80 years on, French lake still polluted by World War II bombs

A French environmental group has found artillery shells dating back to World Wars I and II and even the Franco-Prussian war of 1870 in a lake in eastern France. Water samples from Gerardmer in the Vosges mountains show high levels of TNT explosive as well as metals like iron, titanium…[Read more]

Murder of Paris student fuels anger at failed deportation

The murder of a 19 year-old female student in an exclusive neighbourhood of Paris is fuelling new calls from the French right for tougher action on immigration.

The body of the young woman, named only as Philippine, was found on Saturday, half-buried in the Bois de Boulogne park on the…[Read more]

Charity cyclists find battlefield route quite tough

Cyclists travelling through France are facing an emotional test of endurance, as they pay their respects to thousands of men killed in World War One.

Team Blind Dave, led by West Bromwich fundraiser Dave Heeley, have completed four days of their seven-day challenge to cycle 1,000km (600 miles)…[Read more]

French champagne makers aim to protect grape harvesters from abuse

Champagne vineyards are taking steps to better protect seasonal workers from abuse, hoping to restore the iconic bubbly’s damaged reputation after reports emerged last year of migrant workers living in appalling conditions and other labour violations.

French champagne producers…[Read more]

Speed limit on vital Paris ring road falls to 50km per hour on October 1

The speed limit on the ring road that surrounds and delineates the city of Paris will be limited to 50 kilometres (30 miles) per hour starting on October 1, the city’s mayor announced on Monday. The decision, which immediately drew criticism for having been taken…[Read more]

France’s newest nuclear reactor shuts itself down

France’s newest nuclear reactor automatically shut itself down Wednesday, a day after starting up for the first time. The state-owned operator said there was no need for concern and that shutdowns can happen during such “long and complicated” startup processes. The European Pressurised Reactor…[Read more]

Paralympics closing ceremony has Paris partying

The Paris 2024 Paralympics concluded with a sparkling closing ceremony on Sunday to round off a fantastic summer of sport in the French capital.

Twenty-four artists from the French electronic music scene led a party atmosphere despite heavy rain at the Stade de France in front of 4,400 athletes…[Read more]

Mass protests erupt in France after Macron picks Barnier as PM

More than 100,000 take to the streets across France to protest President Macron’s decision to appoint centre-right Michel Barnier as prime minister.

More than 100,000 left-wing demonstrators were reported to have taken to the streets across France to protest President Emmanuel M…[Read more]

France on charm offensive as New Caledonia simmers

For the Pacific Islands, climate change, geopolitics and security have often been the bread and butter of any summit.
But at this year’s Pacific Island Forum Leader’s Meeting – the region’s biggest diary event – there was another hot topic thrown into the mix: that of New Caledonia and the unres…[Read more]

Paralympics organisers forced to change Triathlon plans over Seine water quality concerns

With rain forecast for Paris, concerns about the River Seine’s water quality has prompted a change to the schedule of the swimming leg of the Paralympic triathlon, organisers said Thursday. The swimming part of the event will take place on September 1,…[Read more]

Telegram boss banned from leaving France in criminal probe

Telegram boss and founder Pavel Durov has been placed under formal investigation in France as part of a probe into organised crime on the messaging app, Paris prosecutors say.
Mr Durov, 39, has not been remanded in custody, but placed under judicial supervision, and has to pay a €5m (…[Read more]

Serbia makes a $3 billion deal to buy 12 French warplanes, in a shift away from Russia

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Thursday announced a $3 billion deal to buy 12 French warplanes, in a move that shifts his country away from its dependence on Russian arms.

The announcement about the Rafale multi-purpose fighter jets was made during a…[Read more]

French prosecutors call for film star Depardieu to face trial in new rape probe

Paris prosecutors have requested a criminal trial for French actor Gerard Depardieu over allegations he raped and sexually assaulted fellow actress Charlotte Arnould at his Paris home in August 2018. Depardieu is already set to face another trial in October for…[Read more]

Paris Paralympics flame is lit before journey from English village, under sea and over land

Four days before the start of the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, the Paralympic flame was lit on Saturday near a hospital in the English village of Stoke Mandeville, where the idea for the competion was conceived. A group of British athletes will embark on…[Read more]

France investigating synagogue explosion as suspected terrorism

An explosion outside a synagogue in southern France is being investigated by authorities as “attempted terrorist murder”.
Police said the explosion was caused by two cars being set alight outside the Beth Yaacov synagogue in the resort town of La Grande-Motte. One of the vehicles…[Read more]

Tahitian surfing champion Kauli Vaast takes victory lap along the Seine

After winning the gold medal in surfing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Kauli Vaast thrilled fans again by surfing along France’s iconic River Seine. The 22-year-old was pulled by a boat, and surfed the small waves it created with the Eiffel Tower in the background.…[Read more]

Left-wing candidate Lucie Castets’ strange campaign for France’s premiership

Over the two weeks since her name burst onto the French political scene, the Nouveau Front Populaire’s candidate for prime minister has been thrust into the limelight and is trying to forge a reputation for herself.

You can share an article by clicking on the share…[Read more]

Physical attacks targeting nonresidents have been up sharply on French territory since 2016

A study by the Interior Ministry’s statistical office shows that assaults on foreigners (mainly tourists) have doubled in seven years.

“In traffic (…) be prepared to take evasive action at any time”; “Do not leave any valuables visible in your vehicle,…[Read more]

Paris Olympics: Gold medallist boxer Imane Khelif files complaint over ‘moral harassment’

The 25-year-old Algerian woman, who won the Olympic final in her category on Friday, August 9, has been the target for the past week of an online hate campaign regarding her gender identity.

You can share an article by clicking on the share icons at the top…[Read more]

Macron is hugging France’s heroes as though he dares not let the Olympics go
Angelique Chrisafis
in Paris

Medal success has offered the president welcome weeks of respite in his country’s fraught political climate

The French president, Emmanuel Macron, is famed for his enthusiastic hugging of sports stars – as the footballer Kylian Mbappé can at…[Read more]