Transport

Trenitalia rivals SNCF to offer train service to French ski stations

The service is a clear sign of the Italian operator’s strategy for the French ski resort market

Cheaper but slower… €10 train fare for Paris to Brussels route

Ticket sales are already open for journeys up to the end of March

See which offences can result in a car being impounded in France

There is also a time limit and set procedure to follow to recover a car

news

SNCF comes fifth in European ranking of best train companies

Eurostar did not fare quite so well

Good news for residents in Brittany as extra trains confirmed

The services will begin running in 2025

Hospital transport change: French taxi driver protests cause 490km of traffic jams

Blockades are underway as drivers fear redundancies and bankruptcies

Uber launches its woman-only driver service in Paris

The service aims to make female and non-binary passengers feel safer

Environmentalists condemn Paris-Toulouse train route preparations

Around 150 large trees were cut down as part of work on the highly controversial LGV service

Three French cities offer free public transport - and soon four?

Clermont-Ferrand could become the latest to introduce daily free travel

A guide for those in Paris during the Olympic and Paralympic games

Closed transport stations, road traffic, large crowds, hot weather, restricted areas: Here is how to navigate the city as the global sporting event gets underway

Qantas launches direct Paris to Australia flight

The flight takes 17 hours to Perth and is the first Paris Qantas route for almost two decades

Olympic QR codes begin: what Paris residents and visitors need to know

See the red and grey zones now in force, plus how to get a pass if you need one

Act now to buy Paris transport tickets before prices rise for Olympics

See the imminent price increases and how you can save

Go ahead for electric flying taxis during Paris Olympics

The trips will be 'demonstrations', and the scheme is still being dubbed an experiment

Unmuzzled dog on train in France sparks complaint

A former MP complained about the Golden Retriever on social media, saying a ticket inspector and other passengers failed to tackle the owner

Toulouse cable car system celebrates two million trips

But critics say that the €93million project has fallen short of its targets as the ‘novelty’ wears off

We must end cut-price air fares, says French transport minister

‘Plane tickets should not cost less than train tickets,’ a leading passenger organisation states in response

Upwardly mobile: cable cars and the ‘new French cities of tomorrow’

An on-trend transportation solution for dense urban environments is the cable car. We reveal French successes... and failures

Is France really respecting the ban on short domestic flights?

Exceptions to the new 2.5-hour train journey rule mean that the number of flights affected is smaller than you might think

18 changes for residents and property owners in France - January 2023

From energy bill help to a ban on single-use packaging in fast-food restaurants, we look at the changes that have come into place this month

Cruise ship drama as gusts of up to 135km/h cause ferry cancellations

The liner had passengers on board when its moorings came loose amid high winds in Cherbourg

Super-fast and autonomous, France’s SNCF eyes trains of the future

A new project will consider if magnetic technology could increase train performance, boost capacity, and eco-friendliness, with trains that could travel up to 550km/h

France travel round-up: new US-Paris flights, strikes and ferry news

We also look at why one department is trialling stop-on-demand trains and the anniversary of P&O Ferries’ mass sackings

French MPs push law to protect Channel ferry workers after P&O layoffs

The proposed law aims to protect ferry workers after P&O sacked 800 employees last year and replaced them with cheaper, foreign labour

Public to vote on whether to keep for-hire e-scooters in Paris

Deputy mayor says the city is ‘still seeing a lot of issues’ despite increased regulation

Residency, health, travel, money: Changes for French residents in 2023

The coming year will bring a new immigration bill, targeted fuel aid for drivers, EU border control changes, enhanced health checks and more

We all know about the food but what else does France do really well?

Here are some suggestions, including cultural schemes and banking advisors… tell us what you would add to the list

New Year in France: What will the traffic be like this weekend?

Children will return to school from their Christmas holidays on Tuesday, meaning that many families will be travelling home from trips this weekend

Rescued French tram sheds light on Lyon’s transport history

Built by an American firm before being shipped to Lyon in 1898, the electric tram (which had first-class and second-class carriages) gave residents greater mobility

Christmas travel France: latest on air and rail strikes

Staff from Air France, Eurostar, SNCF and the UK Border Force workers are all planning industrial action

Paris Navigo public transport monthly pass to rise by 12% in 2023

The cost would have increased further without state funding. Single tickets will cost €2.30 rather than €1.90

How Paris’s new attempt at electric vehicles for hire will work

This time they can be parked anywhere and will have cameras inside to ensure users leave them clean and tidy

EU’s electric car deal could ‘wipe out’ European automobile industry

The EU’s decision to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2035 will increase the bloc’s dependence on China, says electric car expert Nicolas Meilhan

Covid France: wear masks around the at-risk and on transport, says PM

‘The epidemic is striking again and is still killing people,’ Élisabeth Borne added as she urged the public to bring back infection control measures

French-built Land Rover stand-in finally rolls off the production line

The cars should be with customers in December but high taxes may put many French drivers off buying one

Ouigo passengers can now resell their seats for TGV trains

The initiative aims to reduce the number of seats left empty by customers who do not make their train reservations

Ex-French PM to be named Paris transport boss

As head of the RATP, Jean Castex will manage the metro, buses and trams in the Greater Paris area

France urged to follow as UK launches ferry fair pay law after P&O row

In France, unionists and a ferry firm want France to consider its own law or a bilateral deal; French officials say various options are under review

Transports, schools: What to expect from tomorrow’s strike in France

In addition another larger movement is planned for November 10

Monaco trials free bus services - here's what you need to know

The free bus service will be available to both residents and visitors to Monaco

Please confirm information on registering a car to French second home

Reader asks for clarification following our September edition article

What to expect from tomorrow’s multi-sector strike in France

A day of action is planned to call for pay rises and in protest against government action on the ongoing refinery strikes. We outline sectors which will be affected

French city plans to vary parking tariffs depending on income

Discounts of up to 90% on annual parking passes would be given to lower-income residents

Dover queue warning, flight prices rise: 7 France travel updates

Fears continue over impact of EU’s incoming Entry/Exit System, change to France-US air routes, Paris transport criticised and more

UK residents CAN legally register a car at their French second home

The question of French plates for non-residents often causes confusion, however senior officials provided a clear response

What are the rules on licence-free cars in France?

People can drive a voiture sans permis from the age of 14. We explain the main considerations to bear in mind

France’s most popular car is back – but not as you know it

Fifty years after Renault launched its ubiquitous R5, a top designer has given it a luxurious marble and diamanté makeover

Rail operators called to bid for Nantes-Lyon and Nantes-Bordeaux lines

A new line between Nantes and Lille may also be created, depending on the proposal

France-London transport fares spike ahead of Queen Elizabeth’s funeral

Eurostar ticket prices have risen by more than 20%. SNCF and airline bookings are also up – despite an air traffic control strike planned for Friday

Sailing firm offers greener Channel crossing by catamaran

A British sailor and environment expert is trialling daily crossings for foot passengers and cyclists

How long can tourists drive UK-registered cars in France for?

We look into driving holidays to France and whether there is a limit to how long you can keep your car here for

Traffic, Dover delays, new air routes: Eight France travel updates

France prepares for record traffic on road and rail, tips for saving fuel on summer car trips, Eurostar is denied boost to train frequency and more

Record-breaking electric ‘pod’ railway set for trial at Paris Olympics

The two-person capsules will transport passengers between the velodrome and BMX track

Does France’s disability badge always allow parking in disabled bays?

We look at the rules surrounding France’s carte mobilité inclusion

Am I allowed to wash my car on the street in front of my French flat?

Reader’s neighbour said this is not allowed - we check out the rules

Is it illegal to make hands-free phone calls while driving in France?

Four-fifths of people in France say they use their phone to carry out a task while driving, a 2022 poll shows

Two Citroën models sold in France recalled for fire hazard risk

Owners are asked to contact their dealers as soon as possible

What can I do about a neighbour blocking my garage in France?

If the neighbour does not agree to park elsewhere, it is possible to escalate the issue to the authorities

Sign replacement, new devices: Speed camera news for drivers in France

We look at the standardisation of old warning signs, a camera flashing drivers travelling within the speed limit and more

Worst French airports for delays and seven other France travel updates

We also cover air fare rises, a threatened Ryanair strike, how Nice taxi drivers called off action that threatened to block the Monaco Grand Prix and more

Are tyre prices and minimum tread depths the same in France and UK?

There are comparison sites you can consult in both countries so as to work out the best deals for new tyres

P&O’s Dover-Calais route resumes for first time since mass sackings

Only one ship is currently sailing, after another, Pride of Kent, was detained for a third time after failing a safety inspection

French state neglecting roads - report from government’s own auditor

Damning report shows central government delegated responsibility without proper funding leading to ‘dangerous’ bridges and outdated safety check methods

149 electric buses suspended in Paris area after two fires in a month

A second incident occurred on Friday when a bus caught fire in the 13th arrondissement

Cost of living: Five ways to beat the motorway toll rises in France

Spend a little time planning your journey and you could save money on French motorway tolls

Energy, fuel, transport: France’s ‘resilience’ financial aid plan

Faced with a geopolitical ‘crisis that will last for a long time,’ the government is introducing help for households and businesses impacted by soaring inflation

Armed UK police expected to patrol British Dover to France ferries

No specific threat has been announced but ferries have been identified as being vulnerable to terrorism due to lack of passenger checks

Toyota Prius tops list of most stolen car model in France in 2021

Over 120,000 cars and motorbikes were stolen last year, the equivalent of 336 every day

Future of Calais-Sheerness freight shipping route hangs in balance

There had been reports that the temporary suspension of the DFDS service will become permanent but a company spokesperson says this is premature

Can taxis from Paris airports charge more for extra passengers?

There are fixed rates for journeys between certain French airports and cities

London cabs set for Paris streets in new ‘exclusive’ transport option

The company behind the scheme, Caocao, is searching for drivers for 300 London cabs set to hit the capital

Your questions: Covid-19 France hotline replies

Must we put time as well as date on confinement forms? Can we drive people to airport? Can we use a Drive supermarket which is 12km away when we have a food shop 1km away? What about expiring contrôle technique ?

Covid-19: Contrôle technique extension

Reader question: I took my car for its CT ( contrôle technique ) before lockdown and it failed the test. It left me the usual two months to get work done but are garages open? Are the big car spare parts places open? If I can’t obtain replacements needed in two months, can I have an extension?

Can I still wear home-made mask in France?

Reader question: Can I still wear my home-made mask now that 'official' ones are on sale in pharmacies and supermarkets?

How many yellow vests must you have in a car?

A friend broke down and police officers checked the car and said she should have had a yellow vest for every seat in the car. Is this true?