France

PHOTOS: Northern Lights stun in skies across southern France

Phenomena was seen across almost all of France this weekend

New summer flights and flat-rate rail pass: 7 French travel updates

We also look at baggage fee changes, a ferry and train offer - and the installation of motorway barriers to keep out boars

WATCH: Brothers’ battle in French table tennis final ends in tears

Older brother Alexis Lebrun comes out on top - and jumps on the table to celebrate while his brother cries

news

French inheritance law: EU contacts France over ‘possible breach’

French lawyers have widely criticised the 2021 forced heirship law, which affects the option for non-French people to use the law of another country

Robert Badinter, the man who ended the death penalty in France, dies

The former justice minister pushed through a bill to abolish executions in 1981. The last person to be guillotined in France was in 1977

Which cheek? How many? The truth about bises in France

Website reveals regional differences for common form of greeting

Day 10 French regional Christmas specialities: Beerawecka from Alsace

This needs to be baked days ahead if you want it on your table for Christmas

France to launch large-scale trial of school uniforms

Experiment will be carried out to see what changes this may bring without any cost to parents, says minister

Five homes with a sea view for sale in France for less than €500,000

These are perfect for those looking for coastal living at an affordable price

Day 8 French regional Christmas specialities: Cardons from Rhône-Alpes

A relatively forgotten vegetable, cardons make a come-back on Christmas tables

PHOTOS: It began with a candle in 1852: Lyon’s Light Festival returns

Find out more about this internationally renowned festival here

End in sight for driver fuel shortages in Paris and surrounding areas

Supplies have been running low due to strike action

Look up to see up to 80 shooting stars an hour from tonight in France

What you should see is the Geminids meteor shower

French woman hospitalised after boar charges at her as she gardens

The pensioner now has plaster over half of her body

Warning over insecticide used against bed bugs in France

The product is suspected to be the cause of the death of a man in Lyon

Citroen, Peugeot, Opel: cars recalled over high emissions in France

Owners are told to contact their dealership

France’s largest wind turbine is installed - at 167 metres tall

It comes as government plans to grow the country’s offshore wind power

Facebook users duped over data, says French consumer association

It has now joined a Europe-wide investigation into Meta's practices

Musical festivals in France in 2024: who is playing and when

Make sure to add these dates to your diary

Winter Olympics 2030: France is the only candidate remaining

Bids by Switzerland and Sweden have already been ruled out

More snakes kept as pets in France - some are escaping

Following two recent examples in Toulouse, we ask a fireman what to do in the rare occurence you find one

Chance to buy private island in the Loire - you will need a boat too

The island has 33 hectares of land for agricultural use and a nineteenth century hunting lodge to restore

Trapped rock climbers rescued in south of France

The rescue operation lasted more than four hours

France plans to ban smoking in more places - will it work?

Campaigners say it is not enough to make a significant difference

Tips for reducing your bank charges in France

From overdraft to withdrawal fees, as well as online banking, we look at ways to save

20 Ryanair passengers left at Carcassonne airport as plane takes off

Travellers left grounded included a woman on the way to her daughter's wedding and a mother and son travelling for a chemotherapy appointment

Bid to make public toilets free in France

The change is particularly targeted at train stations which charge for access

PHOTOS: Seven beautiful Christmas markets in France

There are few better ways to get in the festive spirit

Low-cost Toujust stores close in France, some Bricoramas may follow

Both chains have been facing economic difficulties

Paris plans to reduce speed limit on outer ring road from 70 to 50km/h

The move aims to reduce environmental and noise pollution

Supermarket ham terrine recalled around France

The meat could contain the harmful salmonella bacteria and should not be eaten

Senators vote in favour of no-show fees for GP appointments in France

Around 27 million appointments are estimated to be missed by patients each year

First stereotype busting event for older people being held in Paris

The aim of the event to give a voice to retirees

Restos du Coeur winter campaign opens but funds too low to help all

The charity says it is relying on the generosity of donors and faces having to turn away some people coming for help

Doctors oppose plans for video consultations at French train stations

They recommend improving rail services to isolated areas instead

Alert over rise in number of meningitis cases in France post Covid

Experts are calling for an updated vaccination strategy

Eggs from chickens in private greater Paris gardens not to be eaten

Regular consumption could cause an increased risk of developing health effects

Hundreds of flights cancelled in French air traffic controller strike

Destinations in the south are particularly impacted

Napoleon’s bicorne hat sells for €1.9m at French auction

The sale broke the previous world record for one of his iconic hats, ahead of the release of Ridley Scott’s new film about the emperor's life this week

VIDEO: Hunters believe this clip shows a wolf in Brittany

Analyses will be carried out to confirm the sighting

Strange fireball seen in skies above west France was a missile test

Maintaining operational credibility of France's nuclear weapons was necessary given the international environment, said the Ministry of the Armed Forces

Supermarket frozen burgers recalled across France

Potential allergenic substances are not identified on the packaging

Cigarettes to be banned on Nice beaches from next summer

The mayor says the move is to preserve the health of both people and the environment

Apple launches ‘Tap to Pay’ in France allowing payment between iPhones

The move makes it possible to make payments without going through a payment terminal

Children in France can write to Father Christmas via La Poste

Letters can be sent up until December 20 and each will receive a response

Ouigo €19 deal in France and look to book February TGV tickets

Tickets for the TGV InOui, Intercités and TGV Lyria trains are set to go on sale for early 2024

Warning as ‘black computer screen’ scam targets people in France

The threat comes from a network of up to 300 cybercriminals based in Israel

2025 Tour de France will start in the north

It will be the first start on French roads for four years

182,000 march against antisemitism across France

This is the largest such demonstration for more than three decades

PHOTOS: See French WW1 soldier’s bedroom left unchanged since 1918

After the poilu was killed in battle his parents chose to keep the room as it was on his last visit home

What is the march against antisemitism in France this Sunday?

There has been much debate over who will or will not be attending

Former winner of TV’s The Voice to represent France at 2024 Eurovision

Discover the song he will perform at the contest here

Which areas see most lottery wins in France?

Pack your bags, here are the ‘luckiest’ regions on the EuroMillions

Telephone chargers and bikes recalled in France for safety faults

The public are being warned not to use the items

Seven much-used scams to watch out for in France

They are happening more often and are becoming harder to spot

Residency cards, expulsions, second homes: what French bill proposes

Senate is scrutinising immigration law which seeks to toughen some rules and lighten others

Painting destined for the bin ends up at Louvre and valued at €24m

It is being hailed as a ‘crucial milestone’ in the history of art and will have an exhibition dedicated to it

Watch out for fake officials and aid scams after storms in France

Their aim is to benefit from the damage caused

PHOTOS: Northern Lights turn French skies pink and purple

The spectacle was seen in several areas - and not just in the north

Normandy gendarmerie next to the sea up for sale as a home

The starting price at auction is €119,000

Why first Wednesday of month sirens did not sound across France today

Authorities usually test the emergency warning system at noon

Storms in France: Insurers advise action to limit damage to home

They also recommend checking contracts to see you have the appropriate cover

Why people in France also call Toussaint break ‘the potato holidays’

What children do during these holidays has radically changed

100 fake bomb alerts raised at airports in France in 12 days

The government aims to file a complaint for every hoax

Cinemas, airports: off-duty police to be able to carry guns in France

The Ministry of the Interior has prepared a decree to be published shortly

Explainer: the rules for collecting wood from forests in France?

We explain the practice of affouage which allows people to collect wood legally

French rapper’s live concert had audio description for blind fans

It was a first in France

France sees strong interest in cross country skiing despite less snow

The sport which saw a boom during the Covid years continues to attract participants

Ten French airports receive bomb alerts, five evacuated

Disruption to air activity was kept to a minimum

Yoghurt recall in major supermarkets across France

The affected products should not be eaten for risk of digestive irritation

French dog owner gets €10,000 bill over rescue of pet stuck in pipe

The Jack Russell had been missing for two days but was eventually found by another dog

PHOTOS: Rare Turkish-style villa is up for sale… in Brittany

The unique neo-moorish property has outstanding sea views and is said to be as architecturally interesting inside as outside

Woman, 19, dies in crash as wild boar crosses motorway near Toulouse

Two other people were seriously injured in the accident which happened in the rain

Several types of bottled supermarket milk recalled in France

The public are being warned not to consume the products concerned

Explainer: The documents needed for French long-stay visa application

This is for those wishing to stay in France for more than three months