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's national health agency has warned that nearly half the population exceeds the recommendation for exposure to the heavy metal cadmium, with breakfast cereals and baguettes contaminated. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260519/explained-why-the-french-are-worried-about-cadmium-in-baguettes-and-cereal Tue, 19 May 2026 11:40:28 +0200 explained-why-the-french-are-worried-about-cadmium-in-baguettes-and-cereal For the first time in France's recorded history, the country's inhabitants are drinking more beer than wine. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260513/beer-consumption-overtakes-wine-for-the-first-time-in-france Wed, 13 May 2026 12:39:40 +0200 beer-consumption-overtakes-wine-for-the-first-time-in-france A French craft brewery which was ordered by Yoko Ono to stop making its 'John Lemon' beer says it has now nearly sold out thanks to the publicity. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260505/yoko-ono-orders-french-brewery-to-stop-selling-john-lemon-beer Tue, 05 May 2026 10:42:03 +0200 yoko-ono-orders-french-brewery-to-stop-selling-john-lemon-beer Summer in France means lots of things - trips to the beach, empty cities, works on the Paris Metro - but it also ushers in rosé and spritz season. Here's some of the best options to drink in France this summer. https://www.thelocal.fr/20220616/rose-spritz-and-presse-5-things-to-drink-in-france-this-summer Thu, 16 Jun 2022 12:50:45 +0200 rose-spritz-and-presse-5-things-to-drink-in-france-this-summer When booking a holiday, French people are as likely to take into account the local gastronomy as sightseeing opportunities, according to a new study, which also reveals the preferred destinations of the French for foodie holidays. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260427/revealed-top-french-destinations-for-gastronomic-tourism Mon, 27 Apr 2026 16:58:17 +0200 revealed-top-french-destinations-for-gastronomic-tourism Pierre Hermé, the French master of macarons, says he was inspired to build his multi-country empire selling the sugary French treats by a desire to reinvent an object he felt was boring. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260422/macarons-used-to-bore-me-says-french-patisserie-pioneer-pierre-herme Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:48:12 +0200 macarons-used-to-bore-me-says-french-patisserie-pioneer-pierre-herme So-called 'bouillon' restaurants are springing up all over France, reviving a traditional low-cost Gallic meal concept that can compete with fast food on prices and easily beat it on quality. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260419/how-france-fell-in-love-with-reimagined-19th-century-workers-canteens Sun, 19 Apr 2026 09:58:47 +0200 how-france-fell-in-love-with-reimagined-19th-century-workers-canteens For over 80 years, the Relais Routiers chain has brought together restaurants offering meals for a very reasonable price for travellers in France. But now their numbers are dwindling. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260413/frances-relais-routiers-restaurants-struggle-to-survive Mon, 13 Apr 2026 16:16:31 +0200 frances-relais-routiers-restaurants-struggle-to-survive From bistro counters to luxury hotels, the humble Parisian ham sandwich, or jambon beurre, has undergone a dramatic luxury makeover. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260410/humble-jambon-beurre-sandwich-rises-up-parisian-social-standings Fri, 10 Apr 2026 08:59:35 +0200 humble-jambon-beurre-sandwich-rises-up-parisian-social-standings France's production of foie gras, the duck liver delicacy hit by bans in many countries over animal cruelty fears, increased again in 2025 despite worries over bird flu that has halted exports to the number one market of Japan. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260331/french-foie-gras-makers-eye-japan-market-amid-production-boom Tue, 31 Mar 2026 08:43:30 +0200 french-foie-gras-makers-eye-japan-market-amid-production-boom From Bonne Maman jam to Saint-Michel biscuits and La Laitière desserts - these are the brands that the French love the most. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260330/revealed-top-10-favourite-french-brands Mon, 30 Mar 2026 10:57:37 +0200 revealed-top-10-favourite-french-brands Six of France's Michelin-starred chefs have revealed their top choices for the wines they drink themselves, all priced under €50. Here's what they recommend. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260325/revealed-french-chefs-favourite-wines-priced-between-e11-and-e50 Wed, 25 Mar 2026 11:56:53 +0100 revealed-french-chefs-favourite-wines-priced-between-e11-and-e50 Winemakers in the Burgundy vineyards used candles and heaters on Thursday night to try and protect their vines from the severe spring freeze that has hit parts of northern France. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260327/in-pictures-french-winemakers-battle-spring-freeze Fri, 27 Mar 2026 14:50:40 +0100 in-pictures-french-winemakers-battle-spring-freeze A 600-year-old grape seed discovered in the toilets of a medieval French hospital is genetically identical to the grapes still being used to make pinot noir wine, scientists said on Tuesday. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260324/600-year-old-pinot-noir-grape-found-in-medieval-french-toilet Tue, 24 Mar 2026 17:10:52 +0100 600-year-old-pinot-noir-grape-found-in-medieval-french-toilet The 2026 Michelin guide is out and offers proof that fine dining doesn't have to break the bank - here are some options for delicious but affordable French cuisine. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260317/10-choices-for-french-michelin-style-dining-for-under-e40 Tue, 17 Mar 2026 14:42:18 +0100 10-choices-for-french-michelin-style-dining-for-under-e40 Want to fully integrate and eat breakfast, lunch and dinner like a French person? The French government's health ministry will create for you a weekly menu of three-course meals - so we tried it out. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260310/french-menus-how-to-eat-as-the-french-government-advises Tue, 10 Mar 2026 14:15:10 +0100 french-menus-how-to-eat-as-the-french-government-advises No stay in France is complete without a visit to one of the country's famous food markets. Here's what you need to know to help you navigate them like a local. https://www.thelocal.fr/20191111/seven-things-to-know-about-shopping-at-french-markets Mon, 11 Nov 2019 10:00:00 +0100 seven-things-to-know-about-shopping-at-french-markets France's strict workplace rules require boulangeries to close one day a week, and also cover public holidays - but now the government intends to introduce a new law to make it easier for bakers to work on May 1st. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260223/french-government-proposes-new-law-to-allow-bakers-to-work-on-may-1st Mon, 23 Feb 2026 10:29:09 +0100 french-government-proposes-new-law-to-allow-bakers-to-work-on-may-1st It's La Chandeleur on Monday - the day when France goes pancake mad. Before you start cooking up your crêpes, take a moment to learn about the history (and superstitions) surrounding this French tradition. https://www.thelocal.fr/20200202/why-do-the-french-eat-crepes-on-le-chandeleur Sun, 02 Feb 2020 06:05:42 +0100 why-do-the-french-eat-crepes-on-le-chandeleur It might seem obvious, crêpes are sweet and galettes are savoury, right? But if you're in Brittany, things get a lot more complicated. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260130/crepe-or-galette-the-breton-debate-brittany Fri, 30 Jan 2026 11:44:30 +0100 crepe-or-galette-the-breton-debate-brittany