News

Roadworthiness checks for motorbikes remain obligatory, rules French court

The ruling comes despite fierce opposition to the contrôle technique from many riding

Nearly 7,000 Britons have been granted French nationality since Brexit

The UK consistently ranks among the top five countries for people gaining French citizenship, with 6,863 people acquiring the nationality between 2021 - 2023

Second-hand cars: Understand new French tax that looms

The new ‘malus écologique’ will be calculated based on CO2 emissions, weight, and kilometrage

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Small lakeside French hamlet to be sold at auction - starting price €450,000

The tourist site has a collection of 13 gîtes and a swimming pool

Map shows average income of households near you in France

Compare your income and standard of living with others in your area, and in the rest of the country

Three new flight routes announced for south-west France including one to UK

Toulouse airport attempts to bounce back with easyJet withdrawal imminent

Big limitations on number of new second homes in Chamonix

Some 70% of the housing stock in the popular mountain resort town are currently second homes

Chilly with some showers and snow: French weekend weather outlook March 15 - 16

Storm Konrad will hit the south-east and Corsica

Nice to make public transport free to all under 11s from July 1

It is latest major city to offer free public transport to some – or all – passengers in France

Ryanair to withdraw from airport in north of France

The airline has threatened to cut services to 10 regional airports across France

Only a few days left to trim garden hedges in France or risk a fine

Some areas ban the practice, with the recommended no-trim period lasting until August

Rise in measles cases in France: map shows areas most affected

We look at common symptoms and advice to limit spread of disease

When must a bank reimburse a customer scam victim in France?

Reimbursement can depend on whether the customer has been ‘negligent’

Fake police steal cash and jewellery during ‘home visit’ in south-west France

Gendarmerie have issued advice on what to do if supposed police officers visit you at home out of the blue

TGV InOui, Ouigo, Intercités: tickets for French summer train travel open

Tickets are available up to December for certain popular locations… but does the early bird really get the best prices?

Update: Americans protest possible consulate closures across France

Rallies took place in Strasbourg, Lyon and Bordeaux on Friday (March 7)

MAP: French communes with ‘forever chemicals’ detected in tap water

The results come from a focused study on the excessive presence of PFAS in some water sources

Richard Branson aims to raise €800m to rival Eurostar in UK-France train link

If it goes ahead the entrepreneur is aiming to launch the service by 2029

Ski stations in Pyrénées close early due to lack of snow

Major resort shut doors two weeks early as rain and storms made it too dangerous to ski

Is your letter box correctly installed? These are the French rules

Regulations state standards for size, letter opening, location, and lock type

Bird of prey attacks jogger in France

Buzzard attacked runner on the head. The birds can be territorial during nesting season

Which car models have highest contrôle technique failure rates in France?

CTs are compulsory for vehicles over four years old and must take place every two years

Brittany will be the best place to watch this week’s lunar eclipse in France

The longest view will be in Ouessant, the small island off the far west of the region

Six charged over major parcel delivery scam in France

The scam, worth an estimated €30 million, led to companies issuing false refunds

List: The sanctions cyclists risk if they break road rules in France

It comes after the Paris mairie promises harsher sanctions after a campaign to spot rule-breakers

Forest fires break out in south-west France and behind Nice

Tree branches blown onto powerlines sparked blaze in Dordogne. Investigations into arson are being opened as a result of fires in south-east

A week of storms ahead for France: weather outlook March 10 - 14

Several storms are expected in the south-east

Six in ten people support return to obligatory national service in France, poll shows

Support is stronger amongst voters for right-wing and far-right parties

Sail across the Atlantic on a cargo yacht from France

New transatlantic service takes around 15 days and will cost €2,000 to €3,000

What are rules for police checks on drivers - and why so many in south-west?

‘We want to make dangerous drivers worried’, says police chief

‘Brain stethoscope’ helps diagnose neurological conditions in France

Goggles developed by French inventors can recognise early stages of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s

French firm makes first ‘fibre-to-fibre’ recycled polyester T-shirt

Advance means that tonnes of clothes normally thrown away could be re-used

Older drivers in France increasingly want to maintain road skills

More than three in five older drivers would welcome training to ensure they stay safe on the roads

Where are tiger mosquitoes in France as presence increases, and what to do about them

The mosquitoes become active in spring, and are now in 78 of 96 departments

Speed, advantages, price, how to benefit: launch of widespread ‘5G+’ for public in France

Some will be able to access service for free via their current phone contract

Crackdown law on nuisance cold calls in France backed by MPs

The law was passed unanimously, but there is still some disagreement over proposed exemptions

World War Two bomb found at Gare du Nord: UK-France Eurostar services cancelled

All services in and out of the station have been halted

Storm and gales to batter south of France: Weekend weather outlook March 8 - 9

Heavy rainfall is expected in the Pyrénées and Massif Central

French banks applying ‘irregular’ charges on clients, fraud office check reveals

The investigation into 100 banking establishments found breaches, failings, and alleged criminal practices

New poll: How do people in France view relationship with the US?

The study also asked about Ukraine’s President Zelensky, military aid, and joining NATO

Debate begins on new law to crack down on telemarketing calls in France

If passed, the new bill will aim to require consent even before the first call

Property prices rising in France but buyers still negotiating

New figures suggest that it is still a ‘buyer’s market’ - but this may not last

France reports 250,000 dog bites a year: What to do and who is responsible

Any breed of dog can bite, and there are certain rules and restrictions on certain breeds, and what to do in the event of an attack

Video: Plane wreckage in French Alps entices skiers for tricks and photos

Skiers used the plane as unusual site to demonstrate skills

Change to Ryanair boarding process delayed to November 2025: French flights affected

Airline also encourages more people to use its app as part of digital shift

Macron’s TV address: Key points on defence, Russia, the US and nuclear capacity

‘We must be ready without or without the US.’ Extra defence spending will not be funded by taxes, says president

Which is the cheapest supermarket in France?

A new study shows just how close prices for common food items can be across brands

Americans in Strasbourg to protest possible consulate closure

US consulates based in Lyon, Rennes, and Bordeaux could also be shut down

What is the best way to travel between London and Paris?

Comfort, price, journey length are all key factors in choosing the best option for yourself

Only one in 10 people in France have ‘ideal’ cardiovascular health, says new report

Cardiovascular disease is the second leading cause of death in France

Law proposal to make it easier to open bistrots in French villages

Number of such rural establishments has fallen by 60% in last 60 years

National plan against tree-destroying insect in France

Millions of m3 are already affected

President Macron to make a TV speech to nation tonight

The broadcast will address this ‘moment of great uncertainty’ amid international tensions about the war in Ukraine

Man injured after skier throws large snowball from ski lift onto restaurant terrace in French Alps

The culprit was identified after he posted a video of the incident on social media

Driving speed limits lowered in Paris amid pollution spike

City sees fine-particle pollution exceed normal levels

Alerts over high pollution in Normandy and Paris

Health warnings are in place for vulnerable people

Strikes at French ports to continue during March: List of dates

Ferry services may be affected if action stepped up

Errors to avoid and how to help wildlife as you get your garden in France ready for spring

Gardening with care can make a big difference at this time of year

Chance to win a real stone from Notre-Dame cathedral

A new competition is offering 50 stones as prizes. Here is how to enter

See how long it takes to sell a property in France by area in 2025

Some major cities have seen a significant increase in time to finalise a sale in comparison to 2024

Supermarket brand products ‘cheaper but less healthy’

Own-brand products can cost up to 30% less than branded items, but are often of poorer quality, a new study claims

Prices on these supermarket products will increase by up to 15% in France this year

Some products including beauty, hygiene, and pasta are set to fall in price

Four US consulates in France identified as facing possible closure under Trump

The American administration is cutting back on diplomatic missions across the world, with France seen as a key target for downsizing

Strikes in France in March 2025 and how you may be impacted

Port workers will be on strike for much of the month

Nice mayor backtracks on banning large cruise ships

Plans welcomed by ecologists were heavily criticised by local businesses

Mont Saint-Michel is transformed into an island by spring tides

Extreme tides at the end of March will give another chance to see the site cut off from the mainland

Collective legal action taken against French low-cost dentist chain

More than 1,500 patients claim to have been left mutilated or without teeth after botched interventions

Map: How well (or not) each French area is served by health workers

The map shows how each area compares to the national average for access to professionals including GPs, midwives and physiotherapists

Which fruits, vegetables and fish are in season in France this March?

March is the time to benefit from end of winter foods, as many seafood dishes go out of season

Prosecutor investigates private parking companies near French airports

Some clients say their cars had been driven for up to 1,200 km whilst they were away and had been damaged

Sweet and flavoursome: France’s strawberry season starts now

The first gariguettes are already being picked in south-west France. Supermarket prices are around €3.99 a 250g punnet

Sunny days then storm: French weekly weather outlook March 3 - 7

Temperatures could reach 21C around Biarritz before an Atlantic storm moves in

Letters: Postal delays meant Christmas cards took five weeks to reach France

Readers complain of gifts arriving well into the new year

School rugby player 'entirely responsible' for crippling injury, French court rules

Dangerous tackle during a match in 2022 left player tetraplegic

Letters: French vegetarian burgers are still a work in progress

Reader bemoans the lack of meat alternatives available in restaurants

News

Roadworthiness checks for motorbikes remain obligatory, rules French court

Nearly 7,000 Britons have been granted French nationality since Brexit

Second-hand cars: Understand new French tax that looms

Small lakeside French hamlet to be sold at auction - starting price €450,000

Trending

Ryanair to withdraw from airport in north of France

French income tax declarations: some good news this year

Three new flight routes announced for south-west France including one to UK

Only a few days left to trim garden hedges in France or risk a fine

Etias travel permit for EU: April 2027 earliest date for enforcement

What is the maximum amount a person can earn before they pay income tax in France?

Why English and French breakfasts are so unalike

Map shows average income of households near you in France

Three new flight routes announced for south-west France including one to UK

Big limitations on number of new second homes in Chamonix

Chilly with some showers and snow: French weekend weather outlook March 15 - 16

Nice to make public transport free to all under 11s from July 1

Ryanair to withdraw from airport in north of France

Only a few days left to trim garden hedges in France or risk a fine

Rise in measles cases in France: map shows areas most affected

When must a bank reimburse a customer scam victim in France?

Fake police steal cash and jewellery during ‘home visit’ in south-west France

French working week should increase to 36 hours to fund defence, says entrepreneur association

Change to nurses’ role in France: How could patients be affected?

French ski stations set to become part of Swiss ‘Magic Pass’ subscription

TGV InOui, Ouigo, Intercités: tickets for French summer train travel open

Map: Top 10 French departments best for health in new 2025 ranking

New blanket of snow arrives in southern French Alps

Photos: A look inside the new French TGV

TGV: Trenitalia opens ticket sales from €27 for new Paris-Marseille route

Divorced French woman must pay ex-husband’s €400,000 debt: Why?

Update: Americans protest possible consulate closures across France

MAP: French communes with ‘forever chemicals’ detected in tap water

Richard Branson aims to raise €800m to rival Eurostar in UK-France train link

Ski stations in Pyrénées close early due to lack of snow

Is your letter box correctly installed? These are the French rules

Bird of prey attacks jogger in France

Which car models have highest contrôle technique failure rates in France?

Brittany will be the best place to watch this week’s lunar eclipse in France

Six charged over major parcel delivery scam in France

List: The sanctions cyclists risk if they break road rules in France

Forest fires break out in south-west France and behind Nice

A week of storms ahead for France: weather outlook March 10 - 14

Six in ten people support return to obligatory national service in France, poll shows

Sail across the Atlantic on a cargo yacht from France

What are rules for police checks on drivers - and why so many in south-west?

‘Brain stethoscope’ helps diagnose neurological conditions in France

French firm makes first ‘fibre-to-fibre’ recycled polyester T-shirt

Older drivers in France increasingly want to maintain road skills

Where are tiger mosquitoes in France as presence increases, and what to do about them

Speed, advantages, price, how to benefit: launch of widespread ‘5G+’ for public in France

Crackdown law on nuisance cold calls in France backed by MPs

World War Two bomb found at Gare du Nord: UK-France Eurostar services cancelled

Storm and gales to batter south of France: Weekend weather outlook March 8 - 9

French banks applying ‘irregular’ charges on clients, fraud office check reveals

New poll: How do people in France view relationship with the US?

Debate begins on new law to crack down on telemarketing calls in France

Property prices rising in France but buyers still negotiating

France reports 250,000 dog bites a year: What to do and who is responsible

Video: Plane wreckage in French Alps entices skiers for tricks and photos

Change to Ryanair boarding process delayed to November 2025: French flights affected

Macron’s TV address: Key points on defence, Russia, the US and nuclear capacity

Which is the cheapest supermarket in France?

Americans in Strasbourg to protest possible consulate closure

What is the best way to travel between London and Paris?

Only one in 10 people in France have ‘ideal’ cardiovascular health, says new report

Law proposal to make it easier to open bistrots in French villages

National plan against tree-destroying insect in France

President Macron to make a TV speech to nation tonight

Man injured after skier throws large snowball from ski lift onto restaurant terrace in French Alps

Driving speed limits lowered in Paris amid pollution spike

Alerts over high pollution in Normandy and Paris

Strikes at French ports to continue during March: List of dates

Errors to avoid and how to help wildlife as you get your garden in France ready for spring

Chance to win a real stone from Notre-Dame cathedral

See how long it takes to sell a property in France by area in 2025

Supermarket brand products ‘cheaper but less healthy’

Prices on these supermarket products will increase by up to 15% in France this year

Four US consulates in France identified as facing possible closure under Trump