English

More about this topic

World News

EU chief praises solidarity of 'heroic' firefighters in Europe

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised firefighters across the continent, as emergency services struggle to contain fires in France's south-west and in several other countries.

Culture news

Jean-Jacques Sempé in his own words

Here is a selection of our favourite quotes from beloved French cartoonist Jean-Jacques Sempé.

France

France: Wildfires near Bordeaux show no sign of slowing

France's Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has thanked European nations for help in tackling the the spread of the fires.

Culture news

French cartoonist Jean-Jacques Sempé dies aged 89

Beloved French illustrator Jean-Jacques Sempé, famous for the ‘Little Nicholas’ series and his New Yorker magazine covers, has passed away.

ADVERTISEMENT

France

'We fought all night': A thousand firefighters battle Bordeaux blaze

The fire has forced the closure of a major motorway near the city as temperatures hit 40 degrees again in the latest heatwave.

France

Beluga whale stranded in French river dies after failed rescue mission

A beluga whale stranded in France's River Seine has died after a failed rescue mission.

Europe News

Europe's drought could be the worst in 500 years, warns researcher

"Just to give you an idea the 2018 drought was so extreme that, looking back at least the last 500 years, there were no other events similar to the drought of 2018, but this year I think it is really worse than 2018."

France

Thousands evacuated in southern France due to new wildfires

One blaze was reportedly started by a metal piece of tractor machinery.

No Comment

France drought: Loire river so low it can be crossed on foot

With an early heatwave in June and an unusually hot and dry month of May, the bed of the Loire has reached a lower level than usual, so much so that the river can be crossed on foot in certain places.

Climate

Burnout: Firefighters look back on July's 'gamechanging' heatwave

Firefighters in the UK are training with their counterparts in southern Europe to learn how to tackle fires in a heating climate.

Art

A sculpture of Putin perched on a tank appears in Central Park

French artist James Colomina is known for installing his politically charged works in unusual places. His latest does not disappoint.

France

French vineyards suffering from severe drought in some regions

The driest July since 1959 is forcing vine growers in some regions of France to ask for special permission to irrigate their vineyards

Spain

'Verging on impossible': Sailor survives 16 hours in a capsized boat

A 62-year-old French man has survived for 16 hours in his capsized boat in the Atlantic Ocean, a feat the Spanish coastguard said was "verging on impossible".

Economy

Tourism staff shortages affect 1.2 million jobs in the EU, says study

New report by the World Travel and Tourism Council shows over one million tourism sector jobs remain unfilled in the EU

Europe News

France and parts of England experience driest July on record

The low rainfall in both countries has been coupled with a summer of unprecedentedly high temperatures, which topped 40 degrees Celsius in England in July for the first time ever.

France

Mont Blanc warning as heatwave causes more frequent rockfalls

Amateur climbers have been urged to steer clear of France's Mont Blanc as extreme heat is causing more frequent rockfalls.

Food and Drink

What are the stories behind Europe's iconic summer drinks?

From the alcohol that predates Aperol to the original Pimm's recipe, here's our handy and historic guide to mastering how to mix some of Europe's most iconic summer drinks.

France

France braces for another heatwave - its third this year

Barely out of the last one, France will experience another heatwave from Monday, with temperatures of 39°C predicted in the southeast.

No Comment

French wildfires: aerial images of burnt areas in Gironde

Helicopter images show the forest and campsites of the Gironde coastline, in southwestern France, which was ravaged by flames as well as the creation of a deforestation zone by firefighters to prevent the fire from spreading to the Landes.

France

Macron calls Russia a 'colonial power' in ex-French colony

France's president accused Russia of being "one of the last colonial imperial powers" during a visit to Benin, a former French colony.