Day 2029 (Wednesday) 28th December 2022.

It was another glorious day today but Huw had to go to Nice in search of a new toilet seat – ours fell off on Christmas Eve. While he did that I put on a summer dress and sat in the sun for a few hours – it’s remarkably warm and sunny – 35 degrees in the direct sunshine.

These people were enjoying a day out on a boat

When Huw got home he went to work on the toilet and miraculously it didn’t take long and it only cost 4€. 

I did some work on the New Year’s Day lunch and I now only need two more menu options and I think we’re ready. It’s been a pain in the bum but I’m sure it’ll be worth it and to make it even better the forecast is great – read on…

France set for ‘exceptionally warm’ New Year’s weekend

Forecasters are predicting an especially warm New Year's weekend in France, with some parts of the country seeing record high temperatures.

Published: 28 December 2022 12:40 CET

France will see a warm end of the year. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP)

Warm weather is expected for the first weekend of 2023 in France, as temperatures across France are predicted to be “exceptionally warm” with temperatures approximately 7.5C above average this weekend, according to La Chaîne Météo.

After Christmas was ranked by Météo France as the mildest since 1997, temperatures during the New Year’s weekend may even break record highs in some parts of the country.

On Saturday, December 31st, temperatures are expected to be “well above seasonal norms” across the country – with an average temperature of of 13.5C predicted across France – according to Tristan Amm, forecaster at Météo France.

The northern half of the country can expect to see temperatures averaging around 15C, while in the southern part of the country, some localities may see highs of up to 20C. 

Specifically, Météo France predicted temperatures of 19C in Biarritz, 18C in Ajaccio (Corsica), 15C in Paris and 16C in Strasbourg on the last day of the year.

Generally, forecasters expect to see clouds and rain throughout the weekend, though Amm told Ouest France that blue skies “are possible in the southern half of the country.” 

And for those planning to enjoy the festivities outside on New Year’s Eve – forecasters have said they do not expect to see the mercury drop below 13C. 

The person who writes ‘What’s happening in France this week’ must be still on holiday but I found this instead…

What changes in France in January 2023

From winter sales and special cakes to price rises and a whole host of new laws - here is what is in store for January 2023 in France.

Published: 27 December 2022 13:26 CET

(Kenzo TRIBOUILLARD / AFP)

New Year – January 1st, New Year’s Day, is a public holiday in France. Unfortunately this year it falls on a Sunday, which means no extra day off work. Monday, January 2nd, is a normal working day. But you can look forward to a good year of public holidays for the rest of 2023.

Epiphany – Friday, January 6th marks the Christian festival of epiphany. This is not a public holiday in France (unlike neighbouring Spain where they go mad for the Three Kings), but the day is marked with a special cake – the Galette des rois – which has a lot of fun and complicated rituals for consumption.

Sales – The winter sales across most of France run from Wednesday, January 11th, to Tuesday, February 7th. Sales in Meurthe-et-Moselle, Moselle, Meuse and Vosges start on Monday, January 2nd. 

Schools go back – Schoolchildren across France head back to the classroom on Tuesday, January 3rd.

Income taxes – As a result of rising consumer prices and inflation, the income tax scale (schedule) will increase by 5.4 percent in 2023.

The new scale will be as follows for those making below €10,777 of taxable income the rate will be 0 percent; for those making between €10,777 and €27,478 of taxable income the rate will be 11 percent; for those making between €27,478 and €78,570 of taxable income the rate will be 30 percent; for those making between €78,570 and €168,994 of taxable income the rate will be 41 percent; and for those making above €168,994 of taxable income the rate will be 45 percent.

However, the French government also plans to make income tax notices more informative by showing the average rate and marginal tax rate on the tax notice itself. The objective is to better inform taxpayers.

Minimum wage – The minimum wage, known as le Smic, rises by 1.8 percent on January 1st, bringing it to a pre-tax level of €1,709 per month. 

Postage –There will also be some changes to France’s postal services, including the scrapping of the timbre rouge.

Car-sharing – from January 1st there will also be €100 grants for motorists who sign up to car-share or car-pooling websites. 

Pension reform – The Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne will on January 10th unveil details of the planned pension reform – originally planned on December 15th. The plans are highly controversial and unions have already called for ‘mobilisation’ (i.e. strikes and demos) against the plans. 

Price rises

The French have been more shielded from inflation and rising prices than many of their European neighbours, mostly thanks to government price shields. However, several of these will be relaxed from January 1st, leading to bigger bills.

Energy Prices – Energy bills are going to increase in France from January 1st, when the current price freeze ends.

From January, gas bills can rise by a maximum of 15 percent and from February electricity bills can rise by a maximum of 15 percent. For the average household, this will represent an extra €20 a month. 

Petrol prices – The government’s fuel rebate – which is applied at the pump and results in lower costs to motorists filling up their cars – ends on December 31st. 

This means, from January, an extra €5 for the average driver to fill their car compared to the December price, and an extra €17.50 compared to the early November price. But there will be €100 grants available for motorists on a low income who need their car for work.

Rail tickets – From January, the SNCF will increase some fare prices for TGV high speed trains and some regional services by an average of five percent.

Paris transport – Paris public transport tickets and passes will increase in 2023, the monthly Navigo pass will go up by 12 percent, from €75.20 to €84.10.

New laws

There are also a whole raft of new laws that come into effect from January 1st. Here’s a summary of the main ones.

Free condoms – From January 1st , people aged under 26 will be able to get free condoms from the pharmacy.

Packaging – At the start of the year, France will ban single-use packaging in fast-food restaurants for meals consumed on-site in venues that seat 20 people or more. Expect to see reusable packaging in your preferred burger chain.

Renting energy inefficient flats – From January 1st, 2023, properties advertised for rent in France must have an energy rating of G or above on the Diagnostic de performance énergétique.

Rules about telemarketing – Starting on January 1st, cold callers will have to use a phone number with a 09 prefix. This means that automated systems will no longer be able to use mobile numbers beginning with 06 or 07 for telemarketing.