Tag: france

A series of drownings in the Garonne river has traumatized the French city of Bordeaux. First believed to be the work of a “serial pusher,” it has become clear that the cause of this spate of accidental deaths is binge drinking.

In the small French-Swiss border town of Viry, a new “ecodistrict” is being built from scratch. With environmentally friendly homes, the town is aiming to attract a rich population from neighboring Geneva – to the detriment of locals, wh

This weekend, the soccer team from Montpellier may become the champion of the French Ligue 1 for the first time in its history. It would be just one more success for this small southern city at the top in 22 different sports.

During the just concluded campaign, France’s incoming Socialist President François Hollande had vowed to push through gay marriage during his first year in office. Conservative Catholic groups are already gearing up for a fight.

An Air France male flight attendant is suing the airline for discrimination and violation of his dignity. The cause of turbulence: his cornrows, which the aviation company believes are undermining its glamorous image.

Singer-songwriter, former model and novice actress, Carla Bruni has lately mostly been known for being married to now outgoing French President Nicolas Sarkozy. When she became the First Lady, she may have lost her left-wing Bohemian fans. What’s

A school outside of Paris has denied enrollment to more than 20 foreign-born students. Amnesty International and other rights groups call it a case of cruel xenophobia. Officials from the town say it’s just a budget problem.

Analysis: The French incumbent knows the final round runoff requires him to pick up as much as possible of the 18% who voted for right-wing candidate Marine Le Pen in the first round. Immigration is the perfect issue, and one Sarkozy has been focused on f

Nicolas Sarkozy has children from three different women. His challenger for France’s presidency, François Hollande had four kids with a former candidate, but they never wed, then split. Struggling with monogamy, disdaining hypocrisy, reveling in

There is a new way to reduce legal costs. Law firms prepare the case and coach their clients, who then defend themselves – without a lawyer – in court.

In 2008, the French government set up a unique training program to teach French values, notably the separation of state and religion, to imams and other Muslim leaders. But many have been reluctant to enroll, and some wonder if the program was doomed from

The big surprise in Sunday’s first-round presidential election came from the far right. Marine Le Pen’s National Front won 17.9% of the vote, a record high for the party. President Sarkozy and his Socialist challenger will battle for her voters from both

Analysis: François Hollande is well-positioned after Sunday’s first round of voting to take the presidency from Nicolas Sarkozy. But the strong showing by far-right candidate Marine Le Pen confirms that the French Republic is a deeply divided pla

Rather than bury your loved ones in a coffin or scatter their ashes in the wind, there is a new way in France to be at one — forever — with nature. Might you consider spending eternity in a “Memory Garden”?

France must not give in to the trap of democratic disillusionment, writes Le Monde’s editor-in-chief. Though the campaign has lacked honest debate about the country’s challenges, French voters on Sunday must exercise their ballot with maximum attention.

It’s Record Shop Day in France, with gigs and exclusive tunes available at music stores, hoping to get people off their computers to do some bona fide ‘social’ shopping. Similar initiatives have been launched elsewhere, but can

A new exhibition in Paris aims to show the fundamental link between Art and Anthropology, the connection between artist and shaman, both conquering chaos through rituals and cathartic masterpieces.

A renowned French sexologist has followed up an in-depth study on men and sex with a survey of female sexuality. Heterosexual women of all ages were asked about their desires, fulfilled or otherwise. For their partners, there’s good news and bad.

Mélenchon’s candidacy has turned the French election upside-down, with his passionate defense of the underclass and mobilization of labor unions. His growing support could cause trouble for Francois Hollande, who had otherwise seemed sure to unseat Sarkoz