August weather, summer apps, and back to school: 6 essential articles for life in France

Local France

4 days ago

After much of France recently enjoyed cooler temperatures following an intense heatwave in late June and early July, French forecasters have warned that August could bring hotter, drier weather, along with possible heatwaves. It is still early for month-long predictions, and the various weather models do not yet agree on the intensity of the heat and the day it is set to start – here's what the experts predict.
High temperatures and possible heatwaves to return in France in August
From translation tools, to weather and sea forecasts, and road planners to restaurant recommendations, these apps and websites will help you make the most of your time in France.
14 Essential websites and apps for summer in France
Each year, social media posts poke fun at the long French holiday tradition, often comparing it to a lack of vacation time for workers in the US. And there is a prevailing notion that France completely shuts down during the month of August, and all French people spend an entire month away from work. But how true is it?
Factcheck: Do French people really take off the entire month of August?
The holiday season is in full swing, but September is heading towards us like a slow-moving freight train – bringing with it
la rentrée
. Already, to the dismay of school-age children the length and breadth of the country, supermarket shelves are dripping with pens and folders, inks and erasers, reminding them that this long spell of relaxation will eventually end and schools will reopen.
So, from the practical – stationery, uniforms, packed lunches – to the emotional – parental involvement and help for struggling kids – and the crucial issue of aid for non-French speakers, here's what to expect if your child is starting school in France for the first time on September 1st.
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How to prepare for your child starting at French school
One of the stated aims of the EU's new Entry & Exit System is to catch overstayers, especially those who have over-stayed their 90-day allowance. Here's a look at what changes for those who currently travel visa-free to Europe.
How will the EU's new EES passport checks affect the 90-day rule?
If you move to France, it can be very expensive to ship all your furniture over from abroad, so you may want to consider buying some of it here. Although Ikea is in France for those of you who like flat-pack furniture and a cheeky cinnamon bun, other homeware and furniture suppliers are available. Here are a few, for a range of budgets.
Not just Ikea: where you can buy furniture in France