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 You've heard of 'doing the bridge' but what does it mean to do the wall? https://www.thelocal.fr/20260429/french-expression-of-the-day-faire-le-mur Wed, 29 Apr 2026 11:33:47 +0200 french-expression-of-the-day-faire-le-mur Local authorities in south-west France, including Charente and Charente-Maritime - have imposed the first water restrictions of the year, due to early weather disturbances. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260428/south-west-france-brings-in-water-restrictions Tue, 28 Apr 2026 10:36:06 +0200 south-west-france-brings-in-water-restrictions They're better for the planet, they won't be cancelled because of jet fuel shortages and you can take your own wine on board (100ml limits? What are they?) - here are some suggestions for a French train holiday this summer. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260428/12-beautiful-routes-for-french-train-holidays-this-summer Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:49:41 +0200 12-beautiful-routes-for-french-train-holidays-this-summer In French, it's socially acceptable to refer to someone as your baby horse. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260429/french-word-of-the-day-poulain Wed, 29 Apr 2026 11:31:06 +0200 french-word-of-the-day-poulain From the latest on French politicians' love lives to Paris bee colonies and America's alternative future of speaking French, Inside France looks at the latest news and gossip from France. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260502/inside-france-the-love-lives-of-french-politicians-and-an-alternative-francophone-usa Sat, 02 May 2026 09:57:40 +0200 inside-france-the-love-lives-of-french-politicians-and-an-alternative-francophone-usa French history is littered with spectacular comebacks, from the Emperor Napoleon to Charles de Gaulle to Edith Piaf, writes John Lichfield. Could François Hollande, the cuddliest of politicians but tougher than he seems, return to the Elysée Palace nine years after his presidency fizzled into insignificance? https://www.thelocal.fr/20260429/opinion-a-second-french-presidency-for-francois-hollande-really Wed, 29 Apr 2026 09:15:22 +0200 opinion-a-second-french-presidency-for-francois-hollande-really 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 A start date has been agreed for the long-awaited direct train linking Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport with the city. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260427/start-date-set-for-new-paris-airport-link Mon, 27 Apr 2026 16:24:01 +0200 start-date-set-for-new-paris-airport-link From four public holidays to price hikes, plus tax deadlines, and the Cannes film festival, here's what is happening in France in May 2026. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260416/everything-that-changes-in-france-in-may-2026 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:07:40 +0200 everything-that-changes-in-france-in-may-2026 From a Brittany weekend to choosing train travel this summer - this week’s La Belle Vie newsletter offers an essential starting point for eating, talking, drinking, and living like a local. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260501/la-belle-vie-seafood-festivals-to-choosing-trains-over-planes Fri, 01 May 2026 10:30:37 +0200 la-belle-vie-seafood-festivals-to-choosing-trains-over-planes Have you organised the sourcing of your good luck muguet de mai? https://www.thelocal.fr/20260429/french-word-of-the-day-muguet Wed, 29 Apr 2026 11:28:04 +0200 french-word-of-the-day-muguet The French government has significantly increased the fees for residency permits and French citizenship from May - here's a breakdown of the new fees. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260224/france-hikes-prices-for-french-citizenship-and-residency-permits Tue, 24 Feb 2026 16:34:15 +0100 france-hikes-prices-for-french-citizenship-and-residency-permits 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 Summer in France means lots of things - trips to the beach, empty cities, works on the Paris Metro - but it also ushers in rosé and spritz season. Here's some of the best options to drink in France this summer. https://www.thelocal.fr/20220616/rose-spritz-and-presse-5-things-to-drink-in-france-this-summer Thu, 16 Jun 2022 12:50:45 +0200 rose-spritz-and-presse-5-things-to-drink-in-france-this-summer 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 This French expression isn't actually about putting water in your wine. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260430/french-expression-of-the-day-mettre-de-leau-dans-son-vin Thu, 30 Apr 2026 10:10:14 +0200 french-expression-of-the-day-mettre-de-leau-dans-son-vin They're set for a major expansion with a target of carrying an extra 8 million passengers a year - but what exactly are France's Ouigo trains and how do they differ from the classic TGV? https://www.thelocal.fr/20260429/ouigo-everything-you-need-to-know-about-frances-low-cost-trains Wed, 29 Apr 2026 17:09:32 +0200 ouigo-everything-you-need-to-know-about-frances-low-cost-trains The last thing you want to discover is that bees, wasps or hornets have made a nest in or around your French property - and this is often a problem for second-home owners whose properties are empty for long periods. https://www.thelocal.fr/20231004/what-to-do-if-you-find-a-bee-wasp-or-hornet-nest-on-your-french-property Wed, 04 Oct 2023 12:38:43 +0200 what-to-do-if-you-find-a-bee-wasp-or-hornet-nest-on-your-french-property 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 This French word has both a literal meaning and several different uses in everyday slang. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260429/french-word-of-the-day-cracher-2 Wed, 29 Apr 2026 11:15:11 +0200 french-word-of-the-day-cracher-2