Reader feedback: do restaurants in France cater to gluten-free diets? Allergens are not usually indicated on menus
Grand crème, café crème, au lait: how to order coffee in France? We explain the subtle distinctions between the various terms used in cafés
Should I include appliances in a French house insurance estimate? When taking out a home cover policy, you are asked to calculate the approximate value of the property
practical Do UK pensioners in France now have to use digital life certificates? New IT-based services are replacing classic ‘proof of life’ formats for some
How will EES/Etias affect spouses of EU nationals in France? The EES is set to replace the current manual stamping of passports for non EU-nationals entering the bloc
Do I need conformity certificate for septic tank to sell French home? A status report on your sewage system will be required, although it does not necessarily need to pass
What can I do to stop my French neighbour’s regular garden bonfires? Burning garden waste is normally illegal in France. We look at what you can do if your neighbour breaks this rule
Are all-season tyres allowed during winter in France? Winter tyres are required from November in several areas of France, but the rules do offer a degree of flexibility
Should French car hire firms provide winter tyres or chains? We look at how the requirement to properly equip cars in mountainous areas works with rental vehicles
Renovating a French property: be aware of planning rules before buying Rules and restrictions can vary from region to region. Helen Fullerton of Ashtons Legal answers a reader query
Why are essential items so expensive in France? This is not the first time, in 2019, food products and non-alcoholic beverages were 15% more expensive in France than the EU average
How do you organise a pet cremation in France and what are the costs? Cremating a pet is a common choice, but there are other options
Has a start date been set for the EU's new digital border system? The European Entry/Exit System will be a digital system for collecting data on non-EU citizens entering and leaving the Schengen area
France drought rules: Do they stop me topping up my swimming pool? With droughts set to hit France hard again this year, we look at what is and is not allowed when it comes to private swimming pools
I have a second home in France, what should I do if squatters get in? We look at how you can help prevent squatters, and what you should do if they still take over your property
How much does it cost to insure a dog in France? We look at how much you can expect to pay to insure your dog against vets’ bills in France
Can I have my car serviced by another dealer in France? A reader wants to know if he can have his car serviced by any dealer in France without endangering the manufacturer’s warranty
Does France offer grants to install reversible air conditioning? We look at what options are available to home-owners in France
When is the best time to shop for deals in France? While the official sales periods are strictly regulated in France, many shops also host ‘ventes privées’ (private sales). We look at which events offer the best deals
What can you do in France if your neighbour’s children are too noisy? We look at what course of action you can take if you believe that next door noise is unreasonable
Does France have unmarked radar cars to catch people speeding? French officials distinguish between two kinds of speed detection system carried by vehicles
Can we avoid a French tax return if we rescind our residency cards? We look at the implications of swapping your Withdrawal Agreement cartes de séjour for visas de long séjour
How do you register a used car in France? We look at the steps you need to take to get a carte grise for a new or used car
In French inheritance law, what is a pacte de famille? We look at this French inheritance option and when it is advantageous
How can I oppose my neighbour’s building application in France? Complaints can be lodged at your local mairie and administrative court but must follow certain rules
French privacy: Can I stop someone from taking a photo of my property? Situations vary, but in some cases photographing a person’s property can be severely punished by law
Camembert, Roquefort, Brie: Can I bring French cheeses into the US? We look at the rules around taking such gifts on stateside trips
How do I dispose of out-of-date medicines in France? Throwing medicines down the sink or toilet or in the rubbish is discouraged as it can cause pollution
Can we delay the final signing of our French house purchase? Partner article: Read the fine print carefully and understand the differences between contracts first
How to complete French property form if home is owned by UK company Partner article: Tips on filing a déclaration d’occupation and the tax implications for property owned in this way
Do licence-free cars in France need to pass a roadworthiness test? Contrôles techniques are being introduced for motorcycles, raising the question of whether voitures sans permis are also concerned
France home insurance: Do policies pay out for rat damage? Insured or not, it is recommended to take quick action to call out pest control in the case of infestations
France wildfires: Does mandatory garden clearing apply to nearby land? Many parts of France require property owners to clear undergrowth to prevent forest fires from spreading
We live abroad so can our French property be a ‘main’ home here? How a property is used, for example whether it is your ‘main’ or ‘secondary’ home, affects such issues as which local taxes apply and at what rates
Can Americans stay in France for 90 extra days due to 1949 agreement? We look at whether this old agreement between France and the US is still in force
What capital gains tax on non-residents’ former French main home? There can be declarations to be made in both countries when a resident abroad sells a French property
Should we have declared small UK state pensions if we live in France? We look at pension declaration obligations for foreign pensions and what to do if you have already declared this year and left these out
Is French eco-renovation aid only for main homes? Financial help is available for renovating French homes to make them more energy efficient, but second-home owners are not always eligible
Is it true there is a paper version of France’s property declaration? In exceptional circumstances, some people were able to use a paper form to declare their property information
French property form: How do I make corrections after submitting it? There have been reports of difficulties with making alterations, however in theory it is possible
French property form: Will I be fined if I miss the June 30 deadline? Penalties are set by law for not completing France’s obligatory online declaration, however officials have pledged leeway
French property form: Why am I asked about visits to our holiday home? The biens immobiliers declaration asks for details of ‘occupancy’ of your French home but this should not be misinterpreted
French property declaration: Who completes this if owned via an SCI? The details to be given are the same as for individuals but the process is slightly different
New property form: How are owners being informed about this? Some readers say the only knowledge they had of this new rule came via The Connexion and that they would otherwise have faced a fine for non-declaration
New France property form: Why are the pre-filled details wrong? The tax authorities have received many queries about ‘incorrect’ descriptions of homes but often no actual error has been made. We explain
Property form: How long for French tax site login details to arrive? Several Connexion readers report having followed the online process to obtain this information
New property form: How do I get a password for the French tax site? There are solutions for both residents and non-residents if you are experiencing problems accessing the site
Property form: What if my home is not listed on the French tax site? The deadline is approaching for the new biens immobiliers declarations – you may need to take action if your property is not visible in your personal space
Can we give our French home to my husband's son? John Kitching, a director of French Law Consultancy Limited, looks at the rules for foreign citizens who want to leave a French second home to one of their children
Reader charged €100 for contactless beer payment in French bar Errors can sometimes happen with sans contact payments but the law is on your side
How do I get a numéro fiscal to access the French tax site? The site is where you can check or declare property you own under a recent new obligation as well as where you declare income, if relevant
Can I get help meeting France’s mandatory garden clearance rules? While there is no financial aid, tax credits can be used to reduce bills for hiring people to clear your garden
Why did French pension body ask about UK National Insurance record? A reader asks if there is any link between the British and French pension systems and if it is possible to claim state pensions from both countries
How close to my neighbour’s fence can I build a shed in France? We look at the rules around building a garden shed in France, which may differ depending on where you live
Can I get an eye test at an opticians in France? You may be used to walking into an opticians and getting an eye test and new glasses, but the rules are slightly stricter in France
Next door’s extension will block sun to my French home. What can I do? Even with authorised planning permission, new constructions that block sunlight can be contested
Pet travel: Can I take my dog or cat with me on a train in France? There are set rules for pet travel, including paying extra for your tickets
Can you visit the French parliament and listen to a debate? The palais Bourbon building is no longer closed off to the public, but advance planning is needed to see inside
What is the UK equivalent of the French bavette d’aloyau cut of beef? A reader wants to know what to ask for in a British butcher's shop after discovering their favourite cut of beef while in France
Can I renounce French pension to obtain benefits of S1 health form? Having healthcare via an S1 from another country can have advantages when it comes to social charges
How can I use my French chèque énergie gas or electricity vouchers? This year’s vouchers began to be sent out last month and here we look at what you can do with them
Am I eligible for an interest-free loan to help buy a French property? We look at who can apply for the prêt à taux zéro (PTZ)
How do Americans in France register for public health insurance? The process can be lengthy and many recommend applying for private health insurance when first arriving in the country
Post Brexit: When do Britons need to swap to French driving licence? For UK nationals living in France, the rules for exchanging a UK licence for a French licence are flexible - but there are exceptions
Do UK or French inheritances need to be declared on French tax return? There is often confusion between inheritances and ordinary income
Must Americans declare their French bank accounts to the US? We look at the rules around FBAR declarations
Did I miss the deadline to declare French inheritance? John Kitching of French Law Consultancy replies to a reader who is worried she needed to declare the inheritance of her late husband’s property within 12 months
Do we have to pay back eco grants when we sell our French home? It depends on which financial assistance you have received
Are freelancers entitled to France's professional training credits? The credits allow workers in France to develop their skills or even retrain
Can we decorate our French balcony with plant pots? Balcony use will depend on apartment block rules but these are usually quite liberal
As regular visitors to France, do we have correct residency card? We look at who does and does not have the right to a French carte de séjour
Do second home owners in France need a French bank account? Opening a French bank account could make life easier if you own a second home in France, but it is not the only option
How must I declare family trust in England under French law? Partner article: The rules around declaring an English trust whilst a residence of France
Does homeworking change rules for frontier workers who live in France? We look at the latest rules for French residents working for Swiss businesses
France property declaration: How can I find login information? We look at how you can use your numéro fiscal to create your account for the first time, or what to do if you have lost this information or your password.
