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LIVING IN FRANCE

Real estate, e-scooters and food shopping: 6 essential articles for life in France

The reality of the holiday travel delays between UK and France; what Americans need to know about buying a property in France; where food is more expensive; the truth about Marseille; and e-scooter rules in the capital. Here's our pick of 6 essential articles from The Local.

Published: 9 April 2023 08:57 CEST

Real estate, e-scooters and food shopping: 6 essential articles for life in France

The Vieux-Port of Marseille. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP)

The usual food, drink, family gatherings and egg hunts all feature at Easter in France. But you should probably expect some more unusual traditions, too….

Flying bells and giant omelettes: Eight ways the French celebrate Easter

Once again a busy holiday period has seen long queues in the UK port of Dover as British visitors attempt to travel to France – so what is causing this and is there any prospect of things getting better?

Is Brexit to blame for UK-France travel delays and will it affect every holiday?

For many Americans looking to buy a place in France, the French property buying system comes as a shock. In contrast to the US system of having a realtor who guides you through the entire process, in France – as in most of Europe – buyers are expected to do much of the house-hunting work themselves. Here’s our guide to how the French system works and some tips for American buyers.

Reader Question: Can I find an American-style real estate agent in France?

France has kept its overall inflation rate low by government-sponsored measures such as capping the domestic electricity and gas bills, but this rate hides a larger increase in food prices.

MAP: The cheapest and most expensive places to buy food in France

After another spate of drug-related homicides in Marseille, many are wondering how dangerous France’s port city on the Mediterranean really is.

Does the French city of Marseille deserve its ‘dangerous’ reputation?

Free-floating e-scooters are on their way out in Paris, after participants in the city’s referendum voted overwhelmingly to get rid of them, the city’s mayor, Anne Hidalgo, announced. But does that mean no more e-scooters in the capital? Well, it’s complicated…

EXPLAINED: What are the rules on e-scooters in Paris now?

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What is France's 'citizen service' and who has to do it?

France scrapped compulsory military service in 1997 so its teenagers are no longer required to do 10 months of square-bashing, boot polishing and cross country runs.

They are, however, required to do the Journée défense et citoyenneté (JDC) in most cases – although this at least has the benefit of being just a single day.

What is it?

The JDC is basically a one-day course or learning exercise about your rights and responsibilities as a citizen of France.

You will receive teaching on three main areas;

The general issues and objectives of national defence, and on the different forms of commitment required from citizens. This part of the course is usually taught by members of the French military
Civics lessons – similar to those given in French schools – based on the Charte des droits et devoirs du citoyen français (Charter of rights and duties of French citizens)
Information on equality between men and women, on the fight against sexist prejudice and on the fight against physical, psychological or sexual violence committed within the couple

You will also be given a brief test on your knowledge of the French language. This is for everyone, not just foreigners, and language learners can feel comforted by the fact that plenty of native French people also struggle with the intricacies of their language.

You do not have to pass any kind of exam on the contents of the citizenship course – more on the curriculum here.

The course usually lasts seven and a half hours – basically a standard working day.

Who has to do it?

There are two things that young people in France must do – the recensement citoyen (citizen census) and then, in most cases, the JDC.

The recensement citoyen is compulsory for;

Any French citizens who are turning 16 – they must complete the registration within three months of their 16th birthday.
Anyone who gains French nationality between the ages of 16 and 25 – they must sign up within a month of getting their citizenship.

It is not required for people older than 25 who gain French citizenship, neither is it required for non-French citizens – even if they are long-term residents in France.

People who fail to complete the recensement citoyen when required cannot be inscribed onto the electoral rolls (and therefore cannot vote), while the certificate of completion is also usually required to enrol for French public exams or administrative exams (eg professional qualifications).

Once you have completed the census, you will then receive notice for the one-day citizenship course (JDC). This is compulsory for most people, although there are exceptions for people who have a disability or a long-term illness.

How do you do it?

First off, the recensement citoyen can be done either online or in person, if you choose the online option it is done at the local mairie.

It’s a relatively simple sign-up process and then you receive the attestation de recensement, which will be required for registering for exams. Once you have completed this, you will automatically be added to the electoral roll once you reach the age of 18.

Once this is completed, you will then receive a convocation (summons) to your one-day JDC. The letter will provide details of how and where to do the course, as well as the options to appeal if you believe you are exempt on the grounds of illness or disability.

It also gives you an autorisation d’absence exceptionnelle – authorisation of absence, which you present to your employer if you are working or an apprentice. They are then legally obliged to give you the day off to attend.

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