Boost for people doing home renovations in Dordogne The plan aims to connect citizens with local public renovation services to modernise old housing stock
Drivers in France: Look out for this new road sign The sign aims to encourage more environmentally-friendly driving and road usage practices
Why it is hard to find people to do French eco-renovation grant work Almost one-fifth of trade companies did not renew their certification for 2024
practical Firm proposes funding renovation of French property for a share of it It claims to offer an alternative to traditional funding
What changes for the environment in France in 2024? New household waste rules included as France continues to try and go green
Tips to avoid home renovation scams in France More cases are expected as the government increases the amount available in grants for eco-friendly projects
How can I prove purchases I have made in France without paper receipt? Paper receipts are no longer automatically given in every instance
Proposal to pause capital gains tax on second homes in France We also look at a 鈥榥oisy鈥� heat pump problem, proposed changes to Airbnb rental taxation and how plans for energy ratings are continuing
Which materials have gone up the most for home renovation in France? Overall, building work has risen by 9% in cost, with concrete prices specifically up 21%
Can I get financial help towards replacing boiler at my French home? Many people now look for eco-friendly solutions when replacing their heating systems
Driving in France: Readers鈥� views on switching to electric Most people are happy with their electric cars but charging is still a problem for some readers
Do not minimise electric car CO2 emissions, says French association A leading consumer association says CO2 produced during a car鈥檚 manufacturing is not taken into account when deciding how eco-friendly a vehicle is
Tradespeople shortages, buy an island: 6 French property stories We also look at the auction of a 鈧�12m former royal home on the French Riviera, controversial property tax hikes and a ban on tourist homes in Paris
鈥榃e built a 鈧�120,000 eco-house for a thrifty retirement in France鈥� The British couple self-built a kit home with the environment and lower cost of living in mind
Four everyday eco-friendly changes launching in France this year We look at the details of four small-but-significant developments
Eco-scores, bonuses: France looks to make fashion more sustainable The government is meeting with clothes and textile industry representatives over the next month in a bid to 鈥榙efine the first step on the [eco-friendly] textile roadmap鈥�
鈥楥ool roofing鈥� white roof trend grows in popularity in France The practice involves painting your roof in a white paint mixture, which proponents say saves on energy bills, cuts temperatures by 6-7C, and eliminates the need for aircon for 20 years
What options are there for eco-friendly funerals in France? With many more people conscious of environmental damage, we look into biodegradable urns and cardboard coffins
Call for Ile-de-France residents to assist in public transport study The aim is to find ways to make public transport more eco-friendly. Participants are eligible for a 鈧�30 online shopping voucher
Michelin star chef makes Loire France鈥檚 sustainable eating capital Eco-responsable chefs are tackling climate change with their delicious food. The Connexion鈥檚 Tamara Thiessen visits the Loire to find out how
Copropri茅t茅s, squatters: Five updates for property owners in France Warnings put out about avoiding scams when applying for renovation grants; rules on selling a property without an estate agent and more
Our green home made from tyres is part of us, says family in France They started building their eco house, called an 'earthship', four years ago and now live off the grid in Dordogne
Normandy restaurateur creates heated bench ahead of patio heater ban Terrace heaters are to be banned across France from April 1, promoting a father-and-son duo to build a more ecological, local solution
Innovative new waste capture device installed in Marseille鈥檚 Old Port The system captures rubbish headed for the sea after rainfall and works with objects as small as cigarette butts. It can also measure water quality
Green news France: Pollution study plants city trees, Eco-hotels boom Pollution study plants trees in Aix-en-Provence, eco-hotels see boom in France, publicity stunt in Loire to break tree-cutting taboo and more
Shopping local: France's AMAP farm basket scheme explained Each month, we take a selection of reader questions and answer them. One of July's questions is about France's AMAP scheme and whether it is good value.
Where to find electric car charging points in France? Your question answered: how do I find charging points for my electric vehicle?
Gardeners in France: why you shouldn't mow your lawn weekly Landscape gardener Eric Lenoir refuses to systematically mow lawns for clients, saying it is better to let the grass grow.
How do France鈥檚 new non-paper TGV tickets work? Automatic ticket machines will no longer print TGV and Intercit茅s tickets in their traditional card format, as SNCF opts for less polluting options
鈥楬obbit鈥� housing grows with trend in France for low-impact living They may look like something from a Tolkien fantasy novel, but more and more dome houses are cropping up around the country as house-buyers increasingly favour their ecological construction
Boom in eco-villages in France for those seeking simple community life A far cry from the hippy communes of the past, '茅colieux' offer the chance to escape the rat race and embrace self-sufficiency
See France鈥檚 superslick and eco-friendly TGV of the future The TGV M will use 20% less energy than existing models, while maintaining the same top speed of 320km/h
MaPrimeR茅nov鈥�: Over 170,000 homes benefit from green renovation grant The scheme can be used to finance insulation, heating, ventilation or energy auditing work
Paris-Nice night train restarts with PM onboard for first trip The relaunch is to be the first in a series of new night services. Campaigners also want lower VAT for train tickets and a minimum amount for plane tickets 'to rebalance' competition
France鈥檚 first low-cost 'flat pack' wooden house under construction The eco-friendly home can be assembled in less than two weeks and is put together piece by piece, much like historical timber-frame homes in Alsace
Shopping, driving, home: What France鈥檚 new climate law would change The law has been voted through by MPs and will be examined by the Senate next month. We explain how - if passed - it will affect many areas of everyday life in France
French MPs want shops to swap plastic packaging for refill stations A new law is under debate to target plastic packaging by making it easier for shoppers to refill their own reusable containers in supermarkets
Electric car sales boom in France but charge point problem Even as sales of electric vehicles soar the government has been accused of falling far short of its target to install 100,000 new charging points by the end of 2021
Eco protest at Tropicalia greenhouse site in north France The controversial Tropicalia site is set to be 鈥榯he world鈥檚 biggest greenhouse鈥� and attract 500,000 visitors per year, but eco campaigners are not happy
Click, collect and reuse: French online shopping goes green Zero-waste and organic businesses in France are well-and-truly embracing 21st-century consumer habits, as Jane Hanks discovers
Hydrogen planes by 2035 is 'far too late' 'It makes little sense to put off change when action is needed now' climate researchers have said in response to Airbus' 15 year plan
Six sculptures by British artist submerged off Cannes coast In an area designated as an 'eco-museum', visitors to Cannes can now visit underwater sculptures by British artist Jason deCaires Taylor
鈥楥almer, safer, greener鈥�: Paris to cut parking spaces by 50% 70,000 parking spaces will be removed, with a new website inviting Parisians to suggest what should replace the spaces
France: New financial aid for energy renovations explained All energy renovations in France are eligible for financial aid from October 1. We explain which work is covered and how to apply.
France to tax polluting vehicles that weigh over 1,800 kg The tax will apply to vehicles such as SUVs, but will not apply to electric or hybrid models
France confirms 鈧�1,000 grant for second-hand electric cars The new grant is available to all, has no conditions attached and is for use with second-hand cars - in contrast to previous grants.
Airbus unveils plans for zero-emission air travel by 2035 The French aircraft manufacturer is aiming to be the first company in the world to launch eco-friendly, hydrogen-fuelled aircraft.
Vehicle industry boss against 鈥榓bsurd鈥� French eco-tax An eco-friendly proposal that suggests taxing vehicles according to how much they weigh has been rubbished by the president of a French automobile association.
Bordeaux: Mayor cancels Christmas trees in city The ecologically-minded mayor will not decorate Bordeaux with 鈥渄ead trees鈥� this festive season, he has said, claiming they go against his 鈥渃oncept of re-vegetation鈥� for the city.
France: Law against phone cold calling in place from today From today (September 1) companies and individuals can no longer make telephone cold calls offering eco-friendly home renovation services in France. Those who do face sanctions.
Heatwaves 'will radically change the landscape of France鈥� The first half of 2020 was the hottest in France since records began, with temperatures averaging 1.8C higher than usual levels. If temperatures continue to rise, by 2050 France could be a very different country.
Village Jardin: the unique flower-filled French village Jane Hanks reports from a unique, flower-filled village where pedestrians rule and 1,000 rose plants adorn the streets.
The eco-friendly French family preparing to live 'off-grid' The coronavirus pandemic and confinement has made many people think about the way we live, such as this family who, as the 'world faces collapse', are preparing to live their lives off-grid.
Nabila Ramdani: Paris' cycle city plan 'dangerously chaotic' Turning Paris into a cycle city might make it cleaner but it won鈥檛 make it safer, says Connexion columnist.
France bans outdoor terrace heaters for ecological reasons France is to ban outdoor heaters in public spaces and caf茅 and restaurant terraces, as the ecology minister calls them an 鈥渆cological aberration鈥�.
Stop unlimited internet contracts, official advisors suggest Stopping unlimited internet contracts has been put forward among 50 other environmentally-friendly suggestions by government advisory body on digital development le Conseil National du Num茅rique .
Too much fruit and veg in your garden? You can sell it here Gardeners with surplus fruit and vegetables now have a handy way to make sure they do not go to waste.
Environmental news in France: July In this month's round up of the environmental news making headlines in France, we talk air quality, beekeeping, and the new must-buy eco-friendly ros茅 from the Loire.
New mayor plans to make Bordeaux car-free The new mayor of Bordeaux (Gironde, Nouvelle-Aquitaine), Pierre Hurmic, is moving 鈥渢owards a ban鈥� on cars in the city, he has said.
French President drops climate idea to lower motorway speed French President Emmanuel Macron has said that he will consider nearly all of the proposals put forward by the citizens鈥� Climate Convention, except three - including a reduction to the motorway speed limit.
Electric car that does not need licence to be sold in France The vehicle, which has a maximum speed of 45 kph and can be driven without a permit by people aged 14 and over, will be sold by retailers Fnac and Darty.
Positive environmental news in France: June In this month's round up of the positive environmental news making headlines in France, we talk waste, pesticide use, and solar panels on a supermarket.
French climate change convention to vote this weekend A 鈥淐limate Change Convention鈥� of 150 randomly-selected members of the public in France is to vote on proposals to combat climate change this weekend - including on the issues of housing, transport, and work.
Why you should plant some pants in your garden in France People with gardens in France are being encouraged to bury a pair of cotton pants to check the health of the soil, in a new ecological campaign.
Plastic-eating enzyme 鈥榬evolutionises recycling鈥� A French company whose plastic-eating enzyme technology could revolutionise recycling is due to have a plant up and running by next year.
France invests 鈧�20m in a post-Covid bike revolution A 鈧�20 million plan has been launched to encourage people to get on their bikes as a safer way to travel post-confinement.
Port train link will take 20,000 lorries off roads Around 20,000 HGVs a year will be taken off the roads between Normandy and the Spanish border by a Brittany Ferries train that will carry unaccompanied container trailers over a 950km route.
Farmers can spray pesticides within 5m of rural homes Nature and ecology groups supported by about 100 mayors have lost an urgent legal challenge to laws allowing farmers to spray weedkiller and pesticides close to homes in the French countryside.
Coronavirus: Michelin's eco-friendly, reusable masks Tyre-maker Michelin designs eco-friendly, cost-efficient, reusable protective masks for the coronavirus outbreak.
Changing the way the French buy flowers The Connexion meets two inspirational home-grown floral fanatics trying to change the way the French buy flowers
Poll: French happy to cut meat intake but not dairy The majority of the French public would like to reduce the environmental impact of their food, but would be more likely to cut their meat consumption than dairy to do so, a new survey has found.
France launches environment score system for clothes Clothes sold in France may now display a 鈥渟core鈥� from A to E that shows how environmentally friendly the garment is, in a new system launched by the government.
French eco group calls to 鈥榗ancel鈥� crop spread rule A French environmental association is calling for the cancellation of the government鈥檚 recent decree to set a minimum buffer zone of 5-20 metres between pesticide spreading and inhabited buildings.
Green rebirth for older cars in France It will soon be possible for the owners of older petrol or diesel cars to have the engines taken out and replaced with electric motors and batteries.
