Day 2822 (Friday) 28th February 2025

This is Antibes

and this is the view from Eze Village.

 

It’s March 1st tomorrow and usually I do this on the 1st of the month but tomorrow we’re going to Menton’s Fete du Citron so I’ll do that tomorrow so today we have ‘Everything that changes in France in March 2025.’

Flowers blossom near the Eiffel Tower in Paris on March 9, 2014. The Spring equinox takes place each year on March 20th. (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD / AFP)

From the high-stakes conclusion of Marine Le Pen's embezzlement trial to the end of the school winter holidays and a higher 'eco' tax on plane tickets, here is what is on the agenda for March 2025 in France.

Budget changes go into force

After France's Prime Minister François Bayrou pushed the 2025 budget through at the start of February, several elements included in it will come into force from March 1st.

An increased tax for high polluting combustion-powered cars at the time of registration, as well as an increased 'eco' tax on flights from France, will come into force on March 1st.

Meanwhile, the change to VAT for self-employed workers and small business owners (also due to come into effect on March 1st) has been paused, and the increased rates for notaires will come into effect from April 1st.

Simplification of RSA

The RSA (Revenu de solidarité active), a top-up benefit chiefly designed to help low-paid or part-time workers in France, will be simplified from March 1st. The changes are due to the 'solidarity at the source' reform, which makes it so CAF declarations are pre-filled with information provided by employers to limit errors and undue payments. 

Secure prescriptions

Initially scheduled for December 1st, two more medications will require 'secure' prescriptions (ordonnance sécurisée) in France: anything containing tramadol and codeine, from March 1st. 

Back to school

France's winter school holidays are over. Children in Zone A schools head back to classes on March 10th, while those in Zone B have already returned and Zone C come back on March 3rd. 

The end of winter festivals

The Nice Carnival and the Menton Lemon Festival, both of which bring in thousands of visitors every year, will both conclude on March 2nd. 

Paris ring road to bring in carpool lane

Starting on Monday, March 3rd, the Paris ring road will bring in a dedicated carpool lane, to also be shared with buses, taxes, emergency vehicles and disability vehicles (for people with reduced mobility).

France-Italy train connection to reopen

On March 31st, the popular train linking Paris with the Italian cities of Turin and Milan will reopen. The route was closed for 19 months after a landslide damaged the tunnel. 

Le Pen trial concludes

At the end of March, judges will make their decision in the trial of French far-right leader Marine Le Pen over the embezzlement of European Parliament funds. If she is found guilty on March 31st, she could be blocked from participating in France’s next presidential election, scheduled for 2027 at the latest.

New flight to 'hidden gem' city

France's Clermont-Ferrand airport – serving the mountainous French region of Auvergne – announced it would be adding a route to London Stansted starting on March 30th. It will be operated by Irish budget airline Ryanair.

Ramadan

The month of fasting and reflection for Muslims around the world is expected to begin on February 28th and continue until March 30th, according to the organisation Islamic Relief, though the exact dates will depend on the lunar cycle. 

Paris Mayoral election

Even though the municipal elections are not until 2026, BFMTV reported that Parti Socialiste would hold an internal vote on March 13th to decide which candidate to back for the role of Mayor of Paris, as Anne Hidalgo's term comes to an end.

International Women's Day

Feminist marches will be organised across France on March 8th for international women's day, which in France now also serves as the anniversary that the right to abortion was inscribed in France's constitution.

Winter trêve

The annual winter ‘truce’, when tenants cannot be evicted from their rented homes for non-payment of rent, ends as it does every year on March 31st.

Equinox

Spring is sprung on March 20th, when the Spring Equinox arrives, meaning that there will be more hours of daylight than darkness.

Clocks change

We all lose an hour’s sleep as the clocks go forward during the night of March 29th to March 30th. 

International Francophonie Day

Each year, the world's 369 million French speakers celebrate the journée internationale de la francophonie on March 20th. In previous years, French presidents have made speeches or presented plans for international strategies to maintain and push forward the French language.

You might consider visiting the Museum of the French language, which opened in 2023 in northern France. 

. . . And watch out for April 1st

April 1st is the day for 'poissons d'avril' in France - aka pranks and practical jokes. So don't believe everything that you hear on this day.