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 comes alive every summer, with events and festivals great and small taking place the length and breadth of the country – here’s our pick of ones to visit in summer 2026. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260326/37-unmissable-festivals-and-events-in-france-this-summer Thu, 26 Mar 2026 08:08:08 +0100 37-unmissable-festivals-and-events-in-france-this-summer It’s cold and a bit dank outside right now, but Spring really isn’t that far away, so here’s what’s coming up in France as the days get longer, the sky bluer, and the sun warmer. https://www.thelocal.fr/20251231/what-to-do-and-where-to-go-in-france-in-spring-2026 Wed, 31 Dec 2025 12:19:33 +0100 what-to-do-and-where-to-go-in-france-in-spring-2026 People applying for French citizenship as well as certain residency permits now have to take a new civics test, but the cost will vary depending on where you take it. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260122/how-much-will-it-cost-to-take-the-new-french-civics-test Thu, 22 Jan 2026 22:04:17 +0100 how-much-will-it-cost-to-take-the-new-french-civics-test Several airlines are adding new UK routes to their schedules in 2026, with south-west France a particular focus due to its historic popularity with Brits - here's a list of the new routes this year. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260109/new-flights-between-france-and-uk-in-2026 Fri, 09 Jan 2026 13:58:50 +0100 new-flights-between-france-and-uk-in-2026 In most of France, the winter sales start on Wednesday, January 7th — here’s what you need to know about the sales season, including your consumer rights before you hit the stores in search of bargains. https://www.thelocal.fr/20251223/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-2026-winter-sales-in-france Tue, 23 Dec 2025 11:58:13 +0100 everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-2026-winter-sales-in-france New year, new transport rules - here is a roundup of everything that will be changing - or not - in Paris, from public transportation, bike lanes, and car rules. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260112/paris-transport-everything-that-changes-in-2026 Mon, 12 Jan 2026 09:58:24 +0100 paris-transport-everything-that-changes-in-2026 From immigration to house sales, via vehicle checks and plastics - here's a look at all the new laws coming into effect in France in 2026. https://www.thelocal.fr/20251222/new-laws-in-france-in-2026 Mon, 22 Dec 2025 13:45:55 +0100 new-laws-in-france-in-2026 The new year in France tends to usher in a clutch of new laws, and the rules of the road are no exception - here are the changes that drivers in France can expect in 2026. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260108/speeding-tolls-and-ct-what-changes-for-drivers-in-france-in-2026 Thu, 08 Jan 2026 17:29:02 +0100 speeding-tolls-and-ct-what-changes-for-drivers-in-france-in-2026 From new rules on French language tests and civics tests to changes in travel, healthcare and museum entry prices, here's what changes for foreigners living in France in 2026. https://www.thelocal.fr/20251211/everything-that-changes-for-foreigners-in-france-in-2026 Thu, 11 Dec 2025 12:31:19 +0100 everything-that-changes-for-foreigners-in-france-in-2026 A change to France's highway code means that drivers caught travelling at more than 50km/h above the speed limit can now be punished by up to three months in jail, a €3,750 fine, and a criminal record. https://www.thelocal.fr/20251229/new-french-law-makes-speeding-punishable-by-jail-time Mon, 29 Dec 2025 09:11:54 +0100 new-french-law-makes-speeding-punishable-by-jail-time It’s time to take a look at the 2026 calendar to see where you can get the best value for your annual leave in France with our month-by-month guide to the year’s public holidays. https://www.thelocal.fr/20251119/how-to-make-the-most-of-frances-2026-public-holidays Wed, 19 Nov 2025 16:20:11 +0100 how-to-make-the-most-of-frances-2026-public-holidays Dozens of new flight routes to and from France will be launched in 2026. Here are the details, so you can start planning your next holiday. https://www.thelocal.fr/20251105/new-flights-to-and-from-france-in-2026 Wed, 05 Nov 2025 09:33:19 +0100 new-flights-to-and-from-france-in-2026 France in 2026 brings municipal elections (and maybe more), a consequential legal ruling for Marine Le Pen, new flights, extra requirements for foreigners in France and some important legal changes. https://www.thelocal.fr/20251114/new-laws-taxes-and-elections-whats-happening-in-france-in-2026 Fri, 14 Nov 2025 16:12:05 +0100 new-laws-taxes-and-elections-whats-happening-in-france-in-2026 There's an old saying about the inevitability of taxes, and that's even more true in France - here's a look ahead at the 2026 tax calendar. https://www.thelocal.fr/20251119/important-2026-tax-dates-in-france Wed, 19 Nov 2025 17:49:00 +0100 important-2026-tax-dates-in-france From new flight routes and motorway tolls to the expansion of border control systems, here's all the changes you should know about if you are travelling to or from France in 2026. https://www.thelocal.fr/20251210/the-big-changes-for-travel-to-and-from-france-in-2026 Wed, 10 Dec 2025 18:12:34 +0100 the-big-changes-for-travel-to-and-from-france-in-2026 From January 1st, 2026, it’s going to become harder for international phone scammers to contact anyone with a French phone number. https://www.thelocal.fr/20251223/new-rules-to-combat-scam-phone-calls-in-france Tue, 23 Dec 2025 16:21:06 +0100 new-rules-to-combat-scam-phone-calls-in-france It's been a rollercoaster ride through parliament, but now the part of France's budget that covers social security spending is finally passed, with changes coming into effect from January 1st 2026. Here's what's in it. https://www.thelocal.fr/20251217/7-changes-in-frances-2026-social-security-budget Wed, 17 Dec 2025 16:49:37 +0100 7-changes-in-frances-2026-social-security-budget France's 2026 budget includes a new provision to charge American retirees in France a fee in order to access the French healthcare system. The big question many are asking now is now is "how much will it be?" Here's what we know. https://www.thelocal.fr/20251218/how-much-is-frances-new-healthcare-fee-for-americans-likely-to-be Thu, 18 Dec 2025 17:13:00 +0100 how-much-is-frances-new-healthcare-fee-for-americans-likely-to-be Drivers in France should be aware of a number of changes to contrôle technique vehicle checks that come into effect on January 1st. https://www.thelocal.fr/20251212/airbag-safety-alert-prompts-new-controle-technique-rules-in-france-in-2026 Fri, 12 Dec 2025 16:50:08 +0100 airbag-safety-alert-prompts-new-controle-technique-rules-in-france-in-2026 A planned change to the funding formula that would have resulted in millions of French property owners getting higher tax bills next year has been suspended by the prime minister. https://www.thelocal.fr/20251119/france-set-to-increase-property-tax-again-for-millions-of-homes-in-2026 Wed, 19 Nov 2025 12:59:29 +0100 france-set-to-increase-property-tax-again-for-millions-of-homes-in-2026