Everything that changes about life in France in June 2024
Summer festivals, the French Open and Pride Month plus address changes in small towns, tax deadlines, and a fun all-nighter - here's what is happening in France in June.
Nuit Blanche
On June 1st, Paris will celebrate 'Nuit Blanche' - when venues stay open all night and free indoor and outdoor cultural events across the city.
The start of Pride month
The month of June marks Pride Month for members of the LGBTQI+ community. Pride parades (or marches des fiertés in French) are set to happen across France. Paris’ Pride parade is the largest, attracting thousands of participants and spectators. The parades take place throughout the month in towns in cities across France, Paris is one of the last - taking place on June 29th.
Address changes
From June 1st, previously nameless roads in small towns in France will be required to have an official name. This is a result of the 3Ds law – so-called because it relates to Différenciation, Décentralisation, Déconcentration – which was adopted in 2022, and requires communes to allocate formal addresses to houses on the estimated 200,000 or so streets with no name.
READ MORE: Why nearly 2 million addresses in France are set to change
Pass'Sport
Certain families, young people with disabilities, and students in France will be able to benefit from the means-tested Pass'Sport, a €50 subsidy (per child) to help finance enrolment in a sporting association or club. The Pass'Sport will be available starting June 1st. More information here.
Cigarette prices to rise
Another price increase for certain tobacco brands will go into effect on June 1st, thanks to a decree issued in April. Rolling tobacco will be most affected - Pall Mall (30g pack) will go up from €16.60 to €16.70, Lucky Strike (30g pack) will go up from €16.70 to €16.80, and Pueblo (30g pack) will go up from €16.90 to €17. Meanwhile, Dunhill, which offers the 'red' pack of 20 cigarettes, will go up from €12.50 to €12.70, Le Figaro reported.
Taylor Swift concerts
After her Paris gigs, the American superstar will return to France for concerts in Lyon at the Groupama Stadium on June 2nd and 3rd.
More power to write prescriptions for pharmacists and opticians
Starting on June 1st, all pharmacists in France will be write prescriptions for antibiotics to treat tonsillitis (strep throat) and urinary tract infections (cystitis).
READ MORE: French pharmacists to be able to dispense antibiotics without prescription
Similarly, opticians will gain prescription-altering abilities. This is specifically for the moment after a person is issued corrective glasses or contacts. If they find that the prescription is slightly off, then the pharmacist can alter it slightly so the person can get better adapted glasses or contacts.
D-Day Anniversary
June 6th marks the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, France. Throughout the month, there will be several events to commemorate the historic event, in addition to official ceremonies on the actual day which are expected to be attended by several heads of state, including Britain's King Charles III, US President Joe Biden and France's president Emmanuel Macron.
READ MORE: What to expect for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in France
The end of the French Open
The finals of the Roland-Garros tournament will take place on June 8th and 9th.
Tax declaration deadlines
Inhabitants of the French départements numbering 55 to 96, as well as the overseas territories, must turn in their French tax declarations by 11.59pm on June 6th. All other départements should have already submitted their declarations.
READ MORE: Explained: How to fill out the French tax declaration
Property tax declaration
Property owners are required to do another form - the déclaration d'occupation - and it must be submitted by June 30th (by 11.59pm). However, this is not an annual task, you only have to do it if you did not complete it last year, or if you bought a property or otherwise changed your status in the last year - full details HERE.
READ MORE: Vocab guide for the French property tax declaration
Gas tariffs increase
Starting on June 1st, the monthly benchmark price for the sale of natural gas will increase slightly from the May rate - going up by 1.8 percent, or €111.19 per MWh to €113.19 per MWh (incl. VAT).
European elections
In mainland France, plus the overseas territories of Réunion, Mayotte, Nouvelle-Calédonie and Wallis and Futuna, polling takes place on Sunday, June 9th. Polling stations will be set up in the same places as for national and local elections - usually town halls, leisure centres and other public buildings.
READ ALSO: Can foreign residents in France vote in the European elections?
Psychological support
France's psychological support system, Mon Soutien Psy, is available to everyone over the age of 3 who is suffering from anxiety, depression or any other form of mental distress. It allows partial reimbursement of therapy sessions.
Starting on June 15th, some aspects of the scheme will change. Sessions will remain reimbursed at a rate of 60 percent, but they will be allowed to increase in cost from €30 to €50. There will be a possibility to directly consult a psychologist without going through a doctor first. The number of sessions covered by the scheme will also increase from 8 to 12.
The summer solstice
Every year, France rings in the summer with the Fête de la Musique, in which towns and cities across France see a day of concerts, music events and street musicians.
This takes place every year on June 21st, which this year is a Friday.
The summer sales
For the majority of the country, the summer sales (soldes d’été) will start on Wednesday, June 26th and will run until Tuesday, July 23rd. There are some exceptions like the French overseas territories, and Corsica, where you’ll have to wait until July 10th for the sales to kick off.
Museums and festivals
Summer in France means festivals - you’ll find events great and small across the country celebrating everything from music and culture, to the great outdoors, to the fruits of the land or sea.
Mark your calendars for the Saint-Denis Festival, which runs until June 27th with plenty of events around the basilica of Saint-Denis, or the Festival de Nîmes, which runs the entirety of the month of June, bringing modern music to the famous Roman Arena.
READ MORE: 26 unmissable summer 2024 festivals and events in France
Additionally, Europe’s first museum dedicated to showcasing the works of female artists is due to open in Cannes on June 21st.
Sporting events
24 Hours of Le Mans - The endurance-focused sports car race will be held on June 15th to 16th this year near the pretty medieval town of Le Mans.
Euro 2024 - the football tournament will take place in neighbouring Germany, with the France team playing its first match against Austria on June 17th. Expect bars and cafés around France to be screening games and to be packed while France remain in the tournament - which should be for a while, France are among the bookies' favourites to win, along with England and hosts Germany.
Tour de France - An Olympics-affected 2024 Tour begins in northern Italy, with a 206km ride from Florence to Rimini on June 29th. Because Paris is all Olympic-ed up, the race this year finishes in Nice, rather than along the Champs-Elysées as is traditional.
Father's Day
The French Father's Day will take place on Sunday, June 16th this year.
Eiffel Tower ticket prices
The Paris city hall voted to increase the Eiffel Tower adult admission price by 20 percent from next month to help pay for urgent renovation work. As a result, starting on June 17th, visitors will pay €35.30 (instead of €29.40) for a ride by lift to the top of the Eiffel tower.
Macron to Brussels
The French President will travel to Brussels for the European Council on 27 and 28 June 2024.
Payment directly on Doctolib app
The medical app and website Doctolib has announced the rollout of online payments for medical appointments, meaning that you don't even need to remember to have your wallet/purse with you. More info here.
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Nuit Blanche
On June 1st, Paris will celebrate 'Nuit Blanche' - when venues stay open all night and free indoor and outdoor cultural events across the city.
The start of Pride month
The month of June marks Pride Month for members of the LGBTQI+ community. Pride parades (or marches des fiertés in French) are set to happen across France. Paris’ Pride parade is the largest, attracting thousands of participants and spectators. The parades take place throughout the month in towns in cities across France, Paris is one of the last - taking place on June 29th.
Address changes
From June 1st, previously nameless roads in small towns in France will be required to have an official name. This is a result of the 3Ds law – so-called because it relates to Différenciation, Décentralisation, Déconcentration – which was adopted in 2022, and requires communes to allocate formal addresses to houses on the estimated 200,000 or so streets with no name.
READ MORE: Why nearly 2 million addresses in France are set to change
Pass'Sport
Certain families, young people with disabilities, and students in France will be able to benefit from the means-tested Pass'Sport, a €50 subsidy (per child) to help finance enrolment in a sporting association or club. The Pass'Sport will be available starting June 1st. More information here.
Cigarette prices to rise
Another price increase for certain tobacco brands will go into effect on June 1st, thanks to a decree issued in April. Rolling tobacco will be most affected - Pall Mall (30g pack) will go up from €16.60 to €16.70, Lucky Strike (30g pack) will go up from €16.70 to €16.80, and Pueblo (30g pack) will go up from €16.90 to €17. Meanwhile, Dunhill, which offers the 'red' pack of 20 cigarettes, will go up from €12.50 to €12.70, Le Figaro reported.
Taylor Swift concerts
After her Paris gigs, the American superstar will return to France for concerts in Lyon at the Groupama Stadium on June 2nd and 3rd.
More power to write prescriptions for pharmacists and opticians
Starting on June 1st, all pharmacists in France will be write prescriptions for antibiotics to treat tonsillitis (strep throat) and urinary tract infections (cystitis).
READ MORE: French pharmacists to be able to dispense antibiotics without prescription
Similarly, opticians will gain prescription-altering abilities. This is specifically for the moment after a person is issued corrective glasses or contacts. If they find that the prescription is slightly off, then the pharmacist can alter it slightly so the person can get better adapted glasses or contacts.
D-Day Anniversary
June 6th marks the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, France. Throughout the month, there will be several events to commemorate the historic event, in addition to official ceremonies on the actual day which are expected to be attended by several heads of state, including Britain's King Charles III, US President Joe Biden and France's president Emmanuel Macron.
READ MORE: What to expect for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in France
The end of the French Open
The finals of the Roland-Garros tournament will take place on June 8th and 9th.
Tax declaration deadlines
Inhabitants of the French départements numbering 55 to 96, as well as the overseas territories, must turn in their French tax declarations by 11.59pm on June 6th. All other départements should have already submitted their declarations.
READ MORE: Explained: How to fill out the French tax declaration
Property tax declaration
Property owners are required to do another form - the déclaration d'occupation - and it must be submitted by June 30th (by 11.59pm). However, this is not an annual task, you only have to do it if you did not complete it last year, or if you bought a property or otherwise changed your status in the last year - full details HERE.
READ MORE: Vocab guide for the French property tax declaration
Gas tariffs increase
Starting on June 1st, the monthly benchmark price for the sale of natural gas will increase slightly from the May rate - going up by 1.8 percent, or €111.19 per MWh to €113.19 per MWh (incl. VAT).
European elections
In mainland France, plus the overseas territories of Réunion, Mayotte, Nouvelle-Calédonie and Wallis and Futuna, polling takes place on Sunday, June 9th. Polling stations will be set up in the same places as for national and local elections - usually town halls, leisure centres and other public buildings.
READ ALSO: Can foreign residents in France vote in the European elections?
Psychological support
France's psychological support system, Mon Soutien Psy, is available to everyone over the age of 3 who is suffering from anxiety, depression or any other form of mental distress. It allows partial reimbursement of therapy sessions.
Starting on June 15th, some aspects of the scheme will change. Sessions will remain reimbursed at a rate of 60 percent, but they will be allowed to increase in cost from €30 to €50. There will be a possibility to directly consult a psychologist without going through a doctor first. The number of sessions covered by the scheme will also increase from 8 to 12.
The summer solstice
Every year, France rings in the summer with the Fête de la Musique, in which towns and cities across France see a day of concerts, music events and street musicians.
This takes place every year on June 21st, which this year is a Friday.
The summer sales
For the majority of the country, the summer sales (soldes d’été) will start on Wednesday, June 26th and will run until Tuesday, July 23rd. There are some exceptions like the French overseas territories, and Corsica, where you’ll have to wait until July 10th for the sales to kick off.
Museums and festivals
Summer in France means festivals - you’ll find events great and small across the country celebrating everything from music and culture, to the great outdoors, to the fruits of the land or sea.
Mark your calendars for the Saint-Denis Festival, which runs until June 27th with plenty of events around the basilica of Saint-Denis, or the Festival de Nîmes, which runs the entirety of the month of June, bringing modern music to the famous Roman Arena.
READ MORE: 26 unmissable summer 2024 festivals and events in France
Additionally, Europe’s first museum dedicated to showcasing the works of female artists is due to open in Cannes on June 21st.
Sporting events
24 Hours of Le Mans - The endurance-focused sports car race will be held on June 15th to 16th this year near the pretty medieval town of Le Mans.
Euro 2024 - the football tournament will take place in neighbouring Germany, with the France team playing its first match against Austria on June 17th. Expect bars and cafés around France to be screening games and to be packed while France remain in the tournament - which should be for a while, France are among the bookies' favourites to win, along with England and hosts Germany.
Tour de France - An Olympics-affected 2024 Tour begins in northern Italy, with a 206km ride from Florence to Rimini on June 29th. Because Paris is all Olympic-ed up, the race this year finishes in Nice, rather than along the Champs-Elysées as is traditional.
Father's Day
The French Father's Day will take place on Sunday, June 16th this year.
Eiffel Tower ticket prices
The Paris city hall voted to increase the Eiffel Tower adult admission price by 20 percent from next month to help pay for urgent renovation work. As a result, starting on June 17th, visitors will pay €35.30 (instead of €29.40) for a ride by lift to the top of the Eiffel tower.
Macron to Brussels
The French President will travel to Brussels for the European Council on 27 and 28 June 2024.
Payment directly on Doctolib app
The medical app and website Doctolib has announced the rollout of online payments for medical appointments, meaning that you don't even need to remember to have your wallet/purse with you. More info here.
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