Aujourd'hui: What's happening in France on Wednesday

France’s Scientific Council has advised that anyone planning to visit someone in a high-risk group should self-isolate for eight days beforehand, in an attempt to flatten a feared post-Christmas spike in cases.

Children have been given permission to visit the last couple of days of school in order to do this - turning many into overnight political experts, as this teacher wryly comments.

Despite the loosening of restrictions, many people have told us they were already planning a much quieter Christmas than normal this year, with plenty of people worried about the risks of infecting elderly relatives.

The World Health Organisation is also concerned about a resurgence and has asked families to wear face masks over the holidays.

The writers at The Local's sites around Europe have been comparing the rules in place in our various countries this Christmas - it turns out France is one of the more relaxed festive locations.

Brexit

In northern France there are long tailbacks for lorries as UK retailers try to stock up before possible Brexit chaos on January 1st. "The British are stockpiling like crazy," said one French brewery owner.

And after several questions from second-home owners we’re looking at the pros and cons of taking up French residency.

Crime

You might have seen headlines in the French press about l'Affaire de Grégory - here is our backgrounder to this awful crime that has haunted France for more than 30 years.

Equality

The French government has pledged €5 million to help tackle period poverty.

And the city of Paris has been fined €90,000 for having too many women in charge. Mayor Anne Hidalgo says she is ‘filled with joy’ at this fine for being ‘too feminist’.