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Local France
4 days ago
- Politics
- Local France
La Belle Vie: How French cities adapt to the climate future
La Belle Vie is our regular look at the real culture of France – from language to cuisine, manners to films. This newsletter is published weekly and you can receive it directly to your inbox, by going to your newsletter preferences in 'My account'. It is hard to avoid a newsfeed of sad stories, from conflict thousands of miles away to extremism closer to home. One story did bring a smile to my face this week - Paris authorities are seeking to give the River Seine 'legal personhood' to protect the river and its fragile ecosystem in the years to come. This sent me down a rabbit hole of learning about the first use of 'legal personhood' for a river. It happened in New Zealand in 2017, and it was a mixture of indigenous Maori beliefs about the river's status as a living entity, plus western legal precedent. The Seine probably won't be granted legal personhood for some time, as it would need parliamentary approval. Nevertheless, it felt like a piece of hope! Paris seeks personhood status for River Seine Interestingly enough, the Paris city council's resolution was made possible thanks to a 'Citizens' Convention' (also called 'citizen councils'), which brought together 50 Parisians at random and asked them to consider the future of the Seine. Advertisement The 'citizen council' tool is another source of hope in our politically polarised world. French President Emmanuel Macron introduced citizen councils in the wake of the Yellow Vest movement, and since then, random French people from across the country have been asked to seriously consider topics like climate change and the right to die . My belief (albeit anecdotal, I don't have any causal statistics to prove this) is that the citizens' conventions have helped to unify French public opinion on previously divisive topics, best exemplified by the high rates of support for assisted dying in cases of incurable illness. EXPLAINED: What are France's 'citizen councils'? I couldn't help but think of another Paris river, long-forgotten, as I was reading about the future of the Seine. Once upon a time, the Bièvre river flowed through southern Paris. Nowadays, it is covered up, with part of it joining the city's rainwater and sewage system, but it was once an important location for the city's tanners and dyers, who set up shop along its banks. Skulls, beer and a 'cathedral': Discover the secrets of underground Paris Paris certainly has changed a lot over the years. I've been reflecting on a post I read on social media recently alleging the city we currently walk through should not be considered historic (I suppose they meant by European standards), as most of the buildings date back to the 19th century, not before. The discussion was related to the creation of the Chatelet-Les Halles transport hub back in the 1970s, and how it feels almost unimaginable to think of a new major transport hub being built in central Paris in 2025. Basically, this person's thesis was that many aspects of Paris that we consider essential (the Eiffel Tower) are relatively new additions. Advertisement Yet, the city is changing before our eyes right now. In another five to 10 years, the Grand Paris Express is set to be finalised, and I can say with confidence that the city feels greener, more walkable (and cyclable) than it did just four years ago. What is a '15-minute city' and how is it working in Paris? But Paris is not the only French city that offers plenty of local amenities within walking distance. It's not even the best - that honour belongs to Grenoble, in eastern France. After that, Nancy and Rennes take second and third place. I wonder if this is part of another trend I have been noticing (I admit I also have no real data to back this up), but I have noticed more of my French friends and acquaintances in their early 30s are talking about moving to Rennes. MAP: Which French cities have the best local amenities close by? Rennes has another thing going for it - green space. It's becoming more important to consider this when considering which French city to live in long-term, or even just visit during the summertime. As heatwaves become more frequent and intense, the urban heat island effect, which basically warms cities more than surrounding rural areas, forces us to think about which cities have invested in parks, trees, and places to shelter from the heat. In Maps: The five worst French cities to spend a heatwave in
Local France
30-05-2025
- Automotive
- Local France
La Belle Vie: Everything you need to know for a successful road trip in France
La Belle Vie is our regular look at the real culture of France – from language to cuisine, manners to films. This newsletter is published weekly and you can receive it directly to your inbox, by going to your newsletter preferences in 'My account'. Sometimes stereotypes are true, and in this case, a recent study has shown that French drivers are really some of the worst in Europe. From over half of respondents saying they have forgotten to use their indicator when changing lanes to a surprisingly large percentage admitting that they have gotten out of their vehicle to yell at another motorist, French drivers do have some room for improvement. That said, I was proud of my neighbours for performing much better than their Scandinavian counterparts when it comes to taking work calls and meetings while driving. Only six percent of French drivers said they had ever done this, in contrast to 23 percent of Swedish motorists. Swearing, honking and tailgating: French drivers some of worst in Europe We asked readers of The Local about French drivers, specifically those in rural areas. While some readers noted increased road safety due to stricter drink driving laws, others still felt French roads were hazardous. Advertisement One reader who has experience driving in Normandy said. "The amount of times we have had to swerve to avoid colliding with them is a joke. I am not sure if they have a death wish, or don't want to slow down, or don't expect anyone else to be on the road." 'They have a death wish': The verdict on French drivers in rural France The discussion about French driving behaviour started when The Local's columnist John Lichfield dared to argue that French roads have become safer in the last 50 years. I do not find French roads to be particularly unnerving. When it comes to the number of distracted drivers on the road, I would pick a French autoroute over an American highway any day, though I can sympathise with the frustrations readers have pointed out. The downside to French autoroutes is the prevalence of expensive toll roads . If you are willing to either accept that as part of the experience or spend most of your visit on the backroads, then France can be a beautiful place for a road trip. Are these the 10 most beautiful parts of France to drive through? If you are looking to avoid tolls entirely, I recommend driving in Brittany, where the autoroutes are free. However, I would consider staying away from the more popular tourist spots, like Île de Bréhat and Saint-Mâlo, during the height of the summer holiday period. Save these locations for the off-season when the crowds are smaller. The 10 French tourist spots most likely to be overcrowded this summer One way to organise your French road trip would be to consider the 'villages étapes' along the way. These are small towns and villages, with less than 5,000 inhabitants, located in close proximity to the autoroute. In order to qualify for the special status, they must offer certain amenities to people travelling through the area, such as a tourist information point and at least one hotel accommodation. Driving in France: What are the French 'villages étapes'? And finally, in contrast to the possible truth behind bad French drivers, I find the 'rude French person' stereotype to be inaccurate and unfair. Advertisement Rude people exist in every country, and in France, the best way to avoid a negative interaction is to be a good tourist. Essential advice for how to be a good tourist in France
Local France
23-05-2025
- Local France
La Belle Vie: French holiday hacks and why France loves Belgian comics
La Belle Vie is our regular look at the real culture of France – from language to cuisine, manners to films. This newsletter is published weekly and you can receive it directly to your inbox, by going to your newsletter preferences in 'My account'. Everyone loves going on holiday, but not everyone loves planning their holiday. If you have ever experienced this tension (perhaps your travel buddy does not want the minute-by-minute itinerary), I might have a middle-ground solution. I promise that no one is paying me to say this. I genuinely love and recommend the Routard travel books. They are one of France's best-kept secrets for finding the authentic, localised tips of where to stay, what to do, and how much to budget for a trip in France. It's like having a local French person in your pocket, and it's a good test of your French (they are written in French after all). Advertisement Sadly, you can't avoid booking your travel tickets ahead of time. This is something you should do as far ahead as possible. If you give yourself enough time to get organised, then you might be able to benefit from another one of France's best-kept secrets: the special, yearly 'holiday' discount (up to 25 percent) on rail tickets. How to get a discount on your French holiday train tickets I've spent the better part of the last week speaking with second-home owners and real estate experts about the best parts of the country to purchase a holiday home. You can find the series here . If you're tempted to buy a second home in France, one of the best pieces of advice I heard was to rent in that area for a few months before deciding to buy. Another tip that resonated with me was the importance of considering your healthcare needs. While the countryside has plenty to offer, with scenic villages and nature at your doorstep, it is important to be realistic about how often you might need to see the doctor while in France. For those purchasing a second home with the intention of eventually retiring and spending their later years there, being in a part of the country with good access to GPs and hospitals is important. MAP: Where in France has the best access to healthcare? If you do opt for the rural life, then you will want to think about how you will build community. This might involve taking a French class to improve your language skills, or going outside your comfort zone and joining a local club or activity. I also thought one recent tip from our second homes series was useful. Jeanne Fry-Thomas, who owns a second-home in south-west France, told us: "Make sure you visit your local Marie when you first arrive and make a big effort to join in with your local community, I've always found washing up at the Salle des Fêtes an excellent way to make friends. Advertisement "Try to speak French, regardless of how bad you think it is. Also remember, in the countryside, neighbours are very important, far more than you may have been used to." In 2019, we published an article on making friends in rural France, and much of advice is just as pertinent today as it was then. How to make friends with your French neighbours in rural France If you want to make your time in France more permanent, then you might be planning to eventually request nationality. There is the paperwork side to the process that is time-consuming - gathering the necessary birth and marriage certificates, plus criminal record checks and tax statements. Before you start any of that, you can always begin reviewing for the interview, which is when you will be questioned about your knowledge of France, its history, culture, and current events. A good place to start is the Livret du Citoyen (never too early to begin studying!). What is France's 'Livret du Citoyen' and why might it be vital to you Building a life in France also involves picking up on cultural references, which often go back to movies, films, TV comic books. Advertisement Oddly enough, a lot of France's favourite comic book series are Belgian in origin. Take The Adventures of TinTin for example, or most notably, the Les Schtroumpfs (The Smurfs). The blue characters France has come to love and cherish originated on the other side of the northern border. Still, France has adopted the smurfs as their own (and broken world records while doing so). French town breaks world record for number of smurfs And finally, if you are to befriend your French neighbours or laugh along in French conversation, at some point you might hear a reference to the best Gaul of all time: Astérix. It's even easier to get into Astérix these days, thanks to the new Netflix series that is currently airing. Asterix: Five things to know about France's favourite character
Local France
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Local France
La Belle Vie: What to do in France this summer and the benefits of a 'microclimate'
La Belle Vie is our regular look at the real culture of France – from language to cuisine, manners to films. This newsletter is published weekly and you can receive it directly to your inbox, by going to your newsletter preferences in 'My account'. It seems to be a rite of passage for French interior ministers to talk a big game about how they will make the rules stricter for people applying for French residency or nationality. Most recently, interior minister Bruno Retailleau sent out a special kind of memo - called a circulaire - to préfecture and interior ministry staff about how they ought to interpret and apply the 2024 immigration law. In reality, the memo will not lead to sweeping changes, but it does mean that some enforcement of existing rules could be stricter moving forward. There is one thing that remains - the dreaded French citizenship interview. Personally, I found my interview to be quite challenging. The fonctionnaire who asked my questions wanted to know things like the date that the Banque de France was founded, as well as how I see a lasting impact from Napoleon in modern life (aside from the Code Civile). It's never too early to start preparing. QUIZ: Could you pass the French citizenship interview? For readers who are considering applying for French citizenship - if you ever decide to do so, prepare yourself for a long wait. The process is slow and it involves lots of time spent refreshing the ANEF timeline page. I was told that after the interview it could take anywhere from seven months to a year to get a final answer. At earliest, that would mean that this summer I'll get to host a 'citizenship party'. I don't want to get ahead of myself, but if everything works out I want to have a big fête where I invite every French person I know to cook a dish or dessert that is typical of the region they come from. On second thoughts, I might do this even if the citizenship thing doesn't pan out. There are plenty of other things to look forward to this summer in France, from time spent sipping rosé en terrasse to picnics at the local park. 9 of the best things about summer in France Summer festivals are another highlight of the year. While I am sad that I'll be out of town for the main nighttime culture event - Fête de la Musique - I am looking forward to celebrating Nuit Blanche. For those who are considering a trip to the capital region, I highly recommend scheduling it for the weekend of June 7th. Nuit Blanche is the one night of the year where museums stay open all night long. This year there will be films screened outside, as well as the usual nighttime art exhibits and shows. Advertisement 29 unmissable festivals and events in France this summer One of the big events in the French cultural calendar is the Tour de France. I am always surprised to learn how many viewers the Tour de France gets on television each year. I decided to tune in for the first time last year - at the behest of The Local Europe's editor, Ben McPartland - and while I enjoy the cycling, the best part to me is the stunning French countryside on display. The Tour de France route this year goes through Normandy and Brittany in western France. Then, it snakes through the central Auvergne region, down to the south-west and the Pyrenees, and back up through the Alps for a grand ending in Paris. Advertisement The race will pass right by the central French city of Clermont-Ferrand, which was in the news recently. The city's mayor has sounded the alarm bells about the ground being 'Swiss cheese'. Here's what that means. 'Swiss cheese': Why this French city is worried about sinkholes The Tour de France tends to go through more remote villages in France. Oftentimes, when I try to find an illustration image for an article of a small French town, there might be four or five photos, with half of them being from that one time the Tour de France passed through. This has been especially true every time I have looked for photos to illustrate villages or rural life in the sparsely populated Ariège département. REVEALED: Where are the most remote parts of France? And finally, one topic of conversation I have found comes up from time to time when discussing where to buy a home in France is the 'microclimate'. Of course, microclimates are real, but it is a selling point I have heard used for many different parts of France (more so than other countries). Advertisement Previously, I had heard assertions that Brittany has several microclimates, including the southern and comparatively sunnier Morbihan département. Most recently, I learned that many consider Nice to be a microclimate, and that includes the city's own tourism website. Does Nice really have a microclimate?
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
La Belle Vie MedSpa's New Billboard: $40 Off Jeuveau!
LOS ANGELES, April 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Woodland Hills' premier aesthetic destination, La Belle Vie MedSpa, is making a bold beauty statement with a stunning new billboard on Ventura Boulevard, just steps from their French Quarter-inspired clinic. The billboard invites Angelenos to "Kiss Those 11s Goodbye" with Jeuveau®, the modern-made injectable celebrated for smoothing frown lines with precision and ease. Featuring founder Jenapher Moguel, the campaign embodies effortless confidence, radiant beauty, and a fresh new era in aesthetics. "At La Belle Vie, our mission has always been to blend cutting-edge science with timeless beauty," says founder Jenapher Moguel. "Jeuveau® fits perfectly into that philosophy — it's modern, precise, and delivers the kind of fresh, confident results our clients love. This launch isn't just about smoothing lines; it's about empowering women to feel their best, effortlessly." To celebrate, La Belle Vie MedSpa is offering a $40 discount on Jeuveau® treatments for a limited time — giving clients the ultimate opportunity to experience smoother, softer, more youthful skin at one of LA's most luxurious medspas. "We're thrilled to launch our new billboard campaign on Ventura Boulevard! It's so exciting to see my face alongside the Jeuveau® logo, representing La Belle Vie MedSpa's commitment to bringing cutting-edge beauty treatments to Los Angeles. We're already seeing a fantastic response, and with our $40 discount on Jeuveau® treatments, we're confident this campaign will help even more people discover the transformative power of our services." - Jenapher Moguel, Founder of La Belle Vie MedSpa & Wellness Center Appointments are booking fast. Call or text (818) 392-8500 to reserve your spot and experience the La Belle Vie glow for yourself. Learn more about La Belle Vie Medspa by visiting Because confidence looks good on you. Media Contact: LBVMG, 818.999.1333 About La Belle Vie MedSpa & Wellness Center Located in the heart of Woodland Hills' charming French Quarter, La Belle Vie MedSpa & Wellness Center is a luxury destination for modern aesthetic medicine and wellness. Founded by Jenapher Moguel, the medspa combines advanced cosmetic technology with personalized care to deliver exceptional, natural-looking results. La Belle Vie Medspa offers a curated menu of treatments including wrinkle relaxers, dermal fillers, microneedling, Morpheus8, body sculpting, vitamin therapies, and more — all performed in a chic, welcoming environment. With a patient-first philosophy and a commitment to empowerment through beauty, La Belle Vie Medspa has earned a loyal following throughout the Los Angeles area and beyond. To learn more, visit or call/text (818) 392-8500 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE La Belle Vie MedSpa & Wellness Center Sign in to access your portfolio
