Latest news with #Linky
Local France
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Local France
Inside France: Baguette shortages, mass protests and the Eiffel Tower
Inside France is our weekly look at some of the news, talking points and gossip in France that you might not have heard about. It's published each Saturday and members can receive it directly to their inbox, by going to their newsletter preferences or adding their email to the sign-up box in this article. Pain of no pain This year's May Day saw a good turnout for the traditional demos in towns and cities across France (perhaps at least in part due to the fact that it was a beautiful sunny day) - either 300,000 people or 157,000 people depending on whether you believe the unions or the interior ministry. There are usually widespread closures in France on May 1st, which is an official 'non working day' or jour chôme , although this year saw more boulangeries than normal close after spot inspections last year saw bakers fined for breaching strict regulations on May 1st working. According to one newspaper, up to 12 million French people were "deprived of bread" on May 1st, a situation they lamented as "pas normal" . It reminded me of the old French phrase for describing something as endless or interminable - long comme un jour sans pain (as long as a day without bread). Some French people managed to see the funny side, however, below is one of several posts poking fun as the supposed 'great bread famine' of May 1st 2025. Happily in my neighbourhood one boulangerie remained open, so I survived to write this column. Soyez tous présents dimanche pour l'inauguration du monument aux morts de la grande famine du 1er mai. [image or embed] — Maitre Eolas ( @ ) May 2, 2025 at 8:46 AM Talking France We discuss the May 1st boulangerie situation, and the place that May 1st holds in French hearts, in the latest episode of the Talking France podcast - as well as strikes and protests by doctors, why Americans love Nice so much and why ants apparently love the French Linky. Listen here or on the link below. Towering rage The US rapper and current resident of Sweden Azealia Banks apparently has some thoughts on her new home - but in between ranting about Ikea and Stockholm nightlife , she also took the time to share her views on France. I'd say that you would be doing well to find a €1 cappuccino in central Paris, but might she have a point about the Eiffel Tower? When we asked Paris residents for their number 1 tip for tourists they said 'avoid the Eiffel Tower'. Poster paints But if you're in Paris and are looking for an art expo, I really recommend the Musée d'Orsay's L'art est dans la rue exhibition, about the developments of posters as an art form. Not only does it include all the big names - Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Alphonse Mucha, Charles Verneau etc - it's fascinating on how and why the avant-garde artists of the day embraced this new art form. Advertisement One detail I found especially interesting was the public interest in the new brightly-coloured, artistic posters that were adorning their streets - the developments in printing techniques that made these possible were contemporaneous with Baron Haussmann's redevelopment of Paris and commentators at the time remarked that the posters provided a welcome splash of colour in what they saw as the rather drab uniformity of the new Haussmannian boulevards. Nineteenth century painting of Parisians viewing posters on the street, part of the Musée d'Orsay's L'art est dans la Rue exhibit. Photo: The Local Inside France is our weekly look at some of the news, talking points and gossip in France that you might not have heard about. It's published each Saturday and members can receive it directly to their inbox, by going to their newsletter preferences or adding their email to the sign-up box in this article. Advertisement
Local France
30-04-2025
- Health
- Local France
PODCAST: Do the French need to work harder and why Nice is the place to move to
Host Ben McPartland is joined by The Local France's Emma Pearson, Genevieve Mansfield and John Lichfield to look at all the latest news and talking points from France. The team is back after a two week break during France's spring school holidays, and we're starting off with one of the most important days in the French cultural calendar: May Day. We take you through everything you need to know about the demonstrations planned this year, plus why you might find your local bakery is closed. You can listen to Talking France on Spotify or Apple, download HERE or listen on the link below The Talking France team also discuss why French doctors are unhappy - and why some are planning strike action - as the French government tries to tackle the issue of 'medical deserts'. We explain some of the government's proposals to deal with the longstanding problem of doctor shortages. Advertisement According to France's prime minister, the country's future is at stake. We'll tell you why PM François Bayrou believes France needs to make some major changes, particularly when it comes to working harder. Away from politics and to the sunny French Riviera, we hear from some Americans in France about why they picked the city of Nice as the best destination to set up their new lives. We wrap this week up with a problem some people in suburban and rural France have been experiencing - ants apparently like the taste of their Linky electricity metres. Talking France is a free podcast made possible by the support of paying members of The Local - you can find out more about becoming a member here . Further reading Demos and flowers: What May 1st really means to the French What to expect from France's 2025 May Day protests France debates stricter rules on doctors' practices in order to combat 'medical deserts' OPINION: French doctors cannot avoid regulation for ever Is France really planning a 'tax raid' on pensioners? 'A really efficient city': Why more and more Americans are moving to Nice Ant warning over France's Linky electricity meters
Local France
21-03-2025
- Climate
- Local France
What to do in case of a power cut in France
The clichéd view of French electricity supply is that it can be … temperamental at the best of times. In truth, it's actually very good, but storms and strong winds can lead to power cuts . No matter the reason, sudden power outages can be frustrating – especially if they last a long time. Engineers work as quickly as they safely can, but restoring power in a storm isn't easy work. So, if the power goes out at home, the first thing you should do is determine whether the outage is confined to your home, or whether it affects a wider area. Who to call Most people in France think of Edf when they think of electricity - but in fact they are just the suppliers. The national grid is maintained by Enedis, so this is who you should report faults to. Advertisement If your phone/computer has enough battery, you can check how widespread any power outage is by entering your address or postcode into Enedis's real-time online electricity supply monitor . This ' panne et interuption ' page will show you whether there are any outages in your area - if no outages are reported it will give you an option to do a diagnostique - you enter various information around your Linky meter and the messages it shows, and Enedis will help you figure out what the problem is and whether it is something that can be restored at your end (such as a tripped fuse). Alternatively, you can report problems to Enedis on this number: 09 726 750 followed by your two-digit département number. The phone line is staffed 24/7 and is free from a landline. If electricity wires have come down near your home, do not go near them. Call emergency services using the number 18. What you can do Unplug all appliances or electronics you were using before the power outage, especially sensitive electronics – including heating and air conditioning. But, keep one light switched on, so you can quickly tell when the power has been restored. Use battery operated flashlights and lamps for emergency lighting instead of candles. When contacting emergency personnel and/or family, keep phone calls brief, to preserve your mobile phone's battery life and to reduce congestion on mobile phone networks. Prolong your phone's battery life by closing any apps you are not using, reducing the screen brightness, and setting it to airplane mode when you are not using it. What if I need to run life-preserving appliances? You can register in advance as a Patient à Haut Risque Vital (PHRV) with Enedis. To do this your doctor needs to complete the necessary forms and send them to your départemental Agence Régional de Santé (ARS). Advertisement The ARS will confirm your PHRV status and inform Enedis. Currently, this needs to be renewed every year, if required. If you have a Linky meter In the event of a power outage, your Linky meter (the bright yellow plastic thing with the digital display that most homes in France have) may trip as a precautionary measure - so you may need to reset it once the power comes back on. Check the error message displayed on the Linky display screen: If the screen displays ' contacter votre fournisseur ' (contact your supplier), you must contact your electricity supplier who will be able to provide you with more information on the reasons for the outage and possible solutions. Advertisement Technicians may be able to solve the problem after a phone call, but they may need to come to your home to resolve the outage and reset your Linky meter. If it displays " Puiss dépassée ' (power exceeded) that means that it has tripped. Unplug any electrical appliances causing the excess consumption and then reset. To reset your Linky meter, simply press the "+" button and hold it down for 10 seconds. If the power exceeded message persists, contact your supplier. Useful phrases Coupure de courant - power cut Panne sur le réseau - power outage on the network Puiss dépassée - power exceeded Contacter votre fournisseur - contact your supplier
Local France
02-03-2025
- Politics
- Local France
Citizenship costs, Linky and sex: 6 essential articles for life in France
US President Donald Trump recently put a $5 million price tag on a new 'gold' green card residency programme for anyone wealthy who fancies living in the USA. France, famously, doesn't have a golden visa scheme, but becoming a citizen here requires you to be 'sufficiently economically integrated'. But, what does this mean in cash terms? Will you be penalised for being on minimum wage or accepting social benefits? And how much does it actually cost to become French? (Spoiler: it's a bit less than $5 million). The media-enhanced popular image of an 'undocumented migrant' is one propagated by – mostly – hard-right, anti-immigration parties loudly and carelessly brandishing the term 'illegal immigrant'. More commonly, however, it includes people who initially moved here legally, but whose visas have since lapsed; those who married a French citizen, either overseas or following their arrival, and who mistakenly believe that their marriage gives them automatic residency rights in France; or those whose circumstances have changed since they arrived – which, might, invalidate their rights. Importantly, any non-French and non-EU citizen living in France who does not hold proof of their right to residence may be considered to be an undocumented migrant. It is, however, possible to become legally resident. We all know about the importance of getting several quotes before having building work done – but the French 'devis' sits somewhere between a quote and a contract. Here's how they work, and why getting one is important. French property: What is a 'devis' and why should you get one? , and how they will be applied to flights. From summer 2025, . The mundane household fixture has become the centre of much misinformation and even conspiracy theories over the years. Here, then, is what's really going on with France's Linky meters. What is a French Linky? The French are often stereotyped as romantic and sexually liberated, but what are their sex lives actually like? France's national medical research institute conducted an in-depth study on the issue, from the number of partners, frequency of having sex and diverse sexual practices.
Local France
25-02-2025
- Business
- Local France
France to increase electricity charges for households without a Linky
Most households in France already have a Linky. This is the small bright yellow box that is usually placed near to or within your fuse box - it is a smart meter, keeping track of exactly how much electricity you are using and sending that information straight to your supplier, who uses it to calculate your bills. Depending on the property type, the Linky can also function as a fuse box with a 'reset' button to press if your electricity has fused. If you have a power cut and need to ring the grid supplier Enedis, the message on the digital display of the Linky will help them to work out what the problem is. Electricity companies like the Linky, since it enables them to save money on the cost of sending people out to take meter readings, or paying call centre staff to take readings sent in by phone. And most householders like them too since it avoids 'estimated' bills and allows you to track your electricity consumption more precisely. But around 2 million households still don't have a Linky installed, and from August 1st 2025, they will face an annual extra charge, the Commission de régulation de l'énergie (CRE) has announced. How much? This is for households who refuse to have a Linky installed - if a technician has tried to install one and it is not possible (which is rare), then you should not be charged. However, people who refuse to have one installed can be charged an extra fee of up to €6.48 every two months, the CRE has ruled - working out at €38.88 per year. People who refuse to have a Linky installed and also refuse to either provide a meter reading or schedule an appointment with a technician can be charged an additional €4.14 every two months, working out at €63.72 per year. What's the extra for? Electricity companies can save money on staffing if everyone has a Linky, and they say the extra is needed to cover the staff costs they incur through getting meter readings the old-fashioned way. The CRE is the energy regulator, so it is providing a maximum amount that companies are allowed to charge. It's technically an extra cost rather than a fine, but most people will see it as a punishment or attempt to pressure people into getting a Linky. Why would people not want a Linky? The little yellow plastic box and become the centre of conspiracy theories in France, where people claim the government is using them to spy on you. Even people who haven't quite gone that far down the conspiracy theory rabbit hole will often tell you that your bills will increase if you get a Linky. In reality it's usually the other way round. It also enables companies to send out bills based on your actual monthly usage, so you won't get estimated bills, which tend to be higher. If you have one you can also track your electricity usage more carefully - using apps such as Edf&Moi - which will tell you exactly how much electricity you are using and when. This allows you to cut the portion of your bill that is made up of electricity usage (as opposed to the flat fees and subscription costs) and also to track any appliance that is accounting for a very high percentage of energy use, and may therefore be faulty. But it's still your choice, as long as you don't mind paying the extra fee.
