France in focus

By FRANCE 24 English

France in focus episodes

May 06, 2022 Revealing the social effects of two years of mask-wearing
The surgical mask has become a potent symbol of the pandemic…and an intimate part of our daily lives. In this episode, we’re exploring how covering our faces for almost two years now has affected us. For example, does catching a glimpse of just the eyes change our perception of a person? How have we learned to interpret non-verbal clues and the emotions expressed behind that mask? And what happens when we finally take them off?
13 min
April 26, 2022 Macron's challenges ahead: Re-elected president vows to unite a divided France
After an unusual campaign, Emmanuel Macron has won re-election as French president, defeating the far right's Marine Le Pen in the run-off. However, a record number of voters cast ballots for the far right and the far left during the two rounds of the election. The abstention rate in the run-off was the highest since 1969 and the country remains polarised. Macron faces a tough challenge to unite the country.
13 min
April 15, 2022 Death of jailed Corsican nationalist revives tensions on French island
Located in the French Mediterranean, Corsica is often referred to as the "island of beauty". But it's also been the scene of recent tensions. Since last month's death of jailed assassin and independence figurehead Yvan Colonna, following an attack on him by a fellow inmate, a pro-autonomy movement has been gaining ground on Corsica. Thousands have taken to the streets to call for more autonomy, with young people particularly vocal. We take you from the seafront in Ajaccio to the university town of Corte to unpick the recent crisis and the calls for change.
13 min
February 05, 2022 A war without a name: France's controversial colonial past in Algeria
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the end of a brutal conflict that France only officially recognised as being a war in 1999. Between 1954 and 1962, swords were locked between France and Algeria, with nationalists in the North African country determined to push the colonisers out. In March 1962, along the shores of Lake Geneva, a peace deal was finally reached between ministers and a delegation from Algeria's provisional government. The Evian Accords would eventually result in Algeria's independence, ending 132 years of French rule.
13 min
January 28, 2022 France's price hikes: Households bearing the brunt of inflation
For years, inflation rates have largely stayed below targets in developed nations despite economic growth, but the pandemic has changed the equation. In France, the annual consumer inflation index is now at 3.4 percent, a 13-year high driven largely by skyrocketing energy costs. Fuel prices at French pumps are currently at all-time highs. With energy prices wreaking havoc on budgets, many French households are changing their habits. We take a closer look.
13 min
January 21, 2022 Losing faith in democracy: France's abstention problem
This week, we're exploring a key question ahead of the upcoming presidential elections in France: "to vote or not to vote?" As the list of candidates gets longer, the race is on to drum up support. But voter apathy is still a major concern and increasing numbers of would-be voters are turning their backs on politicians and the political system. Our reporters went to one Paris suburb with a particularly high abstention rate to meet some who are adamant they're going nowhere near a polling station this spring.
12 min
January 14, 2022 Four centuries after Molière's birth: The legacy of France's most successful playwright
He's known as the father of French theatre, but the influence of Molière goes well beyond France. His impact is still felt today all over the world. To mark the 400th anniversary of the famed playwright's birth, we speak to Georges Forestier, professor at the Sorbonne and a specialist in the works of Molière. We also take you on a tour of Molière's Paris.
13 min
January 07, 2022 How lobbies weigh on alcoholism prevention efforts in France
In France, it's estimated that more than 30 percent of people drink excessively. That means more than two glasses of wine per day and more than five days a week. These figures have gone up during the Covid-19 pandemic. Yet the government's approach to alcohol has been not as forceful as with other types of addiction such as smoking. Indeed, some specialists say that's down to the power of lobbies within the industry. We take a closer look in this edition of France in Focus.
13 min
December 17, 2021 Would you like some foie gras? A controversial French delicacy
In this edition, we’re focusing on the French delicacy of foie gras. One of France’s most cherished foods, it’s a staple at Christmas tables across the country. But foie gras is also a source of controversy. There are ethical concerns about how it is produced, which has led several French cities to ban it for official gatherings. The move has launched a fierce national debate.
12 min
December 10, 2021 Escaping the pandemic: France's luxury sector is booming
France is home to some of the biggest luxury brands in the world. While many everyday businesses have struggled to bounce back from the health crisis, it’s been just the opposite for the most exclusive French labels. Jean-Noël Kapferer, professor emeritus of marketing, talks us through the success of luxury brands bouncing back from the pandemic. We also see how the luxury sector is making its way into the second-hand market, bringing in a whole new clientele.
13 min