This week’s half-dozen must-reads feature a rundown of what’s happening in July, a heatwave adapt-and-survive listicle, a summer strike calendar, some handy French wine terms and alternative sites to visit this summer.
Wait … it’s nearly July already? That means a new smoking ban, new medical fees, a debt plan, the schools break up, and it’s France’s national day. As always, there’s a lot going on this month.
What changes in France in July 2025
A listicle recommendation in a listicle? It may seem we’re starting to get a bit meta, but there’s a reason, as the south of the country careers from one heatwave into a second just in time for the holiday season. So, as well as a water bottle and lots of sunscreen, you may also want to read these articles to be prepared.
6 articles to help you survive a French heatwave
Now, health experts don’t recommend drinking alcohol when it’s particularly warm. But France is very good at wine, and it’s likely that you’ll want to visit a wine bar, or tour a vineyard during your holidays and it would be rude not to take anything home with you. Here are some terms that can help you feel like a sommelier.
13 French wine terms to make you sound like an expert
Summer can be a peak time for strikes in France as unions representing employees in tourism-adjacent industries make the most of the opportunity to threaten disruption. From railways to air traffic controllers and motorway staff, here are the industrial actions announced, so far, for summer 2025.
Planes, trains and museums: France’s 2025 summer strike calendar
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French drivers don’t exactly have the best reputation, but that doesn’t mean that there are no rules in place on the roads in France. Here’s a guide to driving offences and how many points they could cost you, if you have a French licence.
Driving in France: What are the offences that cost you penalty points on your French licence?
With France on course for another record-breaking year of tourism, some of the most popular sites are already severely overcrowded – so here are some alternatives.
10 alternatives to France’s overcrowded tourist hotspots