The Local France 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 How to avoid annoying the French on public transport From eating to phone calls, bikes to feet, French public transport users have revealed the most annoying behaviour from their fellow travellers. https://www.thelocal.fr/20231120/how-to-avoid-annoying-the-french-on-public-transport Mon, 20 Nov 2023 11:59:10 +0100 how-to-avoid-annoying-the-french-on-public-transport The places in France where you can and can't try small talk A large part of successfully talking to strangers in France comes down to picking the right location and timing, plus a bit of confidence. Tell us about your own experiences in the comments section below. https://www.thelocal.fr/20230802/the-places-where-you-can-and-cant-make-small-talk-with-the-french Wed, 02 Aug 2023 16:25:39 +0200 the-places-where-you-can-and-cant-make-small-talk-with-the-french Bare chests and bikinis: Do French beach resorts have rules for what to wear? One French seaside resort on the south coast has recently increased fines for anyone who walks the streets bare-chested to €150. But what are the rules for what you can wear when walking around French beach resorts? https://www.thelocal.fr/20230802/bare-chests-and-bikinis-do-french-beach-resorts-have-rules-for-what-to-wear Wed, 02 Aug 2023 13:27:12 +0200 bare-chests-and-bikinis-do-french-beach-resorts-have-rules-for-what-to-wear Why are the French falling out of love with the bidet? For centuries, French people have used bidets to clean up, and if you are visiting, you might encounter one too. Here is what you need to know about this 17th century invention. https://www.thelocal.fr/20230217/why-are-the-french-falling-out-of-love-with-the-bidet Fri, 17 Feb 2023 15:20:06 +0100 why-are-the-french-falling-out-of-love-with-the-bidet 'They are squatters': Are Paris cafés right to clamp down on laptop users? Taking a laptop out in a Parisian café can be a risky move these days, as café owners move to stamp out computer use in an apparent effort to preserve the essence of "café culture." But are they right to? https://www.thelocal.fr/20221211/they-are-squatters-are-paris-cafes-right-to-clamp-down-on-laptop-users Sun, 11 Dec 2022 12:55:29 +0100 they-are-squatters-are-paris-cafes-right-to-clamp-down-on-laptop-users The common wine blunders you should really avoid in France Here's how to avoid embarrassing faux-pas while drinking wine in France. https://www.thelocal.fr/20171116/the-wine-faux-pas-you-should-really-avoid-in-france Thu, 16 Nov 2017 17:50:18 +0100 the-wine-faux-pas-you-should-really-avoid-in-france French booze less but spend more on alcohol French drinking habits are changing according to a new study that revealed the health conscious nation is drinking less in quantity but more of quality. https://www.thelocal.fr/20150814/french-boozing-less-but-spending-more Fri, 14 Aug 2015 12:49:19 +0200 french-boozing-less-but-spending-more Ten tell-tale signs you've gone native in France Just how French are you? Some may be proud of it, some not so much, but any seasoned expat is likely to have picked up a truly Gallic trait or two. With some help from our readers, we've compiled a list of 10 tell-tale signs you’ve gone native. https://www.thelocal.fr/20131106/ten-tell-tale-signs-youve-gone-native-in-france Wed, 06 Nov 2013 16:49:00 +0100 ten-tell-tale-signs-youve-gone-native-in-france