France in focus

Ahead of the United Nations Oceans Conference in Nice, our reporters went to meet some of the French scientists working to better understand and preserve the ocean. From high-tech robots 6,000m below sea level to critical mineral exploration in the Pacific, the team takes a look at some of the initiatives across the country. They also explore how cuts to climate change projects in the US are having an impact in France.

This week we delve into the life of Jules Verne, one of the world's most widely translated writers. The French author's "Extraordinary Voyages" include "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea", "Around the World in Eighty Days" and "Journey to the Center of the Earth". They continue to inspire fans of adventure stories, 120 years after his death in 1905. Many consider Verne to be one of the founding fathers of science fiction, while others see him as a visionary. Those familiar with the man himself speak of a tireless worker, with an unparalleled gift for making his ideas accessible to all and, with the help of his publisher Pierre-Jules Hetzel, a creator of imaginary worlds that are still part of the cultural landscape today.We discuss Verne's life and legacy with Jean Verne, his great-grandson; Céline Giton, author of "Jules Verne: an Extraordinary Animal Anthology"; Agnès Marcetteau-Paul, author of "The very curious Jules Verne"; and Pierre Stépanoff, director of the Maison Jules Verne in Amiens.

After the fall of France in 1940, the clergy welcomed Marshal Pétain as a saviour. But when Jewish people started being rounded up in the summer of 1942, Protestant pastors and Catholic clerics spoke out against the deportations. Their words broke the silence of the institutions and encouraged the Resistance, while schools and convents opened their doors to Jewish refugees. In the spring of 1940, the French army was defeated by the Wehrmacht, and Marshal Pétain agreed to collaborate with the occupying forces. Among the measures taken by his Vichy-based government was the "status of Jews", on October 18. The law excluded Jews from public life and many foreign Jewish refugees were also rounded up in internment camps.As early as the summer of 1940, some French people were compelled to commit to a moral and spiritual Resistance.This was the case of Pastor Roland de Pury in Lyon, who declared from the pulpit on July 14: "France would be better off dead than to sell itself."His words echo the sentiments of Bruno de Solages, rector of the Institut Catholique in Toulouse, who took in refugees from all over Europe, issuing them with student cards to enable them to obtain false papers and go underground.Yet the real turning point came in the summer of 1942, when the large roundups began. Volunteers working in the internment camps near Toulouse alerted the archbishop to the mistreatment of the Jewish people, as they were directed on foot into cattle cars. Monseigneur Saliège wrote a letter, which he sent to be read aloud in every church in his diocese, denouncing the deportations and appealing to Christian morality.In Lyon, on the night of August 28-29, 1942, the Amitié Chrétienne association organised the largest rescue of Jewish children in France, thanks to the protection of Cardinal Gerlier, Archbishop of Lyon. Cardinal Gerlier, who had supported Marshal Pétain in 1940, refused to hand over the children to the Prefect of Lyon, who was directing the deportations. Spiritual power in defiance of the powers that be: the Lyon Resistance amplified this act, making it a pivotal event.Cardinals Saliège and Gerlier were not targeted by the authorities because of their age and rank in the Church, but many men and women of the cloth were arrested for their moral Resistance. Roland de Pury spent more than five months incarcerated at Fort Montluc in Lyon. Others, such as Solages and three priests from the Institut Catholique in Toulouse, were sent to camps in Germany. They wrote first-hand accounts of their deportation in a collective publication entitled "Pèlerins de bagne" or "Pilgrims of the penal colony". Many of their fellow prisoners never returned.

Faced with American uncertainty surrounding the war in Ukraine and the future of NATO, Europe is looking to wean itself off US defence. France has promised to ramp up spending, putting its industry into overdrive, but what are the financial and recruitment issues? From the factory floor to AI engineers, our reporters went to meet the companies that are trying to rise to the challenge. 

Paris's status as a cosmopolitan hub for artists from all over the world was forged in the 20th century, particularly in the postwar period, when it was seen as a beacon for Black artists and intellectuals fleeing colonisation, racism and segregation in their countries of origin. The "Paris Noir" exhibition at Paris's Pompidou Centre is now exploring that pivotal moment when the French capital served as a crossroads for the major Black figures who were debating and designing a post-colonial future. The show features 350 works by 150 artists of African heritage – many of whom have been historically sidelined or forgotten – in an attempt to re-write these "unrecognised and fundamental" contributions into a more complete history of art. In this programme, we meet American musician and composer Josiah Woodson, whose move to Paris 12 years ago broadened his artistic horizons, collaborating with artists from West Africa and the Caribbean. He tells us why author James Baldwin was a "major poetic and ideological inspiration" in his own trajectory, and why stepping into the footsteps of legendary trumpet players like Miles Davis was an important part of his transatlantic shift. Author and journalist Yasmina Jaafar explains why African Americans, in particular, chose Paris in the context of 1940s geopolitics and cultural trends.The growing popularity of jazz was one of the major draws for the many Black musicians who performed in Paris in the post-war years. One of the key venues in that effervescent scene was Le Bal Blomet: established in 1924, it is the oldest jazz club continuously operating in Europe today. Its director, Guillaume Cornut, tells us how the local Martinican community would organise informal concerts and gatherings in the 1920s, which gave rise to its nickname "Le Bal Nègre", and how the dancehall became renowned for the diversity of the music on offer.Historian Ludovic Tournès explains how differing attitudes to jazz in the United States and Europe meant that many African American musicians were keen to pursue their careers in Paris, where audiences and music industry figures demonstrated a respect and appreciation for the art form that stood in stark contrast to the reception many of these performers got in the segregated states of the American South.We meet Kévi Donat, whose guided tours of "Paris Noir" reveal the Black politicians, artists and writers who have been integral to the history of both Paris and France, but who have not always gone down in history to become household names. Kévi shines a light on some of the racist struggles that even a celebrated author like Alexandre Dumas came up against, and how a conference at the Sorbonne in 1956 distilled the growing consciousness of a "Panafrican" movement, uniting various Black communities on three continents.Artist Valérie John tells us why leaving her island of Martinique was a pre-requisite in the 1980s as she pursued her studies at art school in Paris. Having been commissioned to create a site-specific installation for the "Paris Noir" show, Valérie expands upon the concept of a Black Atlantic, and the potent symbolism this expanse of water evokes, explaining how the legacy of the slave trade has informed the Black experience in all of the colonies established at its edges.Finally, Alicia Knock, a curator of modern and contemporary art, discusses her efforts to fill a "major gap" in the Pompidou collection by putting together the "Paris Noir" exhibition and pushing for the acquisition of at least 50 of the pieces on display. She explains why the inclusion of these artworks will open a new chapter in the museum's history once it opens again in 2030, after the 50-year-old building undergoes extensive renovations.

In France, 400,000 children and young adults depend on the child protection system, known as the Aide Sociale à l'Enfance, or ASE. As FRANCE 24's Natacha Vesnitch and Claire Paccalin report, this institution is supposed to protect them, but its failures sometimes put them in danger. Lack of placements, separation of siblings, unsuitable structures, absence of psychological support, mistreatment – the list of shortcomings within the system is long. A parliamentary commission of inquiry presented its conclusions on April 8, after months of work investigating a system undermined by dysfunction and neglect. Maëva is 23 years old. She was 16 when she was placed in the ASE, France's child protection system. Mistreated by her mother, she asked to be placed in care. Originally from the Lille region, she was sent several hundred kilometres away to the department of La Creuse. She didn't know it then, but she was among 60 children who were placed in a network of unlicensed foster families. The two men running the network were sentenced in December 2024 during a trial in Châteauroux to several years in prison for multiple acts of violence and undeclared work. Seven years after her ordeal, Maëva has strong memories of arriving in the foster family. "Due to lack of space, I was told to stay in the caravan," she recounts. "It was filthy inside, and I had to relieve myself behind the caravan because at night, they locked the house." 'ASE was the biggest problem of my life'During this placement, Maëva was not enrolled in school. She heard little from her ASE caseworker, and weeks passed until the day the teenager decided to run away. "Bruno came to have a go at me in the caravan because I was talking too much and he wanted to take away my phone. He hit me hard and I fell. Then I locked myself in the caravan. I waited a few hours, packed some belongings and ran away."This time, Maëva had no intention of turning to the ASE system. She decided to manage on her own. It was the start of a downward spiral. "I destroyed myself," Maëva recounts. "Luckily, I woke up after four years, because many girls who do that end up badly."Today, Maëva believes that her time with the ASE left indelible marks. "ASE was the biggest problem of my life," the young woman concludes.Court-ordered placements not carried outSince 1983, child protection services have been managed by departments that are supposed to immediately implement protection measures ordered by judges. But in 2023, according to the Magistrates' Union, at least 3,300 court-ordered placements were not executed by the ASE.In Nantes, the Family Court Judge Marie Le Verre estimates that about 30 of her orders remain unenforced at any given time. This situation can have serious consequences, according to her. "The risk", she explains, "is that these children no longer respect the society that did not protect them."'Child protection in France is abusive. It can even be deadly'Lack of placements, separation of siblings, unsuitable structures, absence of psychological support, mistreatment, lack of oversight of placement locations – the list of failures within French child protection is long.Olivier Treneul is a social worker in the Nord department. He campaigns daily within the SUD trade union for the department to invest more resources in child protection. "Child protection is abusive, and that's why our colleagues are suffering," explains the union spokesman. "Child protection can even be deadly: we have examples all over France of young people who died in ASE care. There are stories in hotels, like young Lily who committed suicide in January 2024. The child protection system is not just failing, it's at breaking point, not because we don't know how to do our jobs – we do know. It's because the system was not prioritised."One in four homeless people born in France were in care as a childThis view is shared by many child protection professionals. Hamza Bensatem is a former foster child. He himself was a victim of abuse in the homes where he was placed. Today, he is director of Adepape 13, an association that helps young people leaving the child protection system. He regularly organises meetings with young adults who are worried about their future. And for good reason: since 2022, the law provides support for young adults formerly placed in ASE care, but in reality, many end up on the street. One in four homeless people born in France were in care as a child.

In France's overseas departments, Creole language and culture are seen as a bulwark against racism and standardisation. The concept of "Créoleness" was developed in the late 1980s, in the wake of Aimé Césaire's writings on Négritude and Edouard Glissant's notion of "Antillanité", or a specifically Caribbean identity. Our reporters Florence Gaillard and Georges Yazbeck travelled to Martinique to hear from those who embody this complex identity.  Following the Christian calendar, the four days before Ash Wednesday are known as "les jours gras" in Martinique: a time of celebration and mischief. Everyone is invited to the carnival: rich, poor, white, black, locals and tourists.The festivities are populated by some emblematic local characters: King Vaval, the Red Devils and Marianne La Po Fig, a mysterious creature made of banana leaves. According to Marie-Lyne Psyché-Salpétrier, president of the Recherches et Traditions association, Marianne La Po Fig is part of Martinique's spiritual pantheon, handed down by the island's Yoruba ancestors and belonging to its African roots. Philosopher Edouard Glissant called Martinique "the melting pot of the world". Like all Creole societies, it is the product of three centuries of colonisation and a mixture of European, African and Asian populations. The indigenous Amerindians, known as Kalinagos or Caribs, have all but disappeared. This physical and cultural intermingling has led to the emergence of a popular language: Creole. Long associated with slavery, Creole was forbidden in the classroom and frowned upon in polite society. Yet the language continued to evolve – largely thanks to songs and stories – and today it's a poetic, multi-layered idiom. We meet Jocelyne Béroard, a singer with the group Kassav', who told us more about the inherent poetry of Créole and how she uses it on stage and in daily life. Meanwhile, the "Groupe d'Etudes et de Recherches en Espace Créole" has been working for almost 30 years to lay the written foundations of Creole, publishing dictionaries and novels in a Creole that borrows expressions from Martinique, French Guiana, Haiti and Reunion Island. More importantly, GEREC has fought to bring Creole to school textbooks and universities and thereby formalise its use beyond the oral sphere. In 1989, Raphaël Confiant, Jean Bernabé and Patrick Chamoiseau published "Eloge de la Créolité" or "In Praise of Creoleness". This manifesto celebrates Creole identity as the acceptance of all diversities and the endorsement of plural identities. For its co-author Confiant: "Creoleness is, in fact, the opposite of apartheid!"

This week, France in Focus gets a rare glimpse behind the scenes of the Académie française, the temple of the French language. Our reporters delve into the history of this 17th-century institution and follow the painstaking task of writing its dictionary. The report also asks how this 400-year-old monument is trying to remain relevant in today's increasingly globalised world. 

Cyclone Chido was the strongest storm to hit Mayotte in at least 90 years. When the cyclone slammed into the French overseas department in December, it packed winds of more than 200km per hour, wreaking devastation across the island. In Mayotte, a territory already ravaged by soaring levels of poverty, shantytowns were blown apart in moments, leaving residents to fend for themselves. More than two months after the cyclone, the island is still struggling to get back on its feet. Many schools remain closed, and it's only now that local authorities are getting to grips with the challenges of reconstruction. Mayotte la 1ère and Réunion la 1ère's reporters went to meet the victims trying to rebuild their lives.   

For many years, the La Défense business district on the edge of Paris was the beating heart of France's corporate and financial sectors. La Défense emerged in the late 1960s as a modernist hub of skyscrapers and commercial infrastructure, with hundreds of thousands of people working there every day. But when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, many of those employees began to work remotely. The neighbourhood has since struggled to attract the pre-Covid crowds, and local business are suffering as a result. FRANCE 24's Natacha Vesnitch, George Yazbeck and Siobhán Silke report.

This week, France in Focus returns to the rural Tarn et Garonne department in the southwestern Occitania region, where unrest in the French agricultural sector first took root in early 2024. For months, protesters, tractors and hay bales blocked motorways leading to the capital, calling out low food prices, unfair foreign competition and government red tape. Although the protest movement has since fizzled out, the frustration remains palpable in the French countryside. FRANCE 24's Jon Walsh and Jennifer Ben Brahim met local farmers who are still fighting to keep their family businesses alive. Read moreAngry French farmers drive their tractors into Paris in fresh protests

On January 27, 1945, the French population had yet to grasp the full horror of the Holocaust. After the Soviet army finally liberated Auschwitz and the allies advanced on the Western front, the first survivors began to trickle back to their home countries and the true scale of the tragedy began to emerge. Esther Dzik was one of the survivors who returned to Paris in 1945. She'd been deported in September 1943 at the age of 15 and sent to Auschwitz, where her own sister perished. Now 97 years old, she tells us about the conditions in the camp, her resolve to survive and the struggle to rebuild her life after her whole family was murdered. We also hear from historians who explain that the return of some of the Jewish people who had been deported was a painful moment for many of them, as their stories were often overshadowed by heroic accounts of political resistance.Plus we learn more about the legislative changes and the archival work which saw France rebuild its relationship with the Jewish community and lay the foundations for the remembrance and educational work which survivors like Esther are tirelessly involved in.

The Pelicot rape trial at the end of 2024 put the issue of sexual violence at the centre of public debate in France. Seen as a real turning point, the case has also raised questions about men's responsibility in rape culture. From the #Notallmen slogan circulating on social media, to discussion groups where some men have been examining their own behaviour, the case has prompted many men to take a long, hard look in the mirror. FRANCE 24's Sonia Baritello, Olivia Salazar-Winspear, Jade Lévin and Jonathan Walsh met some of them.

On January 12, 2019, the residents of rue de Trévise in Paris's 9th arrondissement (district) were woken by a huge explosion prompted by a gas leak. As they were rushed out of the building by the emergency services, the full horror became apparent: four dead, dozens injured and an entire neighbourhood destroyed. Six years later, some former residents are finally able to return home. But many are still waiting for repairs to be completed and want an explanation about what caused this tragic accident. We take a closer look in this edition of France in Focus. At 8:30am on the morning of January 12, 2019, a strong smell of gas was coming from the Paris basement of 6, rue de Trévise. Minutes later, a fireball killed two firefighters and a resident of the building. Cars were overturned, and the impact also shattered the windows of the surrounding buildings; a Spanish tourist died in a hotel on the other side of the street. The fire quickly spread to the building's stairwell; one by one, its residents were evacuated.Six years later, the neighbourhood has been rebuilt, local shops have reopened and the rue de Trévise is no longer a bomb site. But the trauma remains and some residents are struggling to return to a building they had to leave immediately on the day of the explosion. The ongoing battle with insurers to receive the compensation they were promised has resulted in feelings of frustration and despair. In January 2022, a €21 million agreement was signed to compensate those affected, but many of them have yet to receive anything.Just who should be held responsible for the accident? According to some expert assessments, a water leak wore down the ground close to the building, causing the pavement to cave in, which then ruptured a gas pipe and caused the explosion. Yet there are conflicting reports. The building's management company is being investigated for failing to repair the leak, despite being aware of it since 2015. Paris City Hall has also been accused of neglecting its duty when it came to repairing the nearby pavement. As yet, no date has been set for a trial.

This week, France in Focus heads underground to explore the "Sistine Chapel" of prehistory. Thirty years ago, three explorers discovered the Chauvet cave, a site in southeastern France that was cut off from the world for thousands of years. Inside, paintings and engravings dating back 36,000 years decorate the walls. The site is sealed off to the general public, but each year a team of scientists heads inside to try to work out what life was like at the time. FRANCE 24's Jon Walsh and Joanna Cockerell report.

For oyster farmers, the year-end holiday period is a vital one as they make around a third to half of their annual sales during this time. But last year was catastrophic for some oyster producing regions in France after sales were banned following a spate of food poisonings in parts of the country. Along with a tarnished image, oyster farmers also have to deal with an uptick in poaching, and rising seawater temperatures which threaten production. Thierry Lafon has farmed oysters in Arcachon Bay for nearly 40 years. Like many of the 300 oyster farms in the area, Lafon's business took a major blow last winter when sales of Arcachon Bay oysters were banned on December 27, 2023 following a number of foodborne infections. Analysis revealed the presence of norovirus in the oysters, the pathogen that causes gastroenteritis. It was a disaster for the local oyster industry which relies on the Christmas season for up to half of its revenue. "But that's just the tip of the iceberg", Lafon said, adding: "oyster prices have collapsed as a whole".While sales of Arcachon Bay oysters have improved after a 50 percent drop at the beginning of 2024, many oyster farmers say the root of the problem has yet to be addressed, citing polluted waters in the bay.Oysters contaminated by raw sewage The pollution can be traced back to severe flooding, triggered by major storms that hit the region last autumn. While the Intercommunal Union of Arcachon Bay (SIBA) which handles local sanitation, blamed the pollution on heavy rainfalls, a video shot by a local resident showed raw sewage and effluent deliberately dumped into a stream that feeds Arcachon Bay. Lafon, who heads a local environmental defence group, was the first oyster farmer to file a complaint against SIBA.SIBA did not respond to requests for an interview and continues to blame the weather. In October, the group announced an investment of 120 million euros over five years, which includes a new water treatment facility in the bay area.Environmental groups however say it's not enough to solve the problem, which, according to them, stems from urbanisation. When the rainwater can no longer infiltrate the soil, the runoff increases exponentially. A popular tourist destination, Arcachon Bay is undergoing further development with 30,000 new homes slated to be built by 2040.Professional PoachingOn top of sewage dumping which lead to contamination risks, there's another cause for concern. Oyster farmers have long had to cope with theft, particularly around the holiday season. "It's always a sensitive time for oyster farmers as a big chunk of their annual revenue depends on this period. So, we boost patrols, almost daily." Commander Jérôme Goussard of the Arcachon Nautical Brigade said.Oysters under threat from global warmingIt's not just pollution and poaching that have proven to be major headaches for oyster farmers either. Climate change too has had a major effect on the industry, with some oyster species of unable to adapt to the warming waters.In Carantec in Brittany, oyster farmer Gireg Berder has had to struggle with green algae which have multiplied around the region because of both the fertilisers used for intensive agriculture, and rising temperature of the local waters. “The algae overgrows, and everything underneath decomposes, and it kills off all the species living there,” Berder said.Due to global warming, the water is also becoming more acidic, which poses a danger for oysters. According to scientist Frédéric Gazeau, who co-authored a study on the environmental impact on oysters, lower water pH weaken oysters' calcium carbonate shell, forcing the molluscs to use more energy for protection.This means that the oysters “won't be able to use that energy for other vital processes like reproduction, tissue growth, feeding, and so on. Our study shows a 20 percent reduction in growth by 2050," Gazeau said.In the face of all these difficulties, oyster farmers in France have no choice but to change their practices. In the Arcachon Basin, Lafon is criticised by some for his outspokenness, which some believe damages the industry's image. Nonetheless, Lafon is no longer willing to remain silent, as he believe that polluters must shoulder responsibility in order to protect his line of work.

Since the 2019 fire that devastated Notre-Dame, the historic centre of Paris has been affected by extensive renovation works. Now, five years later, the reopening of the cathedral on Saturday, December 7 is bringing hope to locals and businesses that have faced years of disruption, dwindling tourism and financial struggles. But for nearby souvenir shops and restaurants, going back to normal remains a challenge. The Esmeralda brasserie for instance, has lost more than 30 percent of its revenue since the fire. The reopening of Notre-Dame is a much-needed boost, with the gothic edifice expected to attract 15 million visitors in its first year alone. Tourists can already enjoy immersive virtual tours, hands-on workshops, and an exhibition detailing the cathedral's restoration process located underneath the forecourt of Notre Dame.The full restoration project, however, won't be completed until 2028. Behind the barricades, the entire Île de la Cité is being revamped. Renovation plans include greener spaces, reduced traffic, and new facilities like a café, a bookstore, and an updated entrance to the archaeological crypt under Notre-Dame. The reopening marks a new chapter not just for the iconic cathedral but for the vibrant neighbourhood that surrounds it.

On November 14, 1994, the rail operator Eurostar launched its high-speed services through the Channel Tunnel. A historic day that saw Paris and London connected in record time but the 30-year journey hasn't always run smoothly. FRANCE 24 takes a closer look. In its early days, the cross-Channel route was a success: each year, Eurostar transported around 10 million passengers without any major incidents. Travelling to London became as easy as heading to Lyon or another major regional city.However, the last few years have brought significant challenges, starting with Brexit and the reintroduction of customs between the UK and the European Union. This came as a shock for many travellers, who were used to crossing borders freely, almost forgetting the separation of sea between the island and the continent. Then came the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, which nearly spelled the end for Eurostar. Due to health restrictions, only a couple of trains were allowed to run each day, with very few passengers on board.Eurostar was forced to adapt. It merged with the service connecting Paris to Brussels, previously known as Thalys. Now, Eurostar is looking to expand to major European cities like Amsterdam and Cologne. The brand also appeals to travellers from other continents who are keen to explore Europe by train.Despite soaring ticket prices and numerous obstacles, Eurostar is determined to stay on the right track.

The Vendée Globe, the greatest sailing race in the world, is often called the Everest of the Seas. It's extreme and it's all about resilience and high technology. Every four years, skippers set out to conquer the most hostile oceans. This solo, non-stop, unassisted race around the planet that lasts nearly three months is a dangerous yet thrilling adventure. Ahead of this year's edition, FRANCE 24's Aurore Cloé Dupuis and Cédric Ferreira take a deep dive into the world of yacht racing and discover how sailors prepare for challenges at sea.

Is there anybody out there? In France, an organisation exists whose sole role is to answer this question. The GEIPAN, part of the French space agency, decodes dozens of cases each year. They try to find rational reasons to seemingly impossible sightings. In most cases they succeed, but a total of 99 phenomena remain unexplained to this day. Our reporters Joanna Cockerell and Sylvain Rousseau went to meet the detectives to see how they work and to understand why there is currently increased interest in UFOs.  

French-language music took centre stage during the Paris Olympics, with giant karaokés, star-studded ceremonies and a medley of styles and sounds. Boosted also by TV series, online streaming and a 30 percent increase in French music exports, Francophone songs are on a roll. In this week's France in Focus, we take a deep dive into the French music scene and look at whether it can keep up the momentum, as well as what it means for the French language.

For several decades now, France has been struggling with doctors leaving rural areas and people there not being able to access medical care. Maternity wards are also part of this trend, with 30 percent of them shutting down over the past 20 years. The health ministry wants to pool resources into larger, better-equipped maternity wards to protect patients' safety, but medical teams and patients are worried. What consequences do mothers-to-be face when you have to drive an hour to give birth? And what health risks does this situation pose for newborns? FRANCE 24's Claire Paccalin and Pauline Godart went to investigate for France in Focus.

It's one of the untold stories of World War II: how France whitewashed its colonial troops during the liberation from Nazi rule. On August 15, 1944, experienced fighters who came from all corners of the French empire landed in southern France and won key battles to liberate the nation. But because of the colour of their skin, up to 20,000 African riflemen were replaced by untrained, White members of the Resistance. As the country celebrates 80 years since the end of the Nazi occupation, FRANCE 24 pays tribute to these long-forgotten soldiers and highlights their key role in the Provence landings.  In 1944, France was keen to take part in its own liberation, along with its British and American allies. But in a bid to create the Second Armoured Division, General Leclerc needed resources and equipment from the US. At the time, segregation was imposed by the US Army; Black and White soldiers didn't fight together. For the US, allowing Black troops to liberate Paris was out of the question. On August 25, 1944, when French soldiers paraded down the Champs-Élysées, not a single Black soldier took part in the celebrations. Colonial troops suffered further humiliation despite the success of the Provence landings. In September 1944, the military command decided to pull up to 20,000 African riflemen out of the French army. The aim was to "whiten" the ranks. These highly trained soldiers were forced to spend winter in transit camps while white, inexperienced members of the Resistance took their place on the frontlines. FRANCE 24's Aurore Cloé Dupuis, Florence Gaillard and Jonathan Walsh tell us more about the other D-Day, in this new episode of "France in Focus". 

A pilot, writer and illustrator, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry penned "The Little Prince", which has been translated into nearly 600 languages. The Frenchman disappeared 80 years ago during a World War II reconnaissance flight. His death long remained a mystery. FRANCE 24's Aurore Cloé Dupuis, Natacha Vesnitch and Sonia Baritello explore the thousand lives of Saint-Exupéry. With thanks to: Le Scribe Paris Opéra hotel

The Paralympics kick off this Wednesday in Paris and to mark the opening of the Games, our reporters went to meet the French athletes who have brought home gold medals from previous editions of the event. They tell us about the challenges they faced, the obstacles they overcame and their hopes for the 2024 Paralympics. FRANCE 24's David Gilberg and Aurore Dupuis report.

On June 9, French President Emmanuel Macron took France by surprise. He dissolved the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, sending the French to the ballot boxes for snap parliamentary elections. After his party's poor showing in the first round of voting, the president could find himself in a scenario known as "cohabitation", where the president and prime minister come from different parties. France has known three periods of cohabitation since the start of the Fifth Republic in 1958. From arm wrestling to compromise, what lessons can be drawn from the past? FRANCE 24's Sonia Baritello and Claire Paccalin take a closer look in this edition of France in Focus. Special thanks to Agathe Le Mouroux, hôtel Mercure Paris Tour Eiffel Pont MirabeauLe Littré Hotel

In this week's show, we retrace the turbulent life of 19th-century French writer Alexandre Dumas. The wildly successful mixed-race author faced racism, financial ruin and ghostwriter allegations during his lifetime. It was only 132 years after his death that his remains were laid to rest at the Pantheon mausoleum, in 2002. We retell the story of how the man behind "The Count of Monte Cristo" defied all the odds to become one of France's greatest and much-loved writers.

Only a few dozen French nationals have gone down in history as Olympic champions. Pole vaulter Jean Galfione, judoka Emilie Andéol and swimmer Alain Bernard tell FRANCE 24 about the day that changed their lives. From their preparation, to their emotions during the competition, to their subsequent careers, this is the story of three gold medallists who left their mark on the history of sport and won the hearts of French people.

Between the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944 and the liberation of Paris on August 25 lies the Battle of Normandy. For three months, the Allied forces fought fiercely against the Wehrmacht of Nazi Germany. From heavily bombed towns, to relentless artillery fire and hand-to-hand combat in the "Falaise pocket", Normandy was ravaged and civilians were trapped. But the Allies achieved a strategic victory that changed the course of history. FRANCE 24's Florence Gaillard and Héloïse Mélan report. The Germans were expecting the landings in northern France, near the English coast. But on June 6, 1944, the Allies landed on the vast beaches of Normandy in a deluge of fire and brimstone. For D-Day to succeed, it was crucial to minimise the number of German military reinforcements on the landing beaches. So the Allies created barricades by carpet-bombing Normandy to block roads and communications. The result was razed towns and a heavy toll on Normandy's population. The Battle of Normandy cost 20,000 civilians their lives.Mireille Goudier was only five years old when the Allies bombed Condé-sur-Noireau, where she lived peacefully with her parents and brothers until June 6, 1944. She describes apocalyptic scenes that evening: "noise, screams, and smoke everywhere!" In their neighbourhood, entire families were wiped out. For several weeks, Mireille and her family found refuge with farmers around the ruins of the town. They later decided to take to the roads of Normandy. But, like tens of thousands of civilians, they found themselves trapped in the raging battles.From August 16 to 21, 1944, 150,000 Allies managed to encircle 100,000 Germans in the "Falaise pocket". German troops were pounded by Allied artillery. To escape the pocket, they had to pass through a bottleneck, soon dubbed the "corridor of death". Soldiers sometimes fought hand-to-hand using bayonets or rocks off the ground. The toll of these five days of carnage was heavy: 2,000 Allied losses, with 10,000 dead and 40,000 prisoners on the German side. By the end of the summer of 1944, the region was ravaged but the Allies had won the Battle of Normandy. For Nazi Germany, it was the beginning of the end.

In this week's show we take a deep dive into the Seine, to find out how Paris's river is preparing for the 2024 Olympics. We see how authorities are racing against time to boost security, curb pollution and keep visitors entertained. With just a few weeks to go before the opening ceremony, one question remains: Will the Seine actually be swimmable?  

French lawmakers are set to debate a new text on assisted dying in France, a parliamentary marathon that could last until the summer of 2025. France currently allows deep sedation but medically-assisted suicide remains illegal. It is a topic that is deeply divisive in France; to find out why, we went to meet patients and caregivers who campaign for medical aid in dying and those who are opposed to it.

It's a colossus of glass, metal, and stone with a location that makes all the other Paris monuments envious. Located between the Seine and the Champs-Élysées, the Grand Palais was built for the 1900 Exposition Universelle world fair to showcase French art. Closed three years ago for its first complete renovation in history, it's getting a second lease of life for the Paris Olympics and Paralympics. FRANCE 24 takes you behind the scenes. Since its opening in 1900, variety has defined Paris's Grand Palais. From automobile fairs to agricultural events and horse competitions, its nave has seen dozens of events hosted under its majestic glass roof. And while it has held numerous commercial events, art has always been centre stage.During its 124-year history, wars have pressed pause on this vitality. During World War I, the Grand Palais was transformed into a military hospital. During World War II, it hosted two exhibitions in service to Nazi propaganda. But in the late 1940s, the nave returned to hosting exhibitions, with the first Renault 4L presented there, followed by the pressure cooker in the 1950s. After a few years of neglect, the nave was back in action for the FIAC (International Contemporary Art Fair) of 1977. A variety of events followed: carnivals, ice rinks, electronic music concerts and fashion shows. In 2017, Tour de France cyclists even crossed under its glass roof. For the Monumenta contemporary art exhibition, the nave was taken over by world-famous French and foreign artists: Christian Boltanski, Anish Kapoor and Daniel Buren, to name but a few. As part of the Art Paris contemporary art fair, Chinese photographer Li Wei flew under the glass roof, remaining weightless for 10 minutes for an iconic photo shoot.Make way for the OlympicsIn the summer of 2024, the nave of the Grand Palais will host Olympic fencing and taekwondo events, a first for this architectural gem. "Athletes and the public will take in a building that is one-of-a-kind in the world," Didier Fusillier, president of the Grand Palais, told us enthusiastically. "You have to imagine that, in the Grand Palais, you could fit the entire Palace of Versailles. This immensity will create the experience of an extraordinary Olympic event," he continued. But in order to organise the Olympics there and continue to use the Grand Palais, restoration work was essential. This vast project began in March 2021 and is expected to be completed in spring 2025.A renovation project facing daily challengesFour years of work, a budget of nearly €500 million and up to 1,000 workers on site every day are needed to renovate the building in record time, as the project's director Daniel Sancho explained to us. "We face technical challenges every day depending on the discoveries we make: lead, asbestos, and this slows down the construction," Sancho explained. Another challenge is the nave, with its 13,500 square metres of glass roof. When asked about insulation, Sancho smiled: "There is no insulation. We are in a greenhouse. In order to improve the comfort of the public, we have therefore decided to make the space comfortable at ground level. We have integrated a fluid-based heating system into the flooring: we circulate either cold water or hot water to achieve a reasonable level of comfort without having to heat the 450,000 cubic metres of the nave, which would be a waste of energy."Photographing the construction site to immortalise itFrench photographer and visual artist Marguerite Bornhauser was chosen by the Grand Palais in 2021 to capture the renovation project. The 35-year-old was given carte blanche to immortalise the work, which she calls an "endless" source of inspiration."Everything inspires me," she told us as she took us to the roof of the Grand Palais, which is usually inaccessible. "There are the aspects everyone knows about the Grand Palais, such as the wonderful nave and the immense size. And at the same time, I have an eye for detail, so I like the perks from the construction site – everything that falls to the ground, a glint of light – it's endless!”Bornhauser photographs these details with her digital and film cameras on the roof of the Grand Palais, in the nave, but also in the basement of the building, which she particularly loves. "The brightness from the construction site's neon lights is quite astonishing. It's spectacular, very theatrical. And I also find that it represents the workers' labour well. The men become a bit like shadows, there's a lot of chiaroscuro. It's dramatic actually with these lights falling like that, with these neon lights; the ceilings are lower, there are fewer colours, it's very, very different."In the coming months, Bornhauser will continue to photograph the construction site. Because while the work on the nave will be complete for the Olympics, it will continue in the rest of the Grand Palais until June 2025.

In 1924, French poet André Breton wrote a short text with fellow poet and compatriot Louis Aragon that was to send ripples through the world of art and literature, providing a blueprint for the avant-garde movements of the 20th century. One century later, we take a look at how the Surrealist Manifesto prompted an intellectual and artistic revolution in 1920s Paris; a statement of intent that was to have repercussions far beyond the French capital in the years that followed. At Paris's Pompidou Centre, curator Didier Ottinger explains how the movement was, at its inception, both political and aesthetic, taking inspiration from Karl Marx and Arthur Rimbaud; he also discusses the charismatic force field that saw Breton steward the movement for four decades.Laurent Doucet, of the Maison André Breton, expands on the role that Freudian psychoanalysis played in the development of the Surrealist Manifesto, and touches on the horrors of World War I, which prompted its authors to break with the past.Since Surrealism's reach also extended into neighbouring Belgium, we travel to the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Brussels to hear from curator Francisca Vandepitte. The exhibition "Imagine! 100 years of International Surrealism" revisits the movement's origins in Symbolist painting, highlights René Magritte's unique take on the subconscious and includes important pieces from the women who were key contributors to the Surrealist aesthetic.Back in Paris, we visit the studio of artist Marcus Schaeffer, who explains how Surrealist principles infuse his photography, as he uses different techniques to create layered, kinetic images which aim to reveal a deeper truth about his subjects.

Exactly five years ago, the world watched in horror as Paris's Notre-Dame Cathedral was ravaged by flames. Today, carpenters and artisans are hammering away to meet a December 8 deadline for the Gothic landmark's grand reopening. Spectators attending the Paris Olympics this summer will already be able to admire the renovated structure from the outside. Meanwhile, life has resumed on the Île de la Cité, the island that's home to Notre-Dame in the historical heart of the French capital. The square in front of the cathedral and its surroundings are even set for a makeover. FRANCE 24's team went to meet local residents. Report by Julie Chouteau, Georges Yazbeck, Sonia Baritello, Jonathan Walsh and Aurore Cloé DupuisDrone footage: Skunati Laurent DoumasEditing: Gilles and JoëlChief editor: Stéphanie Cheval

Nearly three quarters of French people eat chocolate once a week, consuming an average of 7 kilos per year. But what seems a simple indulgence has a dark side: cacao farming has resulted in massive deforestation. Reports of child labour and farmers who are often unfairly paid have tarnished the industry. Despite all this, chocolate has been considered a delicacy in France for centuries. In this show, we're focusing on an emerging new trend: ethical chocolate. For the past few years, certain chocolate industry professionals in France have been trying to create a product that's greener and more ethical. That's the case of Les copains de Bastien, or The Friends of Bastien."Les copains de Bastien" is associated with "Bean to Bar", a movement born in the US which consists in the ability to produce your own chocolate, ensuring ethical processes are respected. "We work to pay the producers fairly, to make sure we don't contribute to deforestation," says chocolatier Marc Chincholle. "So, for that we work with the sourcers and directly with the producers sometimes, to assure that the process is done well and that the producers are able to get by financially and personally."Committed ChocolatiersSome French chocolatiers have become part of a group called the "Committed Chocolatiers' Club". Their objective is to ensure fair conditions for producers and transparency for consumers. The ultimate goal, they say, is to shake up the way things are done in the industry."We need to explain this approach; the key is to educate. Ninety-nine percent of farmers have never tasted a gram of chocolate, and at the same time, many chocolate users in France, Europe and around the world have never visited cocoa farms. So it was about bringing people together and allowing them to understand each other's issues," explains Daniel Mercier, the group's president.Mercier launched the club to create a "short circuit" between chocolatiers in France and producers, allowing them to be better paid. "Creating a short circuit means that cocoa ultimately doesn't cost much more than what we paid before. We are very sensitive to prices, especially to inflation. The difference between craftsmanship and industry is that we have a significant impact of the cost of labour, which mitigates the rise in raw material costs," he says.This approach is gaining ground in France and Europe, with more chocolatiers joining the team. "If we were to make a wish, it would be that indeed, fairly compensating farmers, knowing the origins, the cocoa plantations, meeting farmers, encouraging them to produce quality cocoa, becomes a global norm," Mercier hopes. "We need to focus precisely on these people. That's what the Committed Chocolatiers are working on".

The race for accommodation in Paris could be an Olympic sport in itself. The number of rentals available is plummeting while prices are soaring, yet real estate agents are overwhelmed with demand. From short-term rentals to efficiency upgrades, prospective tenants are paying the price for the ongoing crisis. We take a closer look. Léandre is 27. He's been looking for a flat in Paris for the past two months, having visited more than 15 different places. Every day, it's the same routine: sifting through all the listings, in vain. He is currently staying with a family member. Despite his permanent job as an events project manager with a monthly income of around €2,400, as well as two guarantors, Léandre's application hasn't been accepted. "There were two or three apartments where I was in the final stages, so to speak," he explains. "Unfortunately, each time they chose the applications with the highest income, which I can understand as it's more reassuring for them. There are fewer and fewer offers, and inevitably, over time, I wonder whether I made the right decision to stay in this city, even if it's very attractive."Léandre's case is far from unique. In Paris, demand for housing has exploded in recent months. The number of rentals in the French capital has fallen 74 percent in three years, according to real estate specialists. "Out of four available properties, three have disappeared, which is unbelievable. As a comparison, in France over the same period, we've seen a 25 percent decrease in rental supply. It's three times greater in Paris than in the rest of the country," says Barbara Castillo Rico, director of economic studies at SeLoger. "As a direct consequence, rents started to increase roughly two years ago, and they soared in the past year, in 2023. We've gone from an increase of less than 2 percent to over 3 percent."The Parisian housing market is also feeling the pinch of rising interest rates. Over the past two years, tenants have had difficulty buying their own home. As a result, they remain tenants for longer and don't free up their accommodation. Energy efficiency upgradesAnother reason why affordable rentals are scarce is because some apartments are in poor condition. In Paris, 35 percent of homes are not energy efficient. Their owners won't be allowed to rent them out if upgrades haven't been made by 2025 or 2028, depending on the insulation grade. "Nowadays, there are many old properties with grades F and G. Landlords are wondering what to do. Some decide to sell their apartments because they cannot afford the insulation work," explains Eddy Gaphian, a real estate agent. "It cost €44,000 to renovate this flat. It's a lot, and on top of that, there's a loss of space because you have to insulate the walls. Here for example, they lost two square metres."In a bid to ease tensions with homeowners, the French government has agreed to a new method to calculate the energy performance of small properties. It means that some homes – under 40m² – might not have to be renovated just yet. The new energy efficiency audits will start on July 1, for roughly 11 percent of small apartments.In the midst of this rental housing crisis, one in five properties in Paris is actually vacant, according to the Urban Planning Agency. From second homes to vacation rentals, some 262,000 homes are reportedly empty or nearly empty all year round. Paris wins the gold medal when it comes to seasonal rentals. On Airbnb alone, there are at least 60,000 furnished rentals up for grabs. And with the upcoming Olympics, the number of short-term leases is booming. Rise in eviction noticesThe local housing advice agency recently noticed a rise in eviction notices, especially for furnished apartments. "Obviously, it's going to tempt a lot of people," says Sophie Morvan, a legal expert. "They're able to rent out their apartment for an extortionate amount of money per night whereas longer leases, with tenants who use the apartment as their main residence, are regulated. So yes, there is a risk. The only way to prove a fraud is to vacate the flat, and then return to the premises to get the neighbours' testimonies, perhaps take a photo of the mailbox to see if the name invoked in the notice matches or not. It's only then that the fraud is noticeable. The tenant can then take the matter to court to claim damages. The landlord can be fined up to €6,000."More and more people who are desperate to find a rental now seek help from research assistants. Highly active on TikTok, they offer personalised searches for young house hunters. "The aim is for us to be available as soon as an apartment frees up," explains one of them, Cyril Bathélémy. "That way, as soon as something comes up, we call as quickly as possible and book the viewing. We're like assistants. The goal is for the person to get a viewing and everything else – booking, paperwork, sending and modifying documents – we do it."Real estate analysts say there might be a surge in listings in September, after the Olympics. But for now, the race for a flat in Paris remains fiercely competitive.

Text, code, speech, image and even video: you can now create anything in a flash thanks to generative artificial intelligence. This world-changing innovation presents an opportunity for France, which hasn't been a leader in tech since the dawn of the internet. The French government is currently investing 1.5 billion euros into AI, and has championed a so-called “open source” approach. FRANCE 24's Peter O'Brien explores the potential payoffs.

His life was worthy of a novel. An Armenian orphan who arrived in France as a stateless refugee and became a poet and Communist activist, Missak Manouchian was a figure of the French Resistance during World War II. Exactly 80 years to the day after his execution by the Nazis, Manouchian is taking his place in the Panthéon mausoleum alongside France's other national heroes – a symbol of all foreign Resistance fighters who died for France. FRANCE 24's Alison Sargent, Florence Gaillard, Gaëlle Fonseca and Georges Yazbeck look back at Manouchian's life and legacy.

It's an annual celebration of ruckus and revelry: carnival season has kicked off in France, bringing an explosion of colour to the grey months of winter. From the Latin "carne vale" meaning "farewell to meat", the ancient festival has evolved into a collective moment of excess ahead of the Christian period of Lent. From overseas in Guadeloupe, to down south in Nice, and even up north, France is letting loose. The France in Focus team reports. For this edition, we visit Dunkirk, a northern French city that for many brings to mind World War II, but it's also the host of one of the country's biggest and liveliest carnivals, with events lasting for three months. Our team joined revellers in Brouckerque, just southwest of the city. We also met with local historian Olivier Vermersch.Finally, no talk of carnival season in France would be complete without mentioning Nice and its famous float parade. The celebration on the French Riviera is the biggest in the country and just marked its 150th anniversary last year. Our team joined the preparations for this year's parade. 

Paris is preparing to hold the Olympics this summer, but did you know that the last time the French capital hosted the Games was exactly 100 years ago? Much has been forgotten about the 1924 Olympics, but records were broken, champions were made and more women athletes took part than ever before. FRANCE 24's Stéphanie Trouillard and Claire Paccalin went to see what's left of the 1924 Olympic stadiums and find out which ones will be used again in the Games this year. Watch moreParis Olympics 2024: A game changer for Seine-Saint-Denis?

Located in the heart of the French Caribbean, Guadeloupe is best known for its beaches, rivers and waterfalls. But beyond the postcard image, more than 70 percent of wastewater treatment plants in the island are out of order – or nearly – despite significant funding, particularly from the European Union. The result is a health and environmental catastrophe that threatens all the bathing waters in this French overseas archipelago. FRANCE 24's Karina Chabour investigated years of poor management.

It's a pastry that's synonymous with the month of January in France. At the start of every year the "galette des rois", or king cake, fills bakeries across the country and there's one to suit everyone's taste. In this show, we find out more about the origins of this French culinary tradition which, contrary to popular belief, doesn't date back to the Three Kings but to the Saturnalia feasts in ancient Rome. We also take you to the bakery that won this year's title for best galette in the greater Paris area. Yasmine Menacer, its head pastry chef, gives us some of her baking tips. 

Since the October 7 Hamas attack and Israel's crushing response in the Gaza Strip, more than 1,500 anti-Semitic acts have been recorded in France – three times as many as in the whole of 2022. For many French Jews, this outpouring of hatred has awakened a feeling of vulnerability. We went to meet Rachel Jedinak, a survivor of the World War II Vel d'Hiv' roundup; Jonas Jacquelin, a rabbi at a synagogue in Paris's Copernic Street; Hanna Assouline, president and co-founder of the NGO Women Warriors for Peace; and Michel Wieviorka, a renowned sociologist and author whose research interests include anti-Semitism. FRANCE 24's Natacha Vesnitch and Jonathan Walsh report.

France in Focus shines a light on how Paris went from utter darkness to the illuminated city of today. The team meets a passionate group of electricity enthusiasts to discover some of the most famous lamps that have lit up the French capital. They also speak to the granddaughter of Fernand Jacopozzi, the engineer who famously illuminated the Eiffel Tower in the 1920s. Lastly, they explore how Paris's iconic monuments stay in the limelight today. Eiffel Tower illuminations: © SETE Tour Eiffel. Lighting designer: Pierre Bideau.Read more'Fin d'année' festivities: Exploring France's holiday traditions

More than a fifth of the French population is disabled. But for 80 percent of them, it doesn't show. Whether to disclose it or not is a delicate choice, given that disability is the leading cause of discrimination in France. Our team went to meet teenager Marc, who has a rare disease that means he has barely any intestines. They also met Joëlle, who suffers from multiple sclerosis and several other illnesses.

The Renaissance-era Villers-Cotterêts castle, in France's Picardy region, is now home to the first cultural site in the world dedicated to the French language, a project championed by President Emmanuel Macron. It's a story conveyed with words, art and architecture to pay tribute to a language spoken by some 320 million people across the globe. But is the influence of the French language still growing? We speak to Xavier North, Hassane Kassi Kouyaté and Barbara Cassin, co-curators of the museum.

The NBA's next season is set to kick off with the "Michael Jordan" of French basketball, Victor Wembanyama. All eyes are on the 2.24-metre-tall mega talent who joined the San Antonio Spurs in June. He follows in the footsteps of Tony Parker, who was inducted into the NBA's Hall of Fame in August. France in Focus takes a look at the players who have made it into the American league, past and present. We also head to the French mecca of sports, INSEP, to see the rigorous training French athletes follow. Lastly, we look at what it means for French clubs and France when they lose their star players to the NBA.

Wine lovers will be familiar with Bordeaux, Bourgogne and Beaujolais. These wines are all symbols of French culture, celebrated worldwide. Yet over the past 60 years, wine consumption has dropped by 70 percent in France. Reds, in particular, have been given the cold shoulder – even abroad. So why are consumers changing their habits? How can winemakers in south-western France survive? Some are even forced to tear up their vineyards and seek compensation from the French government and EU. Our team reports.

A secondary school in southern France embrace of social diversity programming a few years ago is now bearing fruit. Launched five years ago, the initiative aims to welcome students living in the the disadvantaged neighbourhoods of the city. It allows them to grow academically and socially, making a positive impact in the classroom. Noemie Roche and Aurore-Cloe Dupuis report.

It's a monument that is synonymous with France. The Eiffel Tower is more than just a wrought iron landmark, its very existence represents an architectural feat taken on by the man who gave it its name: Gustave Eiffel. This year marks 100 years since the engineer died. During his lifetime, Gustave Eiffel fought against all odds to make his dream come true, building a 300 metre high iron tower in the heart of the French capital.   Guests:Savin Yeatman Eiffel: Curator of the exhibition "Eiffel, higher and higher"Valentin Delplanque: Wind tunnel test engineer

What if we worked a four-day week? In France, the idea is gaining ground. Some business owners have already made the switch. From company attractiveness to employees' wellbeing, the formula seems to be working. We take a closer look at this new working schedule and explore which sectors are implementing it.