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Local France
a day ago
- Local France
Who are France's ‘gens du voyage'?
Headlines in the regional French press featuring the term gens du voyages are rarely positive. Articles in mid-June 2025 tell of them being turned away from a Provencal town . Another, from Beziers, reports an 'illegal' camp on a sports field . A third explains that a group was to be moved on from the Breton town of Auray . One more reports ongoing issues at a recently abandoned site in the Hauts-de-France commune of Neuville-Saint-Rémy . The term itself is neutral French administration-speak for Travellers - literally 'people who travel' - and refers to an administrative status intended for people who live permanently in a mobile land-based habitat (a caravan, in most cases) or who carry out an itinerant activity. It has become, however, a – pejorative and discriminatory – catchall for several communities of people with their own traditions and customs. A recent study found that the highest levels of discrimination in France were reserved for the Roma people , echoing long-standing prejudice against gypsies and travellers that is seen across Europe. Advertisement The four main groups that fall under the umbrella term of gens du voyage are: Oriental Roms, who came from North India in the 13th century and are mainly to be found in Central and Eastern Europe; the Sinti or Manouches, who are mainly settled in Germany and the northern France; Gitanos or Kalés, whose presence in southern France dates back to the Middle Ages; and the Yenish people, who are mainly settled in German-speaking and border countries, and also found in the Gard, Ardèche and Massif Central regions. Some of those classified as Travellers are fairground workers. There are some 350,000 to 400,000 gens du voyage in France, though only about 15 percent of that number have recognisably itinerant lifestyles – as in they move from town to town – according to France's Défenseur des droits. Most tend to remain in one location. In comparison, Insee data shows that in 2021, France had 137,508 residents of British nationality . According to a report by the Défenseur des droits published in October 2021 , travelling communities in France are routinely discriminated against in terms of housing, access to education and health. The report stated that more than one in two French people (52 percent) 'felt uncomfortable' at the idea of having Roma or Travellers as neighbours. That discriminatory sentiment was echoed in a 2023 report by the Commission Nationale Consultative des Droits de l'Homme (CNCDH), which noted that 'the Roma remain the most stigmatised minority' and that, according to a majority of French people, they form a separate group in society. The report called for the allocation of human and financial resources to the fight against 'anti-Gypsyism', as well as enhanced training on 'anti-Gypsyism' in journalism schools because Travellers are often associated with crimes or offences in the media. What is now known as the Besson I law, passed in 1990, obliges towns with more than 5,000 inhabitants to provide permanent halting sites with suitable facilities for Travellers. A decade later, Besson II obliged those same municipalities to participate in a 'departmental reception plan' for travelling communities and specifically stipulated Travellers' right to free movement in France. Municipalities with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants, meanwhile, are not required to set up specific sites, but must still provide Travellers with somewhere to stay temporarily. 'Officially designated sites [in smaller communes] must have minimal facilities (including sanitation), for a minimum stay of 48 hours and a maximum of 15 days,' according to Maires de France . However, by 2013, only around half the total number of sites planned in Besson II had been built – while only 30 percent of larger sites were ready. Advertisement Many of these sites had been set up on the fringes of towns, or even outside them, where it was difficult to access local services, including public transport. Several were near potentially dangerous industrial zones – one at Rouen-Petit Quevilly was close to the Lubrizol chemical plant – which hit the headlines when a large fire broke out in September 2019 . As the headlines show, Travellers have often ignored sites set up for their use, and settled temporarily elsewhere, prompting a law in March 2007 that permitted local préfets to forcibly move on Travellers from illegally occupied land – if an area had been set up for their use. Prior to January 2017, anyone living a Traveller lifestyle in France – that is to say someone with no fixed residence of more than six months in an EU Member State – was required to have a circulation permit demonstrating their right to move freely and was obliged to regularly report their movements to local police or gendarmerie. No law specifies that itinerant communities must notify local authorities or mayors before their arrival – but it may be expected 'as a courtesy' – and Travellers may also be required to pre-book access to set sites. Advertisement Nor is there any national law that limits how long Travellers can stay at specific sites set up by larger communes. However, a decree does state that a duration limit can be determined by local authorities within a certain framework. 'The maximum duration of the authorised stay is specified in the internal regulations of the reception area,' according to a 2007 memo from the ministère de l'Intérieur et de l'aménagement du territoire . It adds: 'This duration must not encourage the sedentary lifestyle of Travellers in the reception areas, which leads to recommending a duration that does not exceed five months.' France's attitude towards travelling communities – particularly the Roma, who are not listed as gens du voyage has long been controversial. Following violence in response to two incidents in which French police shot and killed Roma, then-President Nicolas Sarkozy vowed in July 2010 to expel half of the 539 Roma squatting in camps. The government initiated a programme to repatriate thousands of Romanian and Bulgarian Roma, as part of the crackdown. Between July and September 2010, at least 51 Roma camps were demolished, and France repatriated at least 1,230 Roma to Romania and Bulgaria. Advertisement The European Commission threatened legal action against France, and EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding branded the expulsions 'a disgrace'. In 2015 two incidents highlighted continuing French attitudes, the mayor of Champlan stoked outrage when he refused to allow a Roma baby to be buried because the municipal cemetery had 'few available plots'. The same year, a union representing bus drivers in Montpellier, proposed the creation of a separate bus service for Roma people following complaints. It's a mistake to dismiss those two shocking articles as 'history'. The Council of Europe's European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) published a report on France's attitude to travellers in 2022 noting that 'Travellers/Roma [...] continue to face discrimination in all areas of life'. It recommended that French authorities recognise caravans as a type of accommodation and to review parking restrictions in light of real needs; introduce a system for tracking identity checks by law enforcement; provide social support measures before any evacuation of an illegal camp and to accept legitimate requests for housing; and guarantee education of Roma and Traveller children – who, it has been reported, were being denied access to schools if their families had set up camps 'illegally'. The French government launched a three-year National Plan to Combat Racism, Anti-Semitism and Discrimination Based on Origin in January 2023. This was the first time such a plan addressed the issue of discrimination against Travelling communities. It aims to affirm the reality of racism and equal rights and opportunities; measure the phenomena of racism, anti-Semitism and discrimination; improve education and training; punish perpetrators and support victims of hate crimes.
Local France
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Local France
High court challenge against France's 'dysfunctional' residency permit website
Sooner or later most non-EU citizens living in France will have to interact with the Anef website - the online portal to which France is gradually moving the administration to get or renew a carte de séjour residency card. But since its inception in 2020, the site has been dogged with technical problems. Last year the rights body Défenseur des droits revealed that it was dealing with a 400 percent increase in complaints relating to residency permits since the website was launched. Now a group of 10 charities, organisations and human rights groups have launched a joint complaint with the Conseil d'Etat. Advertisement Announcing their legal action, the group say that repeated problems with the Anef site "hinder foreigners' access to the job market, exacerbate their precarious situation and heavily penalise the associations and companies that support or employ them." READ ALSO 9 tips for dealing with the Anef website They added that the result was "life paths shattered, people prevented from working, companies deprived of employees, associations exhausted by dysfunctional procedures and préfectoral services struggling to unblock situations". They also note that while there have long been problems in securing a carte de séjour , in recent years there has been a sharp rise in problems with renewing the card. France's Conseil d'Etat has a dual role - scrutinising new laws and acting as an arbitrator in disputes between the government and the people. Individuals can bring their own private cases, but it's more common for groups or representatives to bring a case about an issue that affects a large number of people. Explained: How France's Conseil d'Etat works In this case the groups bringing the case say they are acting after repeated appeals directly to the Interior Ministry - responsible for immigration processes - have been ignored. In December 2024 Défenseur des droits - issued a 40-page report , detailing the many problems that foreigners in France face when using the ANEF website. Some of the most common problems included information not being passed on to the préfecture dealing with the application, applications not being 'closed' properly, preventing people from being able to renew their card and not being given the correct type of récépissé while they were waiting for their application to be dealt with. In a separate issue, many foreigners in France have reported problems with getting an appointment at their local préfecture to collect the card once the application has been dealt with. The legal case before the Conseil d'Etat accuses the state of "fault through failure to act" on the complaints received. Have you had problems using the Anef wbsite? Share your experiences in the comments section below
Local France
31-01-2025
- General
- Local France
13 groups you can turn to for help if you live in France
Knowing where to find support can make all the difference, regardless of whether you've recently moved to France, or have lived here for years. From administrative assistance, to legal aid and mental health services to social integration - via a few specific to foreigners in France - here's an overview of key organisations designed to help you overcome difficulties. Administration Figuring out French admin can be tricky – especially as more and more procedures move online – but you can get your questions answered at a France Services, where staff are on hand to provide help with French bureaucracy and admin tasks that relate to the state. That means things such as driving licences, tax declarations, healthcare and benefits. The France Services network began in 2019 and the goal is to make sure that everyone in France – particularly those in rural areas far from other government offices – has access to administrative assistance from the state. To find contact details of a France Services office near you, simply enter your address into this interactive map. Immigration problems If you're having trouble with the immigration system, and you feel that your legal rights have been denied due to French admin failure, then the Défenseur des droits can help you. This is a human rights organisation whose role is to protect people's legal rights, they cover all areas but include immigration issues. They issue reports on systemic problems - such as issues with the ANEF website - but will also take on individual cases. Brexit problems There are several organisations which deal with the specific issue of Brits who lived in France prior to 2021 and are having difficulties with the post-Brexit paperwork. Although their workload in this area is much less than it was around the Brexit transition period, the Franco-British Network, RIFT and British in Europe are still working on citizens' rights issues linked to Brexit. Find more details HERE. Help for older people A point d'information local should be an early port of call for anyone wondering about elderly care in France. Find one in your area by entering your postcode here. Staff are trained to offer advice, answer questions and ease concerns that people may have about maintaining their independence as they get older, and help find solutions to allow people to stay at home as long as possible, or to prepare for a move into a residential home, if necessary. They are qualified to propose solutions to continued living at home (such as home help services, meal deliveries, and so on), offer information on avoiding isolation, and help access financial aid, or adapting a home to fit changing circumstances. You can also access information on the government's dedicated website for older people living in France Legal assistance One of the first places it is worth approaching is France Services (see above). While staff there cannot offer legal advice themselves, they can give you a list of people to contact in the legal field – like lawyers, victim support associations, and mediators. Similarly, if you need to request legal aid, they can help you fill out the online form. Alternatively – and the French obsession with online administration continues – log on to the government website which was set up in 2023 to make accessing legal and judicial assistance and information more accessible for all. From here you can find out how to access conciliation services, apply for legal aid, find out about your rights as a tenant or landlord, or any number of other legal considerations. You can also telephone the official number 3039 to obtain information or assistance to complete a legal procedure, or make an appointment with a legal professional, through the Point-Justice system. This brings together public bodies and private associations that organise free legal clinics to inform the public about their rights and guide them in their efforts. Some offices are open to everyone and others are sometimes reserved for a certain type of public (young people, hospitalised persons, inmates, etc.). You can consult lawyers free of charge in the offices. To find the "Point-Justice" closest to your home, enter your postal code, or the name of your city, department, or region in this interactive map. Did you come to France as an asylum seeker? If so, the Office Français de l'Immigration et de l'Intégration (OFII) is set up to help. It specialises in asylum, citizenship, and residency issues. Mental health support As with many things in France, working out where to look for appropriate mental healthcare and what to do can be confusing. Having a health professional in your corner is an important first step. The number one recommendation for anyone with concerns over their mental health is that they should first visit their GP – a routine point of first contact with the medical profession. Your local mairie will also have details of local mental health services, especially if you need help urgently – while, in cases of psychiatric emergencies, you should head to hospital. It is not, however, necessary to make an appointment via your GP. You can go directly to a specialist if you prefer, though this may reduce or cut completely any reimbursement on fees. The advantage, however, with visiting your GP first is that they are better placed to point you in the direction appropriate to your needs, including helping find an English-speaking professional if necessary. SOS Help offers a telephone listening service in English – 01 46 21 46 46. SOS Help does not claim expertise in the mental health field, but its volunteers often find themselves at the sharp end of a rising problem, answering the phone to people in need of urgent support some 5,000 times a year. You can also call UK-based Samaritans from France – 0044 8457 909090 If you are experiencing domestic violence you can call (English-speakers may not always be available) or report online here. The British Consulate is able to advise you on various treatment options available but cannot give clinical advice on individual mental problems – 01 44 51 31 00. Meanwhile, the Counselling in France website lists dozens of English-speaking therapists, psychotherapists, counsellors and psychologists, by areas of expertise. Work permits and professional qualifications Foreign nationals living in France – and across Europe – regularly have to overcome hurdles with paperwork and red tape whether it's with residency or work permits or having professional qualifications recognised. But there is help at hand that many may not know about. Although the general principle is 'freedom of movement', people going to live to another country of the European Union, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein can have all sort of problems setting up. These can include the transfer of a car bought in another EU country, the swapping of a driving license, the application for a non-EU spouse visa, and the procedure to set up a company. The good news is that help is available. SOLVIT is a name few people are likely to have heard, despite having been around for 20 years. It is a free online service to help individuals and businesses resolve problems they experience with administrations in the countries of the European single market, where people, goods, services and capital can move freely. Financial and tax support The tax man has a fearsome reputation in France - but staff at the tax office are helpful to a fault. They will help you deal with any tax issues you may have. Be aware, however, that they are not required to have a high level of English. If you need financial help and are concerned that your language skills aren't necessarily good enough to deal with the vagaries of the French tax system, you can search online for 'Expert-comptables English-speaking' – but make sure they're registered on the Annuaire des experts-comptables website first. Social integration For newcomers, integrating into France society can be daunting. But there are also organisations dedicated to making the transition smoother. The InterNations network helps people living overseas meet up and share their experiences of their new country. The network offers a range of online and in-person events, and provides a wealth of resources such as city guides and forums where international residents share advice on anything from legal matters to cultural opportunities. Smaller local communities are also likely to exist – especially for anglophones living in France. Many will have an online presence, perhaps on social media sites, or your local mairie may have information about them. Embassies People living outside their country often assume that their Embassy will be on hand to help in case of problems. In reality, although Embassies do help their citizens, their role is more limited than many people assume. For example, if you are arrested in France, the most your Embassy can probably do is refer you to a list of English-speaking lawyers. They do, however, speak to French authorities if a systemic issue is having an impact on their citizens living in France, so it's worth getting in contact if you feel you are being treated differently or unfairly due to your nationality. And don't forget The Local . . . we have a large number of guides offering information to foreigners living in France, and our team are happy to answer questions from members about issues that pertain to foreigners in France. While we cannot offer legal or financial advice, we can point you in the direction of people who can.
