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LIVING IN FRANCE

Crit’Air stickers, road signs, and rentrée rules: 6 essential articles for life in France

France’s environmental Crit’Air stickers explained, a new road sign to watch out for, avoiding roaming charges in France, health insurance advice and how to find a really good French restaurant.

Crit’Air stickers, road signs, and rentrée rules: 6 essential articles for life in France
School's nearly not out for summer... (Photo by JEFF PACHOUD / AFP)

One national UK newspaper reported this week on France’s “Crut’Air” (sic) stickers, warning innocent British motorists that they were ‘an easy target’ for £155 fines (wait till they hear about France’s flight tax plan to pay for the railways).

In this article from the archives, we explain how the Crit’Air (as it is actually named) sticker system works, and how to avoid a fine by going through the simple process of getting one.

Crit’Air: How France’s vehicle emissions stickers work

But there is a new road sign in France that motorists will need to get used to – and ignoring it could land you a fine you could really do without. Readers, we give you the car pool lane sign…

The new French road sign that can net you a €135 fine

More money-saving tips… If you’re visiting France from outside the EU you risk running up a huge phone bill in roaming charges – but there are ways to keep your internet access while avoiding being hit by extra charges.

How to avoid huge ‘roaming’ phone bills while visiting France

France has a problem with food. Its reputation as a global gastronomic giant raises expectations. And if those expectations aren’t met, disappointment follows. Often public ‘French food is overrated’ disappointment.

The problem is that a lot of people visiting France aren’t doing French restaurants right…

8 tips for finding a good restaurant in France

Anyone living in France knows about the importance of getting a carte vitale to access healthcare. Once you have one, you may want to look into getting a complementary healthcare plan, or a Mutuelle. Here is what you need to know about top-up insurance in France.

Health insurance in France: What you need to know about a mutuelle

And finally, as experienced parents of school-age children look longingly at the beginning of September and the blessed release of the rentrée scolaire, those preparing for it for the first time may feel a little nervous about what – officially and unofficially – happens at the school gates and beyond. Don’t worry, we’ve been there. We’ve got your back.

What you need to know if your child is starting school in France

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LIVING IN FRANCE

Préfectures, property and Euro 2024: Essential articles for life in France

Buying a property, préfecture problems, buying and selling concert tickets, how and where to watch Euro 2024 action - plus of course what France's snap elections mean for foreigners in France - are all this week's must-reads from The Local.

Préfectures, property and Euro 2024: Essential articles for life in France

We don’t normally do politics here – the ‘Essentials’ newsletter is supposed to be practical and we usually leave that political sort of thing to editor Emma Pearson and her election bulletins.

But there are some things we can’t ignore. And one is that there’s a snap-election coming up, and there’s a possibility that Marine Len Pen’s far-right Rassemblement National party could do well. So – from visas to cartes de séjour and French language tests – here’s a look at some RN’s policies that could affect foreigners living in France, or hoping to move here someday.

What a far-right prime minister could mean for foreigners in France

There are several things to consider before buying property in France. You may want to visit the area during different seasons to be sure that you enjoy it rain or shine, and you will want to consider how much you would end up paying in property taxes, as well as whether or not it will be a main residence or second home.

And then, there are the extra hurdles for foreigners purchasing property here. Here’s a look at some of the restrictions and challenges you will want to be aware of beforehand.

What restrictions are there on foreigners buying property in France?

Many foreigners have experienced problems with their local préfecture – from long delays in processing applications to difficulty getting appointments and problems in making contact with préfecture staff.

If you’re a non-EU citizen living in France then you will need either a visa or a carte de séjour (residency permit) – and in the early years most people will need to regularly renew their cards – this means that you will have to interact with their local préfecture, or sous-préfecture. Here are a few tips to make the process a little easier on the blood pressure…

Top tips for dealing with delays or problems at your French préfecture

A football tournament kicked off on Friday – you may have heard something about it. From TV schedules to bars, cafés and fan zones, here are your options for watching all matches of the Euro 2024 football tournament in France.

How to watch the Euro 2024 tournament on TV in France

If you are buying or selling tickets to events such as concerts, matches or festivals in France, then there are some rules to be aware of, especially as the Olympic and Paralympic Games approach.

The rules for buying and selling tickets in France

From strike action to Olympic disruption, via ‘black days’ on the roads and the €49 rail pass, here’s a look ahead to what to expect if you’re travelling to, from or within France in summer 2024.

Travel to France: What to expect on roads, rails and airports this summer

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