French news

Frenchman sought by Europol over alleged €5m fraud

The Luxembourg-born ‘businessman and lawyer’ is now on Europol’s ‘most wanted fugitives’ list

Why French tax authorities may take money from your bank account this week

It relates to income tax declaration this spring

Americans were biggest foreign donors to Notre Dame restoration after fire

Two foundations donated $10 million each in wake of devastating 2019 fire

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Assistants employed to ease medical deserts in France

Role is intended to help free up GP time so they can treat more patients

The ‘windscreen mafia’: Drivers in France warned of major repair scam

Scams include offering ‘free gifts’ that never arrive, and charging extortionate prices

Parking ticket fraud on rise in France – how to avoid being scammed

Beware the increasingly common crime of ‘quishing’ via QR code

Almost all of France affected as farmer protests enter second week: what to expect

Demonstrations are planned outside the EU parliament in Strasbourg

French social media users unite to try to find tourist's lost dog

The dog escaped from an Air France plane at Paris Charles-de-Gaulle

Temperatures of 26C recorded overnight in south-west France

Measurement smashes November records and comes only days after snow covered parts of the country

Communes across France replace advertising with artwork

Project aims to ‘bring a ray of light into people’s lives’ with over 1,000 spaces being converted

How children in France can write to ‘Père Noël’ for Christmas

Father Christmas will write back to them if a return address is given

How FranceConnect simplifies online admin tasks for residents in France

These apps help you log into many government sites without needing to remember account information

Heavy rain and strong winds: French weather outlook November 24 to 29

An épisode cévénol is expected to bring heavy rain on Tuesday

France’s WWII concentration camp marks 80th anniversary of liberation

‘We have to recognise the suffering of locals who were conscripted by the Nazi regime,’ President Macron says

New French-Swiss app launches as one-stop shop for dog owners

The app shows the locations and details of dog-friendly walks, parks, hotels, activities, groomers, and entertainment

New bill aims to outlaw use of small water bottles in France

Tens of millions of these little plastic bottles are sold in France every year

French prefecture rejects Briton's long-stay EU residency card request

European guidelines show the applicant should have received the permit. We look at the rules surrounding the carte de résident de longue-durée - EU card

Photos as snow falls – and settles – across France

Many areas in the north have seen snow, including in the capital

Fact check: Does France offer world’s most generous health reimbursement?

It comes after a government spokesperson made the claim this week

Why parking fines in France are now more likely to be cancelled

It comes after France’s highest administrative court found in a driver’s favour

What is ideal calendar donation for French firefighters and postal workers?

There is no set price for the calendars, which are sold in workers’ spare time

French inheritance law: ‘We are being forced to sell our home and leave the country’

France’s 2021 law on imposed heirship - and the slow process of complaints to the EU - are driving us away, say readers

Controversial A69 motorway in doubt as court assesses environmental impact

A new call for cancellation of the environmental approval could halt the project

Ryanair threatens to end flights to ten regional French airports over tax plan

Airline boss says it will reduce traffic to France by 50% if proposed tax increases on tickets are approved

Snow, ice, and wind alerts in place for most of France as Storm Caetano arrives

Up to 10cm of snow is expected in Normandy and 3cm in Paris. Drivers are urged to be careful

Property slump eases in France but sellers still need to be patient

The drop in prices is steadying but the situation is not the same across the country

EES: What are next steps for EU’s new digital border checks?

The scheme was intended to launch ‘in the autumn’ but time is running out

Widespread Linky electricity meter checks on way across France

Enedis is cracking down on ‘illegal hacks’ that have cost €250m in electricity fraud since 2022

Trump and Musk invited to an AI summit in France, says Macron

By the time of the summit, Mr Trump will be President of the United States for the second time, while Mr Musk will likely be part of his administration

Protesting farmers threaten to block roads, food deliveries in France

Demonstrations are set to continue into next week

Thousands of property owners in France sent ‘empty home tax’ bills in error

The bills, payable this December, can run to thousands of euros

French far right threatens to vote for dissolution ‘if budget cuts spending power’

‘It’s unacceptable to hit businesses and pensioners,’ says RN leader Marine Le Pen

Strike action poses minimal disruption to French TGV services

Although overall disruption will be limited, no night trains will be running and local services may still be impacted during tomorrow’s strike

Warning after data of 500,000 Auchan shoppers is targeted in cyber attack

Customers should watch out for scam emails and calls, alerts the supermarket chain

Where is snow now expected in France this week?

Warnings over driving conditions are in place

Electric ants spotted in south of France for second time

Fears of a large colony in the Var department and beyond, as aggressive animals threaten pets and local biodiversity

France’s Competition Authority urges end of regulated electricity prices

It said it would encourage more competition in the sector

Best places to live in France for over-60s, according to new ranking

Survey has ranked the best large, medium and small towns for older people

Most people are happy with their French mayor, new poll shows

It comes as mayors themselves say their job is getting tougher

Why bank cards are changing in France

The new payment systems aim to make it easier to shop online and to fight fraud

Road accidents in France: Mixed figures for October 2024

Newly-released data shows an increase in deaths as winter conditions set in

Great white shark seen in waters off south of France

The rare sighting has been welcomed by experts

French health minister proposes lower reimbursement of medicine

Patients (or their top-up insurance) will need to pay more if the proposal goes ahead

Where are you paid the most in France (out of Paris)?

A new ranking looks at pay differences and includes an average hourly rate for white- and blue-collar workers by department

Why is it a bank holiday in Monaco today and how is it celebrated?

It is one of the biggest celebrations of the year in the principality

French billionaire turns up to Marseille car park ‘to fight’ with angry customer

Xavier Niel, the boss of Free, was challenged to a fight outside a Lidl supermarket

Major French bank hits overseas clients with ‘admin fees’ of up to €300 a year

Many second-home owners in the UK and US are affected

Trump win spikes interest in moving to France

More and more Americans are considering making the move following the results of the recent presidential election

Checks and safety laws explained after death in France from carbon monoxide

It kills around 100 and affects 3,000 people every year in France

What would it mean for France if the euro is weaker than the US dollar?

The exchange rate is at levels not seen since 2022 since the re-election of Donald Trump

Covid-19: What is latest situation in France ahead of Christmas?

Santé Publique France revealed new figures in its latest update

Dozens fall ill in French train station as man pours toxic liquid on floor

The man spilled the liquid and then ‘calmly boarded a train’, police say

French motorway breakdowns: how system works and change to charges

In France, motorway operators send out a specialist to come to your vehicle

Snow on way including to some low-lying areas of France

Wet, overcast and blustery weather is forecast for most of the country

France’s Mister Menuiserie shops face financial issues: clients left in limbo

The door, window and joinery chain has gone into administration and cannot fulfil orders or reimburse customers

French farmer protests: Interior minister says road blocks will not be tolerated

Major unions are demonstrating against the Mercosur trade deal in a bid to pressure the government to provide more support

How many bank holidays does France get vs Europe and US?

See how France compares as MPs debate taking away one of the country’s jours fériés

One of main aids to purchase an electric car will end in France in 2025

Only the ecological bonus and social leasing will remain, but their amounts are as-yet unconfirmed

Wokisme, vegan: The ‘new’ words added to French dictionary

The latest edition of the dictionary has taken decades to create and publish

SNCF train tickets open for early 2025 bookings

International destinations and skiing stations within France are included in the seats now available

France’s 2025 budget will ‘probably’ be forced through without vote, says PM

Right-wing MPs rejected taxation section of the budget earlier this week

Calm Saturday before rain arrives: French weekend weather outlook November 16 - 17

Storms may also hit the south-east, with the north mostly grey

Right of firms to cold call homes in France under debate

It comes as a poll finds that 97% of people are opposed to the current ‘presumed consent’ system

French prosecutors call to make Le Pen ineligible in 2027 election

The sentence depends on if the court agrees, and how it would hand down the ruling if so

Latest update on farmer protests across France

Farming unions are planning further action from next week, including the blocking of food freight

Small increase in notaire fees for property buyers expected in France

The fee is expected to generate revenue of €30 million a year to fight against coastal erosion

French ski station voted as best in the world

Savoie resort popular with international skiers wins for a record ninth time

Olive oil prices in France set to fall with bumper harvest in sight

Costs per litre rose by over €4 in the previous three years

Free clients hit by major internet outages in Paris and southeast France

It comes soon after the telecoms company was subject to a major data leak

Paris Notre-Dame cathedral to open on December 8 with first Mass

Site will be open until 22:00 for first week to allow for influx of visitors

Nutrition label will not be mandatory on food in France, Health Minister says

1,400 companies have signed up to the rating scheme

Major French Christmas market to open this winter despite blaze

Opening date has been pushed back one week

How much do people in France spend on Christmas on average?

The Christmas meal and gifts are the largest expenses, with almost 50% worried about cost

Fishing to be further controlled by police in south-west France

The gendarmerie has signed an agreement to help fight ‘many and varied’ fishing offences

Farming couple must move, first people displaced in Normandy by climate change

The couple are the first in the region to be forcibly displaced by encroaching sea levels

French news

Frenchman sought by Europol over alleged €5m fraud

Why French tax authorities may take money from your bank account this week

Americans were biggest foreign donors to Notre Dame restoration after fire

Assistants employed to ease medical deserts in France

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Temperatures of 26C recorded overnight in south-west France

French inheritance law: ‘We are being forced to sell our home and leave the country’

How FranceConnect simplifies online admin tasks for residents in France

Almost all of France affected as farmer protests enter second week: what to expect

French doctors repeat warning of stroke risk from common cold medicines

Letters: The Entry/Exit System cannot stop us visiting France

Human error may have caused Val Thorens ski lift crash, says prosecutor

The ‘windscreen mafia’: Drivers in France warned of major repair scam

Parking ticket fraud on rise in France – how to avoid being scammed

Almost all of France affected as farmer protests enter second week: what to expect

French social media users unite to try to find tourist's lost dog

Temperatures of 26C recorded overnight in south-west France

Communes across France replace advertising with artwork

How children in France can write to ‘Père Noël’ for Christmas

How FranceConnect simplifies online admin tasks for residents in France

Heavy rain and strong winds: French weather outlook November 24 to 29

France’s WWII concentration camp marks 80th anniversary of liberation

New tough tax rules apply on French holiday rentals from 2025

Is France’s Canal du Midi doomed to lose its famous trees?

Chance to spend a night as a ‘lighthouse keeper’ on Brittany island

New French-Swiss app launches as one-stop shop for dog owners

French supermarket launches ‘shop trucks’ to drive around rural areas

Human error may have caused Val Thorens ski lift crash, says prosecutor

French senate votes for increase in taxes on tobacco, gambling and soda

Motorway crash, drivers stranded, power cuts: Storm Caetano wreaks havoc across France

Temperatures to rise 10C or more: French weekend weather outlook November 23 - 24

New bill aims to outlaw use of small water bottles in France

French prefecture rejects Briton's long-stay EU residency card request

Photos as snow falls – and settles – across France

Fact check: Does France offer world’s most generous health reimbursement?

Why parking fines in France are now more likely to be cancelled

What is ideal calendar donation for French firefighters and postal workers?

French inheritance law: ‘We are being forced to sell our home and leave the country’

Controversial A69 motorway in doubt as court assesses environmental impact

Ryanair threatens to end flights to ten regional French airports over tax plan

Snow, ice, and wind alerts in place for most of France as Storm Caetano arrives

Property slump eases in France but sellers still need to be patient

EES: What are next steps for EU’s new digital border checks?

Widespread Linky electricity meter checks on way across France

Trump and Musk invited to an AI summit in France, says Macron

Protesting farmers threaten to block roads, food deliveries in France

Thousands of property owners in France sent ‘empty home tax’ bills in error

French far right threatens to vote for dissolution ‘if budget cuts spending power’

Strike action poses minimal disruption to French TGV services

Warning after data of 500,000 Auchan shoppers is targeted in cyber attack

Where is snow now expected in France this week?

Electric ants spotted in south of France for second time

France’s Competition Authority urges end of regulated electricity prices

Best places to live in France for over-60s, according to new ranking

Most people are happy with their French mayor, new poll shows

Why bank cards are changing in France

Road accidents in France: Mixed figures for October 2024

Great white shark seen in waters off south of France

French health minister proposes lower reimbursement of medicine

Where are you paid the most in France (out of Paris)?

Why is it a bank holiday in Monaco today and how is it celebrated?

French billionaire turns up to Marseille car park ‘to fight’ with angry customer

Major French bank hits overseas clients with ‘admin fees’ of up to €300 a year

Trump win spikes interest in moving to France

Checks and safety laws explained after death in France from carbon monoxide

What would it mean for France if the euro is weaker than the US dollar?

Covid-19: What is latest situation in France ahead of Christmas?

Dozens fall ill in French train station as man pours toxic liquid on floor

French motorway breakdowns: how system works and change to charges

Snow on way including to some low-lying areas of France

France’s Mister Menuiserie shops face financial issues: clients left in limbo

French farmer protests: Interior minister says road blocks will not be tolerated

How many bank holidays does France get vs Europe and US?

One of main aids to purchase an electric car will end in France in 2025

Wokisme, vegan: The ‘new’ words added to French dictionary

SNCF train tickets open for early 2025 bookings

France’s 2025 budget will ‘probably’ be forced through without vote, says PM

Calm Saturday before rain arrives: French weekend weather outlook November 16 - 17

Right of firms to cold call homes in France under debate