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 From the outrage around the Affaire Lyhanna and the dysfunction of the judicial system, via France's preparations for a controversial World Cup and a few film recommendations, Inside France is our weekly look at the news and talking points in France. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260613/inside-france-outrage-grows-over-the-dysfunction-revealed-by-the-affair-lyhanna Sat, 13 Jun 2026 09:07:42 +0200 inside-france-outrage-grows-over-the-dysfunction-revealed-by-the-affair-lyhanna If someone tells you they're having 'la pêche', it doesn't mean they're keen for a fruity snack. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260612/french-expression-of-the-day-avoir-la-pche Fri, 12 Jun 2026 13:44:05 +0200 french-expression-of-the-day-avoir-la-pche Jordan Bardella has stumbled upon reality - writes John Lichfield. A dangerous thing for a populist politician. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260610/opinion-the-french-pension-crisis-could-be-a-landmine-for-jordan-bardella Wed, 10 Jun 2026 10:24:38 +0200 opinion-the-french-pension-crisis-could-be-a-landmine-for-jordan-bardella This French expression doesn't actually mean your underpants are on. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260612/french-expression-of-the-day-etre-culotte Fri, 12 Jun 2026 13:39:44 +0200 french-expression-of-the-day-etre-culotte From celebrating World Cup wins to linguistic shenanigans and the 'hidden superpower' of a second language, this week’s La Belle Vie newsletter offers an insight into this essential process. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260611/la-belle-vie-france-world-cup-memory-lane-and-linguistic-battles Thu, 11 Jun 2026 17:57:45 +0200 la-belle-vie-france-world-cup-memory-lane-and-linguistic-battles Even if you're not a football fan, there are some songs that you won't be able to avoid hearing in France as the 2026 World Cup kicks off - from a 70s disco classic to a chant about jumping Frenchmen. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260611/9-songs-that-define-frances-football-culture Thu, 11 Jun 2026 17:43:10 +0200 9-songs-that-define-frances-football-culture The early heatwave has increased concerns over forest fires for the summer, with several areas already placed on alert. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260611/wildfire-risk-rises-across-france-which-departements-are-on-alert-this-summer Thu, 11 Jun 2026 11:09:15 +0200 wildfire-risk-rises-across-france-which-departements-are-on-alert-this-summer You might have heard of the '183 day rule' when it comes to taxes, but in fact in France tax residency is more than just a number. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260611/183-day-rule-how-france-calculates-tax-residency Thu, 11 Jun 2026 10:57:01 +0200 183-day-rule-how-france-calculates-tax-residency You might already know the French word clochard... https://www.thelocal.fr/20260611/french-word-of-the-day-clochardisation Thu, 11 Jun 2026 10:10:24 +0200 french-word-of-the-day-clochardisation If you hesitate over how to pronounce the G in French words - with a hard or soft sound - then we have great news for you. This is one example of the French language having a simple and consistent rule. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260611/french-grammar-tip-how-to-pronounce-the-gs Thu, 11 Jun 2026 09:56:35 +0200 french-grammar-tip-how-to-pronounce-the-gs The French are famously proud of their language and several bodies to exist to safeguard it from the looming threat of English words and phrases - but is it ever actually illegal to use English in France? https://www.thelocal.fr/20220607/right-to-french-when-is-it-illegal-to-use-english-in-france Tue, 07 Jun 2022 12:07:26 +0200 right-to-french-when-is-it-illegal-to-use-english-in-france A French 'vilain' is usually not the same as a comic-book villain... https://www.thelocal.fr/20260610/french-word-of-the-day-vilain Wed, 10 Jun 2026 11:30:33 +0200 french-word-of-the-day-vilain A very common mistake for foreigners in France at tax time is failing to declare their foreign bank accounts - so how do you go about putting this right? https://www.thelocal.fr/20260609/reader-question-what-should-i-do-if-i-have-never-declared-my-foreign-bank-accounts-in-france Tue, 09 Jun 2026 13:41:38 +0200 reader-question-what-should-i-do-if-i-have-never-declared-my-foreign-bank-accounts-in-france Paris will not have an official fan zone for the 2026 men's football World Cup, at least for now. But several organisations have decided to set up zones where people can watch the matches. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260609/will-there-be-fan-zones-in-paris-to-watch-the-2026-world-cup Tue, 09 Jun 2026 13:36:50 +0200 will-there-be-fan-zones-in-paris-to-watch-the-2026-world-cup A cornerstone of French culture, the tabac has long been a place for more than just cigarette shopping. Paying bills and fines, paying tollbooth fees or exchanging damaged banknotes - are just some of the services that tobacconists offer. https://www.thelocal.fr/20200729/why-the-tabac-is-essential-to-life-in-france-even-if-you-dont-smoke Wed, 29 Jul 2020 12:12:48 +0200 why-the-tabac-is-essential-to-life-in-france-even-if-you-dont-smoke Americans in France usually need to file two sets of tax declarations - one in the US, one in France - and may also have to declare two sets of foreign bank accounts. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260609/fbar-what-americans-in-france-need-to-know-about-declaring-bank-accounts Tue, 09 Jun 2026 10:20:18 +0200 fbar-what-americans-in-france-need-to-know-about-declaring-bank-accounts If you hear this one, you can feel quite pleased with how things are going. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260609/french-expression-of-the-day-tu-me-plais Tue, 09 Jun 2026 10:04:10 +0200 french-expression-of-the-day-tu-me-plais From French taxes and US primary elections and an American World Cup, here's our latest newsletter for Americans who either live in France, visit frequently or plan to move here some day. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260608/americans-in-france-d-day-voting-from-abroad-and-watching-the-world-cup Mon, 08 Jun 2026 09:00:12 +0200 americans-in-france-d-day-voting-from-abroad-and-watching-the-world-cup If you're an American living in France, you may have wondered whether your child has any tax obligations in the US, despite not living there. The Local spoke with tax specialist Jonathan Hadida to find out what parents need to know. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260608/what-american-parents-in-france-need-to-know-about-their-childs-us-tax-obligations Mon, 08 Jun 2026 17:33:53 +0200 what-american-parents-in-france-need-to-know-about-their-childs-us-tax-obligations If you're interacting with the French health system you may come across the 'blood group card' - here's a look at what it is, who needs one and how to get it. https://www.thelocal.fr/20260608/what-is-a-french-carte-de-groupe-sanguin-and-who-needs-one Mon, 08 Jun 2026 17:27:39 +0200 what-is-a-french-carte-de-groupe-sanguin-and-who-needs-one