As 2025 continues to fly by at TGV speed, we look forward to an ‘interesting’ September in France, offer the latest advice on citizenship applications, explain what border guards can ask travellers for … and suggest a few beyond-Paris day trips.
Ahhhh, September is nearly here, carrying with it the unmistakable scent of French rentrée. Schools reopen, workday rush hour gets that bit rushier, crises raise their heads in the corridors of French political power and on the streets, as unions threaten strikes… Here’s everything you need to know about the month to come.
Everything that’s changing in France in September 2025
The start of September not only marks a return to school or work, it also the feeling of a fresh start or new beginning – similar to New Year – and many people make a pledge to get fit, start a new hobby or finally perfect their French. If you are looking to join a club, volunteer or simply get involved in your community in France, then la rentrée is the best time to do so.
How to start a new hobby in France this autumn
We’ve covered recent fallout of ‘rule changes’ to French citizenship applications for retirees in some depth, including what counts as French income and when stricter language standards take effect. We’ve also condensed it all into an updated one-stop guide to becoming French.
Updated guide: How to get French citizenship
If you’re travelling to France, border guards might be asking you questions about your plans for your stay. But what documents do they have the right to demand? In part, it all depends on where you are travelling from, as we explain.
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Tickets, insurance, bank details – what can French border guards demand from travellers?
Speaking of travelling, whether you’re coming to France on a holiday or packing up all your worldly goods with the intention of moving here, you need to know what you can and cannot bring across the border.
What you can and cannot bring to France
Paris copped a fair amount of the flak in a recent poll of disappointing French tourist attractions by The Local. We’ll leave you to decide whether those opinions are fair or otherwise. But, so you don’t tire of Paris – and, therefore, life – we delved into the archives for some great places to visit that are easy to get to from the French capital, but aren’t the French capital.
Ten of the best day trips out of Paris