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I had a heart attack in France without realising it

An evening with friends took an unexpected turn for 74-year-old

How to fit in when you move to France: avoid that ‘expat bubble’

After two decades in central Brittany, Jill Fitzgerald O’Connor wants to help other movers feel part of their new community

Do I need separate caravan insurance in France?

Fixed and mobile models have different rules and coverage

practical

Can EU citizens get French identity cards?

French-issued ID can be useful for some administrative procedures

Can you offer rentals in France when staying on visitor visa?

There are different thresholds for rentals before they are deemed as ‘professional income’

How can I know if speed limit is 80 km/h or 90 km/h on road following changes?

More than 50 departments have partially or fully overturned 2018 law change reducing limits on secondary roads

Can Accueil des Villes Françaises help me make friends in France?

Organisation aims especially to help newcomers settle in

What does a French tontine actually look like?

It may be stated in the title section of paperwork

What do I need to do if my pet dies in France?

French regulations require animals to be cremated

Am I being overcharged on savings in France?

A reader writes about income tax demands on interest

How accurate are time estimates for French hiking paths?

Mathematical formula is basis for sign figures

As a US citizen, living in France, why do I still get stuck in non-EU lanes since EES start?

We clarify rules around passport lanes and why they may be slow this year

How to deal with asbestos in France

As the material ages, it degrades - becoming more likely to release harmful fibres

How did George Clooney obtain French citizenship despite speaking little French?

Were 'double standards' involved, or did he follow standard procedure?

My health journey: I had emergency op for appendix tumour in France

Vivion Gibbs, 73, who moved to Brittany from the UK in 2011, describes how lower back pain quickly escalated into something far more serious

Is buying or renting property better in France?

Large variations in the respective costs exist between different regions

How can residents complete French census if abroad at the time?

Millions required to complete census across next month

Can I leave my bin outside if it is not a collection day in France?

Communes set local collection days that vary depending on location

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

How can I protect my second home in France from mice while I am away?

Pests can enter homes at any period

US special needs trusts and the law in France

French legal system treats trusts rather sceptically

French mairie offers ‘civil baptisms’ - what are they?

France offers several secular alternatives to religious ceremonies

When my husband dies will I lose access to healthcare in France through his S1?

Settled residents in France can access healthcare through 'Puma' system

Is French ‘malus’ tax being applied to second-hand cars?

Change was included in 2025 budget law

Why was passport stamped when entering France?

EES began rollout in October

Can I ask for branded medicine instead of generic at a French pharmacy?

Non-brand drugs are generally cheaper but contain similar ingredients

Do I need the devis to contest French builder’s bad job?

An estimate is a legal contract between you and the person doing the work

What is diamond sign that has appeared on major road near my French home?

Trial for use of sign is underway

Is it possible to register for barrier-free motorway alerts in France with a UK-registered car?

Concessionaires offer alerts notifying drivers when vehicle has passed through such routes

What savings can you make with an heures creuses electricity contract?

Off-peak hours are soon set to change

How can I find out who the owner of a property is in France?

There are a few methods you can use to ascertain ownership

Will we have to pay back any of the French Aspa pension top-up money we have received?

Benefit can become repayable after a recipient’s death

Does the French 2021 forced heirship law apply to non-residents’ second homes?

Whether it is applicable depends on the family situation

Are French speed limits lower when it is raining? How severe must weather be?

Several weather conditions affect maximum speeds in France

Is insurance from a GHIC health card sufficient for visiting second home in France?

Health cards provide ‘medically necessary’ coverage

Burglary attempt at my French home left me terrified

Columnist Cynthia Spillman offers some advice on improving security

Are there exemptions for customs duties when importing a car to France from outside the EU?

Some UK cars are exempt based on where parts originate

Can adult children be held responsible for the debts of their parents in France?

If the mother or father has died the situation can be complex

Why am I suddenly being charged withholding tax in France?

Upcoming instalments can be viewed through personal space of French tax site

Are new UK pet passports being introduced? Will they be accepted in France?

UK made easier pet travel one aim of talks earlier this year

Does registered mail in France come with insurance? La Poste lost €1,000 package

Complaints can be taken to postal ombudsman

Which country's law should we use for our will in France?

Reader wishes to bequeath estate to stepson

Is health insurance required to return to visit England from France?

Certain health access remains free at the point of use for all

How to survive driving while senior and nervous on French roads

Columnist Cynthia Spillman provides some useful advice on getting behind the wheel

How we set up a seniors' club in the south-west of France

Richard and Patricia Romain, both 76, moved from Kent, UK, in 2013 and now live near Carcassonne in Aude

EES, ETIAS and ETA: Which of these impact residents of France?

Systems have confusingly similar acronyms

Spending time in UK on a French Brexit card: what are the tax implications?

Tax residency and right to live in France are two separate issues

I want to sell French house but siblings do not: what can I do?

Buying siblings out may be possible

Can power of attorney be given to sell French home while abroad?

Several regulations were relaxed during the pandemic

My French pensions never go up. How can I check if they are correct?

Increases will not be more than the average rise in salaries

Can I ask French police to check on my home when away in winter?

Rules are different for main and second homes

I became a published psychic medium after moving to France

Reader Claudia Amendola Alzraa, 37, explains how she found her calling

Why I love where I live... on Réunion island

Reader Barry Kacher, 65, moved to France from the UK for work in 1982. Since then he has settled on France's overseas department in the Indian Ocean

What are the rules on metal detecting in France?

Focus on protecting potential archaeological finds means lack of clarity for amateurs

What do I need to do if my partner dies when we are at our second home in France?

Several steps must usually be taken in first 24 hours

Can I contest a failed roadworthiness test in France?

All test centres work with a mediator to resolve disputes

Can you check if someone has made a will in France?

A national will register can be consulted by anyone providing certain information is given

Can I take my small pot pension from the UK early while living in France?

The UK has specific rules relating to pensions worth no more than €10,000

What to do when family or friends need help while you are in France

Assisting loved ones means setting boundaries, says columnist Cynthia Spillman

My husband is far too fussy with French food

Columnist Cynthia Spillman on how to encourage more adventure in culinary matters

Can I make a complaint about my neighbour’s poultry farm in France?

It is legal to raise some poultry in your backyard with minimal regulations

Are UK NI top-ups tax deductible in France?

UK pension 'top-ups' can be worthwhile

Inheritance in France: do stepchildren have rights after divorce? - Partner article

It is possible to leave everything to your own children but rules vary depending on the family situation

How can I find a doctor who will accept my Ghic card in France?

The cards help visitors receive ‘medically necessary treatment’

What is an FPS parking fine in France and how can it be contested?

Parking fines have a three-month payment deadline

I'm not confident enough with my language skills for French interviews

Columnist Cynthia Spillman advises a reader on how to get to grips with learning

What are the proposed changes to child allowance rules in France?

Over two million families could see a change to their allocations familiales if measure is approved

Why are mutuelle and French health insurance not sharing information?

Automatic sharing of information between insurers is common

Neighbour of French home has camera recording our garden – what can we do?

Installation of security equipment recording private areas can infringe privacy

Do we need permission to install pond in garden at French home?

Several planning and environmental factors must be taken into account

Why are authorities asking about our address to join French social security?

Short-term rentals are not always accepted as valid proof of time spent in France

Can I install a small structure for work use on my land in France? - Partner article

'Garden shed tax' can be levied in certain circumstances

How is capital gains tax calculated for en viager properties in France?

Amount is calculated taking account of both increase in value and ongoing 'rent' income

Is there a place to find your ‘correct’ French address?

Thousands of rural addresses were changed last year

Is it possible to rent equipment in France for land clearance?

Mandatory undergrowth clearance should be done before start of summer

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