France

Climate

France: 'Warmest ever' end of year good for sunseekers, bad for skiers

Temperatures are 10 degrees above average in several French regions, while a lack of snow is posing problems for Alpine ski resorts.

31/12/2021

Culture news

French cinemas to ban popcorn as COVID-19 restrictions tighten

In an effort to suppress an unprecedented surge in COVID-19 numbers, French cinemas will ban food and drinks from being sold in cinemas.

30/12/2021

France

UK and French authorities say Britons can drive via France to EU homes

After a day of confusion, French and UK authorities said on Thursday night that British residents of other EU countries returning home from UK Christmas holidays can transit France by car.

30/12/2021

France

COVID-19: Staff shortages stoke fears at hospital near Paris

"There are currently 20% of intensive care beds in the Ile-de-France region that are closed due to lack of personnel," revealed Paris hospital's deputy director, Yohann Mourier.

30/12/2021

Europe News

France to take on EU's rotating presidency

The six-month term will coincide with a presidential election in France. Macron is expected to run.

30/12/2021

France

France reports over 200,000 cases in 24 hours in COVID-19 'tidal wave'

Health minister Olivier Véran revealed 208,000 confirmed coronavirus infections over the previous 24 hours, a new record since the start of the pandemic.

29/12/2021

France

Mosque in northern France ordered shut for 'inciting hatred'

More than 20 mosques have been ordered closed in recent months across France.

28/12/2021

France

Shorter period between jabs, new measures after New Year: French PM

French PM Jean Castex announced the return of "compulsory" remote working and a ban on standing in bars and cafes as the country tries to curb the impact of the Omicron variant.

27/12/2021

France

Paris FC and Lyon kicked out of French Cup over fan violence

The cup match between Paris FC and Lyon was abandoned at half time after violence between the two sets of fans broke out.

27/12/2021

Art

Miniature art goes big in Paris with 'Small is Beautiful' exhibition

Fans of the mini phenomenon can immerse themselves in the most unlikely objects, bringing their childhood imaginations back to life.

24/12/2021

France

Brigitte Macron taking legal action over transgender conspiracy theory

This is not the first time that the Macron couple has been targeted by rumours mixing gender and sexual orientation.

23/12/2021

Culture news

'Merry Christmas': World's first SMS sells for €107,000 at NFT auction

Vodafone auctions the world's first SMS, sent in December 1992, in the form of a Non-Fungible Token (NFT), a certificate guaranteeing its ownership, for 107,000 euros.

22/12/2021

France

France approves vaccines for young children amid 'critical' situation

With Omicron taking hold in France, government spokesman Gabriel Attal said Wednesday "the situation is critical."

22/12/2021

France

Volunteers gather to help freezing migrants cross the Alps

"Why are we doing this? Because sailors never leave a person to die at sea, same as a mountaineer will never leave a person to die in the mountains," revealed Paquerette Forest, a retired teacher who volunteered to help migrants.

21/12/2021

France

France mulls extending COVID health pass to workplaces

One union said the proposal was a covert attempt to impose mandatory vaccination.

21/12/2021

France

Man arrested after taking woman hostage in Paris shop overnight

The hostage-taker is a 56-year-old man known to police for having harassed a local doctor at her surgery, according to a police source.

21/12/2021

France

French police have detected 182,000 fake COVID passes in six months

France first rolled out its COVID pass in late July. It is necessary to visit restaurants, bars, cultural venues, large events and long-distance public transport.

20/12/2021

Ecotech

This enormous kite is dragging ships across the Atlantic Ocean

This innovative solution is one of a number being explored to cut the carbon emissions of shipping.

20/12/2021

Sport

Football violence stops French Cup match in Paris

Crowd trouble forced the Round of 64 domestic cup match between Lyon and host Paris FC to be called off after half-time on Friday.

18/12/2021

Health news

French eye doctors take essential services on the road to rural areas

This Winter, the ‘Tom’ Lorry, short for “mobile tele ophthalmology”, is bringing sorely needed tele-consultations to remote parts of France which have been deserted by private ophthalmologists.

17/12/2021

France

Paris to ask EU to begin legal action against UK over fishing licences

Under the Brexit trade deal concluded just before Christmas 2020, EU fishing boats can continue to fish in British waters if they obtain a licence.

17/12/2021

Culture news

Over 16,000 French libraries to be protected in new law

The law was signed in unanimously, with one senator noting the symbolic importance of books in the fight against fascism.

17/12/2021

The Cube

Facial recognition company breaks EU data privacy rules, says France

Clearview has amassed a database of billions of people's photos, but France says the data has been collected without citizens' consent.

16/12/2021

Musica

Paris Opera - attracting a younger audience

The new Music Director of the Paris Opera is aiming to attract a younger audience to opera with a little help from accessible tickets and wicked plots

16/12/2021

Art

'Barbarism' and war poetry: Inside Anselm Kiefer's Paris installations

A new exhibition created by the German painter and sculptor at the Grand Palais Éphémère in Paris, depicts the war poems of Paul Celan, through immersive, giant installations.

16/12/2021

France

France drastically restricts travel to and from UK over Omicron fears

From Saturday, travellers will need to provide "compelling reasons", and entry into France will be restricted mostly to French and EU nationals, residents and their families.

16/12/2021