Public service

French mayor arrested for corruption after clairvoyant tricked him

In the bizarre case, the mayor said he believed the woman was ‘gifted with supernatural powers’

Eight French roundabouts with bizarre statues

Cultural laws require funding for roadside art projects… but the art commissioned can be surprising

Do police officers need reason to stop and control drivers in France?

The Code de la Route is quite clear when it comes to stopping for, and presenting documents to, the police or gendarmerie

news

From fox cubs to singing mayors: Five good news stories from France

Our pick of feel-good stories this week

Which French public services do Connexion readers find ‘most helpful’?

The levels of bureaucracy in France are a common complaint

Alert raised over poor French residency services for foreign people

The ‘defective’ system leads to loss of rights and problems with work, says France's Defender of Rights

Will I get the UK emergency alert in France? Is there a French system?

Several countries have begun sending out smartphone alerts to warn people about emergencies such as floods, extreme weather and wildfires

Foreigners among the losers amid France’s ‘excessive digitisation’

A new report has criticised French services moving online, saying digitisation had brought dehumanisation

Callers often cannot reach key public services in France

Calls go unanswered with people without a high level of French and older residents particularly disadvantaged

Energy costs: France’s mayors warn of risk to public services

Several associations of elected officials have written to the prime minister demanding emergency measures to help pay soaring bills

Gendarmerie convert campervan to reach rural areas of France

Coming to a village near you? The roving campervan has been rolling into communes in Normandy to bring gendarmerie services to more isolated areas

French public services: ‘We cannot impose smartphone use on everyone’

Services should maintain a physical presence as many people have difficulties using digital resources, says the Defender of Rights

Macron’s pledge to cut French bureaucrat jobs will cause more problems

It is very difficult to deliver more public services with less people - and this is the paradox of politics argues Nick Inman

Disruption expected in France on Thursday due to strike over inflation

The action will be nationwide as unions demand pay rises for lowest-paid workers

France doubles penalties for people who do not obey police orders

The prime minister announced a crackdown on aggressive behaviour towards police amid rising anger in the force after the death of two police workers

Masks mandatory indoors in France next week (not August 1)

France is to make masks mandatory in enclosed public spaces from next week, and not from August 1 as was originally announced, the Prime Minister has confirmed.

France may make masks mandatory in public indoor spaces

The French government is seriously considering making masks mandatory in all public enclosed spaces, as several other European countries have already introduced the measure. We explain the current situation.

Odd sights on French roads: A 400kg bull and tractor caravan

It has been a week of strange sights on French roads, after police reported finding both a Peugeot 206 carrying a 400 kg live bull, and a German tractor pulling a caravan for hundreds of kilometres.

France to give €150-€1,500 to key staff and families

Four million low-income households in France are set to receive at least €150 each to help overcome the Covid-19 crisis, as the government confirms grants of up to €1,500 for frontline staff and key workers.

France legalises all remote notaire sales signatures

Notaires in France can now organise signatures on property deed documents remotely so as to avoid unnecessary contact during the Covid-19 crisis, allowing house sales and property deals to go ahead.

Confinement in France: Can I contest an unfair fine?

Confinement fines in France may be contested if you believe they were incorrectly given, it has emerged, as we answer a question from a Connexion reader who believes her friend was unfairly charged.

Bullfighting ban debated in south of France mayor race

A minority of municipal election candidates in the south of France have called for a ban on bullfighting, as anti-bullfighting groups step up the pressure on politicians to take a stand on the issue.

Paris mayor hopeful calls for new armed police force

New Paris mayor candidate Agnes Buzyn has said she would like to see a new force of armed municipal police in the capital, to address neighbourhood problems.

Why France has a new health minister

France’s former health minister Agnès Buzyn has been replaced by MP and doctor Olivier Véran, after Ms Buzyn joined the race for Paris mayor in the wake of the Benjamin Griveaux scandal.

French village uses dark humour signs to stop speeding

A mayor in the north of France has installed some darkly comedic additions to the usual speed limit signs on a major road in his commune, to warn speeding drivers to slow down.

French mayor ‘returns’ 10 tonnes of illegal waste

A man in northern France who illegally dumped 10 tonnes of rubbish in a local field has had the items returned by the mayor less than 48 hours later.

Nationwide pension reform protests cripple France

Marches and demonstrations throughout the day are set to cause disruption for members of the public

Who's on strike on December 5 in France

Railway and public transport workers, airport employees, postal workers and public service staff are among those expected to answer calls for a widespread general strike in protest over the French government's pension reform plans

Paris plans remembrance garden for terrorism victims

A “remembrance garden” in honour of the 130 victims of the November 13 2015 terrorist attack is to be created in Paris, after the city’s Mairie voted in favour of the plan this week.

Inquiry into 100kg drug discovery on French west coast

An inquiry has been opened after more than 700 kilograms of “high purity” drugs - mainly cocaine - were discovered on the Atlantic coast of France in the past three weeks.

Most French people against planned SNCF strike

The majority of French people believe that the major SNCF train strike planned for December 5 is “not justifiable”, a new poll has found.

French town dumps parking meters to boost local shops

Old parking meters mysteriously dumped on roundabouts in central France have prompted some residents to complain of vandalism - but the act has now been revealed as the work of the local council.

French president says Muslim hijab ‘not my business’

President Emmanuel Macron has said that it is “not his business” whether Muslim women wear a hijab in public spaces - but that it “is his business” when it comes to public services.

Paris mayor: ‘Police violence makes protest difficult’

The mayor of Paris has said that it is “becoming difficult to protest” in Paris and has condemned the police violence that was seen during protests against climate change and pension reform last weekend.

French mayor admits bread and water lunch ‘awkward’

A mayor in France has admitted that his much-criticised decision to give only bread and water to two school children, whose parents had not paid their school canteen bills for a year, was “awkward”.

France debates mandatory 5-10 metre pesticide distance

The French government is considering introducing a mandatory distance of 5-10 metres between fields treated with pesticides, and homes - but some critics say this will not go far enough to improve health.

French mayor’s death exposes a rise in public threats

Intimidation and attacks faced by elected officials are to be investigated by senators after a mayor was killed trying to stop illegal waste dumping.

French mayor’s pesticide ban overturned in court

A French mayor who banned the use of pesticides near buildings in his commune has been forced to overturn the ban by a court in Rennes.

France debates new emergency number to help hospitals

France may introduce a new emergency phone number in a bid to ease congestion in hospitals and help ensure people receive faster, more appropriate care for their condition, the government has said.

Court to rule on French mayor pesticide ban next week

A court decision over whether to force a French mayor to overturn his ban of the use of pesticides near local residents’ homes has been postponed to next week.

G7 Biarritz: More than 13,200 police on security alert

There will be 13,200 police officers and gendarmes in Biarritz for this weekend’s G7 summit, the French government has confirmed, saying that “no unrest will be tolerated”.

French mayor to face court after banning pesticides

A mayor in Brittany is to face court after banning the use of pesticides and herbicides near housing in his commune, with authorities demanding that he reverse his decision.

French have ‘good opinion’ of local mayors, poll shows

Most French people have “a good opinion” of their local mayor, even as confidence in MPs and politicians in general is low, a new survey has found.

Why mairies' flags may fly at half-mast on Friday

Tribute to one long-time mayor who died after being run over by a van after he stopped its occupants dumping rubble

French residents rally to support tired firefighters

Residents in the Gard department (Occitanie) have been bringing food, water and coffee to local firefighters who have been battling wildfires in the area for a week.

French mayor hits back at ‘bee pollen’ complaints

A French mayor is the latest to become exasperated over complaints by new residents to the countryside, after receiving reports of “too much bee pollen”.

Emergency services exempt from French motorway tolls

Firefighters and police will finally no longer be charged to drive on motorways in France, almost two years after MPs voted to exempt them from payments, in October 2017.

More expenses scandal allegations hit French minister

French former minister, François de Rugy, who stood down from his post this week after alleged inappropriate use of public funds, is now further accused of using a State driver for private trips.

One-stop office is reply to rural France’s fears

New one-stop offices are to be set up in rural and isolated city locations to give people easier access to government services.

French lifeboat volunteers awarded Légion d’Honneur

Three French lifeboat volunteers who died when their boat capsized during Storm Miguel this week have been awarded the Légion d’Honneur medal for their bravery.

Paris to build new ‘largest garden’ by 2024 olympics.

The “largest garden in Paris”, including new pedestrianised and landscaped zones, is expected to open between the Eiffel Tower and the Trocadero by year 2024

75,000 passengers hit as walkout ground French flights

Air traffic controllers walk out in support of public sector strike

Make sense of… The french ‘fonctionnaire’ status

There are millions of fonctionnaires in France: civil servants with a special status who are often seen as privileged. Reforms are under way.

Help in France for people lacking computer skills?

I am not good with computers. Are there any services that can help me complete formalities online? D.B.

Online poll opens on free public transport in France

An online consultation on the idea of free public transport in France has been opened by the Senate, with the public invited to have their say on the idea before May 31.

France homeowners warned on forest fire land clearing

Homeowners in France are reminded that in some regions and for certain properties, it is a legal requirement to carry out a “brush clearing” of surrounding countryside land, to help prevent forest fires.

Record participation in 2019 France-wide bird count

A record 10,664 gardens in France took place in the January 2019 bird counting event organised by bird welfare group the LPO, it has been confirmed, as the next 2019 event dates are announced.

Paris mayor to allow 16-year-olds to vote in poll test

Anne Hidalgo is to allow a group of Parisians aged 16 and over to “vote” in the next European elections, as part of an experiment to test if the overall voting age could be reduced.

Van driver fined €368 for littering on French road

A driver on a French road has been required to pay €368 after being caught on film throwing fast food packaging out of his van window.

Macron answers queries in seven-hour first Grand Débat

The national “ Grand Débat ” has launched after French President Emmanuel Macron responded to questions from mayors for almost seven hours last night (Tuesday January 16).

French Alps rescue pilot praised for skilful landing

Videos have emerged of a French rescue helicopter flying centimetres away from a mountainside to rescue an injured skier in the French Alps, with the pilot being widely celebrated for the skill involved.

Gilets jaunes: More protests set for ‘Acte 9’ weekend

Over 80,000 police officers are to be mobilised for the “Acte 9” day of gilets jaunes action this Saturday January 12, with major protests likely in Paris, Bourges (Cher) and across the rest of France.

Paris makes travel free for kids and disabled youth

Children will be allowed to travel free on Paris public transport from September 1 this year, the capital’s Mairie has confirmed, in measures that will also help young disabled people and secondary students.

French mayor returns Christmas rubbish to owners

A mayor in Brittany has become the latest official to send an illegally-dumped pile of rubbish back to its owner.

Gilets jaunes leader arrested as protesters face fines

The arrest of a key leader of the gilets jaunes movement has sent “a very bad signal” to the public, protest leaders have said, amid reports that some groups are now being threatened with high fines.

President Macron will not receive his planned pay rise

French President Emmanuel Macron has confirmed that he is to renounce the planned €64 salary rise that he was due to receive automatically from January 1 2019.

Rural France to ring bells for historic WWI Armistice

Rural mairies across France are being invited to ring all the bells in their village at 11h today (Sunday November 11) to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 1918 First World War Armistice.

Country life ‘ideal’ but...

One in four French people (81%) think country living is the “ideal life”, a new survey shows. This is despite 46% saying the top factor they link to it is “socio-economic difficulties”.

New app for reporting issues in Paris sparks criticism

A new smartphone app from the Mairie of Paris is enabling residents to report problems around the city, despite criticism that it is encouraging “denunciation” behaviour.

French homeowner lays explosive traps for burglars

A man in his 70s in Côtes-d'Armor (Brittany) surprised the local gendarmerie this week after laying homemade explosive traps around his property, to deter and catch potential burglars.

Government fights France’s growing fly-tipping problem

A government group has been created to tackle the growing issue of fly-tipping in France, which sees people dumping over 80,000 tonnes of excess waste into nature every year.

Dunkirk is Europe’s first big city to offer free buses

Dunkirk (Nord, ‎Hauts-de-France) has become the first European city with over 200,000 inhabitants to offer free bus transport for all, seven days a week.

Public sector jobs axed in economy push

Prime Minister reveals nearly 15,000 public jobs will go in next two years, while pensions, family allowance and housing benefits will fall behind inflation

Public sector worker strike causes industry chaos

Schools, crèches, trains, flights, healthcare, the police, the postal service, electricity services and even the weather industry are being affected in the vast public sector strike including up to 5.7 million workers today (Tuesday May 22).

12,000 plastic ducks released into river for charity

A huge basket of 12,000 plastic bath ducks was released on to the Aa river in Saint-Omer (Pas-de-Calais, Hauts-de-France) as part of a charity fundraising duck race this week.