News france - activities

France's favourite long-distance hiking route: discover this year's contenders

After last year's award for the GR de Pays route around Suisse Normande in Calvados, the Fédération Française de Randonnée has just revealed the eight trails in the running to become the 2024 edition of France's favorite GR.

The Eiffel Tower, illuminated in the colors of Israel, in support of the victims

This Monday, October 9, 2023, in support of the victims of the Hamas attack, the Eiffel Tower will be illuminated in the colors of Israel. A gesture of solidarity, decided by Paris City Hall, in support of the victims of the Hamas attack.

Cancelled flights, airport strikes: what can travellers do?

From time to time, travelers are faced with flight cancellations and airport strikes. If these disruptions cause you to miss your flight, don't worry: there are ways to get help! We tell you all about your rights in the event of unforeseen circumstances.

The end of paper receipts: implementation imminent!

Although the cash register receipt, printed automatically after every purchase in a store, was due to be banned in France on January 1, 2023, the measure was subsequently postponed several times. The government finally decided to postpone its effective date for a third time, to August 1, 2023.

When you go on vacation: don't leave your goldfish in the wild, leave it in a refuge!

With its big eyes, sparkling color and incessant to-ing and fro-ing in its tiny aquarium, the goldfish has all the makings of a cute little animal, a little silly around the edges and totally harmless. However, releasing them into the wild could make them a real danger to the entire ecosystem. We explain.

What is the Summer Solstice and why does summer start on June 21?

This Wednesday, June 21, marks the Summer Solstice 2023, the first day of summer in France. It's also the longest day of the year, essential in astronomy and rich in tradition. We tell you all about it!

Heatwave in Ile-de-France this summer 2023? Which departments are expected to be the hottest?

In anticipation of the summer of 2023, Ile-de-France and several other départements are on heatwave alert. Weather forecasts predict a particularly hot summer.

Summer vacations: SNCF train tickets on sale from 8 March 2023

Perhaps the summer vacations seem far, far away at the beginning of March 2023. However, it might be time to think about your favorite destination for the 2023 summer vacations since the SNCF is putting a large part of the tickets on sale, starting this Wednesday, March 8, 2023.

Covid vaccination: 80.6 % of French people vaccinated for the first time, 60.5 % received the booster dose

At Monday July 10, 2023, 80.6 % of the French population received at least one dose of vaccine, and 79.2 % of them received a complete vaccination schedule. 60.5 % of the French population received a booster dose.

Paris 2024 Olympics to jeopardize two Ile-de-France festivals

Will there be a 2024 edition of Lollapalooza Paris and Rock en Seine? As told by Culture Minister Rima Abdul-Malak in an interview with our peers from Le Parisien, these two major festivals are difficult cases as they land during Paris Summer Olympics and Paralympics.

Europa-Park: a direct train from Paris soon to get to the theme park

Europa-Park within train’s reach will be soon possible! Starting from December 11, 2022, the high-speed train from Paris to Fribourg will make an extra stop at Ringsheim-Europa-Park for the greatest joy of theme park fans!

FIFA World Cup Qatar: Paris also boycotts the event

This October 3, 2022, Paris announced the city will not broadcast the games of the FIFA World Cup Qatar on giant screens. Marseille, Bordeaux, Lille, Strasbourg and Reims are boycotting it too.

Energy: after the Eiffel Tower, Versailles and the Louvre will turn off the lights

Energy sobriety is a key issue for the end of 2022. To save energy, the Eiffel Tower is to turn off the lights earlier than usual. The Palace of Versailles and the Louvre museum will follow and will go dark from 10 p.m. for the former, and 11 p.m. for the latter.

Europe: a direct train between Paris and Berlin planned for December 2023

Direct daytime train between Paris and Berlin will be on the rails in December 2023, as announced by SNCF and Deutsche Bahn to the AFP. An alternative to air travels and another reason to visit the German capital city or the French one if you have not already!

Covid: could there be a new wave in the autumn?

In an article published in Le Parisien, Brigitte Autran, President of the Comité de veille et d'anticipation des risques sanitaires (Health Risk Watch and Anticipation Committee), which acts in place of the Scientific Advisory Board, assures us that a new wave of Covids can be expected this autumn.

Towards another heatwave in late August in France?

Shall one fear another heatwave before Fall? According to Météo France forecasts, temperatures are likely to rise again from Wednesday August 24, 2022, in the country.

Paris Airport: do not get fooled by clandestine luggage wrappers

The Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle airport is invaded by “clandestine wrappers” wrapping your luggage for a lesser cost but illegally. Do not let yourselves be appealed by their attractive rates, their “services” are not licensed and your bags could be denied.

7th wave of Covid: what to expect?

As you've no doubt noticed, Covid-19 is back with a vengeance, causing tens of thousands of infections every day. The cause is a new, more contagious sub-variant, which could well push the government into action.

Covid: indoor facemask-wearing to be ditched from March 14 in France, excluding in transportation

Invited on TF1 television news, Jean Castex announced the end of compulsory facemask-wearing indoor from March 14, 2022. Yet, masks will be mandatory in transportation.

Covid: the BA.2 subvariant does not cause more severe illness than Omicron, WHO says

Although it is more contagious than Omicron, the BA.2 subvariant does not lead to more severe disease than BA.1, according to the WHO’s latest statements.