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WHAT CHANGES IN FRANCE

On the Agenda: What’s happening in France this week

From a historic vote on enshrining abortion in France's constitution to another tranche of Olympics tickets on sale and back to school for pupils in Zone A, here's what is happening in France this week.

On the Agenda: What's happening in France this week
Protestors hold a slogan which reads "My body, My uterus, My choice" during a silent gathering at Place de la Sorbonne organised by 'Abortion in Europe' movement in Paris on February 28, 2024. (Photo by Kiran RIDLEY / AFP)

Monday

Olympics tickets – The next tranche of Olympics tickets will be on sale on Monday, March 4th, the same date as the unveiling of the official poster for the Games. The tickets will go on sale at 10am (Paris-time). 

READ MORE: How to get Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics tickets

Back to school – Children in Zone A schools head back to classes on March 4th after the winter holidays. Meanwhile, those in Zone B return the following week, on March 11th, and Zone C pupils have already returned.

Taxi strikes in Toulouse, Bordeaux, Paris, Lyon, Rennes and Nîmes – Unions representing drivers have called for protests against changing rates for medical transports, which will also push more patients to opt for carpooling rather than individual transport.

READ MORE: How to get free transport to medical appointments in France

Traffic is set to be severely disrupted in several cities, with access to airports also targeted.

Historic abortion vote – French President Emmanuel Macron has called a rare parliamentary congress at the Palace of Versailles for Monday. Lawmakers from both chambers will vote on whether to change France’s constitution in order to protect the right to abortion. 

READ MORE: ‘Historic’ Versailles congress set to enshrine right to abortion in French constitution

Tuesday

US Primaries – Super Tuesday, the date when 15 US states hold primary elections and caucuses, will take place on March 5th. US citizens living abroad can participate in primary elections, but they may need to register beforehand. You can learn more about doing so in our guide.

Thursday

Train tickets for the summer holidays – France’s national rail service SNCF will open sales for summer tickets starting on March 7th. These will be for trains running between May 23rd and July 5th. On March 13th, you will be able to purchase tickets for the period between July 6th and September 11th. 

Friday

International Women’s Day – Referred to as journée internationale des droits des femmes in French, the day honouring the achievements of women will take place on March 8th. Usually there are feminist marches and other forms of protests across the country.

Wales v France Rugby – As part of the Six Nations tournament, Wales and France will go head-to-head on Sunday, March 10th. The match will take place at 4pm French time.

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WHAT CHANGES IN FRANCE

On the Agenda: What’s happening in France this week

In which there’s another public holiday – the last one for some time – some important tax deadlines, a strike, two big sporting events and a very special day for families.

On the Agenda: What’s happening in France this week

Monday 

Pentecost Officially, Monday is a public holiday in France, the fourth and final one this month. But Pentecost is an unusual jour ferie, in which many people – rather than take the day off – work for free. It’s also the last public holiday in France before the Fête nationale on July 14th.

READ ALSO Why do many in France work for free on Pentecost public holiday? 

European elections campaigning for the European elections in June officially begins on Monday. Because of the aforementioned public holiday, it’s more likely that town halls will start erected their grey election billboards on Tuesday but technically parties can start the official bit of the campaign from May 20th.

Tuesday

Tax deadline Day 1 Tuesday is deadline day for anyone who prefers to make their tax declarations using a paper form rather than the online one. If you do your declarations online you have a little bit more time, depending on where you live.

READ ALSO REMINDER: When are France’s 2024 tax declaration deadlines?

Rail strike SNCF forecasts ‘major disruption’ to RER and Transilien rail services in the greater Paris region of Île-de-France, after unions called a one-day strike over Olympic Games’ bonuses. Paris city services like the Metro, bus and tram routes will not be affected.

Wednesday

Fête de la Nature Thousands of events at venues across the country will mark the five-day Fête de la Nature in France, which starts on Wednesday, May 22nd, and runs to Sunday, May 26th. For more information, and a full list of events, click here.

Thursday

Tax deadline Day 2 If you’re filing your tax declaration online, May 23rd is deadline day for anyone living in the départements 01 (Ain) to 19 (Corrèze). This is also the date to file for people living outside of France.

READ ALSO The bumper French tax guide for 2024

Saturday

Rugby Top 14 side Toulouse take on URC giants Leinster in the Champions Cup final at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The two sides boast nine titles between them, but this is the first time they have met in the showpiece match, which kicks off at 3.45pm. 

Football Lyon face Paris Saint-Germain in the Coupe de France final at Lille’s Stade Pierre-Mauroy. The match kicks off at 9pm.

Sunday

Mother’s Day Don’t forget that Mother’s Day in France falls on a different day to the UK and US. 

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