Day 2853 (Monday) 31st  March 2025

This is the Promenade in Nice

and this is Eze Village.

It was warm and sunny again today and there was a cruise ship in the bay – all signs of summer.

We went for a spin to Cagnes-sur-Mer, which is just the other side of the airport, we’ve been to the old town before but not the port. It was pleasant enough and we saw this petanque pitch which  is in a perfect spot on the beach.

The sky was a wonderful colour

We walked along the seafront and admired some of the art.

We both really liked these ones…

…but this one, not so much.

We had a sandwich in a lovely café near the church and the shelves inside were great.

As usual on a Monday here’s What's happening in France this week. The Local France

People have drinks at the extended terrace of a cafe made of wooden pallets in Paris on July 23, 2020. (Photo by Christophe ARCHAMBAULT / AFP)

From the long-awaited result of the Le Pen trial to increased notaire fees, the launch of ETA for EU travellers to the UK, and of course, the 'Poisson d'avril', here's what is happening in France this week.

Monday

Le Pen trial concludes - Judges will on Monday are due to announce 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, she could be blocked from participating in France’s next presidential election.

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. 

Winter trêve ends - 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.

TikTok Shop launches in France - On Monday, the social network TikTok will launch its new 'live' shopping feature in France.

Tuesday

Poisson d'avril - 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.
Notaire property fees to increase - Starting on April 1st, new rates will take effect for notaire fees. These are applied when purchasing property in France. Local authorities will be allowed to increase the flat rate of the notaire fee from 4.5 percent to five percent, although there are exemptions including for first-time buyers (for a main residence, not a second home). 

Changes to sick leave - From April 1st, France's arrêt maladie - or sick leave - will change as a result of the 2025 Social Security Finance Law. The ministry of labour will decrease the ceiling for daily compensation for sick leave from a max of 1.8 times minimum wage to a max of 1.4 times minimum wage (per day).

Increase in government benefits - On April 1st, households who receive family allowance benefits from 'CAF' in France will see their payments increased to reflect annual inflation. As a result, benefits will go up by 1.7 percent.

Extended terraces back in Paris - Parisians will once again be able to enjoy extended outdoor seating at cafes, bars and restaurants (until 10pm every night), starting this April 1st. The extended terraces last all summer, until October 31st.

Wednesday

ETA UK visa waiver - The UK will bring in the ETA visa waiver for all EU travellers starting on April 2nd. It is already compulsory for non-EU citizens, but it will be extended to anyone travelling on an EU, EEA or Swiss passport (with the exception of people travelling on an Irish passport).

Thursday

Public sector strikes and protests -  Several unions (CGT, UNSA, Solidaires and FSU) representing French public sector workers have also called for a country-wide mobilisation on April 3rd. Public sector strikes can sometimes lead to the closures of government buildings, such as town halls, préfectures and tax offices.

Tariff war - US President Donald Trump has warned the EU that new tariffs, notably affecting the automobile industry, would be implemented on April 2nd and come into effect on April 3rd.

Friday

Spring school holidays - Schools also get a two-week break during the spring, but the exact dates vary between the different school holiday zones. Zone B, which includes Aix-Marseille, Nice, and Strasbourg, will kick off the staggered holidays, with their break beginning on Friday and lasting until April 22nd. 

Sunday

'Women's Carnaval' (Carnaval des femmes) in Paris - Also known as the Fête des Blanchisseuses, the women's carnival will take place on Sunday. Participants - regardless of gender - dress up as queens in their best colourful outfits. The parade will start at 3pm at the Place du Châtelet.

French idioms & expressions

Weird things French speakers say

As an English speaker you might find yourself chasing your tail while trying to get all your ducks in a row so you can get this show on the road.

French speakers have their own collection of weird expressions that make just as much sense as their English counterparts. Here are a few common ones to stuff in your vocabulary rucksack.

"Perdre la boule"

Literal meaning: "To lose your ball"

What it really means: To lose your head

"Ce n'est pas la mer à boire"

Literal meaning: "It's not like you have to drink the ocean"

What it really means: It's not difficult

"Faire la grasse matinée"

Literal meaning: "To have a fat morning"

What it really means: To sleep in

"Passer une nuit blanche"

Literal meaning: "To have a white night"

What it really means: To stay up/awake all night (usually on purpose, not because of insomnia)

"Passer un mauvais quart d'heure"

Literal meaning: "To have a bad quarter of an hour"

What it really means: A short, difficult period in one's life

"Dormir à la belle étoile"

Literal meaning: "To sleep in the pretty star"

What it really means: To sleep outside

"Être blanc comme neige"

Literal meaning: "To be as white as snow"

What it really means: To be completely innocent

"Faire boule de neige"

Literal meaning: "To make like a ball of snow"

What it really means: To get bigger/more important

"Faire du chemin/faire son chemin"

Literal meaning: "To go along the pat/ to go along your path"

What it really means: To make progress

"Mordre la poussière"

Literal meaning: "To bite the dust"

What it really means: To suffer a defeat

"Traîner quelqu'un dans la boue"

Literal meaning: "To drag someone through the mud"

What it really means: To dirty someone's reputation

"Se perdre les chèvres"

Literal meaning: "To lose your goats"

What it really means: To forget what you were just saying, or lose your place in a conversation. (This isn't widely used, but there are goats.)