France Faces a 10-Day Doctor’s Strike: News Digest

A 10-Day doctor’s strike gets underway, a new nationwide health network is announced, an Italian railway company plans to join the Chunnel routes in 2029, and a free property fraud alert for homeowners in France has been announced. The French government defends granting citizenship to George and Amal Clooney, and the next academic year’s school calendar dates are confirmed. Here are the headlines from French newspapers this week. 

Get Tickets to our French Property Exhibition

Our French Property Exhibition in London on 24–25 January 2026 is a great opportunity for anyone thinking about buying a home in France to explore their options. You can browse hundreds of properties, chat directly with French estate agents, and get advice on everything from taxes and legal rules to visas and relocation. There are also free seminars packed with practical tips, making it easier to feel confident about taking the leap into French property ownership.

Get your free tickets here.

France Faces a 10-Day Doctor’s Strike

Most GP surgeries have closed following the start of a major 10-day strike that began yesterday, with around 85% of GPs and private practitioners across France taking part. The unions, including seven leading unions of Médecins Libéraux, are protesting several changes to the Social Security budget.

Healthcare professionals at private emergency departments and maternity wards are also on strike, which means patients requiring these services may be transferred to public hospitals. The government has warned it may have to requisition doctors to ensure urgent care continues. Patients are being advised to use online booking services or seek assistance from pharmacies.

Read about how to use the Doctolib website here. 

New Nationwide Health Network ‘France Santé’ Announced

The French government has announced plans to roll out a new nationwide healthcare network aimed at addressing doctor shortages and long wait times for appointments, particularly in ‘medical deserts.’ Eligible sites must have a GP accepting new patients, be open at least five days a week, offer appointments without extra fees, provide consultations within 48 hours when needed, and take part in the national access-to-care service (SAS). With €130 million in funding, the government aims to label 2,000 services by mid-2026 and up to 5,000 by 2027, to reduce waiting times and improve consistency in primary care across France.

Free UK Property Fraud Alert for Homeowners in France

If you still have a property in the UK but live in France, you can sign up to a free Property Alert service from the UK’s HM Land Registry, which aims to help UK homeowners in France protect their English & Welsh properties from fraud. The service sends email alerts for suspicious activity, such as attempts to change ownership or take out a mortgage. Between April 2023 and March 2024, 97 attempted frauds on properties worth £58m were stopped. Users can monitor up to 10 properties by address or title number.

You can sign up for the Property Alert Service here.

French Government Defends Granting Citizenship to George and Amal Clooney

France’s government has defended its decision to grant French citizenship to actor George Clooney, his wife Amal Clooney, and their twins, saying the family “contributes through their distinguished actions to France’s international influence and cultural outreach,” The naturalisations came under scrutiny from a junior interior minister concerned about the message it sends, especially as France tightens citizenship and language requirements, but government officials stressed the process was lawful and highlighted the Clooneys’ ties to France and potential cultural and economic benefits.

School Calendar 2026/7 Dates Across France Confirmed

Children across France returned to school yesterday after the Winter holidays. The holiday dates for the next academic year (2026/7) have now been announced. For metropolitan France, with the autumn break from 17 October to 2 November 2026, Christmas holidays from 19  December to 4  January 2027, and summer holidays starting 3 July 2027 for all zones. The winter and spring breaks vary by zone.  Winter holidays run from 13  February to 1  March in Zone A, 20  February to 8  March in Zone B, and 6  –  22 February in Zone C; spring holidays run 10  - 26 April in Zone A, 17 April to 3  May in Zone B, and 3  - 19 April in Zone C. Schools across the zones will begin the year on 1  September 2026.

Read more about French school holidays here.

Italian Railway Firm Targets 2029 Launch for London Service

Italy’s state railway company Trenitalia is targeting a 2029 launch for high-speed trains running between London and Paris through the Channel Tunnel, hoping to break the Eurostar’s long-standing monopoly on the route. The company has secured access to a London train depot and plans to use 10 trains, with the project also intended to encourage rail travel over flying, which currently accounts for about 40% of journeys between the two cities.