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 The French city of Nantes is to hold a referendum on exiting the Pays-de-la-Loire region and becoming part of Brittany instead. https://www.thelocal.fr/20210208/french-town-of-nantes-votes-for-referendum-on-exiting-pays-de-la-loire-region Mon, 08 Feb 2021 10:03:00 +0100 french-town-of-nantes-votes-for-referendum-on-exiting-pays-de-la-loire-region Two years after it became part of the Grand Est, a whopping 83 percent of Alsatians -- known for being fiercely proud of their cultural identity -- want Alsace to regain its regional status, a new survey reveals. https://www.thelocal.fr/20180220/alsace-83-percent-of-alsatians-back-return-of-their-historical-region Tue, 20 Feb 2018 17:20:26 +0100 alsace-83-percent-of-alsatians-back-return-of-their-historical-region You'll never have to use the acronym PACA again after the name of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region was changed by officials. But what's motivated the move? https://www.thelocal.fr/20171219/why-france-is-bidding-adieu-to-provence-alpes-cote-dazur Tue, 19 Dec 2017 11:17:32 +0100 why-france-is-bidding-adieu-to-provence-alpes-cote-dazur France has finally had its new administrative map officially recognized, after it was published on Thursday. https://www.thelocal.fr/20160929/its-official-france-finally-gets-its-new-map Thu, 29 Sep 2016 19:12:34 +0200 its-official-france-finally-gets-its-new-map France has finally settled on a new map after the name of the final new super region was decided on. https://www.thelocal.fr/20160628/new-map-of-france-finalized-as-regions-settle-on-names Tue, 28 Jun 2016 15:07:34 +0200 new-map-of-france-finalized-as-regions-settle-on-names You can't call our new region Nouvelle Aquitaine, argue thousands of French people worried they'll be misrepresented. https://www.thelocal.fr/20160615/southwestern-france-revolts-over-new-regions-name Wed, 15 Jun 2016 13:56:29 +0200 southwestern-france-revolts-over-new-regions-name Voters in the east of the country has settled on "Great East" as the name of their new region. https://www.thelocal.fr/20160404/new-name-for-alsace-champagne-ardennes-lorraine-region Mon, 04 Apr 2016 18:59:05 +0200 new-name-for-alsace-champagne-ardennes-lorraine-region Nord-Pas-de-Calais-Picardie’s regional council voted on a new name for the region on Monday, but not everyone is pleased. https://www.thelocal.fr/20160314/frances-new-regions-have-started-to-choose-their-new-names Mon, 14 Mar 2016 17:16:11 +0100 frances-new-regions-have-started-to-choose-their-new-names The start of the New Year in France brought in a flood of changes, including a complete reworking of France's map and the introduction of compulsory doggy bags in restaurants. Here's everything you need to know. https://www.thelocal.fr/20160104/what-changes-in-france-from-january-1st Mon, 04 Jan 2016 11:18:44 +0100 what-changes-in-france-from-january-1st A new survey has revealed in which regions the French would love to live and also where they’d rather avoid. https://www.thelocal.fr/20151026/where-the-french-do-and-dont-want-to-live Mon, 26 Oct 2015 18:51:49 +0100 where-the-french-do-and-dont-want-to-live French officials have revealed their suggestions for the capital cities of the country's newest regions. But not everyone is happy about the choices. https://www.thelocal.fr/20150731/france-names-capital-cities-for-new-regions Fri, 31 Jul 2015 16:43:14 +0200 france-names-capital-cities-for-new-regions French lawmakers on Wednesday voted to redraw the map of France, reducing the country’s regions from 22 to 13, in a move aimed at trimming costs and reduce cumbersome bureaucracy. https://www.thelocal.fr/20141218/france-to-redraw-map-of-regions Thu, 18 Dec 2014 10:24:00 +0100 france-to-redraw-map-of-regions Where is the best place in France to live if you want to be happy? And where is the best place to find love or a job or to raise a family? Well, a new survey claims to have the answers. You might be surprised by the results. https://www.thelocal.fr/20130408/happiness-quality-life-regions Mon, 08 Apr 2013 15:25:00 +0200 happiness-quality-life-regions Earlier this week the Mayor of Marseille opened up old wounds when he blasted the French government for favouring Paris over his city when it comes to investment. The Local speaks to two French officials who refute his claims. https://www.thelocal.fr/20130320/people-in-the-provinces-often-feel-jealous-towards-paris Wed, 20 Mar 2013 11:53:00 +0100 people-in-the-provinces-often-feel-jealous-towards-paris