Online

What is the ‘FranceConnect’ button used for on websites?

The button appears on over 1,000 French websites

‘Clothes cabins’, checks on older people: La Poste is diversifying

The service wants to remain a key national institution so is changing how users young and old can use it

Online British food shop not sending goods but is still taking orders

Shoppers have reported not receiving items they have paid for from British Online Supermarket

practical

Tips and advice as mandatory French property form deadline looms

You have until July 31 to submit the declaration

How will France’s online safety bill protect you from scammers?

Changes could even see Twitter blocked over its approach to pornography rules, says minister

France property declaration: How can I find login information?

We look at how you can use your numéro fiscal to create your account for the first time, or what to do if you have lost this information or your password.

Why ordering books online in France will become more expensive

It is a move to encourage readers to buy at bookshops on French high streets

Quoi de neuf - French shopping in October 2022

New products, designs and ideas from around France

Too hard, no internet: 33% of adults in France do no online admin

A new study shows that it is mainly older people, those without higher education and the unemployed who struggle most with online procedures

What can I do if item bought online is not delivered?

I bought a dress on a website I believe is based in Avignon – but it did not come and they did not respond to emails. What can I do? FF

Who can be my countersignatory for my passport application?

Whether a countersignatory is required for your British passport application depends on a couple of factors

France lockdown: Can I collect an item bought on Leboncoin?

Leboncoin is a website that allows you to buy and sell items online

What help is available for victims of online bullying in France?

For serious cases of bullying, the police or gendarmerie can be contacted and there is a specific website for reporting harassment that is sexist or related to sexuality

‘France should stop rush to put essential public services online’

212 services deemed ‘essential for daily life in France’ are available online, but some say that data leaks, poor quality websites, and lack of human contact are a concern

Volunteers join online fight against fake vaccine news in France

'Vaccination is passed on by kissing,' 'they inject you with graphite' and other ideas debunked by the growing number of ‘anti anti-vaccine’ social media groups

Explained: France's controversial anti-terrorism law

The proposed law notably allows reinforced surveillance of internet use using algorithms as attacks are now often carried out by isolated individuals not known to the intelligence services

French nuns smash online ‘Divine’ wine-sale target with time to spare

Pre-orders of the rosé are well on their way to doubling the pre-sale target of 9,000 bottles

Airbnb, Vinted: Do online earnings need to be declared for French tax?

It depends on the nature and amount of the income - and the tax office will be directly informed of larger sums. We explain more

French income declarations open online today

No major changes are expected for your declarations of 2020 income this April to June

How to change your address in France

An online French government form informs multiple bodies at once - social security offices, EDF and Engie, the tax office and more - of your change of address

What are the French income tax declaration dates for 2021?

This year’s deadlines for declaring 2020 income show a return to a more traditional pattern after changes last year linked to the Covid lockdown

How can I sign a French power of attorney from UK?

John Kitching, a director of French Law Consultancy Limited, answers a reader query on how to remotely sign a French power of attorney

QAnon’s new Europe arm takes aim at Macron vote

Official inquiry launched into the level of disruption that conspiracist movements could bring in France but some political commentators say they pose 'no threat'

France Covid-19: Online vaccine reservations open this week

From Thursday January 14, those aged 75 and over will be able to book appointments for Covid vaccinations online and by telephone

French shop owners - what price decent online service?

Samantha David argues that if small shop owners made just a tiny fraction of the online customer service effort of a certain global internet market place, they would have happier clients - and make much more money

Shops: France considering Sunday opening in December

The government is said to be 'favourable' to the idea put forward by unions - as La Poste warns against parcel delivery scams

Influential French figures unite against Amazon

A group of 120 NGOs, unions, MPs and influential French figures say the online retailer must be stopped “before it’s too late”

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

Shops call for cancellation of Black Friday in France

Unions claim online retailers will profit unfairly from the November sales while independent shops are forced to close during confinement

French state to pay delivery fees for bookshops in lockdown

Supermarket chains are also stepping in to help small shops transition to digital sales, as resistance to Amazon and other large online retailers grows

Victims of fraud in France less likely to be reimbursed

An inquiry found victims were now at least 4% less likely to be reimbursed, despite the legal rules for consumer fraud improving this year

Mystery seeds from China sent to people in France

Individuals in France have received mystery seed packets from China that they did not order. French authorities have advised people not to plant the seeds.

Traditional French banks under pressure as customers switch

An increasing number of people in France are changing banks - including many to new "digital banks" - with the quality of customer service and high fees cited as major factors in the decision to switch.

France: Adverts to be more environmentally positive?

Advertisers need to re-imagine their sector as a force for environmental change, according to a proposed new law in France, with suggested measures giving local politicians more power to control advertising, and a ban on the promotion of “toxic” products.

Online shopping in France on rise before coronavirus

Lockdown boosted internet shopping, but figures show it was growing in popularity before coronavirus pandemic

Vet consultations go online

How online vet consultations are saving time and helping pets.

Robots to boost Monoprix home deliveries

Monoprix has created a robotised e-commerce warehouse in partnership with the British company Ocado with the aim of boosting grocery home deliveries.

‘Pay now, use later’ sites help ailing French bistros

If you are missing your favourite café, bistro, bar or restaurant, you may now be able to support them from confinement, with several online platforms allowing you to pay now for orders you will consume later.

Amazon France must stop all ‘non-essential’ deliveries

Amazon France is no longer allowed to deliver any “non-essential” items during the Covid-19 crisis, as a French court condemns it for continuing to trade as normal, and for not doing enough to protect its workers.

Online map follows fibre roll-out in France

La Poste parcel delivery criticised in new report

French postal service La Poste has come under intense criticism for its parcel delivery service this week, as a new report investigates a rising number of social media complaints.

France warned over Christmas present delivery scams

Online Christmas shoppers in France are being warned against a new scam that asks recipients to pay fake customs fees on their parcels “before they can be delivered”.

Michelin Guide partners with review giant TripAdvisor

Restaurants featured in the Michelin Guide will now have their ratings and accolades displayed on the hospitality review platform TripAdvisor, and will be bookable through reservation arm, TheFork (LaFourchette).

Set up online fundraiser for a good cause in France

Is there a way of setting up an online page to benefit a French charity? I want to raise money for a cancer centre but you cannot use JustGiving in France. J.C.

Credit card cashback schemes growing in France

Several major French banks are now giving money back to customers who use their credit card to buy products at partner shops, a practice that is growing in the country.

Paris mayor proposes laws to control Amazon deliveries

The mayor of Paris has proposed new laws and taxes that would control the number of deliveries made by online shopping giant Amazon, which have been judged “a source of congestion and pollution”.

France warned over ‘€50 Auchan voucher’ online scam

The French public has been warned to be alert to a social media scam appearing to offer €50 “money off” or “reduction” vouchers for major supermarket group Auchan.

Izi way to find a handyman in France

Cross-border banking is a mobile app away

Vendor responsible for mail-order delivery in France

I have had several bad experiences of mail-order goods delivered damaged. I believe the items left the vendor in perfect order but in transit, or possibly at the depot waiting for delivery, they have been dragged across the floor and soiled by black tyres and other dirt. I do not like blaming the vendor of the product but how can logistics companies be called to account? M.M.

French study: Diagnosing yourself online often ‘wrong’

People who “diagnose themselves” through online research before going to the doctor in France are wrong about their condition 91% of the time, a new study has shown.

Warning after fake French tax website shut down

Fraudulent website looked just like the real thing, officials said

French bookshops link to fight Amazon

A group of bookshops have joined together with a website to give an alternative to Amazon and offer buyers a local seller.

French banking authority warns on fake bank websites

Fake online banking sites are becoming more common, a French authority has said, with the public warned to be alert to scams and fake URLs.

Beware buying medicine online

Patients are risking their health by ordering medicines from foreign-based websites, experts have warned.

French SMS scam targets online shoppers

Phishing scam tells people who have just purchased something online that they need to pay VAT to avoid customs charges

French court imposes record fine on Amazon

Several clauses in Internet giant's contracts with third-party vendors ruled to be unfair.

Brigitte Macron thanks Brazilians for online support

Brigitte Macron, wife of President Emmanuel Macron, has said thank you to the Brazilian people as apologies trended online, in response to a rude comment by Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.

France warned over fine payment website scam

French police have issued advice and warnings after reports of scam emails asking victims to “pay a fine” through a "government" website that is actually fraudulent.

French law cracks down on online hatred

Websites must remove within 24 hours any posted content which is “obviously illegal” for being hateful and discriminatory, says a law voted through by MPs and hailed as a world first.

‘Resale’ event tickets online are risky, France warned

It is a risk to buy event tickets from “second-hand” dealers online, either on auction or resale websites, or through platforms appearing to resell tickets at high prices, a European consumer union has warned.

Ardern and Macron lead fight against online extremism

Leaders of New Zealand and France launch 'Christchurch Call' in Paris

French runner posts cheeky GPS drawing in online game

A runner in Rennes has delighted internet users by posting an image of the route of his 22.8km run - captured on a map by his GPS app - which he deliberately made in the shape of a cheeky weasel.

Web game with €1.5m French property prize is legal

Lawyers acting for the property's owners tell Connexion the €13-to-enter web-based competition to win a large property in southwest France is above board

French couple sell €1.5m property via €13 lottery game

A €1.5 million, 450m2 gîte property with a pool is being sold in Périgord (Dordogne, Nouvelle-Aquitaine) via an online lottery game that costs just €13 to enter, and which is still open to entries.

BNP online banking services down

'Internal IT incident' leaves tens of thousands of French customers of BNP Paribas, Hello Bank and Cetelem unable to access online services

French firm Decathlon pulls running hijab after uproar

French sports giant Decathlon has removed its “running hijab” from shelves in France after receiving hundreds of complaints, comments, and racist messages on the issue.

France warned to be alert to Chronopost email scam

Residents in France are being warned to watch out for a new scam involving fake emails that appear to come from La Poste parcel delivery service Chronopost.

Go online for free banking

Reading the recent news of a freeze on French bank charges and subsequent readers’ comments, I’d like to add that I have recently changed my French bank from Crédit Agricole to Orange Bank online (arranged at my local Orange phone shop).

Amazon France accused of destroying 3m unsold items

Online giant Amazon has been accused of destroying up to three million unsold-but-new items from its warehouses in France in the past year alone.

Can British retirees open a DMP online?

Q&A: I thought I would apply to get a code for my husband to open a Dossier Médical Partagé – the new online medical records service – but the website says that it is only for people who are insured by certain French health insurance regimes, and I am not sure we are covered by any of them. We live in France and are enrolled with the Cpam with our S1 forms. K.P.