-
French home energy bills to rise in 2026
Household electricity and gas bills will increase by around €50 per year
-
Social charges on UK government pensions: France residents report progress
Issue now drawing attention at the highest levels
-
Good news for many micro-entrepreneurs in France: plans to lower VAT threshold rejected by Senate
Vote reverses proposal to lower tax exemption thresholds for self-employed workers
Villagers vote on early-morning church bells
Mayor puts matter to a vote following complaint
The public have had their say - and one church will continue to ring out the Angelus at 5h40 every morning, even though a mass no longer takes place at that time.
The mayor of the 500-inhabitant village of Jettingen, Haut-Rhin, put the matter to a local referendum after one resident wrote in to complain about being disturbed by the early - and unwanted - alarm call.
And 77.5% of voters decided they wanted to keep Jettingen's bells ringing before 6h, as they have done for centuries.
A total 70% of the 427 residents eligible to vote took part in the referendum, which decided whether to stop the early-morning Angelus bells, delay them until 7h14, and whether to keep hourly overnight chimes.
The village has a history of high turnouts at the polls. A total 81% voted in the 2017 Presidential election.
Stay informed:
Sign up to our free weekly e-newsletter
Subscribe to access all our online articles and receive our printed monthly newspaper The Connexion at your home. News analysis, features and practical help for English-speakers in France