Life in france

Does France still shut down for the month of August?

It is best to avoid doing certain tasks during the summer months

Brazilian discount chain Atacadão opens in France for bulk buys

The store, which is owned by Carrefour, promises to offer items up to 10-15% cheaper than in regular supermarkets

Whit Monday: France’s most confusing bank holiday

It used to be a simple bank holiday in May like any other - but the tragic events of 2003 changed everything

news

How much money do people in France need to live well?

What is the role of money in well-being and how much do people need on average, new poll asks

Five things they do not tell you about partying in France

A humorous look at the unspoken rules when you ‘faire la fête’

Life expectancy in France hits a record - and births plummet

People in France can now expect to live the longest ever from birth, but the birth rate is dropping, and the population is ageing overall

Learn from the French: how Christmas étrennes gifts work

While étrennes are not an obligation, our French writer says it could be considered rude not to give anything but who should you give to and how much?

‘Running our Normandy camper van site is a holiday that never ends’

A couple’s determination to beat French bureaucracy and open their dream camper van site pays off

Why are essential items so expensive in France?

This is not the first time, in 2019, food products and non-alcoholic beverages were 15% more expensive in France than the EU average

Five good news articles from France including a great door idea

We also look at haircuts for the homeless and a Harry Potter-style Rentrée….Here are five good news stories to take you into the weekend

150 years of the shower – the revolutionary French hygiene invention

The modern shower was first used to improve hygiene in a Rouen prison

Meet the American who searches for people’s lost jewellery in France

He recently reunited a British holidaymaker with a family heirloom that he lost on a beach. ‘I do it to put a smile on people’s faces,’ he said

Walking bare-chested and in swimwear in this French town risks a fine

‘It’s a question of respect’, says the mayor, who has increased the fine from €38 to €150

From Renaissance to Hockney - 12 Spring exhibitions to see in France

A snapshot of this year’s cultural scene also takes in exhibitions of the Ancient Greeks and Egyptians as well as putting the Normans in their place

History as 300-km race in France no one had finished gets first winner

Sports teacher and ultra distance runner completed the mountainous course in 71 hours, as five racers complete superhuman feat

People in France are living longer in good health, study finds

The data shows an improvement when compared to the same report in 2008

‘France’s favourite village’: See 14 contenders for this year’s vote

Feast your eyes on the 2023 shortlist with criteria combining visual beauty and historical charm

MAP: See how life expectancy rates vary across France

Recent figures show people live on average longer than in many other western countries; women in France fare particularly well

We French are not lazy, that’s not what today’s strikes are about

The belief that a separate ‘French way’ exists is still deep-rooted collectively in our minds

Fuel aid, pension strike action, tax credits: The week ahead in France

This week (January 16-22) will also see the start of the famous Dunkirk carnival

France’s regulated winter sales: start and end dates for 2023

Les soldes d’hiver mainly take place over a six-week period which is set nationally rather than decided by individual brands

How much money do you need for a ‘decent life’ in France?

We speak to the economist who calculated the monthly income needed for couples, families, single or retired people

Has your area of France gained or lost inhabitants in recent years?

New statistics for 2014-2020 show a slowdown in population growth but not evenly across the country. Paris has lost tens of thousands of residents

Energy, Linky, post: Thirteen changes affecting life in France in 2023

We look at gas and electricity price caps, how digital postage will work and more

Brittany town painstakingly recreated in miniature by dedicated couple

What started as a helping hand to enhance the local church’s nativity scene became a monumental project involving 50 people

From spit cake to elf shoes... a Tour de France by Christmas desserts

How many have you tried?

MAP: The French place names you find hardest to pronounce

Caen, Pineuilh, Cunlhat: which of our readers' suggestions do you find trickiest to say?

Learn from the French: how to order the perfect baguette

Mi-cuite or pas trop cuite? Une ficelle or une flute? The Connexion breaks down the terms often used in French boulangeries

New poll: Most people in France are ‘happy’...but less so than in 2021

Happiness levels are still high, but those struggling financially are less content, amid rising worries over purchasing power, quality of life, climate change, and health

Nantes basilica’s ‘golden angels’ found 13 years after being stolen

The statues had been taken down from the church’s spire for renovation works, when they disappeared

Dogs just as numerous as people at French chateau weekend visit

The Château d’Ussé is one of the only such attractions in France to allow dogs to walk inside and is keen to encourage canine visitors

French cheesemakers bring out an advent calendar with 24 types to try

Each numbered door leads to a different cheese, with the Strasbourg-based makers promising a real tasting experience

France’s favourite brands: Decathlon, Peugeot and E. Leclerc top poll

The sports giant topped the podium for the third year running

Updated: Is France in a ‘spiral of chaos and decline’? Your feedback

An article on the website of the UK Telegraph claims France has lost control of its borders and French cities are often sites of ‘lawless anarchy.’ Our readers do not generally agree

‘Ghost areas’: The places in France where no one lives

There is also a village in France that has only one resident and another just two, a new map shows

French legends part five: Kings and magic – stories from the centre

We end our myths and legends’ series with a look at the middle of France from a mysterious boy, to three unfortunate miners and a land of sorcerers

French legends part four: Bluebeard and bears – stories from the west

We continue our myths and legends’ series with a look west to a sunken city, the origins of Bluebeard and the popular tale of John the bear

12 million people in France have drunk pesticide-contaminated water

Up to 20% of the population – especially in Brittany – has consumed water with potentially dangerous pesticide levels. We ask: should we switch to bottled?

French legends part three: Devils & dentists – stories from the south

We continue our myths and legends’ series with a look south to a devil’s bridge, a healing tooth, two strange creatures and a stone woman

How far can you get by train in five hours from near you in France?

You can see the maximum distance you can travel from any of Europe’s stations in one to five hours on a dedicated website – how does your local station do?

‘Surprised, touched’: our French neighbours’ kindness at Queen’s death

Connexion readers tell of emails received from French friends and ‘a more gentle approach’ by shop staff after the news broke

100 French sites chosen for restoration in annual ‘heritage mission’

Among the chosen constructions are several dovecotes, a theatre, a stable and a small bridge in Brittany designed by famed architect Gustave Eiffel

Where does the South of France start? Tourism offices share thoughts

Some suggest different cities or mountains which could serve as unofficial borders

Calling all pickleball fans: help grow the US craze in France

Could enthusiasm from American expats help overcome marketing and cultural hardships here? This week is a big one for the sport in France

People in France are still biggest drinkers of rosé wine in world

Adults in France enjoy the equivalent of 20 bottles per year, a new report finds

The legend of the ‘dahu’: the French mountain goat that does not exist

The mysterious animal is said to be a kind of mountain goat and is widely spoken about across France and beyond

MAP: France’s most welcoming towns and villages

We look at the places rated as being most accessible and interesting to visitors according to users of a leading hotel reservation site

Updated Map: French commune names that sound like something funny

From Condom to Bizou, we take a trip around France’s bizarre-sounding towns and villages – now including new reader suggestions

Australian in Paris walks every street to see variety of his district

The 36-year-old spent more than two weeks discovering the 20th arrondissement by foot so as to better understand its diverse cultures

French baker’s coloured ‘art’ croissants draw queues round the block

A 22-year-old baker who perfected his viennoiserie skills in lockdown once sold his whole stock in 24 minutes due to his colourful and creative designs

From a rented caravan in UK to buying entire French hamlet for €26,000

The married couple are now restoring the historic buildings – including functioning cider press and communal bread oven – to create a gîte complex

What can we do about dogs’ early morning barking near our French home?

There are several steps that a resident can take to tackle this situation. We explain

Musician Ben Harper plans to leave 'toxic' US to live in France

The singer-songwriter is considering Toulouse, Bordeaux or Paris. He says he is leaving the US due to its ‘backwards’ position on abortion, racism, and guns

Ask a French person: why would bakery not swap my ‘soggy’ pastry?

We look at why a reader’s request to swap a pastry resulted in the baker threatening to call the police

‘I returned to UK from France, did not feel at home so came back’

A Connexion reader tells how she enjoyed her new life in Dorset but after time – especially following the Brexit vote – realised her heart was still in France

Can I have an outdoor fire pit or chiminea in my French garden?

It is forbidden to burn rubbish on an open fire in a garden but here we look at the rules for these outdoor devices which are mainly used for cooking or heating

Locals clash over win as crowds flock to France's favourite village

Bergheim has been buzzing with tourists since its victory but will it lose its local charm over the next few months? Locals give their views

Career change in France: nuclear inspector to yoga teacher

‘The contrast between my old and new job could not be starker’

France’s favourite village announced… but it now fears the crowds

Previous winners warn of the double-edged sword of success, which can overwhelm small villages with visitors

Map: See top 50 best French towns and cities to live in in 2022

The majority of towns in the top 20 are in Normandy, Brittany, Pays de la Loire and Nouvelle Aquitaine

Career change in France: from window displays to powerful photography

‘I have found my niche at last’ - Lisa Derevycka, 49, explains her move from a merchandiser for GAP to taking empowering studio photos of women

Have you voted for your favourite French market yet?

The fifth annual TF1 competition seeks to ‘celebrate markets and encourage the values that they represent’. Voting is open until June 22

Living in France could cost around €90 a month more due to inflation

The main extra costs are due to increased energy costs, fuel prices, and rising supermarket prices, a new study shows

Which French departments have more cows, pigs and sheep than people?

See maps made using data collected by France’s national statistics institute

Are your taste buds turning French? You share your thoughts

Connexion readers say whether they have adopted French breakfasts, fish and meat dishes, or whether they still prefer milky coffees and bangers and mash

‘France is a cultured country in a sense that Britain is not’

Our reader shares his opinion on why he has benefited from moving from the UK to the operatic hotspot of Hérault

Grand crème, café crème, au lait: what way to order coffee in France?

We explain the subtle distinctions between the various terms used in cafés

Some Covid rules ease today in France, intensive care numbers stable

Hospitalisations are rising in keeping with recent higher case numbers. The number of seriously sick Covid patients remains high but steady

MaPrimeRenov: How to claim grant for energy upgrades in French home

The government will introduce new measures to make it easier to access subsidies for improving the energy efficiency of your home. We look at the process

News in brief for Britons in France this December

S1 application deadline looming, means testing for EU family returning to UK and more

It is planting season in France: Why plant bare root?

Cathy Thompson's tips on bareroot planting in your French garden this autumn

Brittany: Homebuyers sign contracts accepting country life

A new clause in contracts for homebuyers in Morbihan confirms they will accept the sights, sounds and smells of country life

Top 50 French towns for retirees revealed

Best towns to retire to in France announced by leading French media - factoring in housing, weather, social life and services for seniors. We take a look at the top 10.

Best towns in France for families revealed

The top towns for families in France have been ranked by weekly news magazine Le Figaro Magazine , with Bordeaux coming out on top, and other cities in west and southwest France completing the top ten.

France invests €20m in a post-Covid bike revolution

A €20 million plan has been launched to encourage people to get on their bikes as a safer way to travel post-confinement.