensioners

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

Major IT failure hits French banks and La Poste

Personal online spaces and apps have been down since 6am

Road blockades by farmers continue on Monday despite call for Christmas truce

A meeting between local union leaders and officials in Toulouse will determine pre-Christmas blockades

‘I saw flames’: Air France plane makes emergency landing in Lyon after technical fault

Flight carrying 173 passengers to Ajaccio diverted to Lyon-Saint-Exupéry on Saturday

Farmers’ protests ease but key motorway blockades hold firm in south-west France

Pressure on the government over its handling of cattle culls continues as Christmas nears despite a drop in protests

‘Elves crossing’: Normandy village installs fun roadsigns for Christmas

Heuland has also cleared its airspace to ensure safe passage for Santa Claus and his reindeer

French property market: latest official statistics for 2025

Notaires have presented a ‘cautiously optimistic’ but still-mixed picture

Farmer protests: How to check which French roads are blocked today

Tractor blockades cause disruption to motorways and local traffic

French citizenship: requirements, exceptions and what to expect

An inside guide from one of our team who has recently become French

‘We thought it was a plane crash’: magnitude 3.9 earthquake hits Nîmes

Tremors felt throughout suburbs as epicentre only 8km from city

French weekly weather forecast December 15 - 19: heavy rain in south

Temperatures to remain above average despite downpours

Minister open to easing cattle cull rules as French farmers block motorways

Ongoing action comes in response to culling of cattle affected by contagious Lumpy Skin Disease

Many parcel collection points in France are overwhelmed as Christmas approaches

Heavy customer traffic and farmer road blockades add to problems faced by delivery networks

French MPs vote in favour of automatic renewal of long-term residency cards

Multi-year and 10-year cards would be only be refused in case of legal grounds for refusal

French weekend weather forecast December 13 - 14: calm but grey

Temperatures set to remain above average for the season but become progressively cooler

President Macron defends French ‘laïcité’: what is this?

Teachers say younger students are shunning secularism in France

Work on A69 motorway in south-west France should continue, judges told

Appeals court will rule on the matter in January and usually follows rapporteur advice

Cybercrime rises in France: see some free resources to fight it

Attacks are becoming more numerous, targeted and difficult to detect

French MPs vote in favour of 2026 Social Security budget: What changes for you?

Pension reform suspended but planned freezes on this and other benefits removed

Hydroelectric conversions boost demand for historic French watermills

Laws on restoring rivers mean many are now threatened with removal

Which airline is the worst for delays across Europe?

Three companies saw at least 40% of flights delayed this year

Rochefort’s Hermione replica put up for sale amid €10m repair shortfall

The association that built the replica 18th-Century frigate needs new investment partners

French contrôle technique test to also check for faulty airbags from January 1, 2026

Vehicles fitted with Takata airbags that are subject to an ongoing stop-drive campaign will fail and be unable to be driven until issue resolved

French weekly weather forecast December 8–12: how long will mild temperatures continue?

Scattered rain limited to the north with the south largely dry and settled

Widow in France wins payout after life assurance company cancels policy blaming Brexit

UK firm had told reader, 80, she would not receive any payment

Pink number plates officially arrive in France from 2026

The new system is designed to help curb fraud and make checks easier for police

British teen resident in France had to register in EES on re-entry

13-year-old without a DCEM young person’s travel document was told he would be subject to the 90/180 days rule

EU ministers reject plans for annual roadworthiness test for older vehicles

Concerns over costs leaves EU Council backing current measures

High-income top-up tax deadline for French households is December 15

Wealthy households must make advance payment before final amounts calculated via spring tax return

French weekend weather forecast December 6 - 7: Highs of 20C as temperatures spike

Warm spell comes despite rain in west and north

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

Briton’s EU voting rights cancelled in last-minute ruling by France's top appeal court

British civil servant Alice Bouilliez had previously been reinstated

France and UK edge closer on youth mobility deal

Key differences remain but partners have struck a 'warmer tone' over plans

Speed cameras 'set to flash visibly again' as France's radar network expands

The new system will help to educate drivers, officials believe

Brexit WA residency card renewals simplified in some departments of France

40,000 five-year documentation due to expire before the end of 2026

Civic tests for French residency cards: Official website now open

Site gives information about training and exams required for multi-year and 10-year cards

What to expect from December 2 strikes across France

Schools may be closed as public services, transport, and health sectors also impacted

More French towns put bans and taxes on new second homes

Mairies want to boost availability of housing for locals

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

Including the day to challenge any mistakes on your property tax (taxe foncière) bill

Inheritance: decision overdue on France's 2021 forced heirship law

International law specialist notaire tells The Connexion the law is 'unfair, backward and unjust'

Cancer treatment at risk due to delays for 18-year-old’s WA card

Situation has now been eased after British consular service intervened

More French cities clamp down on electric scooters

Enforcement of tougher controls proposed on the increasingly popular mode of transport

Three French regions at pre-epidemic stage for flu

Public health authority advises people to get vaccinated

Charging non-Europeans more to visit Louvre is discrimination, says major French union

Admission fees set to rise elsewhere in four more of France’s key cultural sites

French weekend weather forecast November 29 - 30: damp but warmer

Atlantic rains will hit most areas with snow in the mountains

Video surveillance grows across France as towns issue more fines

Normandy town of Ouistreham is the latest to roll out real-time CCTV

British woman murdered in Dordogne: Police appeal for witnesses

Inquiry reaches its seventh month without a breakthrough

Property tax hike for 7.4 million homes in France postponed

Update of rates due to ‘comfort’ features such as inside toilets and sinks is deferred

French state sued over contaminated tap water

VCM contamination comes from PVC pipes installed in the 1970s and 1980s - with Dordogne the most affected department

EU visa-free travel: new suspension rules explained

Reasons allowed for pausing ‘90/180 days’ travel rights are being expanded

Voluntary national military service to return to France

Proposal has widespread support across political spectrum and public in a poll

EU rules on driver medicals: a call for full enforcement in France

Driving lawyer backs new directive proposing obligatory health checks on licence renewal

EasyJet adds three new France-UK routes, taking total to 50

Flights to and from Nice, Montpellier, and Paris expand summer services

16 recent and upcoming changes in France you may have missed in November

Including the price of retired living, new transport links and a grant for burglar alarms

Save money on electricity in France with group purchase deal

Two-year fixed-rate offer available until December 20

Why hundreds of road signs across France have had flames added to them

Signs in at least two dozen departments have been targeted in recent days

French weekly weather forecast November 24 - 28: New cold snap

Several heightened alerts for rain and flooding issued

La Poste offers drop-off points for used frying pans and saucepans

National recycling scheme organised in partnership kitchenware manufacturer

‘Optimism’ for French property market as demand and prices increase

First-time buyers make up over half of all new mortgages as prices slowly rise

French weekend weather forecast November 22 - 23: rains bring an end to cold snap

A chance of snow remains on Sunday morning

Can you be fined for using a smartwatch when driving in France?

Highway Code warns against use of mobile phones, but not smartwatches

Property owners’ tax to rise for 7.4 million French homes

Average increases are expected to be €63 and come after a reevaluation of ‘comfort features’ such as indoor toilets

Online tool reveals how your salary measures up in France

Are you well paid or not compared to everyone else? A new tool can tell you

New police check campaign in south-west France as road deaths rise

Fatal accidents are up significantly, prompting authorities to launch a new safety campaign

Digital rollout of French health cards expanded: how to get one

The carte Vitale is now available through an app, which can be used by foreign residents with residency cards or visas

Ryanair to cut more services to France in summer 2026

Reductions come as France sidelined from future growth plans

France hit by major cyberattack: Up to 1.2 million Urssaf users affected

Social security numbers and other information stolen from Pajemploi service

Main

French villages become living Advent calendars with different doors opening each day to give out treats

Farmer blockades to continue on motorways over Christmas in south-west France

Interview: UK-France relations will only get stronger this year says new British Ambassador

New healthcare fee in France: more retirees set to face charge

Trending

UK retirees win government pension charges victory in France

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

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

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

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

Major IT failure hits French banks and La Poste

Christmas gifts and food: How much are French households spending this year?

Dual citizenship under threat: what the US bill means for Americans in France

Cyberattack on La Poste: are Christmas parcels impacted?

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

UK retirees win government pension charges victory in France

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

Major IT failure hits French banks and La Poste

Road blockades by farmers continue on Monday despite call for Christmas truce

‘I saw flames’: Air France plane makes emergency landing in Lyon after technical fault

Farmers’ protests ease but key motorway blockades hold firm in south-west France

‘Elves crossing’: Normandy village installs fun roadsigns for Christmas

French 2026 budget fails: special law needed to levy taxes

France flagged as facing problems as airports urge EES changes

French anaesthetist jailed for life for poisoning 30 patients, 12 fatally

French property market: latest official statistics for 2025

Latest: French farmer protests disrupt motorways and access to ski resorts

French farmer protests intensify: motorways blocked, trains disrupted

‘Super flu’ gains ground in France, vaccination urged

France’s Christmas bonus: who receives it, and how much is it in 2025?

Where are lumpy skin disease cases affecting cattle in France?

Farmer protests: How to check which French roads are blocked today

French citizenship: requirements, exceptions and what to expect

‘We thought it was a plane crash’: magnitude 3.9 earthquake hits Nîmes

French weekly weather forecast December 15 - 19: heavy rain in south

Minister open to easing cattle cull rules as French farmers block motorways

Many parcel collection points in France are overwhelmed as Christmas approaches

French MPs vote in favour of automatic renewal of long-term residency cards

French weekend weather forecast December 13 - 14: calm but grey

President Macron defends French ‘laïcité’: what is this?

Work on A69 motorway in south-west France should continue, judges told

Cybercrime rises in France: see some free resources to fight it

French MPs vote in favour of 2026 Social Security budget: What changes for you?

Hydroelectric conversions boost demand for historic French watermills

Which airline is the worst for delays across Europe?

Rochefort’s Hermione replica put up for sale amid €10m repair shortfall

French contrôle technique test to also check for faulty airbags from January 1, 2026

French weekly weather forecast December 8–12: how long will mild temperatures continue?

Widow in France wins payout after life assurance company cancels policy blaming Brexit

Pink number plates officially arrive in France from 2026

British teen resident in France had to register in EES on re-entry

EU ministers reject plans for annual roadworthiness test for older vehicles

High-income top-up tax deadline for French households is December 15

French weekend weather forecast December 6 - 7: Highs of 20C as temperatures spike

Good news for many micro-entrepreneurs in France: plans to lower VAT threshold rejected by Senate

Briton’s EU voting rights cancelled in last-minute ruling by France's top appeal court

France and UK edge closer on youth mobility deal

Speed cameras 'set to flash visibly again' as France's radar network expands

Brexit WA residency card renewals simplified in some departments of France

Civic tests for French residency cards: Official website now open

What to expect from December 2 strikes across France

More French towns put bans and taxes on new second homes

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

Inheritance: decision overdue on France's 2021 forced heirship law

Cancer treatment at risk due to delays for 18-year-old’s WA card

More French cities clamp down on electric scooters

Three French regions at pre-epidemic stage for flu

Charging non-Europeans more to visit Louvre is discrimination, says major French union

French weekend weather forecast November 29 - 30: damp but warmer

Video surveillance grows across France as towns issue more fines

British woman murdered in Dordogne: Police appeal for witnesses

Property tax hike for 7.4 million homes in France postponed

French state sued over contaminated tap water

EU visa-free travel: new suspension rules explained

Voluntary national military service to return to France

EU rules on driver medicals: a call for full enforcement in France

EasyJet adds three new France-UK routes, taking total to 50

16 recent and upcoming changes in France you may have missed in November

Save money on electricity in France with group purchase deal