https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Europe in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed As French ski resorts prepare for the peak February season, the news of more deaths have hit the headlines - here's how to stay safe while skiing in France. https://www.thelocal.com/20260112/avalanche-risk-is-it-still-safe-to-ski-in-the-french-alps Mon, 12 Jan 2026 17:51:13 +0100 avalanche-risk-is-it-still-safe-to-ski-in-the-french-alps At the start of 2026 France unveiled a new price structure for its national museums - including the Louvre and Versailles - that charges higher prices to non-EU visitors. Readers of The Local share their thoughts on this new law. https://www.thelocal.com/20260119/its-discrimination-reactions-to-frances-museum-price-hike-for-non-eu-members Mon, 19 Jan 2026 16:03:14 +0100 its-discrimination-reactions-to-frances-museum-price-hike-for-non-eu-members At the start of 2026 France unveiled a new price structure for its national museums, including the Louvre and Versailles, that charges higher prices to non-EU visitors. Here's how the new pricing structure works. https://www.thelocal.com/20260114/explained-frances-new-museum-prices-for-tourists-and-residents Wed, 14 Jan 2026 14:39:37 +0100 explained-frances-new-museum-prices-for-tourists-and-residents France has unrolled a new policy which involves charging higher prices to non-EU citizens to visit tourist attractions such as the Louvre and Versailles - and we want to hear your views on that. https://www.thelocal.com/20260113/share-your-view-what-do-you-think-of-frances-higher-museum-prices-for-non-eu-visitors Tue, 13 Jan 2026 12:04:45 +0100 share-your-view-what-do-you-think-of-frances-higher-museum-prices-for-non-eu-visitors Should foreign tourists pay more for state-funded galleries than locals, or should art be accessible to all, without discrimination? France is hiking prices for non-Europeans at the Louvre this week, provoking debate about so-called "dual pricing". https://www.thelocal.com/20260113/french-museum-fare-hikes-for-non-european-tourists-spark-outcry Tue, 13 Jan 2026 08:51:30 +0100 french-museum-fare-hikes-for-non-european-tourists-spark-outcry The Louvre closed its doors to thousands of disappointed visitors on Monday due to a strike over working conditions at the Paris landmark, two months after a major robbery. https://www.thelocal.com/20251215/louvre-faces-closures-as-staff-walk-out Mon, 15 Dec 2025 08:30:35 +0100 louvre-faces-closures-as-staff-walk-out Staff at the Louvre in Paris have issued a call for an 'indefinite' strike in protest at their working conditions - topping off a terrible year for the museum that has involved structural issues, a water leak and of course that high-profile jewel heist. https://www.thelocal.com/20251208/paris-louvre-staff-call-indefinite-strike-over-working-conditions Mon, 08 Dec 2025 11:40:41 +0100 paris-louvre-staff-call-indefinite-strike-over-working-conditions The mayor of a small French town suffering from an influx of tourists to its famous Christmas market has decided to introduce an order of silence in the street, after noise complaints from locals. https://www.thelocal.com/20251201/french-mayor-introduces-order-of-silence-in-the-street Mon, 01 Dec 2025 13:32:15 +0100 french-mayor-introduces-order-of-silence-in-the-street In most German states visitors can expect to pay a local tax for overnight stays at hotels. But a recent court ruling in Bavaria confirmed that hotel taxes may not be collected in the southern 'Free State'. https://www.thelocal.com/20251124/where-in-germany-youll-pay-hotel-tax-and-why-you-wont-in-bavaria Mon, 24 Nov 2025 16:17:05 +0100 where-in-germany-youll-pay-hotel-tax-and-why-you-wont-in-bavaria The Forbes of list of the 10 European towns with the best cultural heritage contains some well-known names like Florence, Dubrovnik and Bruges - plus one small town in south-west France that often flies under the radar, but contains some fascinating treasures. https://www.thelocal.com/20251028/the-below-the-radar-french-town-named-on-european-cultural-heritage-list Tue, 28 Oct 2025 15:13:15 +0100 the-below-the-radar-french-town-named-on-european-cultural-heritage-list In this week's Inside Spain, we look at why the decision to limit visitor numbers at Barcelona's overcrowded Park Güell has been shrugged off as a "distraction tactic" by disgruntled locals. https://www.thelocal.com/20251025/inside-spain-why-barcelonas-new-tourism-crackdown-doesnt-convince-locals Sat, 25 Oct 2025 12:01:41 +0200 inside-spain-why-barcelonas-new-tourism-crackdown-doesnt-convince-locals Celebrations of truffles, wine, farming and lemons - as well as Christmas and New Year festivals and a long dog-sled race - give winter a festive feel in France. https://www.thelocal.com/20251022/19-must-visit-winter-festivals-and-events-in-france Wed, 22 Oct 2025 13:09:36 +0200 19-must-visit-winter-festivals-and-events-in-france If you're visiting one of France's many museums, art galleries or national heritage sites you may not have to pay for your ticket - here's a look at the groups who can benefit from free entry into French museums. https://www.thelocal.com/20240118/do-you-qualify-for-free-entry-to-french-museums Thu, 18 Jan 2024 11:27:53 +0100 do-you-qualify-for-free-entry-to-french-museums Mallorca has long been the favourite place in Spain for German tourists, residents and second homeowners, but recent data suggest that the Mediterranean island is losing its appeal among its main tourism market. https://www.thelocal.com/20250829/why-germans-are-falling-out-of-love-with-mallorca Fri, 29 Aug 2025 13:36:47 +0200 why-germans-are-falling-out-of-love-with-mallorca It may sound like an odd decision, but hundreds of French students are choosing to study English in Spain rather than in the UK for reasons ranging from the weather to avoiding post-Brexit paperwork. https://www.thelocal.com/20250825/french-students-travel-to-spain-to-learn-english Mon, 25 Aug 2025 12:51:26 +0200 french-students-travel-to-spain-to-learn-english From over-crowded sites to over-rated attractions, not everyone loves France's tourist offering. https://www.thelocal.com/20250818/tell-us-what-is-the-most-disappointing-french-tourist-attraction Mon, 18 Aug 2025 14:44:31 +0200 tell-us-what-is-the-most-disappointing-french-tourist-attraction The Paris deputy mayor in charge of tourism is 'sounding the alarm' about increasing visitor numbers, especially of young party-loving tourists, since the Paris Olympics. https://www.thelocal.com/20250812/paris-deputy-mayor-calls-for-better-regulation-of-tourism-to-avoid-protests Tue, 12 Aug 2025 14:36:17 +0200 paris-deputy-mayor-calls-for-better-regulation-of-tourism-to-avoid-protests Tourism is usually considered a boost to local economies but residents of some of Switzerland’s most popular destinations don’t see it quite that way. https://www.thelocal.com/20250805/how-swiss-alpine-towns-are-cracking-down-on-mass-tourism Tue, 05 Aug 2025 12:34:07 +0200 how-swiss-alpine-towns-are-cracking-down-on-mass-tourism French train operator SNCF says that it has seen significant improvement in train delays over the past year - thanks to a team of dogs. https://www.thelocal.com/20250731/meet-the-dogs-who-help-keep-french-trains-running-on-time Thu, 31 Jul 2025 12:36:10 +0200 meet-the-dogs-who-help-keep-french-trains-running-on-time Whether you're planning a trip to France or you already live here and are looking for ideas for the summer break, here are our suggestions for exploring some of the country's best off-the-beaten track attractions. https://www.thelocal.com/20250723/7-ideas-for-your-french-summer-holidays-this-year Wed, 23 Jul 2025 17:24:40 +0200 7-ideas-for-your-french-summer-holidays-this-year