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Income Tax in France

Healthcare in France

Inheritance Law and Wills in France

Visas and residency cards for France

National and bank holidays

Where are homes most at risk of burglary in France?

Plus: tips to help avoid being a victim over Christmas holiday period

New Year Etrennes in France: How much money should you give?

With New Year celebrations on the way, the French tradition of “étrennes” – the giving of envelopes of money to essential workers who make life easier – is also approaching. But how much should you offer?

French home’s huge Christmas decorations attract thousands of visitors

The 22-year-old creator of a winter wonderland – which took six weeks and €15,000 to create – says seeing children and parents ‘happy makes me even happier’

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Health advisors call for New Year Covid restrictions in France

New Year celebrations pose a greater risk than Christmas gatherings of spreading Covid, le Conseil scientifique has said, as it suggests restrictions on larger events and parties

French air force confirms July 14 red smoke error

A French Alphajet that displayed a red plume of smoke instead of blue as part of the traditional July 14 Fête Nationale flypast over Paris did so in error, the French air force has confirmed.

Military parade but less fireworks: How France is celebrating July 14

The traditional fête nationale military parade is back this year, but some cities have still chosen to cancel their fireworks shows due to the pandemic and concerns over the Delta variant

Christmas: Petition for French ski stations to open

The petition is supported by high-profile MPs and industry representatives and calls on President Macron to ‘rethink’ his decision to close stations over Christmas

France: La Poste hires 9,000 new staff in Christmas run-up

La Poste is set to hire double the number of temporary staff to cope with up to "four million parcels per day" before Christmas and extra delivery services but unions say this is not enough

SNCF opens ticket sales for Christmas but Covid rules remain

French train company SNCF has today (October 6) opened bookings for TGV and Intercités services over the Christmas holidays, with Covid cancellation and travel rules still in place.

Pre-Christmas lockdown not right for France

A proposed generalised lockdown in the first weeks of December to “save Christmas” from Covid-19, is not the right solution the French health minister has said.

When are the public holidays in France in 2020

Only two of France's 11 public holidays fall on a weekend in 2020

Crêpes at the ready as France celebrates Chandeleur

Today (Sunday February 2) marks the Christian festival of Chandeleur, which is traditionally celebrated in France by the making of crêpe pancakes.

France celebrates with traditional galette des rois

It is galette des rois season in France, as the country marks Epiphany on January 6, and bakers compete to make the best, most original versions of the popular patisserie.

France plans 100,000 police for New Year’s Eve unrest

More than 100,000 law enforcement officers will be mobilised across France tonight in anticipation of the expected car torching and unrest that is habitually seen in the country on New Year’s Eve.

Christmas nativity scenes spark debate in France

Debate over the legality of public nativity scenes in France has been sparked again this year after activists sent a note to all departments, reminding them of the “steps to take” to respect the law.

Gilets jaunes: French minister condemns protest plans

Some gilets jaunes protesters are continuing with plans for further demonstrations across France this weekend, despite minister for the interior Christophe Castaner explicitly calling on them “to stop”.

Pre-Christmas France: High temperatures, bad traffic

As France prepares for the last weekend before Christmas, temperatures are to rise to 5-7°C higher than the seasonal average; but drivers can expect gridlock on most major roads.

Santons are a key to Provençal festivities

Nativity scenes are a combination of Christmas and everyday local life

Make sense of... French Christmas traditions

Le Père Nöel is known to all French children but in parts of the country he is still rivalled by his ancestor Saint Nicolas.

12 very French Christmas gift ideas

Have you run out of inspiration for Christmas gifts for loved ones? Why not treat them to a real flavour of France? Emily Commander has a few ideas for you to choose from

Plenty of options for sending gifts

Make sense of the bewildering variety of services for sending parcels

How to throw out your Christmas tree legally

January 6 is the traditional day for throwing out the tree – but what are you supposed to do with it?

I'm dreaming of a French Christmas | Emily Commander

NODDY Holder bellowing ‘It’s Christmas!’ in every shop, boisterous office parties, carols on the doorstep and turkey with all the trimmings – memories of a traditional British Christmas will always invoke strong emotions for those who have moved to France.

National and bank holidays

Where are homes most at risk of burglary in France?

New Year Etrennes in France: How much money should you give?

French home’s huge Christmas decorations attract thousands of visitors

Health advisors call for New Year Covid restrictions in France

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