Latest news with #EmmaPearson
Local France
10-08-2025
- Politics
- Local France
Wildfires, franglais and citizenship: 6 essential articles for life in France
The massive wildfire in the Aude département of south-western France was finally declared under control on Thursday night – after it had burned 17,000 hectares of land , an area one-and-a-half times the size of Paris – but authorities say they expect it to continue to burn for several days. With forest fires becoming more common and more extensive due to hot, dry summers, there are several apps, websites and alert systems that allow you to check the latest information in each part of France. MAP: How to get the latest wildfire information and alerts in France Certain French linguists use up a lot of angst on the many anglicisms that creep into modern French – but anglophones living in France may find more and more French words and phrases creeping into their conversational English. There's definitely a personal circumstances thing to the words that drop into your vocabulary. Parents of school-age children, for example, may litter conversations with French school material terms , such as trousse , cartable , and gomme (especially at this time of year), and find remembering the English words (pencil case, schoolbag, and eraser, for the record) increasingly difficult. Here are some common examples… 13 French words that creep into your English Unfortunately, France's current stance on immigration and citizenship is careering rightwards at a rate of ministerial circulaires , as numerous older Britons have found to their dismay . 'Expats' living in France can easily fall into the trap of thinking the French government's toughening of immigration laws doesn't apply to them. The reality is that all foreigners are in the firing line, The Local France's editor Emma Pearson warns. Advertisement Yes, expats – France's anti-immigrant drift affects you too After a foreign national was caught on video lighting his cigarette from the flame on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Paris, France's interior minister has told French media he 'will revoke the man's residency permit' – but does the minister with presidential ambitions actually have the authority to do this, or it he merely brandishing his hardline immigration stance for the right? Can France's interior minister really confiscate your residency permit? As French fiscal authorities weigh phasing out payment by cheque for taxes or fines in the coming years, The Local looks at the role cheques still play in French society. In Numbers: How many people still use cheques in France? In August the French capital traditionally sees a big population shift - locals head for the beach or the countryside while tourists arrive. So should you stay? Or should you go? 5 reasons to spend August in Paris (and 5 to stay away)
Local France
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Local France
Americans in France: Citizenship changes, air conditioning and being a good tourist
Welcome to The Local's "Americans in France" newsletter for members, featuring all the news and practical information you need as an American resident, visitor or second-home owner in France. You can sign up to receive it directly to your inbox before we publish it online via the link below. Dear Americans in France, In the weeks since the last edition of this newsletter, the high summer holidays have begun, and most French politicians have gone off on holiday. But despite parliament being on summer break, an important announcement was made in July for Americans (and all other foreigners) in France. We now know the official start date for the new, stricter language requirements for people applying for French nationality. In a decree published on July 15th, the French government announced that the B2 (upper intermediate) language requirement (up from the previous B1 minimum) will go into effect from January 1st, 2026. We have also received clarification from the interior ministry that this change will only affect new applications , meaning if you send your application before December 31st, it will be considered based on the old rules. There are other changes afoot as well , namely in the form of a new civics test that (starting January 1st) will also be required of all people applying for nationality (including those requesting via marriage). In other events, I have just returned to France after a whirlwind seven-week visit in the US (hence the radio silence). It had been over two years since my last visit, and in some ways, going home still helps me to feel more in touch with myself. Advertisement There is something so easy about a barbecue with old friends, and something comforting in the burrito I ordered as my first meal on US soil. And yet, I couldn't help but notice the ways I've become 'more French'. I found myself struggling with the heat, particularly when going between the cool air conditioning and the humid outdoors. At one point, I sat down in a café whose air conditioning was broken. They had resorted to fans and open windows. I noticed that when I got up to walk outside again, the heat was much less jarring and easier to handle. While I was away, my editor, Emma Pearson, was thinking about the same subject as Paris battled a severe heatwave. She argued that the French are right to shun air conditioning. Another aspect of American life that irked me was the process of paying the check when eating out. I could complain about how tipping culture has changed so much in the past few years that I felt clueless and constantly needed to ask my friends how much to tip at coffee shops/ takeout restaurants/ bars. I much prefer the French system where tax and service are already included in the final price. If you're ever wondering how much to tip in France - we have a helpful explainer on bill etiquette . My primary frustration, however, is that the US has not learned that it should be simple and easy to split a check. In French restaurants (especially those in cities), it has become commonplace for the waiter to arrive with the card reader and ask each person how much they are individually paying. Some restaurants even have a tool to add up your individual meal and give you a separate bill on the spot. All of that to say - never hesitate to split a bill in France. I am very happy to be back on this side of the Atlantic, partially because August is a lovely month in Paris. The pace of life slows down as locals head off to the countryside or the beach. While tourists do pour in, I'd argue the city still feels quieter and emptier in August than any other month of the year. If you or a loved one is planning a trip to France this summer, we've put together some helpful information to aid in your travels - from accessing healthcare as a tourist to avoiding being told off by a stranger and picking the perfect road trip. Advertisement With each edition of this newsletter, I like to remind readers that we love to hear from you. You can give your best tips for other Americans in France or ask us questions via our ongoing survey . One reader, Barb in Vaucluse and Nice, recommended her fellow Americans: "Speak French, take lessons, integrate into the local life by joining clubs and activities. "AND remember, whether you like it or not YOU are a representative of the USA — your behaviour, your bons gestes , etc are observed by your French neighbours, out of their curiosity." Thanks for reading, and as always, you can reach me at
Local France
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Local France
PODCAST: From strikes to extreme heat - what to expect in France this summer
Host Ben McPartland is joined by The Local France's Emma Pearson and John Lichfield for a special edition looking ahead to this summer in France. You can find the Talking France podcast on Spotify or Apple, download it here or listen on the link below Summer in France often brings strikes, and this year unions representing air traffic controllers, rail workers, Paris museum staff and the operators of the highway péages have all filed strike notices in a variety of disputes over pay and working conditions. Advertisement The usual political break might not happen this year, however, with the prime minister trying to sell his Budget ideas and the possibility of French elections - will PM François Bayrou make it through the summer? And what will await him when parliament restarts in September? It's already pretty hot in France, so we're looking at how hot it's likely to get this summer plus some tips for staying cool via the French government and why French doctors don't like ice-cold air conditioning. Finally we have a few tips for some events to enjoy this summer. The podcast will now be taking a break over the summer but, much like the prime minister, we hope to return in September. Talking France is a free podcast made possible by the support of members of The Local, you can find out more about becoming a member here . Extra reading: Planes, trains and museums: The strikes to expect in France this summer How hot will it get in France this summer OPINION: Another week, another attempt to bring down the French government
Local France
26-06-2025
- Local France
PODCAST: The story of Brittany's killer algae and where you can avoid the tourists in France
Host Ben McPartland is joined by The Local France's Emma Pearson, Genevieve Mansfield and John Lichfield for all the latest news and talking points from France. We start with the toxic algae that is spreading in Brittany and is, a court has ruled, responsible for the death of a local jogger - it's a verdict that potentially has big implications for the region, and for France's farmers. You can find the Talking France podcast on Spotify or Apple, download it here or listen on the link below Following successful Olympic trials last summer, swimming in the Seine will be opened up to the general public - we're explaining how you can take a dip in the river, and the conditions for doing so. Advertisement Champagne might be a luxury product, but there is a definite dark side to the industry, as an ongoing human trafficking trial has exposed. And France broke its own tourism records last year and is set to do so again this year - there's no doubt the country is massively popular as a holiday destination, but how has it managed to avoid protests against over-tourism like those seen in Spain, Italy and Portugal? We finish off with a list of France's most over-crowded sites, with our recommendations for alternatives that are just as good (perhaps even better) but less well known. Talking France is a free podcast made possible by the support of members of The Local - you can find out more about becoming a member here . If you like the podcast you can also help us to keep it going by subscribing, writing a nice review or just telling a friend about it. Extra reading: Green algae found along French coastline responsible for jogger's death, rules court 10 alternatives to France's overcrowded tourist hotspots French champagne makers face human trafficking trial Everything you need to know about swimming in the Seine in Paris this summer How has France avoided Europe's anti-tourism protests?
Local France
22-06-2025
- Climate
- Local France
Heatwaves, Brexit glitches and lavender: 6 essential articles for life in France
Temperatures in the first heatwave of what experts forecast will be a long, hot French summer should now be starting to dip below sweltering – but how high can we expect the temperatures to get in the summer of 2025? How hot will it get in France this summer? On that topic, while this particular hot spell may be breaking, it's obvious that it won't be the last one this year. And that raises the question of how we should keep cool. Some of the solutions might not be what you would expect. 'Avoid iced water and air-conditioning on max' – how the French stay cool in a heatwave While we're talking about summer, what about places to visit? Known affectionately as 'blue gold', France's lavender fields are a popular tourist attraction every year – here's what you need to know about visiting them. What to know when visiting France's lavender fields this summer Every now and then, post-Brexit bureaucracy glitches, and – suddenly – Britons legally resident in France under the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement find themselves, briefly, on the wrong side of the administration. When this happens, it can be worrying and stressful, but we've got your back with this rundown of where you can go for help and advice. Brexit residency rights in France: Where to go for help Advertisement Foreigners who have residency in France gain extra rights (and responsibilities ) which are not open to those who simply own property here or visit regularly. Here's a look at what non-residents can and cannot access. What you can and cannot do as a non-resident in France Finally, it's human nature to try and find a few shortcuts through France's notoriously tricky residency and tax systems, but as The Local's editor Emma Pearson has seen – taking advantage of 'loopholes' often causes more problems that it solves. Give up the search for loopholes – French bureaucracy always wins
