Long waits to obtain or renew a carte de séjour, the vital document which proves legal residency in France, are frustratingly common, as our reader poll shows.
France's Interior Minister has announced a plan to tackle what he describes as 'unacceptable' waiting times as préfectures for residency cards - but how bad is the situation?
Banking is a fact of 21st-century life in France, as anywhere — but which are the best French banks for foreign residents, and which ones should you avoid? We asked readers of The Local for their recommendations.
France's new tougher rules on French citizenship have seen an increasing number of people rejected on economic grounds - including young people who have spent almost their entire life in France. We spoke to some of those affected.
Recent changes to the rules on applying for French citizenship have made the process especially difficult for young people - even if they arrived in France as young children and spent their whole life here. We want to hear from young people (or their parents) affected by this.
Comments by readers of The Local France—whether opinions, advice, or tales of life in the country—offer vital insights to others. We've picked out some recent contributions on topics spanning the hurdles foreigners face as they try to integrate into French life, the administrative reality of "fairness" in the 2026 budget, and the hidden identity crisis that comes with being bilingual.
The rollout of high-speed fibre internet across France enters a new phase this year. We asked the readers of The Local living in rural France to rate their internet speed and see if they had noticed any improvement in recent months and years.
Tensions are rising between the US and Europe, but how does this affect Americans living in France? And do American tourists need to worry about their reception here? We asked Local readers about their experiences.
Comments by readers of The Local France – whether opinions, advice or tales of life in the country – offer vital insights to others. We've picked out some recent contributions ranging from views on the Clooneys becoming French to the ease of accessing French healthcare.
At the start of 2026 France unveiled a new price structure for its national museums - including the Louvre and Versailles - that charges higher prices to non-EU visitors. Readers of The Local share their thoughts on this new law.
France has unrolled a new policy which involves charging higher prices to non-EU citizens to visit tourist attractions such as the Louvre and Versailles - and we want to hear your views on that.
Dual-national American readers across Europe say they would give up their US passports to stay European if they were forced to, with many citing political disillusionment, fears for safety, and the feeling of belonging to their adopted country.
For many Americans, the fourth Thursday in November - aka Thanksgiving - is the most important holiday in their cultural calendar, but finding everything you need for the perfect celebration in France can be a challenge. Readers of The Local share some tips.
From history to food, manners to politics, there is a lot to understand about France - so we asked our readers to recommend the best books to help explain the country.
After a study found that the rental platform Airbnb is present across the vast majority French communes, The Local asked readers how its proliferation has impacted their communities.
Visiting France can be a wonderful experience, but being ripped off at a French restaurant understandably leaves a sour taste in one's mouth. Readers of The Local share their experiences of being overcharged in France.
After the French press uncovered the ways visitors are ripped off at restaurants in areas popular with tourists, The Local is looking to hear from readers about their experiences.
Sending children to school in France can be quite a culture shock for foreign parents - from delicious school lunches and impressive after-school care to complaints about a rigid attitude and lack of imagination, here's how readers of The Local view the French system.
The French schooling system can often present a bit of a culture shock - both good and bad - for recent arrivals. Here are some tips from parents who have already navigated the education system.
The Local is looking to hear from foreign parents about their experiences with the French school system. Please take a moment to share your thoughts in our short survey.
After the French government clarified that retirees living off foreign pensions would no longer be eligible for French citizenship, The Local has been hearing from pensioners in France who are angry and upset at the changes.
The Local is looking to hear from readers about their views on the recent changes to how French authorities approach citizenship applications by foreign retirees.
