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 Are AI ‘pervert glasses’ actually legal in France? And what about Marine Le Pen’s ‘French preference’ plan? Plus, all you need to know about the flu vaccine, where the self-employed can look for business help … and the secret to successful French capitals. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260920/ai-glasses-flu-jabs-and-capital-letters-6-essential-articles-for-life-in-france Sun, 20 Sep 2026 09:38:37 +0200 ai-glasses-flu-jabs-and-capital-letters-6-essential-articles-for-life-in-france France's mighty state-owned rail company SNCF is facing competition with the arrival of new operators on French routes - but will more competition actually mean cheaper tickets for passengers? https://www.thelocal.fr/20260917/will-competition-on-french-railways-actually-mean-cheaper-train-tickets Thu, 17 Sep 2026 12:17:10 +0200 will-competition-on-french-railways-actually-mean-cheaper-train-tickets Fuel prices in France have once again reached a record high with drivers paying €2.80 a litre in some areas - here's the latest on prices and how to find the cheapest fuel. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260306/map-how-to-find-the-cheapest-petrol-and-diesel-in-france Fri, 06 Mar 2026 09:46:49 +0100 map-how-to-find-the-cheapest-petrol-and-diesel-in-france Arguably France's biggest cultural event of the year, the Journées européennes du patrimoine returns for its 43rd edition this weekend - here’s everything you’ll need to organise your itinerary, plus 11 places that are normally hidden from public view that you can access exclusively this weekend. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260916/11-places-to-visit-on-frances-2026-heritage-days Wed, 16 Sep 2026 10:52:26 +0200 11-places-to-visit-on-frances-2026-heritage-days The new laws taking effect in France this autumn, how new EU banking rules could affect you, French schools’ international ranking woes – and how to speak verlan. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260913/new-laws-banking-rules-and-must-visit-exhibitions-6-essential-articles-for-life-in-france Sun, 13 Sep 2026 09:01:54 +0200 new-laws-banking-rules-and-must-visit-exhibitions-6-essential-articles-for-life-in-france In some countries not tipping is practically an act of war, while in others leaving cash can cause offence - so what does etiquette dictate around leaving a tip in France? https://www.thelocal.fr/20191229/french-dining-etiquette-how-much-should-you-tip-your-waiter-or-waitress Sun, 29 Dec 2019 13:00:00 +0100 french-dining-etiquette-how-much-should-you-tip-your-waiter-or-waitress 'It's theft', 'I won't use it' - credit card machines with a tipping option are gradually becoming more common in France, but not everyone is happy about it. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260910/the-new-tipping-culture-that-is-sparking-fury-in-france Thu, 10 Sep 2026 15:11:15 +0200 the-new-tipping-culture-that-is-sparking-fury-in-france Hunting, whether you are in favour or not, is hugely important in France, with over five million people registered to take part in the past time, and one million regular hunters (chasseurs pratiquants). Here's what you need to know. https://www.thelocal.fr/20220919/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-hunting-season-in-france Mon, 19 Sep 2022 11:21:31 +0200 everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-hunting-season-in-france From a ban on phones in French high schools to the rollout of electronic invoicing, and a law on assisted dying, here are some of the legal changes that are happening in France this autumn. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260911/key-dates-new-laws-in-france-this-autumn Fri, 11 Sep 2026 08:38:34 +0200 key-dates-new-laws-in-france-this-autumn Sending children to school in France can be quite a culture shock for foreign parents - from delicious school lunches and impressive after-school care to complaints about a rigid attitude and lack of imagination, here's how readers of The Local view the French system. https://www.thelocal.fr/20250910/great-lunches-but-rigid-teaching-how-foreign-parents-view-the-french-school-system Wed, 10 Sep 2025 10:01:08 +0200 great-lunches-but-rigid-teaching-how-foreign-parents-view-the-french-school-system The French health ministry has announced details of a new process to allow more children to get their own 'carte vitale' health card - here's how it works. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260910/frances-carte-vitale-extended-to-children Thu, 10 Sep 2026 11:13:33 +0200 frances-carte-vitale-extended-to-children France's carte vitale health card is changing and access to the digital version has been expanded. Here's who can access it and how to do so. https://www.thelocal.fr/20250602/new-digital-carte-vitale-extended-to-foreigners-in-france Mon, 02 Jun 2025 10:24:13 +0200 new-digital-carte-vitale-extended-to-foreigners-in-france We've all done it - clicked on the link or handed over personal details before realising that it's a scam. But if you've fallen victim to scammers, what steps should you take next to make sure your personal data is protected? https://www.thelocal.fr/20220429/what-to-do-if-you-have-fallen-victim-to-a-scam-in-france Fri, 29 Apr 2022 15:41:14 +0200 what-to-do-if-you-have-fallen-victim-to-a-scam-in-france If you're new to the French education system, September can feel like a crash course in vocabulary as well as a new school year - from the school year system to class trips and homework books, here's our vocab guide. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260909/french-back-to-school-vocabulary-guide Wed, 09 Sep 2026 10:51:51 +0200 french-back-to-school-vocabulary-guide Our pick of autumn festivals and events in France, free electronic billing services, a mysterious road sign explained, and how your personal circumstance could change the rules on renting. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260906/autumn-events-electronic-billing-and-road-signs-6-essential-articles-for-life-in-france Sun, 06 Sep 2026 08:32:10 +0200 autumn-events-electronic-billing-and-road-signs-6-essential-articles-for-life-in-france If you live in France and have an account with a UK, US or other non-EU bank, you may have recently received a message telling you about a new EU directive - here's what it means for foreigners in France. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260817/what-new-eu-banking-law-means-for-foreigners-in-france Mon, 17 Aug 2026 12:53:41 +0200 what-new-eu-banking-law-means-for-foreigners-in-france Here's what you need to know about installing one of these energy efficient home heating and cooling devices. https://www.thelocal.fr/20221019/what-you-need-to-know-about-installing-a-heat-pump-in-france Wed, 19 Oct 2022 14:00:29 +0200 what-you-need-to-know-about-installing-a-heat-pump-in-france Increasingly common in French cities, this sign is frequently misinterpreted by cyclists and other road users. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260903/explained-what-this-french-road-sign-actually-means Thu, 03 Sep 2026 15:27:51 +0200 explained-what-this-french-road-sign-actually-means Unsolicited sales calls became illegal in France on Tuesday, August 11th as a law passed in June 2025 entered full effect - so here's how to report companies who are still indulging in this practice. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260831/what-to-do-if-you-still-get-unwanted-cold-calls-in-france Mon, 31 Aug 2026 14:04:46 +0200 what-to-do-if-you-still-get-unwanted-cold-calls-in-france La rentrée is upon us, so here's a look at this French word which, while it's often translated as merely the start of a new school year, in fact has a cultural significance that goes much deeper. https://www.thelocal.fr/20200828/why-la-rentre-means-so-much-more-in-french-than-a-new-school-year Fri, 28 Aug 2020 16:11:53 +0200 why-la-rentre-means-so-much-more-in-french-than-a-new-school-year