The Local France

Who are France’s ‘gens du voyage’?

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 11:24:38 +0200

In 2022, it was estimated that between 350,000 and 400,000 ‘gens du voyage’ lived in France – more than the number of Brits legally resident in the country.

MAP: Where in France do people have the longest life expectancy?

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 17:45:21 +0100

France generally does pretty well in European (and global) comparisons on life expectancy - but which French regions have the longest-living residents?

How European countries have changed after a year of coronavirus crisis

Sat, 13 Feb 2021 12:58:43 +0100

Sunday February 14th marks one year since the first coronavirus death in Europe. Life in the countries has changed dramatically as our journalists across nine countries report.

The French taboos you should never break

Tue, 21 May 2019 12:54:37 +0200

For anyone living in France, the fear of breaking one of the country's many social taboos is a part of everyday life. We asked our readers to tell us about the social no-gos they've encountered, so you can avoid making the same mistakes and spare yourself some blushes.

France's 106-year-old record-breaking cyclist finally hangs up his helmet

Thu, 11 Jan 2018 11:15:11 +0100

A centenarian French cyclist whose exploits garnered fans worldwide is retiring, ready for more leisurely rides after racing into the record books, his friends told AFP.

The best cities in France to live in (if jobs and buying property are all that matter)

Tue, 17 Oct 2017 15:09:38 +0200

If you want a decent job and to buy a property without becoming bankrupt, then you should think about moving to some of France's smaller cities, a new study claims.

How quality of life improves when you move to France

Tue, 08 Aug 2017 15:56:59 +0200

Expats who live in France enjoy a jump in their quality of life, a global study has revealed.

France's top expat tribes: Which are you?

Fri, 12 Sep 2014 18:29:00 +0200

We all come to France for our own reasons, but The Local's observations have led us to conclude that most experts fall into one of these ten categories.

Expat tribes in France: Which do you belong to?

Thu, 12 Dec 2013 19:28:00 +0100

People move to France for all sorts of reasons – whether it’s for love, a university course, a job, or even a ski slope. Give it a few months and you’ll start to display symptoms of having joined one expat tribe or another. But which one do you belong to?

Ten tell-tale signs you've gone native in France

Wed, 06 Nov 2013 16:49:00 +0100

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.

France set to open floodgates to cheap fags

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 11:20:00 +0100

There may be good news ahead for smokers in France, as reports in the French press on Friday suggested the government is to lift a restriction on the amount of cigarettes that can be legally brought into the country from other EU states.

Culture-jammer or neo-dandy, meet post-metrosexual man

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:18:00 +0100

A Paris-based trends consultancy has been defining what tomorrow's man will look like, from culture-jamming youths wired into a networked world, to neo-dandies or take-it-slow types.

Ten spectacular reasons to climb Mont Blanc

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 19:09:00 +0200

Are you pining for your next adventure but not sure mainland Europe’s highest point is the answer? The Local’s Karen Holst found there’s plenty to gain from the pain of conquering Mont Blanc. Just watch out for the horny goats.

GI Joe and tea sets: toy stories on show in Paris

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:06:00 +0200

When anti-war crowds marched to end the Vietnam conflict in the 1970s, the makers of GI Joe decided it was time to pack up his army fatigues and dress the doll for civilian life.