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City

What is the difference between a town and village in France?

The difference is sometimes based on population, but this is not necessarily the most important factor

Controversy as French town bans people sitting or lying down in centre

The decree in Angoulême prohibits locals from staying seated, laying down, or standing up “without moving”

Which are the most and least stressful cities in France?

Major French cities have been ranked according to how stressful they are - which ones get your blood pressure boiling?

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Explore France’s fortified city that repels invaders but not tourists

The Hautes-Alpes outpost of Briançon, which overlooks five valleys, is now a Unesco World Heritage Site

Nice to rename street in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II

Avenue Reine Elisabeth II will be situated near streets named after the Prince of Wales and Queen Victoria. The mayor referred to friendship with the British community when making the suggestion.

Ideas for autumn half-term holiday break with children in Toulouse

The cosmopolitan capital of Occitanie offers museums, adventures in space, play areas and cafés - we share money-saving tips

French property: empty offices identified as urban housing solution

Notaires believe planning regulation should be amended to make conversions easier

What the flock? Sheep set to walk across Lyon city centre

A flock of 24 sheep is beginning its journey across Lyon today, in a walk that will take three nights over three communes and 14 parks, as part of an urban-agricultural event

Paris puts on friendly face to change city stereotypes

Can the capital ever recreate the community vibe of French villages? Meet the man on a mission to try

Heavy traffic expected today in France as Easter breaks come to an end

Conditions will be ‘difficult’ across the country, and congestion is forecast to last until at least 20:00

The ‘ideal town of tomorrow’ imagined by the French public

Independent neighbourhoods, more greenery and better transport links were among the ‘must haves’ identified. The study will inform 2022 presidential election candidate campaigns

Property prices in rural France outperforming cities for first time

The pandemic and the trend towards working from home are affecting house prices in unprecedented ways according to findings by a leading property website

Mairie plans to drastically reduce cars in centre of Paris by 2022

Around 7% of the French capital could be affected by new proposals, which would ban the majority of traffic in well-known areas

Covid-19 circulation going down in Paris, used water analysis shows

Data indicates stricter Covid rules are working in the capital, as researchers find that people living in poorer urban areas are most heavily impacted by the virus

Why are French city centres attracting fewer visitors?

Experts say there are many factors at play - notably competition from large shops on city outskirts that have more parking spaces - which are leaving an increasing number of vacant commercial properties in city centres.

Smart trees bring breath of fresh air to French cities

Smart trees that can water themselves and give out twice as much CO2 as normal trees are bringing a breath of fresh air – and shade – to French cities.

Unmasked: the mystery plant-namers of Toulouse

Mysterious botanists who have been identifying wild plants and writing their names on a city’s streets have been unmasked.

Pesticide-free city ready for important honey harvest

Avignon ready for first harvest of honey from hives on top of World Heritage Site the Palais des Papes

Famous French countryside cockerel gathers support

Maurice, the most famous cockerel in France - who has become a symbol of the struggle between rural and urban living - will be supported by several other cockerels during his trial this Thursday (July 4).

Paris to build eco ‘urban forest’ in four key areas

A new “urban forest” is to be built in Paris, across “four symbolic locations” of the city, mayor Anne Hidalgo has announced.

Paris bus driver to be recognised for bravery

A bus driver is expected to be recognised for his bravery this week after rushing out of his bus to stop a young girl being seized by an aggressor as she rode her scooter along the pavement.

Notre-Dame: Fire believed accidental, as France reacts

The fire at Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris yesterday (April 15) was likely caused by construction work, firefighters have said, as art historians, MPs, business leaders, and the public react to the disaster.

More people in the big cities but fewer in Paris

France's population remained fairly stable in the five years between 2011 and 2016, according to newly-released census results from the state statistics body Insee.

Photos: Winning designs of Paris unused space contest

The winners of the second annual Paris competition that calls for architects to design new ways to “reinvent” disused or hidden underground spaces and buildings across the city have been announced.

Paris second European city in song lyrics since ‘60s

Paris is the second-most referenced European city in the lyrics of popular English-language music released since the 1960s, a new study has found.

Cities not interested in urban toll on cars

Four of France’s major cities say they have no plans to bring in urban tolls from 2020, even if they are allowed to do so.

New ‘hybrid’ restaurant-bar project opens in Rennes

A new kind of “hybrid” restaurant-bar has opened in Rennes, comprising a hairdresser and barber shop, a tattoo parlour, a motorbike and vintage car workshop, as well as serving food and drinks.

Paris pledges to halve landfill waste by 2030

Paris has joined 22 other cities and regions in pledging to reduce its waste by half by 2030, as part of a global project named “Coalition C40 Cities”.

Paris ranked one of world’s top 20 cities to live in

Paris is one of the top 20 cities to live in worldwide, jumping up the rankings from 32nd to 19th place in one year, according to the 2018 annual list of “most livable cities” created by magazine The Economist .

Lille Metropole named Design Capital of the World 2020

Lille Metropole has been named the Design Capital of the World for 2020, becoming the first ever French town to receive the title.

Naturist ‘naked’ space opens in Paris park

The Mairie (town hall) in Paris has opened a public naturist area in the city’s Bois de Vincennes park.

English-speaking 'Welcomers' wanted in Arras

Volunteer English speakers needed for the town's WW1 commemorations and to boost its tourism image

Not just Nice, but smart as well

As more people move to cities, the way authorities harness technology to serve a growing population has become increasingly important. Nice has been rated one of the best cities in the world for its innovation. Damien Black investigates

City

What is the difference between a town and village in France?

Controversy as French town bans people sitting or lying down in centre

Which are the most and least stressful cities in France?

Explore France’s fortified city that repels invaders but not tourists

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2024 Map: see where in France road speeds are reverting to 90km/h limit

French ski station voted as best in the world

EU faces legal challenge from French lawyer over weedkiller sale decision

Will roadworthiness tests penalise drivers in France for removing emission-limiting liquid?

Ignoring this increasingly common French road sign could cost you €135

Free data leak: is it possible to change French bank account number?

Learning French: when to use d'ailleurs versus par ailleurs?