France

From the heroism of Gisèle Pelicot and the chances of lasting change for France, via the latest government shenanigans and the best French Christmas traditions, Inside France is our weekly looks at the news and talking points from France.

A French court on Friday handed heavy sentences to several men convicted of having played a role in the jihadist beheading of schoolteacher Samuel Paty in 2020 -- a murder that horrified France.

Paty, 47, was killed outside his school days after showing his class cartoons of the prophet MuhammadEight people have been convicted in a French anti-terrorism court of involvement in the beheading of teacher Samuel Paty outside his school four years ago.Paty, 47, was killed outside his school near Paris on 16 October 2020, days after showing his class […]

The French president, Emmanuel Macron, swore during a furious exchange with residents of the cyclone-hit islands of Mayotte on Thursday night, telling a jeering crowd in the French territory: 'If it wasn’t for France, you’d be 10,000 times deeper in shit."Cyclone Chido swept through Mayotte, which is between Madagascar and Mozambique in the Indian […]

France's President Emmanuel Macron faced accusations of racism on Friday over an alleged comment on problems in hospitals, which his office strongly denied he made, adding to controversy over an angry remark during a visit to an Indian Ocean territory ravaged by a cyclone.

French president makes remark when confronted by residents still without water after huge storm last weekEmmanuel Macron swore during a furious exchange with residents of the cyclone-hit islands of Mayotte on Thursday night, telling a jeering crowd in the French territory: “If it wasn’t for France, you’d be 10,000 times deeper in shit.”Cyclone Chido […]

Why do the guardians of the fourth estate in France seem so reticent to name those in the dock?

Two defendants have so far filed appeals and Dominique Pelicot is said to be considering challenge against sentenceGisèle Pelicot is ready to face another trial if needed, her lawyer has said, after two defendants in the mass rape trial lodged appeals and as her ex-husband, Dominique Pelicot, considers appealing against his 20-year prison sentence.“In […]

Foreigners in France have reported receiving requests from their bank to supply a tranche of extra paperwork including proof of ID and a visa or residency card. Here's what is going on.

As France continues to roll out 'freeflow' toll booths - in which drivers go straight through and pay later - there are warnings of record levels of fines for late payments.

A lawyer for Gisèle Pelicot said Friday that his client was "not afraid" of a possible appeals trial, a day after her former husband and 50 other men were convicted in the biggest rape trial in French history. Two defendants have already lodged an appeal and her ex-husband's lawyer has not ruled out doing the same.

France's new prime minister is - among other things - a long-time advocate of proportional representation. So could a switch to this style of voting end the French parliamentary deadlock? Or would it only make things worse? Rayan Saibi asked the experts.

PRESS REVIEW – Friday, December 20: From France to Spain and Italy to South Africa, Gisèle Pelicot dominates the front pages as the press pays tribute to her courage and dignity during the months-long trial into the 51 men found guilty of raping her, including her husband. Also: a suspected prostitution ring unfolds in Peruvian parliament after the […]

While this French word might appear in headlines, you probably won't hear it in casual conversation.

New French Prime Minister François Bayrou says he hopes to name a government to lead the country out of its political quagmire at the weekend, or by Christmas at the latest.

From French Christmas films to how your personality changes in French and what to look forward to in 2025 in France, this week's La Belle Vie newsletter offers you an essential starting point for eating, talking, drinking and living like a French person.

In today’s newsletter: For years, Dominique Pelicot drugged his wife and recruited men to rape her. It could be a turning point in social and legal attitudes to sexual assaultGood morning.Dominique Pelicot, described as one of France’s worst sex offenders, has been sentenced alongside 50 other men who he recruited to rape his wife, Gisèle Pelicot. […]

Papers quote from Gisèle Pelicot’s speech outside court, after her ex-husband Dominique and 50 others were found guilty in France’s biggest rape trialNews of the verdicts in the biggest rape trial in French history fills the front pages in the UK and across Europe today.After a French court convicted 51 men of the rape, attempted rape and sexual […]

French President Emmanuel Macron faced widespread anger and frustration from residents of Mayotte on Friday as he wrapped up a two-day visit to the Indian Ocean archipelago that is reeling from the devastation wrought by the strongest cyclone to hit the region in nearly a century.

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou said Thursday he hopes to have a budget ready by mid-February and that he would consider using special constitutional powers to get it through parliament if opposition parties tried to block it. 

The denial of Gisèle’s humanity by her rapists is the denial of violence done to every woman. At her side, we can now look the world in the eyeI am looking at a colour photo of a woman with auburn hair entering the courthouse in Avignon. Around her, the impassive faces of her lawyers.This woman is about to hear a verdict. How much will he get? How much […]

Gisèle Pelicot addresses other sexual violence victims after the verdicts, saying outside court: ‘We share the same fight’Who are the men convicted over rape and assault?Cheers, chants and hope: supporters thank Gisèle PelicotGisèle Pelicot has paid tribute to sexual violence victims still fighting for recognition in society after her ex-husband and […]

Gisèle Pelicot’s extraordinary courage and composure has forced a reckoning in France and elsewhere. We must act on her demand for changeGisèle Pelicot, a 72-year-old woman who had retired to a small village in provincial France, has become a heroine not only to compatriots but to people thousands of miles away, rightly saluted by global leaders and […]

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French president promises food, water and to rebuild as emergency services search desperately for survivorsDistraught and angry inhabitants of Mayotte shouted out their grievances to the French president, Emmanuel Macron, as he visited the island, five days after it was devastated by a cyclone.High on their list was the lack of water and food, and the fear […]