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 In towns and villages across the country, the French will turn out on Friday, May 8th, to mark the end of World War II in Europe and honour those who died in the conflict. https://www.thelocal.fr/20230505/ve-day-what-happens-in-france-on-may-8th Fri, 05 May 2023 12:15:41 +0200 ve-day-what-happens-in-france-on-may-8th France has a bit of a reputation as a workers' paradise and while that is an exaggeration, there are still plenty of benefits that employees are entitled to. https://www.thelocal.fr/20200604/benefits-great-things-your-french-boss-owes-you Thu, 04 Jun 2020 12:59:49 +0200 benefits-great-things-your-french-boss-owes-you A decree published in France’s Journal Officiel reveals the government has authorised electricity supplier EDF to pilot dynamic tariffs. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260506/frances-edf-to-test-dynamic-electricity-pricing Wed, 06 May 2026 14:35:37 +0200 frances-edf-to-test-dynamic-electricity-pricing Summer in France brings with it flies, bugs and - increasingly - mosquitoes. But one thing you'll notice, especially if you're American, is the absence of window screens in French homes. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260506/explained-why-dont-french-homes-have-insect-screens Wed, 06 May 2026 13:53:21 +0200 explained-why-dont-french-homes-have-insect-screens The French tax declaration season is now open, but how much do you really need to tell the French taxman about your affairs outside of France? International tax specialist Jason Porter explains some essential information. https://www.thelocal.fr/20190410/do-i-need-to-tell-the-french-taxman-about-my-assets-elsewhere Wed, 10 Apr 2019 12:02:37 +0200 do-i-need-to-tell-the-french-taxman-about-my-assets-elsewhere France is nearing the end of a five-year trial scheme of rent control - as the government considers whether to extend it, Paris mayor Emmanuel Grégoire says he fears ending rent caps could lead to “a sudden social crisis”. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260505/france-considers-ending-rent-control-after-five-year-trial-period Tue, 05 May 2026 12:57:27 +0200 france-considers-ending-rent-control-after-five-year-trial-period May 8th is a public holiday in France marking VE Day - the end of World War II in Europe. Here's what closes and what stays open on this holiday. https://www.thelocal.fr/20250506/whats-open-and-whats-closed-in-france-on-may-8th Tue, 06 May 2025 14:52:32 +0200 whats-open-and-whats-closed-in-france-on-may-8th How to check water restrictions where you live, finding professional tax advice, holiday destinations and their alternatives, foodie heaven, and the offences that could cost you points on your licence. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260503/hosepipe-bans-tax-help-and-driving-offences-6-essential-articles-for-life-in-france Sun, 03 May 2026 08:30:41 +0200 hosepipe-bans-tax-help-and-driving-offences-6-essential-articles-for-life-in-france If you're planning the type of trip away that your pet cannot join, you will need to find someone to look after them - here's how to find pet-setting services or the more traditional boarding kennels in France. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260430/how-to-find-pet-sitters-or-boarding-kennels-in-france Thu, 30 Apr 2026 17:20:29 +0200 how-to-find-pet-sitters-or-boarding-kennels-in-france If you're working in France, you will be automatically enrolled in the state-run pension system, but you can also benefit from a government-backed scheme to help you save for retirement or other projects. Find out what also changes in 2026. https://www.thelocal.fr/20240311/plan-depargne-retraite-setting-up-a-private-pension-in-france Mon, 11 Mar 2024 12:04:34 +0100 plan-depargne-retraite-setting-up-a-private-pension-in-france Demonstrations, closures, traffic and storms - here’s what to expect if you’re in France on May 1st 2026. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260429/what-to-expect-on-may-1st-in-france-this-year Wed, 29 Apr 2026 16:42:19 +0200 what-to-expect-on-may-1st-in-france-this-year Language classes will likely teach you 'de rien', but depending on the context and who you’re speaking to, there are several alternative expressions to say 'you're welcome' in French. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260429/5-things-to-say-instead-of-de-rien-when-someone-thanks-you-in-french Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:39:43 +0200 5-things-to-say-instead-of-de-rien-when-someone-thanks-you-in-french Whether you are thinking of buying or you want to know what your French property is worth, a free online service provided by the French government allows you to search for the real estate value of houses or apartments. https://www.thelocal.fr/20241017/new-data-to-show-house-hunters-the-value-of-french-property Thu, 17 Oct 2024 11:09:30 +0200 new-data-to-show-house-hunters-the-value-of-french-property What’s happening in France in May, the summer’s big festivals, what the new pet passport rules mean for travel between UK and France, and electronic billing for self-employed workers in France. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260426/pet-passports-may-changes-summer-festivals-6-essential-articles-for-life-in-france Sun, 26 Apr 2026 08:36:28 +0200 pet-passports-may-changes-summer-festivals-6-essential-articles-for-life-in-france It's been an on-again, off-again plan, but from May 2026 a fee will be applied to anyone who needs to swap their foreign driving licence for a French one. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260423/france-to-impose-fees-for-driving-licence-exchange Thu, 23 Apr 2026 11:36:52 +0200 france-to-impose-fees-for-driving-licence-exchange Hackers have accessed personal details of thousands of people who have used the French government's ANTS platform for admin tasks such as swapping a driving licence or requesting a French passport. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260421/warning-over-cyber-attack-on-french-governments-ants-platform Tue, 21 Apr 2026 16:25:02 +0200 warning-over-cyber-attack-on-french-governments-ants-platform There are lots of people advertising their services to help with the annual French tax declaration but you need to make sure that anyone you hire has the right qualifications - here is how to check. https://www.thelocal.fr/20210413/reader-question-where-can-i-find-professional-help-with-the-french-tax-declaration Tue, 13 Apr 2021 16:13:10 +0200 reader-question-where-can-i-find-professional-help-with-the-french-tax-declaration France's largest consumer organisation has warned that the prices of everyday items in French supermarkets will rise this summer, due to the war in the Middle East. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260421/prices-to-increase-in-french-supermarkets-this-summer Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:19:12 +0200 prices-to-increase-in-french-supermarkets-this-summer What to ask for at a French pharmacy to ease your allergies, familial tax declarations, what’s going on with low emission zones, useful phrases involving hair, and what second-home owners need to know about visas - here are this week's must-read articles for life in France. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260419/allergies-taxes-and-and-hair-phrases-6-essential-articles-for-life-in-france Sun, 19 Apr 2026 08:08:45 +0200 allergies-taxes-and-and-hair-phrases-6-essential-articles-for-life-in-france Allergy season is upon us in France - cue the endless sneezing coupled with red and itchy eyes. Here's what you can ask for at the pharmacy to help you fight off the pollen. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260312/allergy-season-what-to-ask-for-in-french-pharmacies Thu, 12 Mar 2026 16:13:32 +0100 allergy-season-what-to-ask-for-in-french-pharmacies