https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from France in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed France has already experienced devastating wildfires in 2026 and we're only halfway through the summer - so what steps should you take if you live in France or own property there? https://www.thelocal.fr/20220720/how-to-protect-your-french-property-from-wildfires Wed, 20 Jul 2022 12:15:19 +0200 how-to-protect-your-french-property-from-wildfires Although the huge wildfires in south-west France have been declared under control, fires have broken out over the weekend across the south of the country. With heatwave and wildfire warnings continuing, we take a look at different maps that can show you the situation across the country. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260708/maps-where-are-all-the-wildfires-and-warnings-in-france-right-now Wed, 08 Jul 2026 14:00:02 +0200 maps-where-are-all-the-wildfires-and-warnings-in-france-right-now The photo has gone around the world as the defining image of French wildfires, and of the climate crisis - but who took it, where is it and what does it actually show? https://www.thelocal.fr/20260727/the-story-behind-the-viral-photo-of-french-wildfires Mon, 27 Jul 2026 11:04:07 +0200 the-story-behind-the-viral-photo-of-french-wildfires Will this summer's repeated fatal heatwaves and enormous wildfires cause French politicians to get serious about tackling climate change? Don't bet on it, says John Lichfield. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260729/opinion-french-politicians-are-failing-their-trial-by-wildfire Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:26:19 +0200 opinion-french-politicians-are-failing-their-trial-by-wildfire Whether you’re an individual or business in need of immediate aid or longer term assistance following the wildfires, here’s where you can turn for help. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260731/where-to-find-help-if-youre-affected-by-frances-wildfires Fri, 31 Jul 2026 15:31:12 +0200 where-to-find-help-if-youre-affected-by-frances-wildfires Fire-ravaged south west France experienced its "first somewhat optimistic day" on Thursday since wildfires broke out more than a week ago, a top local official said. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260731/first-somewhat-optimistic-day-in-south-west-france-since-outbreak-of-fire Fri, 31 Jul 2026 09:07:13 +0200 first-somewhat-optimistic-day-in-south-west-france-since-outbreak-of-fire As firefighters struggle to contain some of the worst European wildfires in living memory with reduced numbers of aerial water bombers, production of the iconic aircraft creaks along half a world away in a Canadian factory. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260730/why-europe-wont-get-any-new-canadair-water-bombers-any-time-soon Thu, 30 Jul 2026 13:23:51 +0200 why-europe-wont-get-any-new-canadair-water-bombers-any-time-soon More and more tourists from southern Europe – particularly France and Spain – are heading to Sweden to experience a cooler summer, according to new data from the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Development. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260730/tourists-from-france-and-spain-flock-to-sweden-for-cooler-summer Thu, 30 Jul 2026 10:55:23 +0200 tourists-from-france-and-spain-flock-to-sweden-for-cooler-summer As wildfires continue to disrupt parts of south-west France during the height of the summer holidays, many travellers are wondering if they should cancel and, if so, whether they will get their money back. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260729/wildfires-in-france-will-your-travel-insurance-cover-cancelled-holidays Wed, 29 Jul 2026 17:28:42 +0200 wildfires-in-france-will-your-travel-insurance-cover-cancelled-holidays The scent of cinder lingered in the air as Michael Elicegui sipped a coffee on a cafe terrasse after returning to his French village following a wildfire. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260729/not-out-of-danger-residents-return-to-scorched-french-village Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:02:10 +0200 not-out-of-danger-residents-return-to-scorched-french-village Decoding France's regional winds is an important part of understanding weather conditions in the summer. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260727/mistral-enbata-and-autan-the-weather-phenomena-to-know-in-france Mon, 27 Jul 2026 17:09:31 +0200 mistral-enbata-and-autan-the-weather-phenomena-to-know-in-france France is facing an "exceptional and highly worrying" drought, with half the country facing the highest level of water restrictions - here are where drought measures are in place. https://www.thelocal.fr/20250805/map-where-are-water-restrictions-in-place-in-france Tue, 05 Aug 2025 10:19:27 +0200 map-where-are-water-restrictions-in-place-in-france Deer trapped by walls of flame, lizards unable to escape the heat, habitats reduced to charred wood and ash: wildlife is paying a steep price as France's forests burn. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260728/wildlife-face-catastrophic-losses-as-frances-forests-burn Tue, 28 Jul 2026 09:11:04 +0200 wildlife-face-catastrophic-losses-as-frances-forests-burn President Emmanuel Macron on Monday urged firefighters battling a huge blaze in southwest France to keep up their strength for some gruelling weeks ahead. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260728/weeks-ahead-will-be-tough-macron-tells-firefighters-battling-wildfire-near-frances-bordeaux Tue, 28 Jul 2026 08:29:34 +0200 weeks-ahead-will-be-tough-macron-tells-firefighters-battling-wildfire-near-frances-bordeaux It's easy to feel powerless in the face of the ravaging wildfires that are taking place across France, but there are some ways you can help. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260727/donations-and-volunteering-how-can-you-help-during-wildfire-season-in-france Mon, 27 Jul 2026 15:52:42 +0200 donations-and-volunteering-how-can-you-help-during-wildfire-season-in-france Shelters in France and Spain on Monday overflowed with exhausted locals and holidaymakers forced to flee blazes so massive some were forming their own mini weather systems, as authorities warned a new heatwave was set to descend on parts of the region. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260723/deadly-wildfires-force-thousands-from-homes-in-europe Thu, 23 Jul 2026 08:40:41 +0200 deadly-wildfires-force-thousands-from-homes-in-europe European holidaymakers worn down by recurrent heatwaves are currently snubbing Mediterranean destinations for northern climes in hopes of cooler temperatures, but it remains to be seen whether it is just a fad or a durable shift in the tourism market. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260726/will-heatwaves-push-european-holidaymakers-to-coolcations Sun, 26 Jul 2026 14:18:09 +0200 will-heatwaves-push-european-holidaymakers-to-coolcations What dangers does smoke from wildfires pose? Who is most at risk? Here are some answers to health questions often asked, especially now with large wildfires raging in France and Spain. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260726/as-wildfires-grip-france-and-spain-what-are-the-health-risks-from-smoke Sun, 26 Jul 2026 09:31:39 +0200 as-wildfires-grip-france-and-spain-what-are-the-health-risks-from-smoke Wildfires are frightening enough without the added challenge of trying to understand emergency information in another language. Whether you're following evacuation orders, listening to local radio or reading official updates, here's the essential French vocabulary to help you stay informed. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260724/french-vocabulary-to-understand-wildfire-warnings-and-evacuations Fri, 24 Jul 2026 16:06:56 +0200 french-vocabulary-to-understand-wildfire-warnings-and-evacuations With wildfires becoming more common and more extensive due to hot, dry summers, there are several apps, websites and alert systems that allow you to check the latest information in each part of France. https://www.thelocal.fr/20230418/how-to-check-the-forest-fire-risk-in-your-part-of-france Tue, 18 Apr 2023 12:34:50 +0200 how-to-check-the-forest-fire-risk-in-your-part-of-france