Practical

Four people standing together and smiling outdoors in a leafy garden area.

Britons praise local French officials in health emergency case

Prefecture acted swiftly to help family after 89-year-old fell seriously ill

A model of a house with construction items, a calculator, and DPE rating on a table

Do French renovation grants need to be repaid?

Payments are typically made directly to tradespeople rather than homeowners

Printed form with boxes, headings and a barcode-like block on a white page.

French tax notices will arrive soon - what to check

Annual avis d'impôt show whether you are due a refund or owe additional tax

practical

‘Never seen this in 54 years’: French property market warning

Sale cancellations up as more mortgages refused, and rental market facing serious issues says major estate agency

Drought map: tap water restrictions tighten in France

Residents urged to check local rules

Why can car washes in France remain open despite drought restrictions?

Professional car washes often include water recycling systems

If I leave my window open during heatwave am I still insured against burglary in France?

Not all home insurance policies include theft coverage

Businesswoman,Hands,Working,In,Stacks,Of,Paper,Files,For,Searching

Who can I complain to over French Brexit card renewal issues?

Authorities asked for cards to be renewed two months before expiry date

Your guide to understanding French terms around wildfires

Each term refers to a distinct stage in how firefighters bring a wildfire under control

Living in France: Five common questions readers ask

Queries range from healthcare and pensions to home renovations and citizenship

Can I get a French driver's licence ‘from scratch’ without exchanging my US one?

You cannot hold more than one valid driving licence for use in France at the same time

France moves to cut reliance on Microsoft for health data

Concerns over digital sovereignty prompt shift

How to save money on beauty and haircare in France

France is the second biggest market for cosmetics and personal care products in Europe

Two smiling colleagues seated on a sofa in a bright office.

How to get a French talent visa: American arts couple share their experience

Their first visa application was rejected

Is France heading for a severe drought this summer?

‘This is the first time in 33 years that we’ve had to start releasing water this early in the season’

3D illustration of an air source heat pump beside a modern house.

What are different heat pump types and what is best for my French home?

Two main pumps exist, with different costs and benefits

90 km/h road sign in front of an old house and greenery in rural Dordogne, France.

Normandy department goes against court ruling to keep 90km/h speed limits

Higher limits will remain until at least January 2027 as new accident studies carried out

Shop owner writing an order at a counter in a plant shop with a laptop and potted plants.

Who in France must switch to electronic billing and when?

Reform aims to reduce VAT fraud

Replacing water filter in French home became a two-month DIY nightmare

Columnist Nick Inman tells of his ordeal changing a dedicated filtered drinking water tap

Doctor taking a patient’s blood pressure with a digital monitor in a clinic.

What costs are not covered by inpatient mutuelle?

Costs for other appointments and medical needs can quickly add up

Professional,Male,Plumber,In,Uniform,Is,Checking,Water,Meter,And

How can I find accredited gas expert to run checks in France?

Technicians can be certified as both installation and maintenance experts

Clamart,,France,,April,8,,2022:,Detail,Of,The,French,Government

Do I need to make declarations for tax in France during temporary move to UK?

Situation is variable depending on where you are considered to be a tax resident

Key practical and cultural dates for your diary in France for July 2026

Early July will see difficult periods for those using French motorways

How can I get a suitable photograph in France for my carte de séjour renewal?

Licenced photographers can take shots for official French documents

France set to end funding for most single-project renovations under MaPrimeRénov’

‘A responsible choice’ to focus funds on more comprehensive projects is planned

Controversial A69 motorway in south-west France to go ahead after court battle ends

Earlier annulation of environmental permits was unjust, rules country’s highest administrative court

Call for EU limits on SUV size to protect parking and pedestrians

Paris could lose up to 12,000 on-street parking spaces by 2040 if cars continue to get bigger, report claims

See what €50,000, €250,000 and over €1m buys in Tarn

The rural department is relatively expensive despite its low population

Check this before buying French property in a flood zone

One in four people – some 18 million – now live in an area at risk of flooding

Illustration of a market stall with fruit displays, shoppers, and signs reading citrus and oranges.

How usufruit works in France: inheritance, property and tax benefits explained

The concept can protect a spouse and reduce inheritance tax

How to compare and switch home insurance in France

You can change your provider after the first 12 months

Close-up of a France Schengen visa sticker in a passport.

What it is really like to apply for a French long-stay visa

Writer Matthew Jackson describes experience dealing with French bureaucracy

Map: 79 French departments now on water restriction rules or alerts

Central departments already at highest restriction level

French property law: who pays for and maintains boundary fences?

Different rules apply to owners and tenants

Electric vehicle leasing, gas bill rises: what changes in France in July 2026

Card payments are also set to begin on Parisian public transport

Why are many French roads turning white during the heatwave

White streaks can be seen on roads from Brittany to Lyon

How to persuade my mairie to act over dog mess in France?

Several French communes have started to take tough stance against this

Who determines if I need to live in a care home in France?

Autonomy needs are an important part of the assessment process

I am 75 now - do I still need to pay property tax in France?

Exemptions depend on income and household situation

Small dog watching a woman leave home with an orange suitcase

Have rules changed on bringing pets from UK to France?

Pet travel in the UK to France direction has become more complicated since Brexit

Reminder: deadline to correct French tax return is tonight

Taxpayers can update information online until midnight June 25

A view of a beautiful old house in Brittany, France

French tax authorities now have more time to update incorrect second home tax bills

Deadline for officials to levy taxes missed due to calculation errors or owner omissions has been extended

Can I cut down tree in my French garden without permission?

Hundreds of trees have protected status in France

The rules on exchanging a UK licence for a French licence

Exchange deadline depends on date licence was issued alongside other factors

How to sign up for France’s heatwave welfare check register

Local authorities regularly contact vulnerable people. Relatives can sign them up

Explained: France's system of care homes

The system is under scrutiny after a wave of scandals

What to do with leftover medicine in France

Unused drugs should not be put in the household waste

A beginner’s guide to sailing in France: destinations, charters and advice

Cruising instructor Sam McClements gives her tips on getting started

Two travellers with luggage pass through an airport security Parafe gate marked 12.

What are French PARAFE gates and how do they relate to EES and ETIAS?

Many nationalities can make use of these to speed up their journeys

Group,Of,Diverse,Teenager,Students,Doing,An,Exam,In,A

What punishments are French teachers allowed to hand out?

Some offences are recorded on a student’s academic record

Can I add my UK work years to a French pension?

Periods worked in Britain can still be taken into account by authorities

Common mistakes foreign drivers may make in France

From Crit’Air stickers to alcohol limits, the rules of the roads can vary compared to other countries

A woman sitting on a sofa looking hot, with a fan pointed at her face

Tips on how to stay cool in France’s heatwave

With temperatures in France approaching 40C, we look at advice on how to stop yourself from overheating

Importing a car into France from the UK

Drivers must consider whether they need to pay import taxes

Homeowners must prove they took steps to stop drought cracking, French court rules

Landmark ruling in €40,000 compensation case may embolden insurance companies to deny claims

Ornate corner building with balconies and decorative façade against a lavender sky in Nice, France.

France heatwave: Minister unveils plan to help homes and cities cope

Measures include support for reversible heat pumps and easing flat renovation rules as France prepares for hotter summers

Man holding a blue French passport beside a small shaggy dog indoors.

‘Last straw’: UK dog owner to sell French home over new pet passport rules

Reader says the extra cost of a UK Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for every trip is too much

The Life Certificates that retired Britons in France need

Issues can arise with the current postal verification system

Water restrictions in France: how to check rules in your area

Measures can affect everything from watering gardens and filling swimming pools to washing vehicles and irrigating crops

Tips to save money on… keeping cool in France

Last June was the second hottest on record as temperatures topped 40C

A view of outdoor wheelie bins on a street in Paris, France

Residents in France face fines of up to €450 if sorting rubbish incorrectly

‘Bin police’ can search waste to ensure recycling is properly carried out

Are French electricity bills set to increase in August?

Increased usage charges will affect bills, but changes elsewhere may lessen impact

a French residence permit or brexit withdrawal card inset against Lyon departmental prefecture

My experience renewing a five-year French ‘Brexit card’

The application process was quick… but the queues were not

A view of a certificat d'enregistrement or carte grise

Driver in south-east France registered car to daughter, 9, to avoid fines

She took father to court after turning 19 and finding out she had €5,000 of penalties

Residents of village in south-west France told to evacuate due to cracks in homes

Landslides risk tearing down most properties

French flags waving above a bridge railing with Paris buildings in the distance.

The main parts of the US–France tax treaty that unlock retirement for Americans in France

Why it is important for expats to understand tax treaties

Close-up of a gas stove burner with blue flames around the ring.

France gas prices: all contracts to increase in July

Millions of households on variable-rate gas deals face the biggest rise as France's benchmark gas price increases.

Man in suit with notepad, pen and calculator pointing at a mini house

Do I need to declare loan interest paid to me to French tax authorities?

Reader received payment back on original amount of €7,000 from friend

Why is my French tip no longer taking green waste?

Several communes including major cities have recently changed rules

How many people in France do not have a top-up mutuelle?

Rising costs push people out of healthcare accessibility

Can French police suspend foreign driving licences?

Departments are cracking down on mobile phone usage behind the wheel

How can I find local tradespeople in France?

Hiring qualified professionals is best for bigger jobs

Screenshot of the French public finance website login page with help links and a tax payment section.

What should you do if you have missed France's tax declaration deadline?

Late declarants face financial penalties

French income tax declaration: key upcoming dates

Online declarants must request paper version by June 15

Map shows where water restrictions are in place across France June 8, 2026

More than 20 departments are subject to restrictions or warnings in at least some areas

Practical

Britons praise local French officials in health emergency case

Do French renovation grants need to be repaid?

French tax notices will arrive soon - what to check

‘Never seen this in 54 years’: French property market warning

Trending

Canadian driver carrying six-metre boat stopped on French motorway

Update: 59 detained in France over wildfires, heatwave alerts persist

Possible UK pension changes cause concern for Britons in France

Drought map: tap water restrictions tighten in France

Why France's 'Cathar castles' will no longer be called Cathar

Wildfire updates July 15: blazes continue across France

French business federation calls for tax increase on ‘wealthy’ retirees

Drought map: tap water restrictions tighten in France

Why can car washes in France remain open despite drought restrictions?

If I leave my window open during heatwave am I still insured against burglary in France?

Who can I complain to over French Brexit card renewal issues?

Your guide to understanding French terms around wildfires

Living in France: Five common questions readers ask

Can I get a French driver's licence ‘from scratch’ without exchanging my US one?

France moves to cut reliance on Microsoft for health data

How to save money on beauty and haircare in France

How to get a French talent visa: American arts couple share their experience

Traffic expected across French motorways as school holidays begin

What are penalties for overstaying 90-day allowance in France?

Finding Your French Home: How an International Buyer’s Agent Is Changing the Game in Toulouse

Is France heading for a severe drought this summer?

Incoming EU safety regulations impact new cars purchased in France

French bank account fees increased 2.7% between 2025 and 2026

France to merge vacant home taxes from 2027

French business federation calls for tax increase on ‘wealthy’ retirees

Tour de France Femmes 2026: from Lausanne to Nice

What are different heat pump types and what is best for my French home?

Normandy department goes against court ruling to keep 90km/h speed limits

Who in France must switch to electronic billing and when?

Replacing water filter in French home became a two-month DIY nightmare

What costs are not covered by inpatient mutuelle?

How can I find accredited gas expert to run checks in France?

Do I need to make declarations for tax in France during temporary move to UK?

Key practical and cultural dates for your diary in France for July 2026

How can I get a suitable photograph in France for my carte de séjour renewal?

France set to end funding for most single-project renovations under MaPrimeRénov’

Controversial A69 motorway in south-west France to go ahead after court battle ends

Call for EU limits on SUV size to protect parking and pedestrians

See what €50,000, €250,000 and over €1m buys in Tarn

Check this before buying French property in a flood zone

How usufruit works in France: inheritance, property and tax benefits explained

How to compare and switch home insurance in France

What it is really like to apply for a French long-stay visa

Map: 79 French departments now on water restriction rules or alerts

French property law: who pays for and maintains boundary fences?

Electric vehicle leasing, gas bill rises: what changes in France in July 2026

Why are many French roads turning white during the heatwave

How to persuade my mairie to act over dog mess in France?

Who determines if I need to live in a care home in France?

I am 75 now - do I still need to pay property tax in France?

Have rules changed on bringing pets from UK to France?

Reminder: deadline to correct French tax return is tonight

French tax authorities now have more time to update incorrect second home tax bills

Can I cut down tree in my French garden without permission?

The rules on exchanging a UK licence for a French licence

How to sign up for France’s heatwave welfare check register

Explained: France's system of care homes

What to do with leftover medicine in France

A beginner’s guide to sailing in France: destinations, charters and advice

What are French PARAFE gates and how do they relate to EES and ETIAS?

What punishments are French teachers allowed to hand out?

Can I add my UK work years to a French pension?

Common mistakes foreign drivers may make in France

Tips on how to stay cool in France’s heatwave

Importing a car into France from the UK

Homeowners must prove they took steps to stop drought cracking, French court rules

France heatwave: Minister unveils plan to help homes and cities cope

‘Last straw’: UK dog owner to sell French home over new pet passport rules

The Life Certificates that retired Britons in France need

Water restrictions in France: how to check rules in your area

Tips to save money on… keeping cool in France

Residents in France face fines of up to €450 if sorting rubbish incorrectly

Are French electricity bills set to increase in August?

My experience renewing a five-year French ‘Brexit card’