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 There are some things that make France the best place to be in summer, and then there are others that drive us mad, writes Katie Warren. https://www.thelocal.fr/20180723/the-best-and-worst-things-about-france-in-the-summer Mon, 23 Jul 2018 19:12:53 +0200 the-best-and-worst-things-about-france-in-the-summer From the nation's sexy and stylish women to the legions of lazy workers, France-based British blogger Jackie McGeown admits how she got it all wrong about the French before she moved here. https://www.thelocal.fr/20180216/10-ways-i-was-wrong-about-france-french-myths Fri, 16 Feb 2018 18:28:44 +0100 10-ways-i-was-wrong-about-france-french-myths Valentine's Day is upon us so here's the A to Z guide of dating in France, courtesy of French blogger Muriel Demarcus. https://www.thelocal.fr/20180213/the-a-z-of-romance-in-france Tue, 13 Feb 2018 18:24:02 +0100 the-a-z-of-romance-in-france Returning home after living in France can come with some reverse culture shock. Readers spell out the troubles they have re-adjusting. https://www.thelocal.fr/20171213/reverse-culture-shock-the-surprises-of-leaving-france Wed, 13 Dec 2017 11:15:01 +0100 reverse-culture-shock-the-surprises-of-leaving-france France prides itself on its rail service (or at last its TGV trains), but a new report suggests it is not in rude health. Here are the key numbers that tell the story of the state of French rail. https://www.thelocal.fr/20171123/the-numbers-that-show-frances-proud-rail-service-is-struggling Thu, 23 Nov 2017 16:45:28 +0100 the-numbers-that-show-frances-proud-rail-service-is-struggling France is world famous for its nudist beaches and its topless sunbathers but there are some rules or customs you need to abide by when it comes to taking your clothes off this summer. Here's what you need to know about dropping your top (or bottoms) on French beaches. https://www.thelocal.fr/20170719/the-dos-and-donts-of-getting-naked-on-beaches-france Wed, 19 Jul 2017 19:49:16 +0200 the-dos-and-donts-of-getting-naked-on-beaches-france Forget Glastonbury, France is home to some of the best and most eclectic music festivals on offer this summer. We take a look at 18 that are well worth going to. https://www.thelocal.fr/20170621/france-music-the-18-best-music-festivals-to-go-to-in-france-this-summer Wed, 21 Jun 2017 13:57:33 +0200 france-music-the-18-best-music-festivals-to-go-to-in-france-this-summer Dream of visiting Provence's lavender fields? How about living right next door to them? Check out our Property of the Week. https://www.thelocal.fr/20170412/french-property-of-the-week-stone-farmhouse-in-banon-surrounded-by-lavender-fields Wed, 12 Apr 2017 19:04:58 +0200 french-property-of-the-week-stone-farmhouse-in-banon-surrounded-by-lavender-fields A French wedding is nothing like what you may expect back home, writes British writer in France Jackie McGeown. https://www.thelocal.fr/20170324/here-are-the-nine-ways-a-french-wedding-will-surprise-you Fri, 24 Mar 2017 11:04:10 +0100 here-are-the-nine-ways-a-french-wedding-will-surprise-you If you want to keep your French friends, then DO NOT do anything on this list. https://www.thelocal.fr/20170323/thirteen-sure-fire-ways-to-lose-your-french-friends Thu, 23 Mar 2017 14:46:01 +0100 thirteen-sure-fire-ways-to-lose-your-french-friends French people are in uproar after a picture was posted online of a Camembert cheese that had clearly been cut in a flagrant violation of fromage etiquette. https://www.thelocal.fr/20170316/french-left-outraged-online-over-camembert-cheese-abuse Thu, 16 Mar 2017 13:35:20 +0100 french-left-outraged-online-over-camembert-cheese-abuse French people are living longer than those in most other countries in the world and here's why they should be grateful for the fact they are growing old in France. https://www.thelocal.fr/20170224/why-france-is-the-best-country-for-retirees Fri, 24 Feb 2017 16:18:51 +0100 why-france-is-the-best-country-for-retirees France-based writer and expat mum-of-two Jackie McGeown takes a lighthearted look at the moments when you know your bicultural child is definitely a Frenchie. https://www.thelocal.fr/20170210/the-28-surefire-signs-that-your-child-may-be-french Fri, 10 Feb 2017 11:42:36 +0100 the-28-surefire-signs-that-your-child-may-be-french Have you "gone native" in Paris - and do you remember the turning point? Twelve adopted "Parisians" share the moment when they realized they were a local. https://www.thelocal.fr/20170124/the-moments-you-know-youve-become-parisian Tue, 24 Jan 2017 14:58:16 +0100 the-moments-you-know-youve-become-parisian Twitter has helped reveal some everyday "problems" of living in France, including the danger of becoming addicted to cheese. https://www.thelocal.fr/20170124/france-problems-according-to-twitter Tue, 24 Jan 2017 23:05:47 +0100 france-problems-according-to-twitter Tourists and expats in France are quick to complain about rude servers at restaurants and cafés, but photo evidence has emerged to suggest it's the customers who should work on their manners. https://www.thelocal.fr/20160406/french-really-rude-manners-cafe-waiters-politeness Wed, 06 Apr 2016 13:34:35 +0200 french-really-rude-manners-cafe-waiters-politeness Whether for better or for worse, many foreigners find that their habits alter when they move to France. Here, a few veteran expats share their experiences of how French culture has changed their lifestyles. https://www.thelocal.fr/20150708/eight-ways-french-culture-can-change-your-life Wed, 08 Jul 2015 19:54:10 +0200 eight-ways-french-culture-can-change-your-life