France in focus

FRANCE 24 English
  • 0.0 (0)
  • NEWS
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

An in-depth look at the political and social events shaping France. Monday at 3:45pm Paris time.

  1. 2D AGO

    Sophie Adenot, the French astronaut reaching for the stars

    This week on France in Focus, we take a look at Sophie Adenot, who at 43 is about to fulfil a lifelong dream by becoming the second French woman to travel into space. She's been training for a nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station, the culmination of an exceptional career in aviation and space exploration.  Read moreNASA delays rocket launch to ISS over weather conditions Sophie Adenot's fascination with space began at a very young age. She was first inspired by her grandfather, a former aircraft mechanic in the French Air Force, and later by Claudie Haigneré, the first French woman to become an astronaut. "The day Claudie took off, I thought, 'That's it – there's a woman astronaut. It's possible','" Adenot recalls, remembering how she watched Haigneré's 1996 mission to the Mir space station live on television.  An outstanding career   An engineer by training, Adenot graduated from the French National Institute of Aeronautics and Space in Toulouse, as well as the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States. She began her professional career at Airbus before joining the French Air Force at the age of 23. In 2019, she made history by becoming France's first woman helicopter test pilot.  After an unsuccessful attempt in 2008, Adenot applied again in 2021 to the European Space Agency's astronaut selection programme. This time, she was chosen as one of just five candidates from a pool of 22,500 applicants.  Intensive training  She then embarked on nearly three years of rigorous training, across Germany, France, the United States and Japan. This included simulated spacewalks in large swimming pools, virtual reality exercises and survival training. Her ability to remain calm under pressure has been one of her greatest strengths. "She is very determined, able to stay focused in critical situations, fundamentally empathetic and deeply motivated, with a clear drive to achieve her goal," says Daniel Neuenschwander, Director of Human and Robotic Exploration at the European Space Agency.  The ISS, a flying laboratory  Aboard the ISS, Adenot will take on a wide range of scientific and technical challenges. Over the course of the mission, she will conduct around 200 experiments, including several focused on medical ultrasound in space.  The station will also be a place of wonder. "On board the ISS, you orbit the Earth every 90 minutes – sixteen times a day – and you see a sunrise each time. These are magical moments," says Haigneré.  Like her predecessor, Adenot wants to make sure she holds on to the sense of amazement she had as a child, as her lifelong dream finally comes true.

    12 min

  2. JAN 20

    How to survive on the streets of Paris? Two homeless people tell their stories

    January 22 marks the ninth edition of La Nuit de la Solidarité à Paris (A Night of Solidarity in Paris), an initiative from Paris's City Hall to raise awareness about the needs of homeless people and an attempt to change perceptions of those living on the margins of society. FRANCE 24’s reporters Florence Gaillard and Jonathan Walsh followed two homeless people to learn more. Romain is 45 years old and is following a rehabilitation program, while Valérie, 62, is still struggling to survive on the streets. In October, the collective "Les Morts de la Rue" (The dead of the street) published an alarming report: 912 people are estimated to have died on the streets in mainland France in 2024. This figure is rising every year. While the vast majority of the victims are men, there are also increasing numbers of women and children. This uptick comes at a time when the French Housing Foundation estimates that there are 350,000 homeless people in mainland France. That's 20,000 more than in 2023. The importance of being heard and supported  Every year, Paris's City Hall organises a night of solidarity to encourage people to reconsider their own ideas about those who are sleeping rough. The initiative involves meeting homeless people in the streets and asking them to complete an anonymous questionnaire. Their responses provide a better understanding of the profiles of homeless people and their needs, enabling public solidarity policies to be adapted accordingly. The issue of homelessness has often been swept under the carpet, but some groups continue to fight for the rights of those living in extremely precarious circumstances. FRANCE 24's reporters visited La Mie de Pain, a neighbourhood association which offers various facilities to more than 1,500 people every day. One of those visitors is Romain, who found himself homeless after separating from his wife, and Valérie, who lost everything after her parents died.  The people sleeping rough on Paris's streets all have different and personal stories, but they all need to be heard and supported. Thanks to the organisations that help them rebuild their lives, some are able to find work, then housing and eventually manage to return to mainstream society.

    12 min

  3. JAN 13

    Meet the French expats living off the grid

    Some 3 million French citizens live abroad, scattered across the globe. From the snowy uplands of Quebec to a remote, desert island in Guinea-Bissau or the depths of the Ivorian forests, our France 2 colleagues went to meet some of their French compatriots who have started whole new lives. Thousands of kilometres from French shores, they are living out childhood dreams of closeness to nature and joining new communities and cultures.  Stéphane Denis was an entrepreneur, with a life of suits, meetings and sales. But he never forgot his childhood dream to move to Canada one day. At 33, he sold up in France and relocated to the mountains of Quebec – an inhospitable region, where temperatures can drop to -48°C, but one where he had a mission: the conservation of the endangered wood bison. He inherited this passion from his father, and has passed it on to his daughter, who made the move with him at the age of 10. After more than 20 years, Val-des-Lacs is his home. Stéphane has forged his place in the community, running a bison reserve and an outdoor activities centre. He also slips seamlessly in and out of the local québécois dialect.  Laurent Duris had a different fantasy: a desert island in a turquoise sea. In 2000, the former soldier took out a 99-year lease on the island of Kéré, off the coast of Guinea-Bissau. His wife and four-year-old daughter bring the permanent population up to three. Over the years, Laurent has gone from sleeping in a tent to building his family home and a number of other houses that make up the holiday resort he and his wife now run. Apart from fruit and fish, though, life on the island is far from self-sufficient. Necessities as basic as water have to be delivered at great expense, and the family's way of life is only viable thanks to international tourism.  Finally, in the Ivorian forest, Estelle Raballand describes her lifestyle as more of a duty than a fantasy – a duty to the endangered chimpanzee population of West Africa. Three decades ago, she signed up to volunteer at a monkey sanctuary in Guinea, and has practically never left Africa since, going on to found her own conservation facilities in Guinea and then Ivory Coast through her NGO, Akatia. She has chosen to live without many of the comforts of modern life, such as running water, phone signal and electricity, preferring to invest donations in the chimpanzees and their future instead.

    13 min

  4. JAN 6

    Cité Universitaire de Paris: The French campus that defies war

    Every year, the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris welcomes around 12,000 residents from all backgrounds and nationalities. Students, researchers and artists live there side by side across its 47 campus houses, tucked away in a lush park in the south of Paris. The "Cité U", as locals call it, is celebrating a century of history, with its founding principles more relevant than ever. Born out of the devastation of World War I, Paris's Cité Universitaire was founded on a powerful ideal: peace. Its founders believed that human, intellectual and cultural exchanges could transcend borders and help secure lasting peace. The Cité U fosters dialogue and mutual understanding between cultures through conferences, artistic performances and personal initiatives.  For the past 100 years, the Cité Universitaire de Paris has shown that a humanist vision cannot only stand the test of time, but also inspire new generations.  From its creation, the Cité has been deeply engaged with pressing issues: geopolitical tensions, multilateral cooperation, challenges to the rule of law and the climate crisis. Through debates and collective projects, residents, guests and visitors come together with one aim in mind: to develop lasting solutions for a shared future. An outstanding setting for imagining the world of tomorrow The site is also home to an outstanding architectural and natural heritage. Long a source of inspiration for artists from around the world, its 47 houses each reflect the identity of a different country, blending tradition with modern design. Like an open-air museum, the Cité U has even become France's leading multi-set filming location. Scenes from the film "The Count of Monte Cristo" were filmed there. A century on, the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris continues to inspire dreams and imagine a better world for tomorrow.

    12 min

  5. 2025-12-16

    Can Christmas save France's châteaux?

    In France's Loire Valley, castles are relying on the magic of Christmas to secure their future. Each winter, historical landmarks are turned into festive, fairy-tale settings, drawing tens of thousands of visitors. But beyond the lights and decorations lies a pressing challenge: how to preserve these iconic sites in the face of mounting structural and financial woes. Watch moreFrench castle of Chambord celebrates five eventful centuries Chambord, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest château in France's Loire Valley, spans 5,500 hectares and includes 426 rooms and 77 staircases. This year, the estate invested a record €200,000 in Christmas festivities, with the aim of generating up to €1 million in revenue. These funds will help maintain this vast and fragile giant. While Chambord has undergone many restorations over the past 500 years, one of its most urgent projects still lies ahead. The Francis I wing has been closed to the public since 2023 for security reasons as it's at risk of collapse. Built on marshland, the château is increasingly affected by climate change: façades are leaning, floors are sinking and cracks continue to widen. Overall damage is estimated at €37 million, including €12 million needed for emergency work. The Christmas event is just a sparkle in the fight to save Chambord. A public fundraising campaign is currently underway, with renovations expected to begin in 2026. Watch moreFrance's iconic Chateau de Chambord gets a makeover Loire Valley's smallest château hosts its first ever Christmas Just 20 kilometres away from Chambord, the smallest castle in the region is embracing a more intimate and sustainable approach. Troussay has belonged to the same family for 125 years, spanning four generations. It's the first time its owners are opening the château to the public during the festive season. With handmade decorations, a recycled nativity scene competition and the support of friends, the aim is to keep costs low while maximising fundraising. The money raised will go towards urgent roof cleaning after three consecutive years of heavy rain and humidity. Despite receiving state funding, resources simply aren't sufficient. The château is therefore exploring creative new ways to finance its preservation. One castle, 57,000 owners Other sites are experimenting with entirely new economic models. Over the past eight years, the start-up Dartagnans has raised more than €8 million from 57,000 co-owners around the world, helping to save four ruined castles, including La Mothe Chandeniers. Abandoned for nearly a century after a fire in 1932, the château was rescued in 2017 through a pioneering crowdfunding campaign. Read moreGlobal crowdfunding campaign buys French château Rather than restoring it completely, the co-owners chose to preserve its wild, romantic character. Nature has reclaimed the site, with trees, ferns and wildlife now living in the ruins. Only the Lord's room, in the clock tower, will be restored and converted into a guest room, while the rest of the château will be secured and left frozen in time. Every year, the co-owners are invited back to witness the progress made and to share in the festive spirit.

    13 min

  6. 2025-12-02

    Mental health crisis reaches new lows for French teens

    In France, the mental health of young people has deteriorated in recent years, particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic. In this edition, we met several young people suffering from mental health struggles, who shared their stories in the hope of overcoming taboos. With one third of young people in France suffering from a mental health disorder, we take a closer look at the effects on their day-to-day lives. Adolescence is a sensitive period, "the age of all dangers" according to many psychologists, where teenagers navigate profound changes.  Read moreWhy is Australia banning children under 16 from social media – and can they enforce it? The mental health of many young French people has deteriorated in recent years, particularly since the Covid-19 health crisis. The rate of hospital admissions for suicide attempts and self-harm has skyrocketed, particularly among young girls. Increasing numbers of teenagers and young adults are suffering from depression, anxiety and eating disorders. Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder usually develop between the ages of 15 and 25. Indeed, 75 percent of chronic psychiatric illnesses appear before the age of 25. Watch moreInside a French emergency psychiatric unit: Social stigma, a lack of beds and drug shortages As the French government pledges to tackle mental health struggles, we met with several young people suffering from some of these disorders. These youngsters were willing to tell their stories with the hope of overcoming the taboos that still surround mental health issues.

    12 min

  7. 2025-11-18

    Wardrobe crisis: Resisting ultra-fast fashion in France

    Could Shein be suspended in France? The Chinese giant is under growing scrutiny for selling controversial products, including childlike sex dolls and bladed weapons. The ultra-fast fashion brand has just opened its first physical store in the BHV, one of Paris's iconic department stores. French fashion brands denounce what they call unfair competition in an already weakened sector: one in two fashion retailers is facing serious financial difficulties, with 37,000 jobs lost in the last decade. We take a closer look.

    12 min

  8. 2025-11-11

    France's fight against violent extremism, 10 years after the Paris attacks

    Ten years after the November 13 Paris terror attacks, France's security and intelligence services are dealing with reports of increasingly younger individuals who often become radicalised quickly via social networks. Through rare access inside the police's radicalisation telephone hotline, as well as interviews with terrorism experts, a former prisoner and a survivor of the Bataclan attack, we explore the lessons learnt since 2015 and what the terrorism threat looks like today.

    12 min
See All (23)

About

An in-depth look at the political and social events shaping France. Monday at 3:45pm Paris time.

Information

More From FRANCE 24 English

You Might Also Like