(Representational Image: iStock) For decades, France has stood as Europe’s most defiant advocate for work-life balance. It enshrined the 35-hour workweek, guaranteed extensive paid holidays, and made the “right to disconnect” a legal entitlement. In the French imagination, leisure isn’t a luxury—it’s a birthright.But now, that ethos is under siege.Facing mounting fiscal pressure, the French…
French President Emmanuel Macron announced a plan to push forward France’s military spending during his annual speech to the armed forces on Sunday, just before the country’s Bastille Day holiday. “Our freedom has never been so threatened,” Macron said. “There are no more rules, it’s the law of the strongest that wins.” He added, “We…
Britain’s King Charles will welcome French President Emmanuel Macron to Windsor Castle on Tuesday for the first state visit by a European leader since Brexit in a trip aimed at celebrating the return of closer political ties between the countries. The grand ceremonial event will be the first for Macron, who enjoys a good personal…
Elena Rybakina eased into the third round of the French Open after beating Iva Jovic of the United States in straight sets. On Wednesday, May 28, Rybakina took an hour and 15 minutes to win the second-round match 6-3, 6-3 on Court Simonne-Mathiue. It was the second time Rybakina beat Jovic this year after her…
Many countries require that consent be given before sex — and have written that into their rape laws. France is not among them. Now two lawmakers hope to change that, and they got a step closer Tuesday night when the lower house of the French Parliament passed a bill that expands the definition of rape…
Last year, Marine Le Pen spoke menacingly of the possible fallout from her trial on embezzlement charges. “Tomorrow, potentially, millions and millions of French people will see themselves deprived of their candidate for the presidency.” After a court disqualified her on Monday from running for public office for five years, those millions of French voters…
French Champagne producers do nearly a billion dollars’ worth of business with the United States every year. But on Friday in Épernay, the world capital of sparkling wine, the only number on anybody’s lips was 200. That was the percent tariff that President Trump has threatened to impose on Champagne and other European wines and…
In the packed Paris courtroom, the corporate magnate portrayed himself as a successful business leader who had labored to turn LVMH into the world’s top luxury conglomerate, with 75 brands, including Louis Vuitton and Dior, and 200,000 employees worldwide. When Mr. Arnault first took over the company in the 1980s, it had just 10,000 employees….
France is set to hold its largest-ever child sex abuse trial, with former surgeon Joël Le Scouarnec accused of raping or sexually abusing 299 people, most of whom were child patients. Activists hope the trial will empower other victims and expose long-protected abusers. Chilling Evidence: Notebooks Documenting Crimes Le Scouarnec, now 74, will stand trial…
Five years after a catastrophic fire reduced Notre Dame Cathedral to a smouldering shell, journalists got a first glimpse of the Gothic masterpiece’s fully restored interiors during a visit with French President Emmanuel Macron. The transformation is nothing short of breathtaking: light dances across brilliant stone, gilded accents gleam anew, and the iconic monument’s majesty…