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Safety

Why is Bordeaux dropping in list of best places to live in France?

A recent ranking found the city had dropped from 8th place in 2020 to 27th place in 2024

Is it compulsory to install a smoke detector in every French property?

We outline the rules for installing smoke detectors and alarms in properties in France

How to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning in French home

Warnings raised after Storm Ciaran causes spike in cases

news

Telephone chargers and bikes recalled in France for safety faults

The public are being warned not to use the items

What the new digital law will change for people in France

The new rules will ‘protect citizens, children, and businesses’, the digital minister has promised

MAP: What are France’s high risk ‘Seveso’ sites and where are they?

Why are the sites called ‘Seveso’ and which region has the most sites nationwide?

France sees heatwave warnings elevate for Friday

14 departments including the capital will face tier-three orange alert

Will France's heatwave last until Sunday as predicted?

More September records broken as there is no sign of the hot weather letting up

Anger over French teenage ‘meet up’ site which does not check age

Internet users say app, which is banned from Apple store, allows paedophiles to contact children as identity is not verified

France heatwave: more areas on official alert, what does this change?

19 departments will be facing a tier-three warning tomorrow. We look at what actions are being taken to protect residents

French beaches do not have enough lifeguards for August

An emergency recruitment campaign has been launched

French village resorts to bizarre way of stopping cars from speeding

Forget cameras, squiggly white lines could be the new way of slowing cars

Riptides on French coast: How to avoid and what to do if caught

It comes after people were warned against going into the sea on France’s Atlantic coast last weekend because of strong currents

French car code helps emergency crews rescue accident victims faster

The scannable sticker, attached to windows, details vehicle features that could make rescue operations easier

Winter tyre safety issue: Using them over summer in France

A Connexion reader highlights that driving on winter tyres in summer not only wears them out, it is more dangerous too

Over 25% of items bought online are dangerous, French authority finds

An assessment of 450 products was carried out between 2018 to 2021. Items that were deemed dangerous include children’s toys and electronics

'Listen to the victims who dare to report domestic violence'

In her monthly Connexion column, award-winning journalist Nabila Ramdani talks about chronic domestic abuse in France

11% of motorway drivers in France have phones in hands, study finds

Holding a phone while driving is illegal in France. Around 14% of fatal accidents on French motorways in 2020 were caused by distracted driving

Ice cream, biscuits, spices... why France is recalling 7,400 foods

The products are sold in leading supermarkets and contain higher than authorised doses of ethylene oxide, a chemical used to treat food against bacteria and classed as a carcinogen

French company to launch stylish airbag jacket for cyclists

The jacket can inflate in 0.08 seconds, allowing it to protect the neck, spinal cord and abdomen of cyclists

Another French city trials stop-on-demand night buses

On-demand services are already being tested in a number of regions

France: Isolation and Covid tests advised for festive season

The Conseil Scientifique has recommended that people in France self-isolate and get Covid tests before attending gatherings for Christmas and New Year

Anti-Covid holograph buttons trialled on French buses

The contactless buttons are being trialled for two months on five buses in the Ile-de-France region

Thousands protest across France against new security law

Huge crowds were seen across the country this weekend in protest at the controversial new law, with clashes erupting in several cities

France recalls dried meats after salmonella scare

People who have bought affected products are advised not to eat them and instead take them back to the original point of sale

Traps on French forest paths endanger bikers and walkers

Cables tied across pathways and hidden planks spiked with nails are causing serious injury and even death for bikers and walkers in the French countryside

France to increase safety tests on 5G waves

The aim is to reassure the public and local officials before technology is rolled out across country.

Masks in Paris: Rules for eating, smoking and exercise

Masks are now obligatory in public places in Paris - but what does this mean for eating, smoking, running and cycling? We explain.

Tap water warning in dozens of Brittany communes

Alert follows ammonia spill into river

Controversy as French theme park allows 9,000 visitors

The President’s office has denied accusations that the park has been granted a “special favour” due to the founder's friendship with Emmanuel Macron.

Plans for mask-wearing at work from end of August in France

Tomorrow, Tuesday August 18, the French minister for work Elisabeth Borne will present plans for masks be worn in the workplace. The measures are expected to be mandatory by the end of August.

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.

London-France Ryanair flight within ‘40 seconds of crashing’

A routine Ryanair flight from London-Stansted to Bergerac (Dordogne, Nouvelle-Aquitaine) in France came within 40 seconds of crashing, a new report has found, due to the co-pilot’s lack of experience and technical communication issues.

Protective domes to help French restaurants reopen?

French designer’s Plexiglas domes to protect diners were on display in one Paris restaurant this week.

French entrepreneur invents anti-virus ‘hook’

A French entrepreneur has created a multifunctional object aimed at limiting the risk of catching or spreading Covid-19 while carrying out everyday tasks.

Scientists to report on Covid-19 tomorrow

The findings of France’s official scientific advisory body will not be presented to the government tonight but tomorrow, Tuesday 24, contrary to previous announcements, it has been reported.

Nice to set up a curfew

Nice is about to set up a daily curfew starting this weekend, the mayor Christian Estrosi has announced.

People flouting confinement rules in France fined

The police have begun issuing fines for people who they check and find to be outside without authorisation papers.

Covid-19: Level-4 fake news

Does Macron’s two week ‘home lockdown’ in France mean the country will activate level-4 alert?

Covid-19: Macron to address nation again tonight

President Emmanuel Macron is to address the nation in a televised speech tonight at 20:00 on the Covid-19 situation in France, the second time in less than a week.

Safety fears in France as number of ‘MOT tests’ falls

The number of cars in France is rising – but the number of contrôle technique (CT) tests undertaken is falling.

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.

Bridges must be checked, say French senators

Senators are calling for a major study of the state of France’s bridges and for every one to have a “health record” book to make sure it is properly maintained after a collapse led to two deaths.

Backing for MP's bid to scrap paper receipts in France

Government supports amendment which would make receipts for smaller purchases available by request only

Fears for 25,000 French bridges after Mirepoix tragedy

The badly damaged remnants of the collapsed suspension bridge will be dismantled

French trains disrupted in surprise ‘social movement’

Train services across France are being disrupted today as SNCF staff take part in a surprise “social movement”, in protest over alleged safety concerns following an accident this week.

Beware buying medicine online

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

Marseille defends beach safety after weekend closures

Tests found the sea water was unsafe to swim, officials said

French town sets 30 kph speed limit on all roads

A town near Bordeaux (Gironde, Nouvelle-Aquitaine) has become the first of its size in France to introduce a 30 kph speed limit on all of its roads.

Man dies in first fatal scooter road crash in Paris

Paris police are investigating the first ever fatal road accident involving an electric scooter in the capital after a 25-year-old man died in a collision with a van this week.

Helmets optional on bikes or scooters, France votes

Helmets will continue to be optional for riders of push bikes and electric scooters in France, after the Assemblée Nationale voted this week against making them compulsory.

Glasses to help tired drivers stay awake

Glasses have gone on sale that are claimed to prevent drivers falling asleep at the wheel.

6,000 camemberts recalled in France over E.Coli fears

Almost 6,000 boxes of Camembert cheese have been recalled across France after it was discovered that they could be at risk of E.Coli bacteria contamination.

Strasbourg and Lyon to trial women bus request stops

Women travelling on public buses after 22h in Strasbourg and Lyon will soon be allowed to ask the driver to drop them off between two stops, if it will mean that they have a shorter walk home in the dark.

French organisers: families must discuss screen use

Many issues worry parents about their children using the internet, from cyber-bullying, inappropriate images and video, to sorting out real information from “fake news”.

Shortage of lifeguards in France

Swimming pools are being forced to shut or close early due to a shortage of 5,000 lifeguards across France.

Electromagnetic surveys in France

Anyone concerned about electromagnetic radiation levels can now have their home – or any public space – checked out for free.

Time change for monthly warning siren tests

France divided into three 'bands' for siren tests during run-in period for new software

Report: Smoke detectors in France not effective enough

One in 8 fire smoke detectors in homes across France does not conform to regulation or offer adequate protection against fire, a new report has found.

France decrees new laws on pedestrian and road safety

A range of new measures to improve road and pedestrian safety in France have now come into law after their publication in the Journal Officiel this week.

France bike plan aims to triple cycling trips by 2024

A new “bike plan” for France that aims to triple the use of push bikes for daily journeys by 2024 and invest €350 million in infrastructure, is to be presented by the government today (Friday September 14).

France opens death inquiry into Italy bridge disaster

France has opened an inquiry into “involuntary homicide” after it emerged that at least four French nationals have died in the collapse of the Morandi motorway bridge in Genoa, Italy.

France warns of danger of new online viral challenge

A new “game” taking social media by storm - named the #InMyFeelingsChallenge - is dangerous and can be punished by a fine of up to €4,500, and two years in jail, the French government has warned.

Have fun at the beach but beware currents

With around 150 deaths by drowning on French beaches last year, divided almost equally between the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts, holidaymakers should beware the dangers and, if there are flags flying, do what they say.