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LIVING IN FRANCE

Covid rules to cheese shortages: 6 essential articles for life in France

From the latest Covid restrictions to gender-neutral pronouns via the great cheese drought of 2021, here's our pick of the six articles that will help you to better understand life in France.

Published: 28 November 2021 09:04 CET
As winter approaches, France faces a cheese shortage.
As winter approaches, France faces a cheese shortage. Here are six articles you need to read this week. (Photo by JAMIE MCDONALD / AFP)

Winter is coming. But the cheesemakers aren’t ready. 

After a particularly wet and cold summer, farms have struggled to produce enough hay – an important source of nutrition for lactating cows. This could mean shortages of cheeses like Saint-Nectaire, Cantal and Bleu d’Auvergne towards the end of the year. 

We have been exploring this story and its possible link to climate change. We have also prepared a list of the best cheesy winter dishes in France – should you be lucky enough to get your hands on the ingredients. 

While there are no lockdowns or curfews currently on the cards for the festive break, the French government has introduced a raft of new Covid restrictions to tackle a fifth wave that is spreading through France at “lightning” pace.

The coming days, weeks and months will see the booster shot programme expanded to all over 18s, the return of mandatory mask wearing and tougher conditionality on health passes. 

To help you better stay on top of the new rules, we have prepared a calendar showing when each change comes in. You can find more information on the Covid-19 section of our website. 

Calendar: When do France’s new Covid measures come into force?

Its convenient location, good transport links, comparatively cheap property market – not to mention the stunning countryside and great food and wine – have long made France a popular destination for Brits looking to buy a second home. Thousands of Brits have invested in French property and travel regularly to spend time in their home-away-from-home.

But Brexit has ushered in a host of new restrictions for that you need to be aware of and staying on top of them can be hard.

We have been working on a guide on everything you need to know as a second home owner in France. From the 90-day rule to pets – we’ve got it covered. 

Brexit: What has changed for British second-home owners in France?

This week saw tragedy in the Channel. On Wednesday, at least 27 people died trying to cross from France to England, after their dinghy sank at sea. It was the single deadliest disaster ever recorded on the intensively-used migrant route. In response, French government has vowed to crack down on people smuggling. 

The incident has only added further fuel to the ongoing bonfire of Anglo-French relations. On Friday, the French Interior Minister cancelled a planned meeting with his British counterpart over a letter written by British PM Boris Johnson.

Our columnist, John Lichfield – who as a journalist has been covering Calais migration issues for 24 years – looks back at the genesis of the tragedy, and why the British government is deluded when it comes to attacking France on migration.

OPINION: France protects UK from migrant crisis, a fact Britain will never accept

Last week, a French dictionary had to issue a public defence after deciding to define the gender-inclusive pronoun, ‘iel‘, after coming under fire from the French Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer. 

“Defining words used in the world allows people to better understand them,” wrote the Petit Robert dictionary in a statement. 

All languages evolve. So we have published some guidance on how to use ‘iel’ correctly and on the adjectival agreement that must go with it. Welcome to the 21st century. 

French word of the Day: iel

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PROPERTY

How to ensure your French property is insured for storm damage

Storm Ciaran’s property-wrecking passage through France - with another storm forecast for the weekend - may have many people wondering how comprehensive their insurance cover is. 

Published: 3 November 2023 15:45 CET
How to ensure your French property is insured for storm damage

In the wake of Storm Ciaran, thousands of property owners in France are preparing insurance claims – with initial estimates of the bill for damage between €370 million and €480 million.

Home insurance is compulsory in France, whether you own the property you live in or you rent – and it must include some level of storm damage cover. 

Check also to see if your insurance provides cover in case of a declaration of a catastrophe naturelle.

The garantie tempête (storm guarantee) covers damage caused by violent winds. What constitutes a ‘violent wind’ varies from contract to contract, but there appears to be a widespread consensus of agreement on wind speeds over 100km/h.

In most insurance contracts, this covers damage caused by the storm and within the following 48 hours – so you’re covered if, for example, a tree weakened by the storm comes down within that period and damages your property.

Be aware that, while the storm guarantee automatically covers the main property, it generally only covers any secondary buildings and light constructions – such as a veranda, shed, solar panels, swimming pool or fence – if they are specifically mentioned in the contract. 

The same is true of any cars damaged by debris. A basic insurance contract might not include storm damage, so it is always worth checking.

Damage must be reported to your insurer as quickly as possible. The deadline for making declarations is usually five days after any damage is noticed. This is especially important for second home owners, who may not be at the property when the damage occurs. 

In some cases – such as in the aftermath of Storm Ciaran – insurers may extend the reporting period. But under normal circumstances, it’s five days after the damage has been discovered.

What happens next

To make a claim, the first thing to do is contact your insurer by phone or email. Your insurer will take you through the next steps, but usually you have to send in a declaration – which should include an estimate of any losses and for any repairs, with evidence where possible, such as photographs and any receipts for purchases. 

Your insurer may also request proof of wind intensity, which can be provided for example by a nearby weather station.

The insurance company may appoint an expert to come and assess the damage, so make sure to keep damaged property safe until they arrive, as well as all invoices for any urgent repair work. 

What if you’re a tenant?

If you rent your property, you must report any damage inside the accommodation to your insurer and also notify your landlord so that they can file their own claim. 

In the case of a co-propriete, you must declare damage inside the accommodation to your insurer, while the trustee sends his own declaration to the collective insurance (which sometimes covers the private areas) .

How long does it take for claims to be settled?

Payment of the compensation provided for by the “storm guarantee” depends your home insurance contract. After the insurer has estimated the amount of damage, compensation is generally paid between 10 and 30 days following receipt of the insured’s agreement.

What if we got flooded?

In the case of flooding, you may have to wait for a natural disaster order to be issued. 

Catastrophe naturelle

The ‘state of natural disaster’ is a special procedure that was set up in 1982 so victims of exceptional natural events, such as storms, heavy rain, mudslides and flooding, as well as drought, can be adequately compensated for damage to property.

The government evaluates each area and deems whether it qualifies for the status of catastrophe naturelle (natural disaster). 

Essentially once a zone is declared a natural disaster, victims can claim from a pot of funds created by all insurers. If the zone is not declared a disaster, insurance companies are under no obligation to pay out. 

Under a “state of natural disaster” residents are covered for all those goods and property that are directly damaged by the phenomenon, in this case storms.

It applies to residential or commercial buildings, furniture, vehicles and work equipment that are already covered by insurance policies.

Homes must be already covered by a multi-risk insurance policy for the status of natural disaster to count.

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