HELP GUIDES

Income Tax in France

Healthcare in France

Inheritance Law and Wills in France

Visas and residency cards for France

National and bank holidays

Where are homes most at risk of burglary in France?

Plus: tips to help avoid being a victim over Christmas holiday period

New Year Etrennes in France: How much money should you give?

With New Year celebrations on the way, the French tradition of “étrennes” – the giving of envelopes of money to essential workers who make life easier – is also approaching. But how much should you offer?

French home’s huge Christmas decorations attract thousands of visitors

The 22-year-old creator of a winter wonderland – which took six weeks and €15,000 to create – says seeing children and parents ‘happy makes me even happier’

Christmas: Petition for French ski stations to open

The petition is supported by high-profile MPs and industry representatives and calls on President Macron to ‘rethink’ his decision to close stations over Christmas

France: La Poste hires 9,000 new staff in Christmas run-up

La Poste is set to hire double the number of temporary staff to cope with up to "four million parcels per day" before Christmas and extra delivery services but unions say this is not enough

SNCF opens ticket sales for Christmas but Covid rules remain

French train company SNCF has today (October 6) opened bookings for TGV and Intercités services over the Christmas holidays, with Covid cancellation and travel rules still in place.

Pre-Christmas lockdown not right for France

A proposed generalised lockdown in the first weeks of December to “save Christmas” from Covid-19, is not the right solution the French health minister has said.

When are the public holidays in France in 2020

Only two of France's 11 public holidays fall on a weekend in 2020

Crêpes at the ready as France celebrates Chandeleur

Today (Sunday February 2) marks the Christian festival of Chandeleur, which is traditionally celebrated in France by the making of crêpe pancakes.

France celebrates with traditional galette des rois

It is galette des rois season in France, as the country marks Epiphany on January 6, and bakers compete to make the best, most original versions of the popular patisserie.

France plans 100,000 police for New Year’s Eve unrest

More than 100,000 law enforcement officers will be mobilised across France tonight in anticipation of the expected car torching and unrest that is habitually seen in the country on New Year’s Eve.

French Christmas trains: SNCF ‘guarantees’ 68% tickets

Train services in France will be “guaranteed” over Christmas, train company SNCF has said, but more than a third of passengers - around 250,000 people - will still need to arrange alternative travel.

France warned over Christmas present delivery scams

Online Christmas shoppers in France are being warned against a new scam that asks recipients to pay fake customs fees on their parcels “before they can be delivered”.

France to create new Space army command

France is to create a new Space army, to “ensure the development and strengthening” of the country’s “spatial capacity”, President Emmanuel Macron has announced.

Santons are a key to Provençal festivities

Nativity scenes are a combination of Christmas and everyday local life

Make sense of... French Christmas traditions

Le Père Nöel is known to all French children but in parts of the country he is still rivalled by his ancestor Saint Nicolas.

12 very French Christmas gift ideas

Have you run out of inspiration for Christmas gifts for loved ones? Why not treat them to a real flavour of France? Emily Commander has a few ideas for you to choose from

Plenty of options for sending gifts

Make sense of the bewildering variety of services for sending parcels

How to throw out your Christmas tree legally

January 6 is the traditional day for throwing out the tree – but what are you supposed to do with it?

I'm dreaming of a French Christmas | Emily Commander

NODDY Holder bellowing ‘It’s Christmas!’ in every shop, boisterous office parties, carols on the doorstep and turkey with all the trimmings – memories of a traditional British Christmas will always invoke strong emotions for those who have moved to France.

National and bank holidays

Where are homes most at risk of burglary in France?

New Year Etrennes in France: How much money should you give?

French home’s huge Christmas decorations attract thousands of visitors

Health advisors call for New Year Covid restrictions in France

French air force confirms July 14 red smoke error

Military parade but less fireworks: How France is celebrating July 14

Trending

Driving fine bonanza as France increases number of speed cameras

French ‘martyr village’ destroyed in WW2 receives €1 million donation

Alert sirens in France to sound this Thursday May 2

New UK/France border checks: visas, residency cards and which queues?

Storm and hail warnings as rain sweeps through France

7 reader questions on new France/UK border checks answered

Museums, mothers and muguet: key dates to note in May in France

Christmas: Petition for French ski stations to open

France: La Poste hires 9,000 new staff in Christmas run-up

SNCF opens ticket sales for Christmas but Covid rules remain

Pre-Christmas lockdown not right for France

When are the public holidays in France in 2020

Crêpes at the ready as France celebrates Chandeleur

France celebrates with traditional galette des rois

France plans 100,000 police for New Year’s Eve unrest

French Christmas trains: SNCF ‘guarantees’ 68% tickets

France warned over Christmas present delivery scams

Unclear if strikes to continue in France at Christmas

Christmas nativity scenes spark debate in France

Nice has first fireworks show since 2016 terror attack

France to create new Space army command

France celebrates July 14 with Paris military display

Macron ‘make effort’ galette speech draws criticism

Nine long weekends from French national days in 2019

Gilets jaunes: French minister condemns protest plans

Pre-Christmas France: High temperatures, bad traffic