France

Culture news

Giant rave party on 'dangerous' military land

While authorities fear shell explosions at the site, the organisers are denouncing the 'criminalisation' of party venues. Illegal rave parties could soon be punished more severely in France, with penalties of up to six months in prison.

02/05/2026

Economy

French growth stalls as Iran war energy shock hits economy

France's first-quarter data shows slowed growth, rising prices and collapsing exports, laying bare how quickly the Iran war's energy shock is feeding through to Europe's second-largest economy.

30/04/2026

Travel News

French travellers are opting for staycations amid geopolitical crisis

Against a backdrop of international tensions, inflation and rising transport costs, the French are planning to travel less this summer and cut back on their spending, according to an Ifop survey for Alliance France Tourisme.

29/04/2026

Travel News

What you need to know about Paris’ new airport express train

The CDG Express will connect Charles de Gaulle Airport with Gare de l’Est in just 20 minutes.

28/04/2026

Europe

French prison guards strike over overcrowding and staff shortages

French prison guards blockaded facilities nationwide over overcrowding and staff shortages, as unions demand emergency hiring in a system nearing 90,000 inmates.

27/04/2026

Business

TotalEnergies ramps up refinery output to secure French fuel supply

TotalEnergies has maximised its output at the Gonfreville refinery to protect the French market from external supply shocks. The facility is operating at its limit to produce essential fuels as energy markets remain disrupted.

27/04/2026

Europe

Carlos Alcaraz pulls out of French Open due to wrist injury

Alcaraz posted on X on Friday that he would also not play in the preceding Italian Open in Rome, where he also won last year.

24/04/2026

Health news

France drops Microsoft for homegrown cloud provider for health data

After several years of controversy, France’s health data platform is set to leave Microsoft’s cloud for its homegrown company Scaleway.

24/04/2026

Tech News

Elon Musk's xAI discussed partnership with Mistral, report

Musk's xAI eyed Europe's AI giant Mistral in a bid to challenge OpenAI and Anthropic, according to a report.

24/04/2026

Earth News

Paris veterinary hospital treats wild animal victims of human activity

Over the past year, the Maisons-Alfort Wildlife Veterinary Hospital has cared for more than 10,400 wild animals.

24/04/2026

Markets

Hair dryer trick behind €25,000 win? France probes Polymarket bet scam

Officials in France have launched an investigation into the potential compromise of national weather sensors after a series of anomalous temperature readings coincided with betting activity on Polymarket.

23/04/2026

No Comment

France holds national tribute for soldier killed in Lebanon

The Minister for the Armed Forces, Catherine Vautrin, the Chief of Staff of the Army and General Pierre Schill preside over a national tribute ceremony in Montauban to honour the memory of Staff Sergeant Florian Montorio.

23/04/2026

Culture news

Ravers in Marseille fear harsh French crackdown on free parties

In Marseille, France, revellers gathered to celebrate before the final adoption of the law tightening the penalties for ‘unauthorised parties’.

22/04/2026

Culture news

Russia's Pussy Riot hits Europe with punk art manifesto

The mission: struggle, protest, resistance. The means: provocation, performance, punk rock. The famous Russian group Pussy Riot is on a European tour with a performance based on Maria Alyokhina's books.

21/04/2026

Culture news

Grasset: authors call for 'conscience clause' as Bolloré strikes back

French billionaire Vincent Bolloré says Grasset "will go on" and has dismissed the "uproar of a small caste" after the mass exodus of authors from the famous publishing house on the rue des Saints-Pères in Paris.

20/04/2026

France

WWII bomb destroyed in controlled explosion in Paris

Video provided by French police shows the controlled detonation of a large bomb dating from the Second World War in Colombes. After attempts to remove the bomb’s detonator failed at midday, authorities buried it and later destroyed it in a controlled detonation.

20/04/2026

No Comment

Kites fill the sky as Berck-sur-Mer launches 39th international festival

The 39th International Kite Festival in Berck-sur-Mer fills the sky with giant creations and hosts the World Kite Cup, drawing huge international crowds.

20/04/2026

Culture news

Iconic French actress Nathalie Baye dies aged 77

The multi-award-winning actress, known for the diversity of her roles, from drama to thriller to comedy, also formed a high-profile couple with Johnny Hallyday in the 1980s, a union that gave birth to Laura Smet, also an actress.

18/04/2026

Culture news

Le coup de Grasset: Exodus of authors and the collective response

Not wanting to drift with their publishing house after Olivier Nora's ouster, 170 authors have announced that they are leaving Grasset. Writer Oscar Coop-Phane reflects on his experience. Bookseller Gwilherm Perthuis denounces an ultra-concentrated publishing industry.

18/04/2026

Europe

Europeans press ahead with Hormuz mission after Iran reopens strait

Meeting in Paris, the leaders said that a neutral mission may still be needed to safeguard shipping and prevent renewed disruption in the vital trade route.

17/04/2026

France

Macron promotes books and theatre as alternatives to screens

French President Emmanuel Macron met with pupils in Villers-Cotterêts to promote a new “Offline Day” initiative aimed at reducing screen time among young people. The visit took place at the Cité internationale de la langue française, where students participated in reading and theatre workshops.

16/04/2026

Europe

Paris court jails ex-Élysée silverware keeper for porcelain theft ring

A former presidential tableware steward was found guilty of stealing the pieces, his partner of helping sell them online, and a Louvre employee of buying some of the items.

16/04/2026

Destinations

The glam French Riviera hotels for The White Lotus season four

Shooting locations are confirmed as Cannes, Saint-Tropez and Monaco.

16/04/2026

Tech News

Macron urges students to go offline one day a month and read instead

France's President Macron has made disconnecting from devices a key issue for children.

16/04/2026

Culture news

Literary controversy: 115 authors exit French publishing house Grasset

More than a hundred writers have announced their departure from the Grasset publishing house following the announcement of the dismissal of its chairman Olivier Nora. They denounce an "ideological war"... Here's everything you need to know.

16/04/2026

Travel News

Céline Dion effect: 16-date tour to inject millions into Paris tourism

The Canadian’s comeback tour is already driving interest and a noticeable economic boost to the French capital.

13/04/2026