The Local France

'Opportunistic' Macron on a mission to restore France's lost Middle East clout

Tue, 21 Nov 2017 11:45:20 +0100

From mediating in the crisis in Lebanon to defending Iran's nuclear deal, President Emmanuel Macron aims to fill the vacuum left by an isolationist America to boost France's clout in the Middle East.

Doping shame ends Mr Universe's election hopes

Fri, 14 Feb 2014 16:58:00 +0100

The promising political career of the Frenchman crowned Mr Universe ended prematurely this week amid a doping scandal. The bodybuilder wasn't the only one whose local election hopes ended in shame this week either.

French train strike set to cause major disruption

Wed, 11 Dec 2013 10:56:00 +0100

Travellers and commuters in France have been warned to expect disruption to their travel plans over the next two days when rail workers will stage a strike in protest against proposed reforms. Find out if you will be affected.

Leaders Marseille take on second-placed Monaco

Fri, 30 Aug 2013 11:01:30 +0200

This weekend could bring the game of the Ligue 1 season so far, with leaders Marseille taking on second-placed Monaco. After a rocky start, champions PSG should take three points from newly promoted Guingamp.

Asbestos forces firms from Tour Montparnasse

Wed, 28 Aug 2013 12:30:00 +0200

The Tour Montparnasse, the most famous skyscraper in the French capital, has been hit by new asbestos fears with workers having to be evacuated and companies deserting its office space.

A missing beauty queen's father with a dark past

Thu, 08 Aug 2013 20:17:00 +0200

Under suspicion since his wife and beauty queen daughter disappeared weeks ago, Francisco Benitez hanged himself on Monday. Later, a dark revelation about his past provided a chilling development in a saga which is dominating headlines in France.

Three dead as tourist plane crashes in France

Thu, 08 Aug 2013 14:15:00 +0200

Three people, reportedly including a brother and sister, have been killed after a plane carrying tourists crashed on Thursday in the town of Vertaizon in central France. The nationalities of the victims are not yet known.

Feminist group bids Pope 'adieu' at Notre Dame

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 12:36:00 +0100

Eight feminists flashed their breasts in the heart of Paris's Notre Dame cathedral on Tuesday to celebrate Pope Benedict XVI's shock resignation announcement.

Two arrested over threats to French cartoonists

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 11:20:00 +0200

An 18-year-old man who threatened on Facebook the editors of the French satirical weekly that published cartoons of a naked Prophet Muhammad was charged Sunday with terrorism-related activity, a judicial source said.

10,000 Bangladeshis in French cartoon march

Fri, 21 Sep 2012 16:26:00 +0200

About 10,000 Bangladeshis took to the streets of Dhaka on Friday to demonstrate against an anti-Islam film made in the US and cartoons in a French satirical magazine caricaturing the Prophet Muhammad.

Massive protests over Muhammad cartoons

Fri, 21 Sep 2012 14:43:00 +0200

Bloody clashes and violence flared Friday as Pakistan shut down for mass protests against a US-made anti-Islam film that has fanned global Muslim anger, inflamed further by French cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad.

Clashes in Pakistan over French cartoons

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 19:14:00 +0200

Thousands of Pakistanis clashed with police firing live rounds and tear gas Thursday as anger mounted in the Muslim world over a US-made anti-Islam film and French cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad.

Paris police ban Grand Mosque protest

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 14:14:00 +0200

Paris police have banned two demonstrations planned for Saturday, including one in front of the city's Grand Mosque, to protest against a US-made anti-Islam film, a police source said.

Boy suspected of killing baby at nursery

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 12:51:00 +0200

A judicial inquiry has been launched into the suspicious death of a one-month old infant in a municipally run Paris nursery on Sunday.

Sarkozy narrows gap with main rival

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 14:43:42 +0100

Voters may be rewarding President Sarkozy for his very public efforts to save the euro over recent weeks, if a new poll is to be believed.

French Christian group besieges Jesus excrement play

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 19:03:00 +0200

Paris police have arrested around 20 Christian fundamentalists who burst into a theatre and threw stink bombs to protest against a play featuring the face of Christ drizzled with fake excrement.

Why it really is OK to stray in France

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 17:06:00 +0200

The French are famed for their relaxed approach to extra-marital affairs, but is the country's love of a bit on the side really just a bit of a myth? Or is adultery really a very French affair? Matthew Warren investigates.