Day 3112 (Monday) 15th December 2025

This is the Hotel Negresco on the Prom in Nice

and this is the lemon festival in Menton, which happens in February – can’t wait.

This was the wonderful sunrise this morning.

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

A European Space Agency (ESA) Ariane 6 rocket blasts off at the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana. (Photo by Ronan LIETAR / AFP)

Christmas may be coming, but there are more strikes in the offing, and some taxes are due — but, good news for children, schools break up for the holidays.

Monday

Louvre — Staff at the museum walk out for the first time in a rolling strike over working conditions, chronic understaffing and the dilapidated state of the building.  For visitors, disruption could range from room closures to the total closure of the museum.

Rail disruption — Train services in Normandy may be disrupted as railway workers strike in protest against plans to award some rail services to RATP Développement, which are to be voted on in by regional elected officials. Unions expect the strike “to be very well supported”.

Taxes — Owners of properties deemed to have been vacant for at least one year must pay the vacant property tax. This is due by mid-December (usually the 15th) each year.  

As for the taxe d’habitation, December 15th marks the deadline for payment for non-electronic payment methods (by cheque or in cash at a participating 'buraliste'), while Saturday, December 20th marks the deadline for electronic/online payments.

December 15th is also the deadline for the advance payment of the CDHR high-income household tax, as well as the CFE (cotisation foncière des entreprises) business tax.

Tuesday

Strike — Accompagnants d’Élèves en Situation de Handicap (teaching assistants for students with disabilities) across the country will stage a one-day strike in protest at understaffing, deteriorating working conditions linked to budget cuts and a lack of training. Expect disruption at schools, particularly involving inclusion of students with particular needs.

Court — A verdict is due in the appeal of John Galliano’s former lawyer, who is on trial for alleged embezzlement.

Christmas bonus — France gives low-income households the Prime de Nöel, an end-of-year bonus, also known as the Christmas bonus, to be paid out on December 16th.

Wednesday

GPS — Ariane 6 will launch two new Galileo navigation satellites from French Guiana.

University — Parcoursup, the national online platform for pre-registration for the first year of higher education, opens for courses beginning in September 2026. No need for lycée students in the final year of their bac studies to panic, however. At this stage, the platform is open for information only. Registration opens on January 19th, 2026, and the last day to submit preferences is March 12th. Applications need to be finalised by April 1st.

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Friday 

Holidays — Schools in France break up after classes for the Christmas holidays, prompting the first of a two-wave seasonal getaway. Roads watchdog Bison Fute has predicted difficult travel conditions on main routes across France, rising to ‘very difficult’ in the south-eastern Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes on Friday. Further traffic jams are forecast on December 20th, December 24th, December 27th, and December 28th. Schools will reopen on Monday, January 5th, 2026.

Saturday

Consumer — It’s the last weekend before Christmas, in case you’re late buying gifts for loved ones.

Sport — Alpine Skiing’s Women’s World Cup pitches up in Val-d’Isere this weekend.

Sport II — After two weekends of Champions Cup and Challenge Cup rugby, the Top 14 returns for the final time before Christmas, and the penultimate outing before the new year.

Here are some more Best Things to Do in France…

11. Feel the Divine at the Grandes Cathédrales

The historical region of Picardy, in Hauts-de-France, is probably the region with the most awesome Gothic cathedrals per square metre in the world.

From Laon, one of the first Grandes Cathédrales inspired by this new Gothic art, to the cathedrals of Amiens or Beauvais, visitors can witness the main steps of the evolution of Gothic architecture in France, extraordinary buildings, all listed UNESCO heritage and usually surrounded by charming old towns.

12. Nature as its Best at the Bay of Somme

The Bay of Somme is the largest estuary in Northern France, an unspoiled place composed of dunes, marshes, and salt meadows.

Situated on the route of migrating birds, the Bay of Somme is a paradise for birdwatchers, with more than 250 different species of birds spending a part of the year in the area. It is also home to the largest colony of French seals, which can be spotted resting on sandbanks that emerge as the tide recedes.

Enjoy the Bay of Somme and its wildlife from the water, on foot, or by bike. The Belle Époque steam train (Le Chemin de Fer de la Baie de Somme) is also fun to discover these beautiful landscapes.

13. Look for the Water Lilies at Monet’s Garden

Explore Monet’s Gardens in Giverny, the object of some of Monet’s masterworks. Admire the water lily pond, where Monet painted his world-famous water lilies series.

The artist’s house and the attached workshop are also worth the visit, and they are an excellent opportunity to get a glimpse of Monet’s life and work in Giverny.

Best Things to Do in Central France

14. Fly over the Valley of the Kings on a Hot-Air Balloon

Balloon ride over the Châteaux de la Loire – Photo courtesy: France Montgolfières ©

A hot air balloon flight, wherever it is in the world, is a truly magical experience. But it is even more magical if you can fly over some of the most beautiful châteaux of the Loire Valley.

Glide through the sky in a massive floating vessel while enjoying sunrise or sunset — and perhaps a glass of champagne — over magnificent Renaissance châteaux and their beautiful grounds in the Loire Valley.

15. The Loire Valley by Bike

La Loire à Vélo is one of the top activities in France for bike lovers. The Loire by Bike is a unique 800 km cycle route that links Nevers to Saint Brevin-Les-Pins in the Atlantic Ocean. Follow France’s last great wild river on two wheels while exploring the Loire Valley with its beautiful Renaissance châteaux, medieval towns, and good wines.

Best Things to Do in Southern France

16. Go in Search of the Blue Gold of Provence

The lavender fields in Provence are some of the most striking landscapes in Southern France. From mid-June to late August, explore the Valensole Plateau, the Luberon Valley, and the Sault Plateau, well known for its “blue gold,” lavender distilleries, and pretty small towns.

A trip to the lavender fields in Provence is one of the unique things to do in France. For the best pictures, plan your trip carefully around the blooming periods in each area.

This was Badger last night playing in his tunnel with Huw– he calls it ‘007 Live and Let Die.’

and this was him this afternoon when I was trying to sort out one of my shelves.