France in focus: Recent Episodes
FRANCE 24 English
An in-depth look at the political and social events shaping France. Every Friday at 5.45 pm Paris time.
Nearly 1,000 years after chronicling the Norman conquest of England, the Bayeux Tapestry is making history once again. The fragile 11th-century embroidery has arrived in London on an unprecedented loan to the British Museum, prompting delight and concern in equal measure. Celebrated as one of Europe's greatest medieval treasures, its journey has reignited debates over heritage, diplomacy and the risks of moving delicate cultural artefacts.
Nice was hit by the deadliest attack in its history on July 14, 2016. In the attack claimed by the Islamic State group, a truck ploughed into the Promenade des Anglais avenue, striking crowds of spectators who had gathered to watch the Bastille Day fireworks. The attacker killed 86 people and injured hundreds more. Ten years later, our teams returned to the scene of the tragedy to meet survivors and hear their stories.
Dates have officially been set for France's 2027 presidential election. With less than a year to go, the country is already gearing up for Emmanuel Macron's successor. FRANCE 24 English and French teamed up to meet voters in the run-up to the crucial poll.
Didier Deschamps has been coaching the French men's national football team for 14 years, a record period at the helm. He and his players are now aiming for a third World Cup title. The tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico will be his last competition as head of Les Bleus. France in Focus takes a closer look at the man whose name is synonymous with French football success.
Just outside the French capital sprawls the world's largest antiques destination: the Paris Saint-Ouen Flea Market. It's a timeless escape, and one of the most visited sites in France. We take you on a tour in this edition of France in Focus.
Smartphones, video games, online homework: screens are everywhere in teenagers' lives. Faced with the risks of addiction and the effects on mental and physical health, some French parents and teachers are pushing back.
In France, a data breach occurs once every hour. In recent months, several public bodies have been affected: La Poste, France Travail and the ANTS, the portal that issues identity documents. This confidential information, which is sometimes highly sensitive, is sold on forums. It's then often purchased by cybercriminals and used to fuel all kinds of scams, including fraudulent operations involving bogus bank managers or brokers. It is often impossible for the victims to discern what is actually fake, and they're then left to deal with the consequences alone.
The number of children diagnosed with cancer in France is on the rise. Other serious medical conditions – birth defects, neurodevelopmental disorders and reduced IQ – are following the same alarming trend. Scientists are increasingly pointing to pesticides as a major risk factor. Yet France remains Europe's leading consumer of pesticides and ranks third worldwide. Across the country, parents and doctors are speaking out about the use of pesticides and their impact on the health of children.
In Paris, parents are now dropping their children off at school in a climate of anxiety. For several months, reports of physical and sexual abuse involving nursery school children have been mounting. These cases are said to have taken place during after-school care and lunch breaks, when the children are supervised by non-teaching staff. In 2026 alone, 78 youth workers were suspended in Paris, 31 of them on suspicion of sexual abuse. Warning: viewers may find this report disturbing.
France's controversial Montparnasse Tower is entering a new era. A stark symbol of post-war modernism in the heart of Paris, the skyscraper inaugurated in 1973 is set to get a facelift. Work is expected to begin this summer and continue until at least 2030. We take a closer look in this edition of France in Focus.
Every day in France, two to three people die at work. Why are workplace fatalities still occurring in 2026? Which sectors are most affected? And what can be done to reduce the toll? We met the families of victims and the labour inspectors who, despite limited resources, are working to prevent these deaths.
As French voters head to the polls for municipal elections, would-be mayors are presenting their programmes for the next six years. Yet with multiple pressures weighing on these local representatives, many step down before the end of their terms. Resignations among mayors are currently at an all-time high. We take a closer look in this edition of France in Focus.
An emblematic monument of French culture, the Louvre Museum embodies nearly 9,000 years of history and houses more than 600,000 works of art across over 70,000 square metres of gallery space. It is the most visited museum in the world, welcoming around nine million visitors each year – well beyond the capacity for which it was originally designed. In recent years, the institution has been shaken by a series of crises, including a major robbery, fraud and labour tensions.
This week, France in Focus takes to the skies to follow the perilous work of French mountain rescuers. This year, unusual weather conditions have led to a deadly winter with far more avalanches than usual. Tragically, 28 lives were lost in the French Alps between late December and mid-February – far exceeding typical seasonal averages. FRANCE 24's Jonathan Walsh and Joanna Cockerell head to the Savoie region to see how highly skilled teams are responding to the challenge.
After lighting up the streets of Paris in 2024, the Olympic flame will be making a return to France in 2030, when the French Alps are set to welcome the Winter Olympics and Paralympics. Organisers have promised financially and environmentally sustainable games, where 93 percent of pre-existing infrastructure will be reused. However, with only four years to go and a number of criticisms, will France be able to deliver on time and on budget?
This week on France in Focus, we take a look at Sophie Adenot, who at 43 is about to fulfil a lifelong dream by becoming the second French woman to travel into space. She's been training for a nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station, the culmination of an exceptional career in aviation and space exploration.
January 22 marks the ninth edition of La Nuit de la Solidarité à Paris (A Night of Solidarity in Paris), an initiative from Paris's City Hall to raise awareness about the needs of homeless people and an attempt to change perceptions of those living on the margins of society. FRANCE 24’s reporters Florence Gaillard and Jonathan Walsh followed two homeless people to learn more. Romain is 45 years old and is following a rehabilitation program, while Valérie, 62, is still struggling to survive on the streets.
Some 3 million French citizens live abroad, scattered across the globe. From the snowy uplands of Quebec to a remote, desert island in Guinea-Bissau or the depths of the Ivorian forests, our France 2 colleagues went to meet some of their French compatriots who have started whole new lives. Thousands of kilometres from French shores, they are living out childhood dreams of closeness to nature and joining new communities and cultures.
Every year, the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris welcomes around 12,000 residents from all backgrounds and nationalities. Students, researchers and artists live there side by side across its 47 campus houses, tucked away in a lush park in the south of Paris. The "Cité U", as locals call it, is celebrating a century of history, with its founding principles more relevant than ever.
In France's Loire Valley, castles are relying on the magic of Christmas to secure their future. Each winter, historical landmarks are turned into festive, fairy-tale settings, drawing tens of thousands of visitors. But beyond the lights and decorations lies a pressing challenge: how to preserve these iconic sites in the face of mounting structural and financial woes.
In France, the mental health of young people has deteriorated in recent years, particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic. In this edition, we met several young people suffering from mental health struggles, who shared their stories in the hope of overcoming taboos.
Could Shein be suspended in France? The Chinese giant is under growing scrutiny for selling controversial products, including childlike sex dolls and bladed weapons. The ultra-fast fashion brand has just opened its first physical store in the BHV, one of Paris's iconic department stores. French fashion brands denounce what they call unfair competition in an already weakened sector: one in two fashion retailers is facing serious financial difficulties, with 37,000 jobs lost in the last decade. We take a closer look.
Ten years after the November 13 Paris terror attacks, France's security and intelligence services are dealing with reports of increasingly younger individuals who often become radicalised quickly via social networks. Through rare access inside the police's radicalisation telephone hotline, as well as interviews with terrorism experts, a former prisoner and a survivor of the Bataclan attack, we explore the lessons learnt since 2015 and what the terrorism threat looks like today.
With the Grand Egyptian Museum set to open in Cairo, we explore the enduring passion of the French for Ancient Egypt. With its hieroglyphics, pyramids and mysteries, the land of the pharaohs fascinates young and old alike. Exhibitions showcasing its ancient treasures are always a hit. So where does this passion originate from? We take a closer look in this edition of France in Focus.
Ahead of the United Nations Oceans Conference in Nice, our reporters went to meet some of the French scientists working to better understand and preserve the ocean. From high-tech robots 6,000m below sea level to critical mineral exploration in the Pacific, the team takes a look at some of the initiatives across the country. They also explore how cuts to climate change projects in the US are having an impact in France.
This week we delve into the life of Jules Verne, one of the world's most widely translated writers. The French author's "Extraordinary Voyages" include "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea", "Around the World in Eighty Days" and "Journey to the Center of the Earth". They continue to inspire fans of adventure stories, 120 years after his death in 1905.
In France, the name Lafayette is well known, but the man behind it – Gilbert du Motier de La Fayette – often fades into the background of the country’s rich historical tapestry. In the United States, however, the Marquis de Lafayette is remembered as a national hero. His legacy is honoured in museums, schools, and public monuments, largely because of his pivotal role –alongside France – in helping the American colonies secure independence from Britain.
After the fall of France in 1940, the clergy welcomed Marshal Pétain as a saviour. But when Jewish people started being rounded up in the summer of 1942, Protestant pastors and Catholic clerics spoke out against the deportations. Their words broke the silence of the institutions and encouraged the Resistance, while schools and convents opened their doors to Jewish refugees.
Faced with American uncertainty surrounding the war in Ukraine and the future of NATO, Europe is looking to wean itself off US defence. France has promised to ramp up spending, putting its industry into overdrive, but what are the financial and recruitment issues? From the factory floor to AI engineers, our reporters went to meet the companies that are trying to rise to the challenge.
Paris's status as a cosmopolitan hub for artists from all over the world was forged in the 20th century, particularly in the postwar period, when it was seen as a beacon for Black artists and intellectuals fleeing colonisation, racism and segregation in their countries of origin. The "Paris Noir" exhibition at Paris's Pompidou Centre is now exploring that pivotal moment when the French capital served as a crossroads for the major Black figures who were debating and designing a post-colonial future. The show features 350 works by 150 artists of African heritage – many of whom have been historically sidelined or forgotten – in an attempt to re-write these "unrecognised and fundamental" contributions into a more complete history of art.
In France, 400,000 children and young adults depend on the child protection system, known as the Aide Sociale à l’Enfance, or ASE. As FRANCE 24's Natacha Vesnitch and Claire Paccalin report, this institution is supposed to protect them, but its failures sometimes put them in danger. Lack of placements, separation of siblings, unsuitable structures, absence of psychological support, mistreatment – the list of shortcomings within the system is long. A parliamentary commission of inquiry presented its conclusions on April 8, after months of work investigating a system undermined by dysfunction and neglect.
In France's overseas departments, Creole language and culture are seen as a bulwark against racism and standardisation. The concept of "Créoleness" was developed in the late 1980s, in the wake of Aimé Césaire's writings on Négritude and Edouard Glissant's notion of "Antillanité", or a specifically Caribbean identity. Our reporters Florence Gaillard and Georges Yazbeck travelled to Martinique to hear from those who embody this complex identity.
This week, France in Focus gets a rare glimpse behind the scenes of the Académie française, the temple of the French language. Our reporters delve into the history of this 17th-century institution and follow the painstaking task of writing its dictionary. The report also asks how this 400-year-old monument is trying to remain relevant in today's increasingly globalised world.
Cyclone Chido was the strongest storm to hit Mayotte in at least 90 years. When the cyclone slammed into the French overseas department in December, it packed winds of more than 200km per hour, wreaking devastation across the island. In Mayotte, a territory already ravaged by soaring levels of poverty, shantytowns were blown apart in moments, leaving residents to fend for themselves. More than two months after the cyclone, the island is still struggling to get back on its feet. Many schools remain closed, and it's only now that local authorities are getting to grips with the challenges of reconstruction. Mayotte la 1ère and Réunion la 1ère's reporters went to meet the victims trying to rebuild their lives.
For many years, the La Défense business district on the edge of Paris was the beating heart of France's corporate and financial sectors. La Défense emerged in the late 1960s as a modernist hub of skyscrapers and commercial infrastructure, with hundreds of thousands of people working there every day. But when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, many of those employees began to work remotely. The neighbourhood has since struggled to attract the pre-Covid crowds, and local business are suffering as a result. FRANCE 24's Natacha Vesnitch, George Yazbeck and Siobhán Silke report.
This week, France in Focus returns to the rural Tarn et Garonne department in the southwestern Occitania region, where unrest in the French agricultural sector first took root in early 2024. For months, protesters, tractors and hay bales blocked motorways leading to the capital, calling out low food prices, unfair foreign competition and government red tape. Although the protest movement has since fizzled out, the frustration remains palpable in the French countryside. FRANCE 24's Jon Walsh and Jennifer Ben Brahim met local farmers who are still fighting to keep their family businesses alive.
In 50 years, winter sports have transformed the mountains, bringing prosperity to local communities. But the French Alps are heating up twice as fast as the rest of the planet. At low and medium altitudes, the lack of snow is making skiing almost impossible. With the Alps losing their white coats due to warmer temperatures in winter, what future do smaller resorts really have?
On January 27, 1945, the French population had yet to grasp the full horror of the Holocaust. After the Soviet army finally liberated Auschwitz and the allies advanced on the Western front, the first survivors began to trickle back to their home countries and the true scale of the tragedy began to emerge. Esther Dzik was one of the survivors who returned to Paris in 1945. She'd been deported in September 1943 at the age of 15 and sent to Auschwitz, where her own sister perished. Now 97 years old, she tells us about the conditions in the camp, her resolve to survive and the struggle to rebuild her life after her whole family was murdered.
The Pelicot rape trial at the end of 2024 put the issue of sexual violence at the centre of public debate in France. Seen as a real turning point, the case has also raised questions about men's responsibility in rape culture. From the #Notallmen slogan circulating on social media, to discussion groups where some men have been examining their own behaviour, the case has prompted many men to take a long, hard look in the mirror. FRANCE 24's Sonia Baritello, Olivia Salazar-Winspear, Jade Lévin and Jonathan Walsh met some of them.
On January 12, 2019, the residents of rue de Trévise in Paris's 9th arrondissement (district) were woken by a huge explosion prompted by a gas leak. As they were rushed out of the building by the emergency services, the full horror became apparent: four dead, dozens injured and an entire neighbourhood destroyed. Six years later, some former residents are finally able to return home. But many are still waiting for repairs to be completed and want an explanation about what caused this tragic accident. We take a closer look in this edition of France in Focus.
This week, France in Focus heads underground to explore the "Sistine Chapel" of prehistory. Thirty years ago, three explorers discovered the Chauvet cave, a site in southeastern France that was cut off from the world for thousands of years. Inside, paintings and engravings dating back 36,000 years decorate the walls. The site is sealed off to the general public, but each year a team of scientists heads inside to try to work out what life was like at the time. FRANCE 24's Jon Walsh and Joanna Cockerell report.
For oyster farmers, the year-end holiday period is a vital one as they make around a third to half of their annual sales during this time. But last year was catastrophic for some oyster producing regions in France after sales were banned following a spate of food poisonings in parts of the country. Along with a tarnished image, oyster farmers also have to deal with an uptick in poaching, and rising seawater temperatures which threaten production.
Since the 2019 fire that devastated Notre-Dame, the historic centre of Paris has been affected by extensive renovation works. Now, five years later, the reopening of the cathedral on Saturday, December 7 is bringing hope to locals and businesses that have faced years of disruption, dwindling tourism and financial struggles.
On November 14, 1994, the rail operator Eurostar launched its high-speed services through the Channel Tunnel. A historic day that saw Paris and London connected in record time but the 30-year journey hasn't always run smoothly. FRANCE 24 takes a closer look.
The Vendée Globe, the greatest sailing race in the world, is often called the Everest of the Seas. It’s extreme and it’s all about resilience and high technology. Every four years, skippers set out to conquer the most hostile oceans. This solo, non-stop, unassisted race around the planet that lasts nearly three months is a dangerous yet thrilling adventure. Ahead of this year's edition, FRANCE 24's Aurore Cloé Dupuis and Cédric Ferreira take a deep dive into the world of yacht racing and discover how sailors prepare for challenges at sea.
Is there anybody out there? In France, an organisation exists whose sole role is to answer this question. The GEIPAN, part of the French space agency, decodes dozens of cases each year. They try to find rational reasons to seemingly impossible sightings. In most cases they succeed, but a total of 99 phenomena remain unexplained to this day. Our reporters Joanna Cockerell and Sylvain Rousseau went to meet the detectives to see how they work and to understand why there is currently increased interest in UFOs.
Paris’s slate-grey zinc rooftops are a key part of the French capital’s visual identity. They have long inspired painters and filmmakers and only exist thanks to the expertise of the roofers who install and maintain the galvanised metal covering many of Paris’s buildings. Their expertise could soon be included in UNESCO's intangible heritage list, as the profession adapts to the challenges of global warming.
French-language music took centre stage during the Paris Olympics, with giant karaokés, star-studded ceremonies and a medley of styles and sounds. Boosted also by TV series, online streaming and a 30 percent increase in French music exports, Francophone songs are on a roll. In this week’s France in Focus, we take a deep dive into the French music scene and look at whether it can keep up the momentum, as well as what it means for the French language.
For several decades now, France has been struggling with doctors leaving rural areas and people there not being able to access medical care. Maternity wards are also part of this trend, with 30 percent of them shutting down over the past 20 years. The health ministry wants to pool resources into larger, better-equipped maternity wards to protect patients’ safety, but medical teams and patients are worried. What consequences do mothers-to-be face when you have to drive an hour to give birth? And what health risks does this situation pose for newborns? FRANCE 24’s Claire Paccalin and Pauline Godart went to investigate for France in Focus.
It's one of the untold stories of World War II: how France whitewashed its colonial troops during the liberation from Nazi rule. On August 15, 1944, experienced fighters who came from all corners of the French empire landed in southern France and won key battles to liberate the nation. But because of the colour of their skin, up to 20,000 African riflemen were replaced by untrained, White members of the Resistance. As the country celebrates 80 years since the end of the Nazi occupation, FRANCE 24 pays tribute to these long-forgotten soldiers and highlights their key role in the Provence landings.
In 1944, France was keen to take part in its own liberation, along with its British and American allies. But in a bid to create the Second Armoured Division, General Leclerc needed resources and equipment from the US. At the time, segregation was imposed by the US Army; Black and White soldiers didn't fight together. For the US, allowing Black troops to liberate Paris was out of the question. On August 25, 1944, when French soldiers paraded down the Champs-Élysées, not a single Black soldier took part in the celebrations.
Colonial troops suffered further humiliation despite the success of the Provence landings. In September 1944, the military command decided to pull up to 20,000 African riflemen out of the French army. The aim was to "whiten" the ranks. These highly trained soldiers were forced to spend winter in transit camps while white, inexperienced members of the Resistance took their place on the frontlines.
FRANCE 24's Aurore Cloé Dupuis, Florence Gaillard and Jonathan Walsh tell us more about the other D-Day, in this new episode of "France in Focus".
A pilot, writer and illustrator, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry penned "The Little Prince", which has been translated into nearly 600 languages. The Frenchman disappeared 80 years ago during a World War II reconnaissance flight. His death long remained a mystery. FRANCE 24's Aurore Cloé Dupuis, Natacha Vesnitch and Sonia Baritello explore the thousand lives of Saint-Exupéry.
The Paralympics kick off this Wednesday in Paris and to mark the opening of the Games, our reporters went to meet the French athletes who have brought home gold medals from previous editions of the event. They tell us about the challenges they faced, the obstacles they overcame and their hopes for the 2024 Paralympics. FRANCE 24's David Gilberg and Aurore Dupuis report.
2024 marks the centenary of Meilleur Ouvrier de France, or MOF. It is often referred to as the “Olympics of French artisans,” a grueling competition where only the very best can achieve victory. Some of France’s top chefs, such as Paul Bocuse, have been honored with the award and are entitled to wear the coveted tricolour chef collar. However, chefs are not the only ones who compete in this prestigious event. We head to the Alsace region of France to meet three MOFs who share what it takes to reach the top.
On June 9, French President Emmanuel Macron took France by surprise. He dissolved the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, sending the French to the ballot boxes for snap parliamentary elections. After his party's poor showing in the first round of voting, the president could find himself in a scenario known as "cohabitation", where the president and prime minister come from different parties. France has known three periods of cohabitation since the start of the Fifth Republic in 1958. From arm wrestling to compromise, what lessons can be drawn from the past? FRANCE 24's Sonia Baritello and Claire Paccalin take a closer look in this edition of France in Focus.
In this week's show, we retrace the turbulent life of 19th-century French writer Alexandre Dumas. The wildly successful mixed-race author faced racism, financial ruin and ghostwriter allegations during his lifetime. It was only 132 years after his death that his remains were laid to rest at the Pantheon mausoleum, in 2002. We retell the story of how the man behind "The Count of Monte Cristo" defied all the odds to become one of France's greatest and much-loved writers.
Only a few dozen French nationals have gone down in history as Olympic champions. Pole vaulter Jean Galfione, judoka Emilie Andéol and swimmer Alain Bernard tell FRANCE 24 about the day that changed their lives. From their preparation, to their emotions during the competition, to their subsequent careers, this is the story of three gold medallists who left their mark on the history of sport and won the hearts of French people.
Between the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944 and the liberation of Paris on August 25 lies the Battle of Normandy. For three months, the Allied forces fought fiercely against the Wehrmacht of Nazi Germany. From heavily bombed towns, to relentless artillery fire and hand-to-hand combat in the "Falaise pocket", Normandy was devastated and civilians were trapped. But the Allies achieved a strategic victory that changed the course of history. FRANCE 24's Florence Gaillard and Héloïse Mélan report.
In this week's show we take a deep dive into the Seine, to find out how Paris's river is preparing for the 2024 Olympics. We see how authorities are racing against time to boost security, curb pollution and keep visitors entertained. With just a few weeks to go before the opening ceremony, one question remains: Will the Seine actually be swimmable?
French lawmakers are set to debate a new text on assisted dying in France, a parliamentary marathon that could last until the summer of 2025. France currently allows deep sedation but medically-assisted suicide remains illegal. It is a topic that is deeply divisive in France; to find out why, we went to meet patients and caregivers who campaign for medical aid in dying and those who are opposed to it.
It's a colossus of glass, metal, and stone with a location that makes all the other Paris monuments envious. Located between the Seine and the Champs-Élysées, the Grand Palais was built for the 1900 Exposition Universelle world fair to showcase French art. Closed three years ago for its first complete renovation in history, it's getting a second lease of life for the Paris Olympics and Paralympics. FRANCE 24 takes you behind the scenes.
In 1924, French poet André Breton wrote a short text with fellow poet and compatriot Louis Aragon that was to send ripples through the world of art and literature, providing a blueprint for the avant-garde movements of the 20th century. One century later, we take a look at how the Surrealist Manifesto prompted an intellectual and artistic revolution in 1920s Paris; a statement of intent that was to have repercussions far beyond the French capital in the years that followed.
Exactly five years ago, the world watched in horror as Paris's Notre-Dame Cathedral was ravaged by flames. Today, carpenters and artisans are hammering away to meet a December 8 deadline for the Gothic landmark's grand reopening. Spectators attending the Paris Olympics this summer will already be able to admire the renovated structure from the outside. Meanwhile, life has resumed on the Île de la Cité, the island that's home to Notre-Dame in the historical heart of the French capital. The square in front of the cathedral and its surroundings are even set for a makeover. FRANCE 24's team went to meet local residents.
Nearly three quarters of French people eat chocolate once a week, consuming an average of 7 kilos per year. But what seems a simple indulgence has a dark side: cacao farming has resulted in massive deforestation. Reports of child labour and farmers who are often unfairly paid have tarnished the industry. Despite all this, chocolate has been considered a delicacy in France for centuries. In this show, we're focusing on an emerging new trend: ethical chocolate.
The race for accommodation in Paris could be an Olympic sport in itself. The number of rentals available is plummeting while prices are soaring, yet real estate agents are overwhelmed with demand. From short-term rentals to efficiency upgrades, prospective tenants are paying the price for the ongoing crisis. We take a closer look.
Text, code, speech, image and even video: you can now create anything in a flash thanks to generative artificial intelligence. This world-changing innovation presents an opportunity for France, which hasn’t been a leader in tech since the dawn of the internet. The French government is currently investing 1.5 billion euros into AI, and has championed a so-called “open source” approach. FRANCE 24's Peter O’Brien explores the potential payoffs.
On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of its neighbour, upending the lives of millions of Ukrainians. But the conflict also changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of Russians opposed to the war. Some left for Armenia, Georgia or Turkey, while others requested asylum in France. It was the start of a long road, far from the country they were born in, but which had left them no choice but to leave. We met Alexei, Ernest, Nastia and Dmitri – four Russian dissidents who have sought refuge in France. They told us about their decision to flee Vladimir Putin's Russia and start a new life in exile in a foreign land.
His life was worthy of a novel. An Armenian orphan who arrived in France as a stateless refugee and became a poet and Communist activist, Missak Manouchian was a figure of the French Resistance during World War II. Exactly 80 years to the day after his execution by the Nazis, Manouchian is taking his place in the Panthéon mausoleum alongside France's other national heroes – a symbol of all foreign Resistance fighters who died for France. FRANCE 24's Alison Sargent, Florence Gaillard, Gaëlle Fonseca and Georges Yazbeck look back at Manouchian's life and legacy.
It's an annual celebration of ruckus and revelry: carnival season has kicked off in France, bringing an explosion of colour to the grey months of winter. From the Latin "carne vale" meaning "farewell to meat", the ancient festival has evolved into a collective moment of excess ahead of the Christian period of Lent. From overseas in Guadeloupe, to down south in Nice, and even up north, France is letting loose. The France in Focus team reports.
Paris is preparing to hold the Olympics this summer, but did you know that the last time the French capital hosted the Games was exactly 100 years ago? Much has been forgotten about the 1924 Olympics, but records were broken, champions were made and more women athletes took part than ever before. FRANCE 24's Stéphanie Trouillard and Claire Paccalin went to see what’s left of the 1924 Olympic stadiums and find out which ones will be used again in the Games this year.
Located in the heart of the French Caribbean, Guadeloupe is best known for its beaches, rivers and waterfalls. But beyond the postcard image, more than 70 percent of wastewater treatment plants in the island are out of order – or nearly – despite significant funding, particularly from the European Union. The result is a health and environmental catastrophe that threatens all the bathing waters in this French overseas archipelago. FRANCE 24's Karina Chabour investigated years of poor management.
It's a pastry that's synonymous with the month of January in France. At the start of every year the "galette des rois", or king cake, fills bakeries across the country and there's one to suit everyone's taste. In this show, we find out more about the origins of this French culinary tradition which, contrary to popular belief, doesn't date back to the Three Kings but to the Saturnalia feasts in ancient Rome. We also take you to the bakery that won this year's title for best galette in the greater Paris area. Yasmine Menacer, its head pastry chef, gives us some of her baking tips.
Since the October 7 Hamas attack and Israel's crushing response in the Gaza Strip, more than 1,500 anti-Semitic acts have been recorded in France – three times as many as in the whole of 2022. For many French Jews, this outpouring of hatred has awakened a feeling of vulnerability. We went to meet Rachel Jedinak, a survivor of the World War II Vel d'Hiv' roundup; Jonas Jacquelin, a rabbi at a synagogue in Paris’s Copernic Street; Hanna Assouline, president and co-founder of the NGO Women Warriors for Peace; and Michel Wieviorka, a renowned sociologist and author whose research interests include anti-Semitism. FRANCE 24’s Natacha Vesnitch and Jonathan Walsh report.
France in Focus shines a light on how Paris went from utter darkness to the illuminated city of today. The team meets a passionate group of electricity enthusiasts to discover some of the most famous lamps that have lit up the French capital. They also speak to the granddaughter of Fernand Jacopozzi, the engineer who famously illuminated the Eiffel Tower in the 1920s. Lastly, they explore how Paris's iconic monuments stay in the limelight today.
More than a fifth of the French population is disabled. But for 80 percent of them, it doesn't show. Whether to disclose it or not is a delicate choice, given that disability is the leading cause of discrimination in France. Our team went to meet teenager Marc, who has a rare disease that means he has barely any intestines. They also met Joëlle, who suffers from multiple sclerosis and several other illnesses.
The Paris Olympic Games could be dubbed the “Seine-Saint-Denis Olympics”. Next summer, one of France’s most notorious neighbourhoods will host around 70 Olympic competitions. All eyes will be on the impoverished area. The event raises a lot of hope, but also a lot of anger, as 16 million tourists are due to pour into the area. French police have launched the Olympics’ Operation Zero Crime program, but with soaring unemployment and crime rates, Seine-Saint-Denis has a huge challenge ahead.
The Renaissance-era Villers-Cotterêts castle, in France's Picardy region, is now home to the first cultural site in the world dedicated to the French language, a project championed by President Emmanuel Macron. It's a story conveyed with words, art and architecture to pay tribute to a language spoken by some 320 million people across the globe. But is the influence of the French language still growing? We speak to Xavier North, Hassane Kassi Kouyaté and Barbara Cassin, co-curators of the museum.
The NBA's next season is set to kick off with the "Michael Jordan" of French basketball, Victor Wembanyama. All eyes are on the 2.24-metre-tall mega talent who joined the San Antonio Spurs in June. He follows in the footsteps of Tony Parker, who was inducted into the NBA’s Hall of Fame in August. France in Focus takes a look at the players who have made it into the American league, past and present. We also head to the French mecca of sports, INSEP, to see the rigorous training French athletes follow. Lastly, we look at what it means for French clubs and France when they lose their star players to the NBA.
Wine lovers will be familiar with Bordeaux, Bourgogne and Beaujolais. These wines are all symbols of French culture, celebrated worldwide. Yet over the past 60 years, wine consumption has dropped by 70 percent in France. Reds, in particular, have been given the cold shoulder – even abroad. So why are consumers changing their habits? How can winemakers in south-western France survive? Some are even forced to tear up their vineyards and seek compensation from the French government and EU. Our team reports.
A secondary school in southern France embrace of social diversity programming a few years ago is now bearing fruit. Launched five years ago, the initiative aims to welcome students living in the the disadvantaged neighbourhoods of the city. It allows them to grow academically and socially, making a positive impact in the classroom. Noemie Roche and Aurore-Cloe Dupuis report.
It's a monument that is synonymous with France. The Eiffel Tower is more than just a wrought iron landmark, its very existence represents an architectural feat taken on by the man who gave it its name: Gustave Eiffel. This year marks 100 years since the engineer died. During his lifetime, Gustave Eiffel fought against all odds to make his dream come true, building a 300 metre high iron tower in the heart of the French capital.
What if we worked a four-day week? In France, the idea is gaining ground. Some business owners have already made the switch. From company attractiveness to employees’ wellbeing, the formula seems to be working. We take a closer look at this new working schedule and explore which sectors are implementing it.
One year ahead of France hosting the Olympic Games, we went to meet athlete Margot Chevrier. At 23, she's a pole vaulter for the French national team. The athlete is also in her fifth year of studying medicine in Nice and is getting ready to sit her exams to become a doctor. This high-flyer aims to one day become an Olympic champion. FRANCE 24's Marion Gaudin and Peter O'Brien report.
Known as the Wonder of the West, Mont Saint-Michel looks as if it could have been plucked from a fairytale. The religious sanctuary on France's Normandy coast turns 1,000 this year. Since the first stone was laid in 1023, it has been home to monks, monarchs and prisoners; a historic pilgrimage site that welcomes 3 million visitors each year. In this edition we meet some of the people who preserve its magic.
Jean Moulin was one of the many French Resistance fighters who stood up to the Germans during the occupation of France in World War II. A true symbol of the Resistance and the Republic, many streets, schools and universities have been named after the French hero since his death 80 years ago. Moulin continues to be honoured across the political spectrum. FRANCE 24's James Vasina and Florence Gaillard go back in time to tell the story of the man who would become the face of the French Resistance.
Water is a fundamental but fragile common resource that's being increasingly depleted and polluted by human activity. For several months now, traces of a pesticide called chlorothalonil – known as metabolites – have been detected in drinking water all over France, despite the pesticide being banned since 2020. How has France's most strictly controlled substance proven to be so polluted? FRANCE 24's team went to find out.
Back in the 1960s, the Soviets and Americans were racing to the Moon. Europe did not want to be a bystander in the space race and embarked on the Ariane programme in 1973. We take a look back at how the Europeans launched their space programme. Today, the Ariane-6 rocket's inaugural flight is running three years behind schedule. The European Space Agency hopes it can take off by the end of 2023. FRANCE 24's Shirli Sitbon and Sylvain Rousseau report.
It’s one of the most iconic motor races in the world. The "24 hours of Le Mans" race marks a centenary this year. Seven auto manufacturers will be fighting for overall victory with 16 teams represented. The unique race tests its participants' reliability and endurance and encourages innovation. The 13,626km track attracts hundreds of thousands of fans from around the world every year. The endurance classic is both a physical and mental challenge for the drivers; the car that covers the greatest distance in 24 hours wins.
2022 was the most devastating year ever for wildfires in France. The Bordeaux region in the country’s south west was especially hard hit. This as the climate emergency seen globally is increasingly making its presence felt in temperate zones. So, how is France now preparing for the summer ahead? Have lessons been learned from last year?
France counts approximately 150,000 online influencers. Their work can include product placement, tutorials and even promoting cosmetic surgery. While most influencers struggle to make a living from their craft, some have made it a lucrative business. But sometimes, scams can lurk behind the products being peddled by influencers. French lawmakers are currently examining a bill aimed at regulating the industry. We meet one of the MPs behind the bill and speak to a man who fell victim to a scam promoted by an influencer. We also meet a French content creator who no longer wants to be called an influencer.
According to figures from the French Ministry of Gender Equality, every year in France, 94,000 women report being victims of rape or attempted rape. But in 2021, barely 1 percent of the reported assaults resulted in a conviction. In addition to the emotional and psychological trauma, rape victims also have to deal with an unyielding administrative system and stereotypes, which often affect procedures and verdicts. FRANCE 24's Marie Schuster and James Mulholland report.
As the UK prepares to celebrate King Charles III's coronation, we focus on the love affair between the British royal family and Paris, which has been both long and reciprocal. A series of landmarks are dedicated to British monarchs in the capital, such as Avenue Victoria – named after Queen Victoria, who in 1855 made the first state visit to Paris in over 400 years. In 1918, George V Avenue was renamed in honour of the British king for recognition of his role as monarch during World War I.
For years, autism was underdiagnosed in France because of a lack of medical training for professionals. Now adults, thousands of people on the autism spectrum have had to spend years waiting for a diagnosis and try to adapt to life without one. They spoke to Sonia Baritello and Jonathan Walsh about their long, uphill battle.
In France, mothers face a nightmare battle to protect their children after they accuse the father of incest. While police and social services investigate, these mothers are forced to respect custody arrangements or face fines and even prison sentences. They are undermined and labelled as "over-protective", "manipulative" and desperate to gain exclusive custody, while their children have to spend weekends and holidays with their accused perpetrators. Some end up breaking the law to protect their children.
In March 2020, Paris emptied as the first Covid-19 lockdown was announced. City dwellers fled and sought refuge in the countryside. Three years later, what has become of those Parisians who embarked on a new way of life? And how has the arrival of these "neo-rurals" affected the local landscape? Our team went looking for the answers in the Perche regional park in north-western France, an area where many Parisians have settled.
Since January, millions of people have taken to the streets across France in protest at the government's pension reforms. Women have been unmissable and essential to the demonstrations. Indeed, retirement reflects one's career, but it also reveals a lifetime of inequality: in France, women's pensions are 40 percent lower than those of men. How does this happen? When is the die cast for French women? FRANCE 24's Catherine Viette and Julie Chouteau take a closer look in this special edition of France in Focus.
This week, we're focusing on those who brave the stage in the hope that we'll be left rolling in the aisles. French comedy clubs are frequently full for one-man shows, and there's an Anglophone pack of stand-uppers eager to make France titter and giggle. We went to meet two of them.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has forced millions of people, mostly women and children, to flee their homes since February 24, 2022. Nearly five million of them are believed to have escaped abroad, forcing them to integrate into a new country as they leave behind the life they were used to. A year later, we went to visit a school in Strasbourg in eastern France, where several dozen Ukrainian refugees are building a new future for themselves, not far from the European Parliament.
The world of drag exploded into popular culture in France after the French version of the "Drag Race" TV show was broadcast last year. In this programme, we meet some of the country's drag artists who aim to entertain, but also educate. Minima Gesté is a Parisian drag queen who quit her day job as an engineer to commit herself fully to the art form. We hear how she fights against critics, raises awareness and lights up stages across the capital.
In France, between 450,000 and 600,000 people live in accommodation that is deemed not fit for purpose. The southern city of Marseille is particularly affected. Our reporters Julia Guggenheim and Jonathan Walsh met local residents, four years on from the tragedy in Marseille's central rue d'Aubagne, where eight people died after two buildings collapsed. We also speak to Kevin Vacher, an activist for decent housing in Marseille.
Organisers of the 2024 Olympics are racing to get the French capital ready for the event. For athletes it's a chance to win gold, while for Paris it's a golden opportunity to shine. But as construction work continues, making the necessary changes to an already troubled transport system is proving problematic. Meanwhile, ensuring that the sports facilities and the streets are both safe and secure is another headache. We take a closer look and speak to Étienne Thobois, head of the Paris 2024 Olympic Committee.
Hunting remains one of the most divisive issues within French society. Today, just under one million people will hunt in France, but despite the number dwindling in recent years, the hunting lobby still remains powerful. While many hunters defend their activity, fiercely, their opponents decry what they see as a brutal and dangerous practice.
The inter-ministerial watchdog set up to monitor and fight against sects in France has released its latest findings on everything from online coaches to conspiracists, neo-Shamans and would-be healers. The alarming report from MIVILUDES states that since 2020 – and especially since the coronavirus pandemic – such movements are on the rise and are spreading worrying quantities of misinformation when it comes to healthcare.
We explore the life and artwork of French artist Rosa Bonheur, who was a pioneer – both as a painter and as a woman – in 19th century society. Two centuries years after her birth, major exhibitions are being held in France to celebrate her extraordinary legacy. In Paris, the Musée d'Orsay is hosting a special exhibition for this anniversary. Co-curator Leïla Jarbouai tells us more about Bonheur's body of work.
In a rare move, general practitioners in France will go on strike on December 1 and 2, demanding greater investment from the government in local doctors' surgeries. They say that if their working conditions don't improve, the state can kiss goodbye to traditional local surgeries, since recruiting the next generation of doctors will be almost impossible. These GPs are complaining of increasingly long days and endless paperwork. To better understand the situation, we spent a day with a doctor in a small town south of Paris. We also met a GP who was recently signed off work after suffering from burnout.
As concern grows over the climate crisis, so does its toll on our mental well-being. Public health officials have coined the term "eco-anxiety" to describe the fear of environmental doom. They warn that the phenomenon could have damaging long-term effects and amplify health and social inequalities for the most vulnerable. One recent international survey found that large numbers of 16 to 25 year olds worldwide had suffered psychological effects owing to the climate crisis. We take a closer look at the situation in France.
The Great Mosque of Paris or Paris Central Mosque is the most visited mosque in France. Its construction began in 1922, with the aim of thanking Muslim soldiers who fought for France in World War I. Back then, the state financed the building of the edifice. But a century later, the context is quite different. Financing the construction of a mosque in France today can prove a challenge. We take a closer look.
From the Lumière Brothers to the New Wave, cinema in France has long been a source of national pride and a favourite pastime. But the French film industry is in a multifaceted crisis. Movie theatres simply aren't drawing the crowds they used to. This is having an effect on the entire sector, since ticket sales partly finance film budgets, especially independent ones. Film professionals gathered earlier this month to ring the alarm bells. We take a closer look at the causes of the crisis, from the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic to competition from streaming platforms. We also hear from acclaimed film producer Philippe Carcassonne.
The French porn industry is facing its moment of reckoning. A two-year police investigation has blown the lid off widespread abuse of vulnerable women. A Senate report is now aiming to improve conditions by bringing about stricter controls. In this show, we meet three women who are trying to change the way the adult film industry in France operates.
The French porn industry is facing its moment of reckoning. A two-year police investigation has blown the lid off widespread abuse of vulnerable women. A Senate report is now aiming to improve conditions by bringing about stricter controls. In this show, we meet three women who are trying to change the way the adult film industry in France operates.
With energy prices in Europe and around the world rising, there are concerns that this winter in France will be tough. Consumption will need to be reduced, and in a worst-case scenario, cuts will be unavoidable. This is just one of the consequences of the ongoing war in Ukraine. But electricity in France is predominantly generated from nuclear energy, accounting for almost 70 percent of the country’s needs. So as we head into winter, why are there concerns?
With energy prices in Europe and around the world rising, there are concerns that this winter in France will be tough. Consumption will need to be reduced, and in a worst-case scenario, cuts will be unavoidable. This is just one of the consequences of the ongoing war in Ukraine. But electricity in France is predominantly generated from nuclear energy, accounting for almost 70 percent of the country’s needs. So as we head into winter, why are there concerns?
Those who work for platforms like Uber Eats and Deliveroo were hailed as heroes during the Covid-19 pandemic, risking their own health to make deliveries to those of us under lockdown. Today, delivery people still work for little pay and under harsh conditions. It's estimated that at least half the riders in France are undocumented. For that reason, many of them are having their profiles deactivated and losing their jobs. Critics accuse the delivery platforms of taking advantage of these riders.
Those who work for platforms like Uber Eats and Deliveroo were hailed as heroes during the Covid-19 pandemic, risking their own health to make deliveries to those of us under lockdown. Today, delivery people still work for little pay and under harsh conditions. It's estimated that at least half the riders in France are undocumented. For that reason, many of them are having their profiles deactivated and losing their jobs. Critics accuse the delivery platforms of taking advantage of these riders.
Those who work for platforms like Uber Eats and Deliveroo were hailed as heroes during the Covid-19 pandemic, risking their own health to make deliveries to those of us under lockdown. Today, delivery people still work for little pay and under harsh conditions. It's estimated that at least half the riders in France are undocumented. For that reason, many of them are having their profiles deactivated and losing their jobs. Critics accuse the delivery platforms of taking advantage of these riders.
Six years ago, Calais's infamous Jungle migrant camp was demolished by French police. Today, the camp itself has gone, but the migrants and the smugglers who profit from them remain. In fact, they are more numerous than ever before, with a record number of people attempting to cross the Channel in August 2022. The situation is putting a strain on relations between France and the United Kingdom.
Six years ago, Calais's infamous Jungle migrant camp was demolished by French police. Today, the camp itself has gone, but the migrants and the smugglers who profit from them remain. In fact, they are more numerous than ever before, with a record number of people attempting to cross the Channel in August 2022. The situation is putting a strain on relations between France and the United Kingdom.
Six years ago, Calais's infamous Jungle migrant camp was demolished by French police. Today, the camp itself has gone, but the migrants and the smugglers who profit from them remain. In fact, they are more numerous than ever before, with a record number of people attempting to cross the Channel in August 2022. The situation is putting a strain on relations between France and the United Kingdom.
When it comes to childcare, French parents like to enrol their little ones in crèches or daycare centres for children under the age of three. But these nurseries have been ringing alarm bells. Decades of cost-cutting measures have created a situation where many centres say they are no longer able to provide adequate care. Around half of France's 5,000 crèches say they can't find enough workers. To find out more about the challenges facing French nurseries, we speak to Fréderic Groux, a pediatric psychologist and a former educator for nursery school children.
When it comes to childcare, French parents like to enrol their little ones in crèches or daycare centres for children under the age of three. But these nurseries have been ringing alarm bells. Decades of cost-cutting measures have created a situation where many centres say they are no longer able to provide adequate care. Around half of France's 5,000 crèches say they can't find enough workers. To find out more about the challenges facing French nurseries, we speak to Fréderic Groux, a pediatric psychologist and a former educator for nursery school children.
When it comes to childcare, French parents like to enrol their little ones in crèches or daycare centres for children under the age of three. But these nurseries have been ringing alarm bells. Decades of cost-cutting measures have created a situation where many centres say they are no longer able to provide adequate care. Around half of France's 5,000 crèches say they can't find enough workers. To find out more about the challenges facing French nurseries, we speak to Fréderic Groux, a pediatric psychologist and a former educator for nursery school children.
Two hundred years ago, a young French linguist had a major eureka moment. In 1822, everything suddenly made sense for Jean-François Champollion as he deciphered hieroglyphics – the ancient Egyptian code which had bamboozled scholars for years. Thanks to his hard work, the mysterious symbols chipped into stone finally had meaning. In this special edition of France in Focus, we travel to the town of Vif in France's eastern Isère region to follow in the footsteps of the child prodigy who would become the first head of the Louvre museum's department of Egyptian antiquities.
It's summer and French vacationers are back on the road, on the rails, and in the air. After two years of suffering through the Covid-19 pandemic, it is time to recharge, rest and take in the sun.
When the US Supreme Court overturned the federal right to abortion, it sent shockwaves across the world. In France, when Simone Veil stood before parliament in 1974 and pushed for the decriminalisation of abortion, the debate was heated. Since the passing of the 1975 ‘Veil Law’ in her name, access to abortion has become for a majority of the French akin to a fundamental right. But it remains vulnerable to shifting political tides — hence the push to add it to the country’s constitution.
A testament to its history, France is sprinkled with beautiful villages and towns. To stand out, attract tourists or even new residents, many have turned to a variety of certificates, labels and competitions to boost their visibility. We've followed an inspector for the non-profit ‘Most Beautiful Villages of France’ who looked at the town of Bergheim to see if it’s worthy of obtaining this certification. We also met Christophe Alaux, a marketing professor, to understand the role of these labels.
They were the deadliest attacks on French soil since World War II. On the night of November 13, 2015, jihadists targeted Paris's Bataclan concert hall, several outdoor bars and restaurants, as well as the Stade de France stadium. To bring closure, catharsis and above all justice for the victims, a trial of those involved has been under way since September 2021, with the verdict expected on June 29. In this edition of France in Focus, we hear from a victim's partner, a lawyer and a court reporter.
Flexible hours, a four-day working week and a sense of purpose are just some of the things that employees are looking for in a job. And if they feel like they're not appreciated, they might just jump ship. A recent survey found that one in four people in France are looking to quit their jobs in the next two years, as they seek better pay and better benefits. We take a closer look.
In this edition, we're looking at one of the key consequences of climate change: drought. From parched fields, to burning forests, to houses cracking as the ground beneath them dries up, droughts are becoming more frequent in France and around the world. As scientists look for solutions, many are calling for changes to our agricultural model and the way we consume, in the hope of conserving Earth's most precious resource: water.
Sums, geometry, algorithms... many pupils groan at the very mention of mathematics. France's most recent education minister, Jean-Michel Blanquer, removed the often-unloved discipline from the common core teachings of French high schools in 2019. But with educators and economists ringing alarm bells about the importance of maths across multiple sectors, mathematics is expected to soon return to the classroom for all French high school students. We take a closer look.
In France, coming out of the closet and living openly as a member of the LGBTI+ community can be a significant psychological, emotional and social challenge. Until just 40 years ago, it was also a legal one. In 1982, the age of consent was lowered from 21 to 18 for homosexuals in France, making it the same for everyone. This landmark law paved the way for important civil liberties, including the legalisation of same-sex marriage in 2013. But there are still obstacles to be overcome. To find out more about the ongoing fight for equality, we speak to Sébastien Tüller, LGBTI+ legal advisor for Amnesty International France.
The surgical mask has become a potent symbol of the pandemic…and an intimate part of our daily lives. In this episode, we’re exploring how covering our faces for almost two years now has affected us. For example, does catching a glimpse of just the eyes change our perception of a person? How have we learned to interpret non-verbal clues and the emotions expressed behind that mask? And what happens when we finally take them off?
After an unusual campaign, Emmanuel Macron has won re-election as French president, defeating the far right's Marine Le Pen in the run-off. However, a record number of voters cast ballots for the far right and the far left during the two rounds of the election. The abstention rate in the run-off was the highest since 1969 and the country remains polarised. Macron faces a tough challenge to unite the country.
Located in the French Mediterranean, Corsica is often referred to as the "island of beauty". But it's also been the scene of recent tensions. Since last month's death of jailed assassin and independence figurehead Yvan Colonna, following an attack on him by a fellow inmate, a pro-autonomy movement has been gaining ground on Corsica. Thousands have taken to the streets to call for more autonomy, with young people particularly vocal. We take you from the seafront in Ajaccio to the university town of Corte to unpick the recent crisis and the calls for change.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the end of a brutal conflict that France only officially recognised as being a war in 1999. Between 1954 and 1962, swords were locked between France and Algeria, with nationalists in the North African country determined to push the colonisers out. In March 1962, along the shores of Lake Geneva, a peace deal was finally reached between ministers and a delegation from Algeria's provisional government. The Evian Accords would eventually result in Algeria's independence, ending 132 years of French rule.
For years, inflation rates have largely stayed below targets in developed nations despite economic growth, but the pandemic has changed the equation. In France, the annual consumer inflation index is now at 3.4 percent, a 13-year high driven largely by skyrocketing energy costs. Fuel prices at French pumps are currently at all-time highs. With energy prices wreaking havoc on budgets, many French households are changing their habits. We take a closer look.
This week, we're exploring a key question ahead of the upcoming presidential elections in France: "to vote or not to vote?" As the list of candidates gets longer, the race is on to drum up support. But voter apathy is still a major concern and increasing numbers of would-be voters are turning their backs on politicians and the political system. Our reporters went to one Paris suburb with a particularly high abstention rate to meet some who are adamant they're going nowhere near a polling station this spring.
He's known as the father of French theatre, but the influence of Molière goes well beyond France. His impact is still felt today all over the world. To mark the 400th anniversary of the famed playwright's birth, we speak to Georges Forestier, professor at the Sorbonne and a specialist in the works of Molière. We also take you on a tour of Molière's Paris.
In France, it's estimated that more than 30 percent of people drink excessively. That means more than two glasses of wine per day and more than five days a week. These figures have gone up during the Covid-19 pandemic. Yet the government's approach to alcohol has been not as forceful as with other types of addiction such as smoking. Indeed, some specialists say that's down to the power of lobbies within the industry. We take a closer look in this edition of France in Focus.
In this edition, we’re focusing on the French delicacy of foie gras. One of France’s most cherished foods, it’s a staple at Christmas tables across the country. But foie gras is also a source of controversy. There are ethical concerns about how it is produced, which has led several French cities to ban it for official gatherings. The move has launched a fierce national debate.
France is home to some of the biggest luxury brands in the world. While many everyday businesses have struggled to bounce back from the health crisis, it’s been just the opposite for the most exclusive French labels. Jean-Noël Kapferer, professor emeritus of marketing, talks us through the success of luxury brands bouncing back from the pandemic. We also see how the luxury sector is making its way into the second-hand market, bringing in a whole new clientele.
In this edition, we take you to the South Pacific and the French territory of New Caledonia, which is gearing up for a high-stakes vote on independence on December 12. While other overseas territories are fully integrated into France, New Caledonia stands apart because it is still considered a colony. The reasons for that are rooted in its history – we take a closer look. To fully understand what's at stake, we speak to anthropologist and historian Benoît Trépied.
This week, we take you behind the scenes of one of Paris's most beautiful landmarks: the Panthéon. A symbol of France’s values and collective memory, the mausoleum houses the remains of some of the country's most esteemed men and women. On November 30, the Franco-American performer Josephine Baker will be honoured there. But this selection requires more than just excellence. The choice is at the discretion of the president, and the reasons behind it are very political. FRANCE 24 explains.
In France, around 2,000 babies are born every single day, helped along by an army of some 25,000 registered midwives. But it's a profession in crisis. From difficult working conditions and low pay, to complaints about inadequate training, French midwives are sounding the alarm and are increasingly getting organised. We meet Chantal Birman, who was a midwife for five decades. She's the protagonist of a new documentary about her long career working with mothers and babies.
A key part of the global fight to tackle global warming is the idea of carbon neutrality – a state of net zero carbon dioxide emissions. Like many countries and institutions around the world, France has committed to going carbon neutral by 2050. So how exactly is the country planning to get there and, crucially, how is it going so far?
This week, we’re focusing on how France is handling screen addiction in kids. According to the latest figures, over 70 percent of 12- to 17-year-olds in France are in possession of a personal cellphone, the main culprit when it comes to screen dependency. For more on the workings and possible responses to "screen dependency disorder", we meet paediatrician Sylvie Dieu Osika, who is part of a collective of doctors fighting for the issue to become a priority for French authorities.
This week marks 60 years since some 200 Algerians were murdered in central Paris by French police. At the height of the Algerian War of Independence, thousands of people, most of them Algerians living in the suburbs of Paris, descended on the capital demanding an end to French colonial rule in Algeria. The state's response was brutal, and those responsible for the massacre enjoyed protection for many years. We look back at the terrible events of October 17, 1961 and hear from a 92-year-old eyewitness.
It's been exactly 40 years since France's then Socialist government made good on one of François Mitterrand's campaign promises and abolished capital punishment. It was Justice Minister Robert Badinter who spearheaded the push for the death penalty to be scrapped after nearly two centuries of debate. We take a closer look at this chapter in French history. We're also joined by Sandrine Ageorges-Skinner, a French woman who's married to Hank Skinner, a man on death row in Texas. She's long been a campaigner against the death penalty and tells us more about her activism.
This week, we’re focusing on noise pollution in France, in the wake of a new report. For many people living in Paris and other French cities, learning to live with a constant din has become an everyday challenge. To find out more about the medical and financial cost of noise pollution, we talk to Bruitparif director Fanny Mietlicki, who heads the health and environment committee at the National Council for Noise.
According to the latest figures, obesity levels are on the rise, especially among France's youngsters. They're up by at least 75 percent, with 34 percent of 2 to 7-year-olds currently considered overweight or obese. But what actually qualifies as childhood obesity, what stigma does it carry and how does it affect children and their health? We speak to Professor Patrick Tounian, an advisor to the Anti-Obesity League.
On November 13, 2015, gunmen and suicide bombers targeted France's national stadium, a string of Paris bars and restaurants and a packed concert venue, leaving 130 people dead. On September 8 of this year, the trial of 20 people accused of playing a part in those terror attacks is due to begin at a specially built courtroom in Paris. Close to 1,800 civil plaintiffs have been allotted five weeks to give their evidence.
According to the latest figures, just 13 percent of 18-24 year olds turned out to vote in the 2021 municipal elections in France. Yet, rather than a sign of apathy, this lack of engagement seems more akin to an act of defiance. Especially when it comes to addressing their primary concern – the environment. To hear more about it, we meet activist and entrepreneur, Flora Ghebali, who’s released an essay entitled “My generation will change the world”.
With nightclubs finally reopening across France, we're focusing on the recovery of Paris's nightlife from Covid-19. With the coronavirus still in circulation, revellers now have to prove themselves Covid-free before even reaching the dance floor and indoor venues are limited to 75 percent capacity. But Parisians have found other ways to party. Among those who helped beat the pandemic blues is cabaret-style drag act Très Mixity, who staged a nightly show from the windows of a Montmartre building. We went to meet them.
This week, with the summer holidays upon us, we're going camping! There are nearly 8,000 campsites in France, with close to 900,000 separate spots to pitch a tent. The love affair between the French and this cheap but cheerful form of holiday has a long history – we take a closer look. There's also been a recent surge in sales of camping cars, with more than 500,000 such vehicles now in circulation in France. They allow the owner to hit the open road and the sack in the very same space.
France is marking the 150th anniversary of the birth of famed novelist Marcel Proust. He penned much of his greatest work, the seven-volume saga "In Search of Lost Time", along the shores of Cabourg, in Normandy. Under the fictional name of Balbec, the town was put on the literary map. To find out more about Cabourg's Proustian legacy, and Proust's short but hugely influential career, we take you to The Villa of Time Found, whose immersive exhibit takes visitors on a sensory trip back in time.
Cannabis itself remains illegal in France, but in recent months its "wellness" derivative, CBD, has become something of a green Eldorado. So where exactly is the line between therapeutic, medical and recreational use? We take a closer look. And to find out more about the use of cannabis for medical purposes, we speak to hospital psychiatrist Nicolas Authier. In March 2021, with the health minister by his side, he signed the country's first ever cannabis prescription as part of a limited, nationwide trial.
This week, we're focusing on France's end-of-high-school diploma, the baccalaureate. Two school years of Covid-19 disruption have taken their toll on pupils all around the world. But for French teens, the pandemic chaos was only made worse by the fact that it came in the midst of a long-awaited four-year reform of the country's school-leaving system. We take a closer look and hear from some of the pupils affected.
It's been 40 years since HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, was first detected. At the time, French scientists and doctors played a major role in isolating and understanding the virus. With at least 173,000 people still living with HIV nationwide today, research continues into finding a vaccine and a cure, despite somewhat limited funds. To find out more about the situation in France four decades on and the impact of Covid-19 on caring for HIV patients, we speak to Aurélien Beaucamp, president of the French NGO AIDES.