NEWS NO SMOKING BAN EXTENDED T
he French government has presented an updated tobacco control programme aimed at curbing tobacco use. Among the
measures is an extension of the areas where smoking is banned. Since 2007, this has been the case for
all enclosed and covered places open to the public or workplaces, in health establishments, on all public transport and in all public and private schools (including open areas such as playgrounds). The new list now also includes outdoor
locations where large numbers of people may be present, and which are already being targeted by many local authorities.
Smoking bans in France have been extended to beaches, parks and forests
Beaches, in particular, had already been the subject of a growing number of local bans during the summer. Smoking bans will also be extended to parks and gardens, forests and around schools. This builds on the ban in effect since last summer for all woods and forests, up to a distance of 200 metres, which previously applied only during the fire-risk period. Smoking-free areas are now set to become the norm, rather than the exception. Lawmakers are also considering a proposed
bill banning single-use vaping devices, which is due to be debated at the lower house in early 2024. The bill already garnered wide cross-party support, so what is left to define is mostly the precise scope of the measure.
TRAVEL NEWS
n A new date has been set for the EU’s new border control system. The Entry & Exit System (EES) is now scheduled to start in October 2024, and will replace passport stamping with facial scans and fingerprints for travellers from the UK, USA and other non-EU countries. The exact date is expected to be announced in July.
n The price of public transport in Paris will rise to €4 for a single ticket from 20 July to 8 September, almost double the current €2.10. An all-zone pass for the week will cost €70.
ratp.fr
WHAT DO FRENCH BUYERS WANT? A
recent study from property specialist
Seloger.com has revealed the most sought-after criteria from French property
buyers searching online, including popular cities, property size and budget. Despite lower purchasing power this year
(due in part to rising interest rates), buyers still want plenty of space, with a preference for single-family homes. More than two out of three searches are for a house (64%). For houses, buyers want a minimum surface area of 80m2
and have an average budget of
€319,999, while for apartments they require a minimum surface area of 56m2
with a
budget of €279,999. The searches revealed that outside space is important too (garden 16.3%, terrace 14.8%, pool 9%). The top cities searched for were Paris
(4.9% of searches), Marseille (1.9%), Nice (1.5%), Lyon (1.2%) and Toulouse (0.6%). This was reflected in other regions too, with large cities also being a key search criteria.
n Train fares on Intercité trains and low-cost high-speed rail service OuiGo will not increase in 2024. The introduction of this ‘fare shield’ aims to make train travel affordable for young people and others affected by inflation and the rising cost of living.
n Good news for our readers based in Scotland. From April this year, budget airline Ryanair will operate new flights from Edinburgh to Biarritz and Bergerac. Both will be twice weekly, with the Biarritz route flying on Monday and Thursday and the Bergerac flights on Tuesday and Saturday.
A house with a garden is top of the wish list
n AirFrance will launch a non-stop service from Phoenix (USA) to Paris- Charles de Gaulle airport from May, offering three weekly round trips during the summer months.
4 FRENCH PROPERTY NEWS: March/April 2024 13
©SHUTTERSTOCK
©PEXELS-NATHAN-SHINGLETON-7166574
©SHUTTERSTOCK
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