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What changes in France in July 2025

Smoking ban – A nationwide ban on smoking in all outdoor places that can be accessed by children, including beaches, parks and bus stops – but not café terraces – comes into force on July 1st. READ ALSO Explained: France's new smoking ban rules Gas – Gas prices will rise slightly for households that use it for hot water and cooking from July 1st. Public transport – The south-eastern city of Nice will make public transport free for under-11s from July 1st. Advertisement Medical fees – A second tranche of fee increases for certain medical appointments will take effect from the beginning of July. READ ALSO In detail: The new fees you'll pay for medical appointments in France Heat help – Employers will be required to take additional measures to protect staff from heat-related risks from July 1st. READ ALSO France brings in new rules to protect workers during heatwaves Parliament – MPs usually break up for the summer at the end of June, but they will remain in Paris for a while longer after the President convened, by decree, an extraordinary session. Prime minister François Bayrou has promised that he will present detailed plans for the 2026 budget that will tackle France's soaring deficit "by early July". In Seine swimming – Weather permitting, Parisians and tourists will be able to dive into three dedicated sections of the river from July 5th, according to authorities. READ ALSO Paris to open up swimming in the Seine this summer, in Olympics legacy Sport – Euro 2025 kicks off in Switzerland on July 2nd. Les Bleues' opening Group D match – against England in Zurich – is on July 5th. They will also face Wales and Netherlands as they seek to finish in the top two of the group and qualify for the quarter-finals of the women's contest. Festival de Carcassonne – The annual festival of music, theatre, arts, dance, comedy and cinema – all set against the dramatic backdrop of the famous citadel – between July 2nd and 29th. Isabelle Adjani, Alanis Morrissette, Robert Plant, Judas Priest and surprise hit of last year's Olympic Games opening ceremony Gojira are all slated to perform. READ ALSO 29 unmissable festivals and events in France this summer Bicycle Race – The 2025 Tour de France sets off from Lille on Saturday, July 5th. After winding its way around the country, it returns – after a year away because of the Olympics – to its traditional finish in Paris on July 27th. Advertisement Schools' out – Schools in France break-up for the long summer holidays after classes on July 4th, or 5th if there are Saturday-morning classes. And that means… Travel trouble – Roads watchdog Bison Futé has flagged every weekend of July as having 'very difficult' or 'extremely difficult' conditions on the country's roads as holidaymakers head out – and home. The dreaded 'crossover weekend', however, is not scheduled until the first weekend of August. Exam results – Nerves ramped up to the max as the results of this year's baccalauréat exams are due to be published on July 4th – prompting a rush to the Parcoursup website as offers are accepted and rejected. The results of this year's brevet exams - taken by pupils aged 15 or 16 - are due to be published between Monday, July 7th, and Friday, July 11th. State visit – France's President Macron will begin a three-day State visit to Britain on July 8th. READ ALSO France's Macron to make state visit to UK Fêtes de Bayonne – Known for drawing large crowds, this five-day event celebrates Basque culture with the famous bull run, large parties, street performances, traditional dances, and fireworks. You can even buy a traditional outfit (in the colours of white and red) at a local market nearby to better join in the celebration. The event will run from July 9th to 13th. Fête nationale – July 14th is France's Fête nationale, known as Bastille Day in the Anglophone world. The big military parade is on the Champs-Elysées in Paris but most towns mark the occasion with concerts, parties and big, loud, fireworks displays. And it's a public holiday … on a Monday, too, so it's a long weekend. Bargain Hunt – The government-mandated four-week summer sales period ends on July 22nd. Unless you're on the island of Corsica, when they run from July 9th to August 5th. READ ALSO What you need to know about France's 2025 summer sales Taxes – You should be notified of any tax reimbursements due from your 2023 declarations by the end of July.