News
Marineland animals in danger - Time is running out for the marine animals at Marineland in Antibes. On Thursday, 6 November 2025, France’s Minister for Ecological Transition, Mathieu Lefèvre, and the management of ZooParc de Beauval (Loir-et-Cher) confirmed plans to take in Marineland’s dolphins — but not for another year and a half. The transfer, which remains subject to an agreement with Marineland’s management, aims to provide a new home for the dolphins currently in distress at the park. However, the delay until 2027 has raised concern among animal welfare groups, given the urgency of the situation. As for Marineland’s orcas, no relocation solution has yet been found. Their future remains uncertain as discussions continue between the authorities, animal welfare organisations, and the park’s operators.
Gas leak in central Nice - A major emergency operation was launched in the centre of Nice on Thursday afternoon, 6 November 2025, following a gas leak on Boulevard Joseph Garnier, near the Gare du Sud. According to the Alpes-Maritimes fire and rescue service (Sdis 06), the leak originated from a medium-pressure gas pipe that had been damaged during roadworks.
Twenty-one firefighters were deployed to the scene around 2:30 p.m. to establish a safety perimeter and set up a hydraulic system designed to disperse the gas and prevent dangerous concentrations from forming in nearby shops and homes. The situation was quickly brought under control. GRDF technicians shut off the gas supply, and further checks confirmed there were no remaining gas traces in surrounding buildings. Residents and passers-by were advised to avoid the area while emergency services worked to secure the site.
‘It’s Only Fair Americans Pay,’ says French MP behind healthcare fee plan - French MP François Gernigon has defended his proposal to make American retirees in France pay a contribution to access the French public healthcare system, calling it “a question of fairness.” The Horizons MP’s amendment to the 2026 social security bill would require non-EU residents with ‘visitor’ status to pay a set fee to join the system. He said many Americans benefit from French healthcare without having paid into it, despite living in France long-term. Gernigon stressed the plan was not anti-American but aimed at closing a loophole that lets foreign retirees access taxpayer-funded care for free. The proposal is still under debate in parliament.
French court warns homeowners over Airbnb rentals - France’s highest court has ruled against a couple who rented out their apartment on Airbnb, ordering them to pay €12,500 to their neighbours for disturbing the peace of their building. The Cour de Cassation upheld earlier rulings that the constant turnover of guests in the Hautes-Alpes property breached the building’s “requirements of stability and tranquillity,” even though there was no explicit ban on short-term rentals in the co-ownership rules. The case sets a key precedent, confirming that neighbours can take legal action against Airbnb hosts if their rentals disrupt the building’s residential character — even without formal restrictions in place. The decision comes amid tighter national regulations on short-term lets, giving co-owners the power to amend building rules to ban tourist rentals with a two-thirds majority vote.
Mandatory undergrowth clearance introduced across the Var region - New permanent rules now require property owners, businesses, and local authorities across most of the Var department to clear undergrowth to reduce the risk of forest fires. Clearance must be carried out annually, typically in autumn and early spring, around buildings, roads, and footpaths, with responsibility extending onto neighbouring land if necessary. Authorities say the measures save lives and property, and non-compliance can result in fines of up to €1,500, or criminal liability if a fire spreads as a result. Some areas are protected to preserve biodiversity, including habitats for the Hermann’s tortoise.
One in Four People in France Live in Flood Risk Areas - A new 3D map from the IGN shows one in four people in France live in areas at risk of flooding, with 16,000 communes affected. High-risk zones include the Mediterranean coast, the Loire Valley, Marne, Avignon, and parts of Lot-et-Garonne. Flooding is now the country’s leading natural hazard for property damage, worsened by climate change. Authorities hope the map will improve waterway management and planning for future extreme rainfall. Homeowners are advised to check local flood risks on the government’s Géorisques website and review insurance cover, as standard policies often exclude flood damage unless a natural disaster is officially declared.
Frenchman finds $800,000 in gold while digging pool - A man in Neuville-sur-Saône, eastern France, uncovered a hidden treasure while digging a swimming pool in his garden — five gold bars and numerous coins worth around $800,000. Local officials confirmed the find, made in May, and allowed him to keep the gold as it was not linked to any archaeological site. Police determined the gold had been legally acquired and melted down 15 to 20 years ago at a nearby refinery. The previous owner of the property has since died, leaving the origin of the stash a mystery.
Time is running out for the marine animals at Marineland in Antibes. On Thursday, 6 November 2025, France’s Minister for Ecological Transition, Mathie...
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A highly critical report into the operation of border facilities for migrants in Menton has been released today. Inspectors carried out an unannounced...
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A 35-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday after deliberately driving into pedestrians and cyclists on the island of Oléron, off France’s western coa...
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Five people have been injured, two of them seriously, after a man deliberately drove into pedestrians this morning in the Charente-Maritime department...
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A 39-year-old woman was killed on Tuesday, 4 November, in the Moulins district of Nice. According to prosecutors, she was stabbed by her ex-partner, w...
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