France in focus

By FRANCE 24 English

France in focus episodes

September 13, 2022 Childcare crisis in France: Nurseries hit by staff shortages
When it comes to childcare, French parents like to enrol their little ones in crèches or daycare centres for children under the age of three. But these nurseries have been ringing alarm bells. Decades of cost-cutting measures have created a situation where many centres say they are no longer able to provide adequate care. Around half of France's 5,000 crèches say they can't find enough workers. To find out more about the challenges facing French nurseries, we speak to Fréderic Groux, a pediatric psychologist and a former educator for nursery school children.
13 min
September 02, 2022 France marks bicentenary of deciphering of Rosetta Stone hieroglyphics
Two hundred years ago, a young French linguist had a major eureka moment. In 1822, everything suddenly made sense for Jean-François Champollion as he deciphered the hieroglyphics – the ancient Egyptian code that had bamboozled scholars for years – on the famous Rosetta Stone. Thanks to his hard work, the mysterious symbols chipped into stone finally had meaning. In this special edition of France in Focus, we travel to the town of Vif in France's eastern Isère region to follow in the footsteps of the child prodigy who would become the first head of the Louvre museum's department of Egyptian antiquities.
13 min
July 22, 2022 France, the place to be? For many holiday-goers, the summer will be French
It's summer and French vacationers are back on the road, on the rails, and in the air. After two years of suffering through the Covid-19 pandemic, it is time to recharge, rest and take in the sun.
12 min
July 15, 2022 Having an abortion in France, not always an easy road
When the US Supreme Court overturned the federal right to abortion, it sent shockwaves across the world. In France, when Simone Veil stood before parliament in 1974 and pushed for the decriminalisation of abortion, the debate was heated. Since the passing of the 1975 ‘Veil Law’ in her name, access to abortion has become for a majority of the French akin to a fundamental right. But it remains vulnerable to shifting political tides — hence the push to add it to the country’s constitution.
13 min
July 08, 2022 France's most beautiful villages: marketing the country's heritage
A testament to its history, France is sprinkled with beautiful villages and towns. To stand out, attract tourists or even new residents, many have turned to a variety of certificates, labels and competitions to boost their visibility. We've followed an inspector for the non-profit ‘Most Beautiful Villages of France’ who looked at the town of Bergheim to see if it’s worthy of obtaining this certification. We also met Christophe Alaux, a marketing professor, to understand the role of these labels.
12 min
June 24, 2022 November 2015 Paris attacks: Landmark trial draws to a close
They were the deadliest attacks on French soil since World War II. On the night of November 13, 2015, jihadists targeted Paris's Bataclan concert hall, several outdoor bars and restaurants, as well as the Stade de France stadium. To bring closure, catharsis and above all justice for the victims, a trial of those involved has been under way since September 2021, with a verdict expected on June 29. In this edition of France in Focus, we hear from a victim's partner, a lawyer and a court reporter.
16 min
June 17, 2022 Has the 'Big Quit' reached France? Employers struggle to hire staff
Flexible hours, a four-day working week and a sense of purpose are just some of the things that employees are looking for in a job. And if they feel like they're not appreciated, they might just jump ship. A recent survey found that one in four people in France are looking to quit their jobs in the next two years, as they seek better pay and better benefits. We take a closer look.
13 min
June 03, 2022 France hit by drought: Farmers bear the brunt
In this edition, we're looking at one of the key consequences of climate change: drought. From parched fields, to burning forests, to houses cracking as the ground beneath them dries up, droughts are becoming more frequent in France and around the world. As scientists look for solutions, many are calling for changes to our agricultural model and the way we consume, in the hope of conserving Earth's most precious resource: water.
13 min
May 27, 2022 France's maths problem: Students lag behind other EU countries
Sums, geometry, algorithms... many pupils groan at the very mention of mathematics. France's most recent education minister, Jean-Michel Blanquer, removed the often-unloved discipline from the common core teachings of French high schools in 2019. But with educators and economists ringing alarm bells about the importance of maths across multiple sectors, mathematics is expected to soon return to the classroom for all French high school students. We take a closer look.
13 min
May 20, 2022 Being LGBTI+ in France: The fight for equality continues
In France, coming out of the closet and living openly as a member of the LGBTI+ community can be a significant psychological, emotional and social challenge. Until just 40 years ago, it was also a legal one. In 1982, the age of consent was lowered from 21 to 18 for homosexuals in France, making it the same for everyone. This landmark law paved the way for important civil liberties, including the legalisation of same-sex marriage in 2013. But there are still obstacles to be overcome. To find out more about the ongoing fight for equality, we speak to Sébastien Tüller, LGBTI+ legal advisor for Amnesty International France.
14 min