Villagers in France banned from being ill A dozen small-town mayors have highlighted the lack of rural doctors by signing a symbolic decree making it illegal for local residents to fall ill or die.
Rural train lines in France split in new ‘action plan’ Small and rural train lines in France are to be split into three new categories, in a bid to maintain them and ensure their continued usefulness, the French government and train company SNCF have said.
Success for French rillettes vending machine A charcuterie boasting the first 24-hour rillettes vending machine is claiming a success after selling 300 pots of its home-made meat spread during its summer closure.
news Open 1,000 cafés and kick-start rural life in France Mayors of France’s 32,221 small communes are being challenged to join a €200million bid to open 1,000 rural cafés and revive village life.
Group calls for “1,000 village cafés” to revive France A social and environmental enterprise is calling on 32,000 communes across France to create or re-open 1,000 rural “village cafés”, in a bid to revive the sense of community in small towns.
YouTube video helps lure GP and dentist A small commune may have solved its problem of a lack of doctor and dentist - thanks to a YouTube video.
Need a doctor in France? Improve local services The dearth of rural doctors is not to do with them seeking the bright lights of cities, according to Dr Yannick Schmitt. He says more needs to be done to overcome the shortage of doctors generally
Rural France still ‘suffers from bad public transport’ Rural areas in France are still suffering from poor public transport links, MPs have said this week as a report on the subject appears to confirm their complaints.
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 villages and Airbnb work to boost rural tourism Some 17,000 smaller communes in France 'had at least one property advertised on rental website last year'
We must protect endangered rural mayors Small-town maires have launched a charm offensive to highlight their work and fight back against what they see as efforts to force them out of office permanently.
Loss of rural GP ‘puts lives at risk’ A Dordogne resident has lodged a complaint against the local prefect after his 94-year-old mother’s doctor retired and has not been replaced.
Green jobs boost for rural France Farmer and sculptor’s idea inspires new energy projects New campaign to boost rural hotels and restaurants Cracking service from farm’s 24/7 egg vending machines Village life at risk as locals leave for city jobs