Electricity Bills, France Travail Checks and School Calendar: News Digest

Regulated electricity bills are set to increase from August, France Travail has been given new powers to suspend unemployment benefit payments in suspected fraud cases, and families can note confirmed back-to-school allowance payment dates. Residents planning summer holidays can also make use of free home-security checks, while there are also updates on the 2026-2027 school calendar. Here are the France headlines you need to know this week.

Regulated electricity bills set to increase

Regulated electricity tariffs in France are set to rise by 2.5% from the 1st of August. The change is expected to affect more than 19 million residential customers in mainland France who are on regulated tariffs. Households should check whether they are on a regulated tariff or a market offer, as the impact will depend on the type of contract held. The increase is expected to be modest for most households, but it is still worth factoring into summer and autumn household budgets.

Back-to-school allowance payment dates confirmed

The 2026 allocation de rentrée scolaire, or ARS, will be paid on Tuesday the 18th of August in mainland France, Guadeloupe, Guyane and Martinique. In La Réunion and Mayotte, payment is scheduled for Tuesday the 4th of August. The means-tested allowance helps eligible families cover back-to-school costs for children aged 6 to 18. For 2026, the amounts are €426.87 for children aged 6 to 10, €450.41 for those aged 11 to 14, and €466.02 for those aged 15 to 18.

Homeowners can use Opération tranquillité vacances

Residents leaving their home empty over the summer can still sign up for Opération tranquillité vacances, a free police and gendarmerie service that helps monitor homes during longer absences. The scheme is available across France and can be requested online. In gendarmerie zones, it can apply to both main homes and second homes, with absences of up to 12 months covered. In police zones, the rules are more limited, so residents should check the conditions for their area before applying.

2026-2027 school holiday dates published

The school calendar for 2026-2027 has now been published. Pupils in mainland France are due to return to school on Tuesday the 1st of September 2026, while Corsica returns on Thursday the 3rd of September. The calendar confirms the dates for the Toussaint, Christmas, winter and spring holidays, with dates varying by zone for some breaks. This is useful for families planning travel, as well as property owners and holiday-let operators preparing for peak booking periods.

First local West Nile virus case confirmed this season

Health authorities have confirmed the first locally acquired case of West Nile virus in mainland France this year, in Pyrénées-Orientales. West Nile virus is spread by mosquitoes, and most infections cause no symptoms, although some cases can lead to flu-like illness or, more rarely, serious complications. Residents and visitors in affected areas are advised to take normal mosquito precautions, including using repellent, covering arms and legs in the evening, and removing standing water where mosquitoes can breed.

Tap water warning issued in four Gard villages

Residents in four villages in Gard have been told not to drink tap water after checks found arsenic levels slightly above the regulatory limit. The warning affects Saint-André-de-Majencoules, Les Plantiers, L’Estréchure and Saumane, near Pont d’Hérault. Bottled water is being distributed while further testing is carried out. The restriction is localised, but it is a useful reminder for residents and second-home owners to follow mairie, ARS and prefecture updates if they receive local water-quality notices.

Tour de France enters its final week

The Tour de France continues through July, bringing road closures, diversions and crowds along the route. Residents and visitors staying near a stage town should check mairie, prefecture and Tour de France information before travelling, as roads can close several hours before the riders arrive.

The race has also been affected by heat and wildfire risk this year, with earlier stages altered or spectator access restricted in some areas. The Tour is due to finish in Paris on Sunday the 26th of July, when road closures, crowd-control measures and public transport changes are expected around the route.

France Travail can suspend benefits in suspected fraud cases

France Travail has been given new powers to temporarily suspend unemployment benefit payments where there are serious indications of fraud, deliberate failure to meet jobseeker obligations, or certain offences by the claimant. The measure forms part of France’s new anti-fraud law and allows benefits to be suspended as a precautionary step while checks are carried out. Claimants can ask for the decision to be reviewed and provide evidence in response. The update is relevant for residents registered with France Travail, as well as anyone receiving unemployment support in France.

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