Read news from:
Austria
SHARE
COPY LINK

LIVING IN FRANCE

The 90-day rule, ID cards and second-home hotspots: 6 essential articles for life in France

Why the 90-day rule can't be beaten, France's second-home hotspots, ID cards and residency rules, and the actual French for terms with the word French - our must-reads this week cover a lot of ground

Published: 4 June 2023 08:36 CEST
The 90-day rule, ID cards and second-home hotspots: 6 essential articles for life in France
Saint-Jean-de-Luz is a second-home hotspot. (Photo by GAIZKA IROZ / AFP)

It’s a new dawn, it’s a new month, it’s a new life – in some respects – in France. From Summer festivals, the French Open and Pride Month, to a change in gas policy, and tax deadlines, this is what’s happening in France in June.

What changes about life in France in June 2023 

Owning a second-home in France is a dream for many – both French and foreign alike. Some imagine a life on the Breton coastline enjoying fresh seafood and cidre, while others aspire to a chalet in the Alps.

In fact, almost 1 in 10 properties in France is a holiday home, with owners – both French and foreign – living their dream of a home by the sea or in the mountains. These are the most popular areas. 

MAPS: Where in France has the largest number of second-homes

Speaking of changes, the reality of the post-Brexit world has prompted a stream of articles in UK media talking about ‘90-day loopholes’ or ‘how to beat the 90-day rule’. 

In brief – you can’t. We explain why here.

Mythbuster: Can you really ‘cheat’ the Schengen 90-day rule?

The French government has unveiled a plan to combat benefit fraud and medical tourism, but there is one aspect that could also affect foreigners who live in France – a requirement for a French ID card in order to use the carte vitale health card.

So what does it mean for anyone legally resident in France who does not have an ID card?

Will you need a French ID card to use the carte vitale?

On top of that, the French government has laid out plans to tighten residency requirements when it comes to allowing people to access social welfare in France such as unemployment benefits. We examine what that involves.

France to tighten residency requirements for access to social benefits

Enough with the administrative nightmare that is France. Let’s round off with some important stuff. From doors to sex aids, coffee styles to fried potatoes – when speaking English many things are described as ‘French’ – but what do the French themselves call French kissing, French doors, French toast and French letters (to name but a few)?

How do the French talk about ‘French’ kisses, doors and manicures?

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.

LIVING IN FRANCE

5 tips to have the best possible night at France’s Fête de la musique

It can be the most fun day of the year - when France goes music crazy and bands suddenly appear on every street corner - but there are some tips to make your Fête de la musique experience as good as it can possibly be.

Published: 24 June 2024 11:26 CEST
5 tips to have the best possible night at France's Fête de la musique

First, a caveat – this is an entirely personal manifesto based on the things that I have enjoyed over my Fête de la Musique outings over the years. It’s not intended as any kind of hard-and-fast rule and plenty of people will have different experiences.

Feel free to disagree and/or share your festival tips in the comments section below!

1 Ignore the big-name artists

There are always a few big-name artists or concerts in major venues on the Fête de la musique (which happens every year on June 21st).

Ignore them. Sure, stadiums gigs can be great and huge venues can have a wonderful atmosphere – but you can do that any night of the year. It’s not what Fête de la musique is about.

The true spirit of the Fête is the smaller acts who play on street corners, in bars and community venues. They’re free, you can wander between them and stay as long as you like – and there is always something else around the corner.

2 Ignore the big towns

You might think that the big cities have the best music, but if you have the choice, go for a small town or a suburb.

I’ve enjoyed some good Fêtes in Paris, but the best experiences had have been smaller towns or the Paris’ suburbs (Montreuil is good – a commune that carefully cultivates a small-town / village vibe, albeit a very diverse small town where everyone is a hippy, a leftist, or both).

It’s partly a practicality thing – in big cities the acts are spread out and you have to make plans to see something and meet up with friends. In small towns, you just wander along to the main square, then when you’ve seen the acts there, you can saunter up the side streets, each of which will have dozens of bands playing, pausing only to grab a beer and snacks.

But it’s also the vibe; in big cities you can hear good live music all the time and the population is consequently complacent – small towns truly appreciate the Fête de la musique and properly go wild.

Once, in Paris, I was watching a blues band play in the street when a woman tipped water on their heads from her apartment window because she was tired and wanted to go to sleep. Small towns appreciate it when bands play for them.

3 Experiment

There’s a lot of variety on the night, so take advantage – this is your opportunity to hear all kinds of live music from rock to swing, jazz to classical, choirs to DJs.

Didn’t think that a five-piece oud band is your thing? Fête de la musique may change your mind. It’s the night of the year when anything goes, musically, so it’s also the night to try something new.

If you hate it – well it’s free and there’s another band down the street that might be more your thing. But you might discover a lifetime passion for oud music – in fact, by this time next year you might be playing in the oud band. Thanks to the Fête de la musique.

4 Don’t insist on quality

You’ll hear some great bands, but you’ll also hear some that are more about enthusiasm – and that’s all part of the fun.

You’re going to be hearing everything from classic rock to reggae to blues to the above-mentioned five-piece oud band, and as well as the styles the quality may be variable to.

For me, the true spirit of Fête de la musique is the 50-year-old accountant rocking out on his guitar and enjoying the one night of the year when he can dream that if only he hadn’t given up on his high school band, he could now be rich, famous and selling out stadiums, as opposed to filing tax declarations in an office above the florist.

5 Dress comfortably

Some people like to dress up for the Fête and that’s great – it’s a party after all – but the key thing is to wear something that is comfortable and allows you to shake your stuff.

Yes, you will be dancing – you’ll be dancing on street corners, in parks, cafés and perhaps on street furniture if things really get going, and you’ll be dancing with kids, dapper 70-year-old gents and everyone in between.

You need comfortable shoes and clothes that you can really move in.

Dance like no-one is watching. They may be watching, but they won’t be judging. Much. It’s Fête de la musique.

SHOW COMMENTS