French news

VAT threshold drop for self-employed in France suspended until June

The controversial measure is opposed by professional groups and several leading MPs

French church for sale for €362,500 - could be turned into a home

The 539m² building on classified ad website Leboncoin is due to be deconsecrated

AI cameras to fight fly-tipping at communal bins in south-west France

Vandalism is rife in areas with bin incentive charges

news

Pete Doherty’s new song is ode to Normandy (and making Calvados)

The track is inspired by the reformed rocker’s French home

How long does it take for a traffic fine to arrive in France and is there a limit?

Does a speed or traffic fine expire if it arrives very late? Can you contest it? We explain

New ‘more discreet’ speed radars to be installed on French roads

The cameras can detect multiple offences

This low-cost supermarket olive oil is voted best by French consumer association

The study evaluated 24 oils, including 11 organic varieties

Calm and chilly in north, rainy in south: French weekend weather outlook March 1 - 2

The start of spring sees temperatures lower than seasonal averages

Know your cheeses and their seasons: which to eat in France in March

Goat’s cheese makes a strong return as spring leads to fresh produce

How unemployment benefit rules are changing in France from April 1, 2025

The age that people are considered ‘senior’ is set to change, with consequences for jobseeker benefit

Port strike affects UK-France ferry crossings

Operators are warning of delays and cancellations especially between Dover and Calais

Map shows communes least, and most, exposed to pesticides in France

Environmental groups are calling for users to write to the health ministry to call for less pesticide exposure and more access to organic food

How much do energy efficiency renovations cost in France?

Owners will want to ensure properties improve by at least two DPE ratings, increasing the work and cost needed

Is it legal to pick flowers in forests in France?

The rules depend on whether you are on private or public land, or if a species is protected

US media praises 'charmer' Macron over his meeting with Trump

Talks covered War in Ukraine and EU-US relations

Solar eclipse in March: The best places in France to see it

Visibility will depend on where you are in the country

Low-cost airline to charge passengers extra tax on already booked French flights

Passengers will need to pay difference in cost or could be denied boarding

French Alps ski resort uses AI piste to teach beginners

The indoor device ‘places’ people onto the resort's slopes on a screen and they learn twice as fast as on usual beginner slopes, claims instructor

How ‘friendly’ are drivers in France compared to the US and UK

France did not make the ranking’s top five…

France’s only free ski slope closes: Which other resorts are considered at risk?

A report has identified the most vulnerable stations in the face of climate change and lack of snow

Olympic ‘horse’ Zeus to begin a tour of France - here is where it will go

The ‘floating’ metallic horse became one of the stars of the show, and is now set to gallop to new pastures

Electricity bills at risk of steep rises, claims French consumer association

Bills could rise by as much as 20% next year, the association has said

Photos: The 14 villages vying to be France’s favourite in 2025

See the full shortlist and vote for your favourite

In figures: Paris’ celebrated annual agricultural show is underway

The Salon de l'Agriculture brings more than 1,000 exhibitors and 4,000 animals to the capital as well as politicians seeking photo opportunities

These phone numbers are increasingly used by scammers targeting people in France

International numbers are used to trick victims

Calais and Dunkirk ports strive for all-electric ferry-crossings

Battery-powered ships will recharge in less than 45 minutes

Funeral companies must pay royalties to play music at services in France

Funeral directors may charge families using music an extra fee or spread costs between all clients

You can have your parcels delivered to over 50,000 pick-up points in France

It can often be cheaper to deliver parcels and collect at a later date

Please send 100th birthday message to this Canadian D-Day veteran

Plea comes from a Normandy association. The soldier was awarded with France’s highest order of merit, the Légion d'honneur

Two million households in France set to be charged extra energy fee

A charge of up to €63 will apply to properties without Linky smart meters

Trump tariff row: How much - and what - does the US export to France and vice versa

‘The EU has been very unfair to us,’ says US President Donald Trump

VAT on small businesses: French MPs call for no reduction in threshold

Plans to lower the threshold to €25,000 would hurt micro-entrepreneurs and ‘massively destroy activity and wealth’ say critics

Millions of cars in France still require defective airbag replacement

The airbags have been linked to 17 deaths in France, and should be replaced as soon as possible

Use points on these French supermarket loyalty cards this week – or risk losing them

Several cards will see points earned in 2024 expire this week

Rainy start before temperature drop: French weekly weather outlook February 24 - 28

Conditions will improve midweek but rain is expected in most areas before this

EasyJet to stop two flight routes connecting Paris to major UK airports

Airline says it is concentrating on routes which are more popular

Homeowners in France lobby for six-month visa free travel

Camapaigners helped push French authorities for an automatic visa for second-home owners last year

French regional airports’ anxious wait for Ryanair decision

The low-cost airline may withdraw from many of the 22 French airports it serves

Photos: Paris exhibition explores what people do alone at home

Behind the curtain: L’Intime Expo takes a fascinating look at people's private lives

Photo: what is the strange ‘hair ice’ phenomenon seen in France recently?

Extremely rare formation is occurring in eastern woodlands

Macron confirms what he wants to say to Trump when he visits US next week

Ukraine, EU and US relations and geopolitical situation are unsurprisingly key topics

South-west France airport suspected of paying illegal subsidies to Ryanair

An investigation claims the payments were allegedly made to keep the airline operational there

Mass cheese recall launched in France over E.coli fears

Several major supermarkets are affected, ‘Morbier’ cheese in particular is recalled

French village implements temporary road closures to protect frogs

The initiative aims to save up to 50 amphibians per night from being crushed

Plastic in bottled water: these brands identified in France as least affected

A new consumer study claims four popular brands offer the safest water to drink

People with gardens urged to spot and report this common but dangerous pest via French ministry site

How to report sightings and avoid a reaction to pine and oak caterpillars

Photos: Monaco and two French Mediterranean jewels named as Best European Destinations

The three French-speaking destinations appeared in the 2025 top 20 rankings

Now is the time for many to install Asian hornet traps in France

Some councils are offering free or subsidised traps, with tips on how to capture the early queens

Holiday traffic jams: Avoid these routes in France this weekend

School holiday season sees many heading to – or returning from – Alpine resorts

Temperatures of 22C and rain: French weekend weather outlook February 22 - 23

Sunday is the best day for outdoor activities

France’s healthcare system remains among world’s best in latest ranking

New report highlights access to quality and affordable care

Scotland-France ferry plan faces delays

Grant negotiations with Scottish government stall new ferry service aimed at boosting freight and passenger links between Rosyth and Dunkirk

Americans in France: 1 in 4 people born in US who move across live in Paris

In contrast less than 6% of British-born and German-born residents live in the capital

Mayors in south-west France asked to sign petition for door-to-door bin collections

‘The aim is to make our voices heard in parliament’, organiser says

Almost all of France is now on maximum alert for pollen allergies

Only the north and north-west have escaped the highest risk level so far

83 bears live in the Pyrenees show latest data - should we be scared of them?

Critics say bears threaten livestock but proponents call for better co-existence and advise what to do if you come across one

Normandy residents warned against increasingly common and dangerous landslides

Barriers are being put in place in some spots to prevent walkers from going near cliff edges

American skier breaks leg in France and finds help by contacting emergency services… in the US

Smartwatch sent out location of accident to US centre who passed it to French Air Force

App to ease new EES border control checks is now ready - how it will work

EU Member States will be able to choose if they allow passengers to use the app to hand over certain information required in advance

Action against mosquitoes already launched in several areas of France

The anti-larvae campaign starts earlier this year due to high humidity

Why repairing your car in France is becoming increasingly expensive

The cost has soared by more than 25% since 2020, with electric vehicles most dear, a new report has shown

Immigration chief replies to Connexion over French residency cards and ‘hard’ language tests

‘There will always be some who say the new level is too high, but the current A1 requirement is insufficient to integrate successfully, for example for work. It’s extremely basic.’

How much do flats and houses rent for in your area of France? See official data

An interactive map allows you to check at commune level

Origin of all meat must be displayed by French restaurants and canteens

Rules previously applied only to beef

Uber Ski connects French transport hubs to Alpine ski resorts

Prices are fixed with all vehicles able to carry snowsport equipment

Recap: Recent updates and changes in France you may have missed as of February 2025

Bank fees, healthcare costs, and various changes to public transport usage are among the most noticeable

French parliament to vote on law to offer €150 a month card for healthy food

The card would be intended to benefit consumers and farmers, and comes after successful trials of similar schemes in Bordeaux and Montpellier

Egg prices: Why France is more protected from the high rises seen in US

France is currently unlikely to see similar sharp price increases, an expert says

New quicker way to prove identity and ticket for more train travel in France

Official app can create code that shows both ticket and ID information

Photo: appeal for witnesses in France over UK cold-case mystery

Charity believes woman was from north of Paris and died in a car accident

French MP complains over lack of foie-gras in parliamentary restaurants

MP from Gers in the south-west told menus have been changed to feature more ‘sustainable’ dishes

Photo: new road hazard for drivers in Brittany… a wallaby

The mysterious animal has been seen several times since December

Flu cases still rising in these 14 French departments

Nationwide levels are showing a marked decline but the south-west is still particularly impacted

French MP presses ministry over easier visas for second-home owners

Philippe Lottiaux says he regularly hears of problems from British homeowners in his Var constituency

French news

VAT threshold drop for self-employed in France suspended until June

French church for sale for €362,500 - could be turned into a home

AI cameras to fight fly-tipping at communal bins in south-west France

Pete Doherty’s new song is ode to Normandy (and making Calvados)

Trending

This low-cost supermarket olive oil is voted best by French consumer association

Collonges-la-Rouge: first to be crowned among the Plus Beaux Villages de France

New ‘more discreet’ speed radars to be installed on French roads

French winter warmer recipes: Normandy apple tart

Language tests for French residency cards: examples of questions asked

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: A devilish project

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

How long does it take for a traffic fine to arrive in France and is there a limit?

New ‘more discreet’ speed radars to be installed on French roads

This low-cost supermarket olive oil is voted best by French consumer association

Calm and chilly in north, rainy in south: French weekend weather outlook March 1 - 2

Know your cheeses and their seasons: which to eat in France in March

How unemployment benefit rules are changing in France from April 1, 2025

Port strike affects UK-France ferry crossings

Map shows communes least, and most, exposed to pesticides in France

How much do energy efficiency renovations cost in France?

Is it legal to pick flowers in forests in France?

Eurostar to end summer service between the Netherlands and Belgium to south of France

Dordogne resident claims to catch 1,300 Asian hornets in a day using this technique

‘Exceptional’ astronomical event visible from France tonight as seven planets align

US media praises 'charmer' Macron over his meeting with Trump

Why Mars bars are missing from many French supermarkets - and why prices might rise

More French banks offer virtual payment cards: How do they work?

EES digital borders scheme: Launch date update

Naturist village condemned by Bordeaux court for having too many people

Photos: Surprise snowfall of up to 20 cm in eastern France

Solar eclipse in March: The best places in France to see it

Low-cost airline to charge passengers extra tax on already booked French flights

French Alps ski resort uses AI piste to teach beginners

How ‘friendly’ are drivers in France compared to the US and UK

France’s only free ski slope closes: Which other resorts are considered at risk?

Olympic ‘horse’ Zeus to begin a tour of France - here is where it will go

Electricity bills at risk of steep rises, claims French consumer association

Photos: The 14 villages vying to be France’s favourite in 2025

In figures: Paris’ celebrated annual agricultural show is underway

These phone numbers are increasingly used by scammers targeting people in France

Calais and Dunkirk ports strive for all-electric ferry-crossings

Funeral companies must pay royalties to play music at services in France

You can have your parcels delivered to over 50,000 pick-up points in France

Please send 100th birthday message to this Canadian D-Day veteran

Two million households in France set to be charged extra energy fee

Trump tariff row: How much - and what - does the US export to France and vice versa

VAT on small businesses: French MPs call for no reduction in threshold

Millions of cars in France still require defective airbag replacement

Use points on these French supermarket loyalty cards this week – or risk losing them

Rainy start before temperature drop: French weekly weather outlook February 24 - 28

EasyJet to stop two flight routes connecting Paris to major UK airports

Homeowners in France lobby for six-month visa free travel

French regional airports’ anxious wait for Ryanair decision

Photos: Paris exhibition explores what people do alone at home

Photo: what is the strange ‘hair ice’ phenomenon seen in France recently?

Macron confirms what he wants to say to Trump when he visits US next week

More trains and routes linking UK to France (and other European countries) expected under new agreement

South-west France airport suspected of paying illegal subsidies to Ryanair

Mass cheese recall launched in France over E.coli fears

French village implements temporary road closures to protect frogs

Plastic in bottled water: these brands identified in France as least affected

People with gardens urged to spot and report this common but dangerous pest via French ministry site

Photos: Monaco and two French Mediterranean jewels named as Best European Destinations

Now is the time for many to install Asian hornet traps in France

Holiday traffic jams: Avoid these routes in France this weekend

Temperatures of 22C and rain: French weekend weather outlook February 22 - 23

France’s healthcare system remains among world’s best in latest ranking

Scotland-France ferry plan faces delays

Americans in France: 1 in 4 people born in US who move across live in Paris

Mayors in south-west France asked to sign petition for door-to-door bin collections

Almost all of France is now on maximum alert for pollen allergies

83 bears live in the Pyrenees show latest data - should we be scared of them?

Normandy residents warned against increasingly common and dangerous landslides

American skier breaks leg in France and finds help by contacting emergency services… in the US

App to ease new EES border control checks is now ready - how it will work

Action against mosquitoes already launched in several areas of France

Why repairing your car in France is becoming increasingly expensive

Immigration chief replies to Connexion over French residency cards and ‘hard’ language tests