France - activities

Rugby World Cup 2023: We Love 2023 Tour train inaugurated with Anne Hidalgo in Paris

Hosted in France, the Rugby World Cup 2023 train has been inaugurated this Tuesday September 8, 2020 by Paris mayor, its deputy for Sport and French Rugby Federation president Bernard Laporte. Named We Love 2023, the train will leave from Paris Gare de Lyon on September 9 to travel the roads of France until October 12, 2020.

Coronavirus in France, the situation on Tuesday September 8

Discover the situation in France as for the Covid-19 epidemic on Tuesday September 8, 2020. As of September 7 in France, have been reported 25 deaths at the hospital in 24 hours, a total of 30,726 deaths and 4,203 new contaminations have been reported in 24 hours.

Coronavirus: is France ready for a second wave? The latest measures

Coronavirus is not over. After a first wave that led to a general lockdown, the hypothesis of a resurgence of the epidemic is more and more likely. Is France ready?

Shows over 5,000 people allowed from mid-August: the Ministry shifts focus

Will the performing art world restart this summer? In a press release publish on August 4, new Minister for Culture Roselyne Bachelot says shows gathering over 5,000 people will be allowed by prefects from August 15, 2020, but on some health conditions. Since the release of the decree, the minister has shited focus on some points. Here is more about it.

Coronavirus: the Scientific Committee demands a re-containment protocol for 20 big cities

Facing Covid-19 that is still highly active in France, the Scientific Committee would like to set up a re-containment scheme for the 20 biggest cities in France. Let’s tell you more about it.

A necropolis from late Antiquity found in Autun

A wide necropolis has been found in Autun, Saône-et-Loire (71). Dating from late Antiquity, the team of archaeologists has found many surprises as they are still working on unearthing all constructions and antique items.

ECHR to condemn France over “inhuman living conditions” for asylum-seekers

The European Court of Human Rights has condemned France over lack of assistance to asylum-seekers, having to live “in the street” and “without any resources”. This is the fourth time this month that the ECHR condemns France.

Factory farming: Greenpeace condemns the too large number of factory farms in France

This Wednesday July 24, Greenpeace releases a new investigation about the state of factory farming in France. On its latest map, the NGO reports 3,300 farms, most of them being set in South-West France.

80th anniversary of the Appeal of June 18: Emmanuel Macron in Paris and London for commemorations

On June 18, 2020, Emmanuel Macron commemorates the 80th anniversary of the Appel of June 18 by the General Charles de Gaulle. The French President is said to go to the Invalides, before heading to the memorial of the Mont Valérien, and then London for a diplomatic visit.

Coronavirus: France teams up with three other European countries to purchase vaccines

In order to fight against the Covid-19 pandemic as well as possible, France has teamed up with Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy within Europe’s Inclusive Vaccines Alliance. Together, they announce to have signed a first principle agreement with the AstraZeneca laboratory to buy several millions of vaccine doses.

Concert and show venues reopening: Paris in green area on June 15

As all concert venues were shut since March 14, and main summer festivals in France cancelled, music fans are only waiting for one thing: singing, dancing, and rocking to the artists’ live shows. But when will concert venues reopen to the public and on what conditions? On May 28, when presenting phase 2 of the containment exit plan, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said show and concert venues will reopen from June 2 in green areas. For Paris and Île-de-France, it will be from June 15.

Paris: big museums reopen with regulated access

The Louvre, the Musée du Quai Branly, the Musée d’Orsay or even the Centre Pompidou, the biggest museums in Paris are gradually reopening. Yet, their reopening amid the coronavirus epidemic might be translated by regulated access for visitors.

Deconfinement phase 2: prefects allowed to re-confine

As France is entering phase 2 of its containment exit, a decree officializes the principles of this new step in the fight against the coronavirus epidemic. It focuses on how to re-confine if need be.

Sanitary products soon to be free for women in need

Free sanitary products for all women in need? This is what several members of the government announced on May 28 in an opinion column for the Huff Post. This test distribution system will be implemented from September.

Containment exit: green area, what changed with phase 2

As phase 2 of the government’s containment exit plan was announced, Edouard Philippe shared the new rules. What changes in green area? Here are answers.

France and Germany call for European borders to quickly reopen

French National Assembly president Richard Ferrand and his German counterpart Wolfgang Schäuble speak in favor of quickly reopening the European borders “as soon as the conditions are met”.

Restaurants reopening: social distancing, mask… what the health protocol involves

As the government is said to address on the reopening of restaurants and cafés from June 2nd in all green departments only, a common containment exit health protocol for hotels, cafés and restaurants has been disclosed this May 22nd. One-meter distance between each patron, mandatory facemask for staff and patrons if they move around the room… Here is what it is about.

Coronavirus: sea, river, lake… can Covid-19 be spread through water?

While many beaches have reopened and many people are counting on enjoying nature again and swimming in the sea, lake or river, is there any risk Covid-19 can spread through water? Let’s have a look on the matter.

Coronavirus: “voluntary” self-isolation for French coming from non-EU countries

Starting Wednesday May 20, 2020, French coming from non-EU countries are invited to self-isolate. But this 2-week isolation will be based on volunteering. This is what Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian announced on May 19th on LCI.

Coronavirus: Macron and Merkel propose a 500-billion-euro recovery funds

Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel has just agreed on a 500-billion-euro recovery funds on a European level. A budget envelop that will reinforce and strengthen countries and will be devoted to sectors and regions in need. This “common initiative” has yet to be voted by the European Commission and the 27 EU countries.