The Local France

French mayor denounces ‘increasingly racist society’

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 09:10:30 +0200

Bally Bagayoko, the newly elected mayor of the French capital’s largest suburb, says racism is growing in the former colonial power, and the authorities need to keep discrimination in check.

The state of France 2015: 12 reasons to be positive

Wed, 23 Sep 2015 18:36:03 +0200

There's a lot of doom and gloom surrounding France at the moment, but a major new report on the state of the country in 2015 shows there are many reasons why France should feel good about itself.

France mulls plan to hit criminals with €10 fines

Wed, 21 Aug 2013 18:12:00 +0200

A socialist MP has proposed hitting criminals in the pocket with compulsory €10 fines that would help pay the costs of victim support. The mastermind of the scheme has labelled it a “civic-minded approach” to crime.

'The Catholic Church is too powerful in France'

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 20:00:00 +0100

France may be a secular country officially but the Catholic Church has always had a presence in French society. As the papal conclave meets this week to choose a new pope, The Local asks: How influential is the church in France?

Hero of French fathers, or 'macho misogynist'?

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 21:56:00 +0100

A desperate, loving father kept from his son, or a manipulative, abusive attention-seeker? Either way, it was impossible to ignore his dramatic four-day protest in Nantes from Friday to Monday. Meet Serge Charnay, our French Face of the Week.

France charges art heir with tax evasion

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 16:45:00 +0100

Famed international art dealer Guy Wildenstein has been charged with tax evasion and money laundering in France following an investigation launched by the finance ministry, a judicial source said Wednesday.

'Too many foreigners in France', French say

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 13:33:00 +0100

A survey in France published this week revealed 70 percent of the population believe there are too many foreigners living in the country and 74 percent believe Islam is not compatible with French society.

France issues 'wedding kits' to fight divorce

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:21:20 +0100

With the divorce rate rising, the French government is working on "wedding kits" to enhance the marriage experience for aspiring spouses.

Twice as many people living alone

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 12:35:00 +0100

A study has found that the number of people living alone in France has more than doubled over 45 years.

France still not ready for gay marriage

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:05:00 +0200

A vote in the National Assembly rejected a proposal for same-sex marriage by 293 votes to 222.