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 Traffic authorities have warned of busy roads as people in France head off for the long Pentecost weekend. https://www.thelocal.fr/20210521/traffic-warnings-issued-in-france-for-pentecost-holiday-weekend Fri, 21 May 2021 10:32:48 +0200 traffic-warnings-issued-in-france-for-pentecost-holiday-weekend Six out of 10 French people have said they have had to forgo having a holiday, according to a new survey. https://www.thelocal.fr/20190715/six-in-10-french-people-say-they-cant-afford-a-holiday Mon, 15 Jul 2019 19:05:38 +0200 six-in-10-french-people-say-they-cant-afford-a-holiday The month of May in France is the month in which we celebrate work, the history of France, the world and religion. But let's be honest the French appreciate the month of May for its bridges and viaducts - and we are not talking about river crossings. https://www.thelocal.fr/20190424/what-you-need-to-know-about-doing-the-viaduct-in-france-this-may Wed, 24 Apr 2019 19:10:57 +0200 what-you-need-to-know-about-doing-the-viaduct-in-france-this-may Rural France is dotted with some incredible castles - and many of them can be yours (for a weekend at least). Here are ten of the best available on popular home-sharing website Airbnb. https://www.thelocal.fr/20171218/outrageous-chateaux-in-france-you-can-rent-for-a-weekend Mon, 18 Dec 2017 10:34:31 +0100 outrageous-chateaux-in-france-you-can-rent-for-a-weekend Many in France will take a four-day weekend starting tonight, and the hard-up French tourism industry looks set to reap the benefits. https://www.thelocal.fr/20161028/halloween-france-weekend-offers-spark-for-frances-deflated-tourism Fri, 28 Oct 2016 12:15:09 +0200 halloween-france-weekend-offers-spark-for-frances-deflated-tourism If you're in France this summer then these are the apps you need to make the trip a smooth one. https://www.thelocal.fr/20160713/essential-apps-for-summer-travel-in-france Wed, 13 Jul 2016 19:46:09 +0200 essential-apps-for-summer-travel-in-france Authorities in Peru on Thursday arrested a pair of European tourists who had stripped naked to take photos at the Machu Picchu ruins, media reported. https://www.thelocal.fr/20160304/frenchman-gets-naked-at-ancient-archeological-site Fri, 04 Mar 2016 11:03:52 +0100 frenchman-gets-naked-at-ancient-archeological-site Heavy traffic and striking train drivers will make it tough getting anywhere in France this weekend. https://www.thelocal.fr/20160219/france-braces-for-weekend-of-traffic-mayhem Fri, 19 Feb 2016 17:19:23 +0100 france-braces-for-weekend-of-traffic-mayhem France has been top of travellers’ bucket lists for centuries, and there's never really a bad time to visit. But there's a lot going on here in 2016, from sport to art, so here's our list of what not to miss in France next year. https://www.thelocal.fr/20151229/why-you-should-visit-france-in-2016 Tue, 29 Dec 2015 14:56:59 +0100 why-you-should-visit-france-in-2016 A family holiday in France was hit by tragedy on Sunday after two Dutch brothers died when they were swept away while canoeing on the popular Ardeche river in south central France. https://www.thelocal.fr/20150921/dutch-brothers-die-in-canoe-tragedy-in-france-ardeche Mon, 21 Sep 2015 12:08:30 +0200 dutch-brothers-die-in-canoe-tragedy-in-france-ardeche For the first time since the French Revolution, bakers in Paris are allowed to take the whole summer off, meaning you might just struggle (have to walk a little further) to find a fresh baguette this month. https://www.thelocal.fr/20150807/paris-baguette-august-bread-bakers Fri, 07 Aug 2015 13:27:54 +0200 paris-baguette-august-bread-bakers Most new employees at French firms have to work for at least a year before they can take paid holidays but that could be about to change if one group of MPs have their way. https://www.thelocal.fr/20150729/france-eyes-boost-to-holiday-leave-rights Wed, 29 Jul 2015 17:40:50 +0200 france-eyes-boost-to-holiday-leave-rights It doesn't take a genius to figure out that Paris is the most expensive region in France to spend a summer holiday... but where is the cheapest? A new study has found the answer. https://www.thelocal.fr/20150522/cheapest-holiday-destination-in-france-revealed Fri, 22 May 2015 18:37:08 +0200 cheapest-holiday-destination-in-france-revealed In recent years much has been written about how Paris no longer shuts up shop in August like it once did. But a short walk or even better, a drive around the French capital suggests old traditions die hard, but will it always be like this? https://www.thelocal.fr/20140805/paris-closed-for-august-but-for-how-long Tue, 05 Aug 2014 16:31:00 +0200 paris-closed-for-august-but-for-how-long The City of Light’s famous month-long summer beach festival "Paris Plages" opens on Saturday and it promises to be bigger and better than ever before. We've scoured the programme and found the top ten activities that'll make you want to head down to the water. https://www.thelocal.fr/20140718/paris-plage-must-do-activities Fri, 18 Jul 2014 18:53:00 +0200 paris-plage-must-do-activities Since coming to France from the United States The Local's Joshua Melvin has struggled to adapt to one aspect of French working culture - all the extra paid holidays compared to back home. Before we all ridicule him, let's at least hear him out. https://www.thelocal.fr/20140618/im-drowning-is-frances-torrent-of-days-off Wed, 18 Jun 2014 18:38:00 +0200 im-drowning-is-frances-torrent-of-days-off The French may be known for their taking August off, but nearly a third of them won’t be going anywhere this summer, a new study says. The drop has even cost the French their title of Europe’s top summer holiday makers. https://www.thelocal.fr/20140513/the-french-staying-home-this-summer Tue, 13 May 2014 16:55:00 +0200 the-french-staying-home-this-summer Holidaymakers enjoying the sun on France's Mediterranean coast have been warned not to take risks when swimming in the sea and not to ignore safety warnings after seven people drowned in the sea on Sunday. https://www.thelocal.fr/20130730/tourists-warned-over-bathing-in-french-waters Tue, 30 Jul 2013 16:50:00 +0200 tourists-warned-over-bathing-in-french-waters A French couple in their sixties got a shock this week when they unpacked after their holiday in Ecuador. On opening one of their suitcases, they saw that their possessions had been replaced by 20kg of cocaine. https://www.thelocal.fr/20130514/french-couple-find-mystery-cocaine-in-their-suitcase Tue, 14 May 2013 12:56:00 +0200 french-couple-find-mystery-cocaine-in-their-suitcase France's tradition of the long summer holiday is under threat after a minister suggested cutting it to six weeks. In this week's Tête-a-tête The Local asks those that matter if the curtain should come down on "Les grandes vacances". https://www.thelocal.fr/20130227/breaking-with-tradition-frances-summer-holidays Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:16:00 +0100 breaking-with-tradition-frances-summer-holidays