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LIVING IN FRANCE

Clocks, cars and citizenship: 6 essential articles for life in France

Why the clocks still have to go back, travel changes for non-EU citizens, what might stop you becoming French, who needs snow tyres this winter, and visa rules - they’re all in this week’s must-reads from The Local

Published: 29 October 2023 08:12 CET
Clocks, cars and citizenship: 6 essential articles for life in France
A woman puts snow socks on the tyres of her car. (Photo by Pascal POCHARD-CASABIANCA / AFP)

This weekend marks, once again, the changing of the clocks across Europe – but the EU actually had a plan to end this twice-yearly practice back in 2019. So what happened?

Whatever happened to the EU plan to ditch the changing of the clocks?

Speaking of the EU. Its home affairs ministers has endorsed new dates for the start of operations for new EU border systems. Two changes that will affect travel in and out of the bloc for non-EU citizens – such as Britons, Americans, Australians and Canadians. Here’s how EES and ETIAS will affect you.

EES and ETIAS: What are the big changes for travel in Europe?

You may think that applying for French citizenship will solve a lot of those issues. A word of warning, however. It is a stressful and time-consuming process … but could you really be refused for your political views or if you’re overheard complaining about France? We sort the fact from the fiction.

Why might France refuse your citizenship application?

Winter, so the catchline for the popular sex-and-sorcery fantasy saga goes, is coming. In practical terms, however, that means drivers in certain parts of the country need to be prepared. From November 1st rules requiring motorists to have winter tyres or snow chains apply in certain areas – here’s what equipment you need and where the law applies.

MAP: Where in France do I need snow tyres this winter?

On the one hand, France has a visa system that was last revised well before remote working became an option for most people, on the other hand we have the exponential rise in the number of people working remotely. So, we asked the question: can you work in France on a short-stay visa?

Ask the experts: How do remote working and visitor visas combine?

Linked to that, the prospect of some hope for anyone who owns a second home in France, perhaps. A French Senator is proposing a special visa for people who own property in France – but is it really likely to become a reality?

Will France bring in a visa for second-home owners?

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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.

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