French Life

With a little help from their friends, young people from Afghanistan and Pakistan could integrate into French society thanks to a very English game

Simple advice - and a return to ancient techniques are paying off for permaculture farmers

If you like stories with a happy ending, this tale of the little red Twingo and its Australian adventure is hard to beat

For years parents and parent associations have been alarmed at the high level of absent teachers. Now Liliana Moyano, president of the Féd­ération des Conseils de Parents d’Elèves, FCPE, has warned that France is at the critical moment when things must change, as parents could no longer put up with it.

FRANCE might seem to have an obsession with ‘labels,’ those logos that show if a product is home-made, as with Fait Maison in restaurants, but the aim is to ensure buyers get what they pay for.

EMPTY space in a cellar, gar­age or barn can be turned into a regular income with businesses offering to help owners rent storage space to people who need it.

Business life for women in France changed this month as a new gender equality law is smashing the ‘glass ceiling’ and forcing large businesses to have at least 40% of women on the board. Samantha David speaks to two women who are leading the way in changing French attitudes

NON-religious funerals could be set to become more common as MPs have backed a law prompting communes to make a room available where possible and to set up a service.

FRANCE is testing a ‘conditional’ driving licence for banned drink-drivers which would allow them to drive a vehicle fitted with a breathalyser linked to the starter.

MAIRIES can give dispensation for wedding services to be held in one of the commune’s larger halls if there is too little space in the mairie offices or there is no disabled access.

PEOPLE who wish to be cremated and have ashes scattered in nature or at sea can organise for this with a letter to the mayors of the birthplace and site of the scattering.

SNIFFER dogs are being used on Paris public transport to check suspect packages, which cause increasing delays.

Whether they have a big allotment or a small garden, many people in France cultivate fruit and vegetables as well as flowers. Here, three dedicated gardeners explain the joy of growing their own

Emily Commander tells the moving stories of three groups of people from different parts of the country who decided to do what they could to help.

These days, French ski resorts offer plenty of activities for those who don't want to be on the pistes all day. Catherine Cooper discovers the most gentle

Samantha David meets the French-speaking, trumpet-playing, Irish-American nun who watches over the now-uninhabited Corrèze abbey that inspired a young Coco Chanel