Winter truce, gas price rise and Toussaint: France this week

France begins its trêve hivernale (winter eviction truce) on 1 November, and the regulated reference price of gas rises by 6.6 percent on the same day. The Local France’s weekly agenda also lists a key parliamentary vote, more planned protests, new winter tyre rules and the end of the Toussaint school holidays.

What happened

According to The Local France, the week starts on Monday with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu meeting student and teacher representatives, employers’ organisations, trade unions, MPs and local authorities to try to find a way through the current protests. Also in Paris that day, defence ministers from France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the UK are due to meet.

On Tuesday, the Assemblée nationale (National Assembly, the lower house of parliament) is due to hold a formal vote on the draft social security financing bill for 2027. Debates on the government’s draft Budget Bill begin after that. The same day, the three winners of this year’s Albert Londres Prize, often described as France’s equivalent of the Pulitzer, will be named.

On Thursday, a decision is due on Meta’s appeal against injunctions ordering it to negotiate “in good faith” with publishers over payment for repackaging their content.

On Saturday, the Gilets Jaunes (the “yellow vests” protest movement) have called for a “third act” of protests against the high cost of living. The same weekend, France’s women’s rugby team plays New Zealand’s Black Ferns in Christchurch in the final round of the WXV Global Series. Saturday is also Halloween, which The Local notes is growing in popularity in France even though it remains smaller than in the US.

What it means for you

Tenants and households in difficulty

The winter truce runs from 1 November until 31 March. During this period landlords cannot evict tenants who are struggling to pay their rent, and utility companies cannot cut off supplies because of unpaid bills. If you are behind on rent or energy bills, this gives you protection over the winter. It is a good moment to contact your landlord or supplier and agree a repayment plan.

Gas bills

The reference price of gas will rise 6.6 percent on 1 November, the third monthly increase in a row, The Local reports. It will reach €194.90 per megawatt-hour, including tax. Households whose contracts are linked to the reference price will pay an average of €12 more in November than in October. Fixed-price contracts are not affected. Check your contract or latest bill to see which type you have.

Drivers in mountain areas

From 1 November, drivers in designated mountain areas must comply with winter equipment rules. If you live in or plan to travel through these areas, check whether your route is covered and make sure your car has the right equipment before you set off.

Employees off work after a workplace accident

New rules change Social Security payments for employees off work after a workplace accident or occupational illness. The maximum salary used to calculate these payments will be capped at 1.8 times the SMIC (the national minimum wage). That is higher than the cap for ordinary sick leave, which is 1.4 times the SMIC. Employees on higher salaries who are off work for these reasons may want to check how the cap affects their payments.

Public holiday and school return

Toussaint (All Saints’ Day) falls on Sunday 1 November. It is a public holiday and the traditional day for visiting the graves of loved ones. Because it is on a Sunday this year, most people will not get a day off work. Sunday is also the last day of the Toussaint school holidays, and children go back to school on Monday morning.

Health

November is France’s 11th annual “No Smoking Month”, a campaign run by French public health authorities that challenges smokers to stop for 30 days.

What to watch next

The result of Tuesday’s vote on the social security financing bill, and the Budget Bill debates that follow, will shape public spending and social contributions for 2027. Watch for the outcome of the Prime Minister’s Monday meetings and for news of where Saturday’s Gilets Jaunes protests will take place, as demonstrations can disrupt traffic and public transport. If your gas contract follows the reference price, look out for the December figure, given three monthly rises in a row.

Source: The Local France