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 It's the practical question that people moving to France need to ask themselves - from accommodation to transport, via grocery shopping and childcare, we take a look at the cost of living in France in 2026. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260302/how-much-money-do-you-need-to-live-in-france-in-2026 Mon, 02 Mar 2026 12:07:48 +0100 how-much-money-do-you-need-to-live-in-france-in-2026 From joining a political party or pressure group, to the act of volunteering for a social cause in your area, there are plenty of ways to be politically active in France, even if you may not be able to vote. https://www.thelocal.fr/20241113/how-to-get-involved-in-politics-in-france Wed, 13 Nov 2024 16:22:37 +0100 how-to-get-involved-in-politics-in-france France is well known for its food - but did you realise just how many different types of alcoholic drink the country produces? This may make you want to have an early apéro . . . https://www.thelocal.fr/20181004/is-this-the-most-important-map-of-france-ever-made Thu, 04 Oct 2018 13:27:47 +0200 is-this-the-most-important-map-of-france-ever-made Amid accusations of racism at fancy seaside resorts and legal controversies surrounding US statesmen, we take a look at the law surrounding private beaches in France. https://www.thelocal.fr/20220811/reader-question-are-there-private-beaches-in-france Thu, 11 Aug 2022 14:24:57 +0200 reader-question-are-there-private-beaches-in-france Can you drink the tap water in France? Here's the answer and some other useful tips. https://www.thelocal.fr/20201103/six-things-to-know-about-tap-water-in-france Tue, 03 Nov 2020 17:36:51 +0100 six-things-to-know-about-tap-water-in-france They always dress with style, they never get fat and they're super-sexy - but in fact French women are fed up with the 'French girl' stereotypes. Anne Brivet explains why. https://www.thelocal.fr/20201020/opinion-why-french-women-are-sick-of-the-sexy-french-girl-clich Tue, 20 Oct 2020 13:22:33 +0200 opinion-why-french-women-are-sick-of-the-sexy-french-girl-clich France has extended its winter sales period by two weeks after a request from shops struggling with the loss of revenue due to the 6pm curfew. https://www.thelocal.fr/20210215/france-extends-its-winter-sales-as-shops-struggle-with-impact-of-6pm-curfew Mon, 15 Feb 2021 11:28:48 +0100 france-extends-its-winter-sales-as-shops-struggle-with-impact-of-6pm-curfew February will bring new Covid-19 health rules and maybe a lockdown, but also other things including new motorway toll prices and a national pancake feast. https://www.thelocal.fr/20210129/what-changes-about-life-in-france-in-february-2021 Fri, 29 Jan 2021 14:16:39 +0100 what-changes-about-life-in-france-in-february-2021 In France it's not uncommon for offices and other workplaces to stay open until 7pm, but does the 6pm curfew mean people will have to leave early? https://www.thelocal.fr/20210118/reader-question-do-i-have-to-leave-work-early-during-the-6pm-curfew Mon, 18 Jan 2021 12:26:46 +0100 reader-question-do-i-have-to-leave-work-early-during-the-6pm-curfew Among the slew of health measures brought in by the French government to try and combat Covid-19 one is conspicuous by its absence - the country has no limit on private social gatherings. https://www.thelocal.fr/20200930/social-bubbles-why-does-france-have-no-covid-rules-on-private-social-events Wed, 30 Sep 2020 18:42:19 +0200 social-bubbles-why-does-france-have-no-covid-rules-on-private-social-events France is a country that has a strong culture of workers' rights and while it's not true that everyone in France works a 35 hour week and gets the whole of August off, as an employee you are entitled to quite a few days off. https://www.thelocal.fr/20200521/these-are-the-days-off-work-you-are-entitled-to-in-france Thu, 21 May 2020 10:30:00 +0200 these-are-the-days-off-work-you-are-entitled-to-in-france An increasing number of French cities - as well as hundreds of small towns - are making masks compulsory outside as well as in indoor public spaces. https://www.thelocal.fr/20200723/these-are-the-french-towns-making-masks-compulsory-outdoors Thu, 23 Jul 2020 17:59:53 +0200 these-are-the-french-towns-making-masks-compulsory-outdoors The French prime minister has urged people to go to the cinema to support France's battered entertainment industry, but what rules are in place if you do go? https://www.thelocal.fr/20200617/the-health-rules-that-will-be-in-place-when-cinemas-reopen-in-france Wed, 17 Jun 2020 15:54:12 +0200 the-health-rules-that-will-be-in-place-when-cinemas-reopen-in-france The French prime minister has unveiled a series of extra restrictions as the country struggles to keep control of the number of new Covid-19 cases. https://www.thelocal.fr/20200811/extra-health-measures-as-covid-19-situation-worsens-in-france Tue, 11 Aug 2020 18:34:18 +0200 extra-health-measures-as-covid-19-situation-worsens-in-france July brings summer holidays and further loosening of coronavirus travel restrictions, and some important changes in French state schemes. https://www.thelocal.fr/20200701/what-changes-about-life-in-france-in-july-2020 Wed, 01 Jul 2020 14:47:29 +0200 what-changes-about-life-in-france-in-july-2020 On May 11th, France will loosen up restrictions on individual exercise and sport. Here's a look at what will be allowed and what will remain forbidden for the time being. https://www.thelocal.fr/20200423/jogging-walking-and-cycling-as-normal-after-may-11th-says-french-sports-ministry Thu, 23 Apr 2020 14:08:14 +0200 jogging-walking-and-cycling-as-normal-after-may-11th-says-french-sports-ministry French fashion magazines talk about 'le spark', TV characters can be heard discussing a 'job' while technology has unleashed a positive flood of English words into the French language, but is all this a cause for concern? https://www.thelocal.fr/20200122/why-trying-to-protect-the-french-from-english-is-a-losing-battle Wed, 22 Jan 2020 15:41:26 +0100 why-trying-to-protect-the-french-from-english-is-a-losing-battle As we enter the new year, there are several changes that could impact your life in France. https://www.thelocal.fr/20200102/what-changes-about-life-in-france-in-january-2020 Thu, 02 Jan 2020 10:00:48 +0100 what-changes-about-life-in-france-in-january-2020 France will be hit by another train strike on Tuesday over a looming pension system overhaul after Paris saw its biggest strike action in more than a decade earlier this month. https://www.thelocal.fr/20190923/rail-strike-sees-around-half-of-regional-train-services-cancelled-across-france Mon, 23 Sep 2019 10:30:09 +0200 rail-strike-sees-around-half-of-regional-train-services-cancelled-across-france President Emmanuel Macron has this week been urged to protect French from the 'tyranny' of English, but Camille Chevalier-Karfis, founder of the language site French Today says France's fight against new English words is "totally stupid". https://www.thelocal.fr/20190617/opinion-frances-fight-against-new-english-words-is-totally-stupid Mon, 17 Jun 2019 15:49:02 +0200 opinion-frances-fight-against-new-english-words-is-totally-stupid