What you might need to do to protect your home from wildfires, how tax residency works in France, Brittany or Normandy – where’s better to live?, English-speaking helplines, and vital phrases for World Cup football
The early summer heatwave has increased concerns over forest fires for the summer, with several areas already placed on heightened alert.
In areas susceptible to wildfires, householders (both renters and owners) are required to take fire-prevention measures – obligations légales de débroussaillement.
Wildfire prevention: The legal obligations for French property owners
When it comes to discussions on tax residency, you might hear talk of the ‘183 day rule’ – the idea that spending more than half the year (365 days in a year divided by 2 = 182.5) in a country makes one a tax resident.
While while this might be useful as a guide, it’s not the whole story when it comes to whether France considers you a tax resident.
183 day rule: How France calculates tax residency
They both attract thousands of tourists every year, and both have beautiful beaches, relatively cheap homes and fantastic food – so which is the better place to live, Brittany or Normandy?
Brittany v Normandy – which is the best French region to live in?
It is a ‘truth’ often recounted that France is a country in possession of ‘half the world’s roundabouts’ – but how factual is this ‘France fact’?
Is it true that half of all the world’s roundabouts are in France?
If you feel that French is not up to a complicated request over the phone, you may be able to access help in English, with the added bonus that sometimes that lines are less busy and therefore quicker to connect to.
LISTED: The English-speaking helplines in France
The men’s football World Cup tournament kicked off this week, with France among the bookies’ favourites – so here are some helpful French football phrases to shout while watching.
‘Allez putain!’: French football phrases you need for the 2026 World Cup
