France in focus

By FRANCE 24 English

France in focus episodes

January 22, 2021 Reforming the French police: An impossible task?
The French public's historically strained rapport with law enforcement has reached an all-time low in recent months. This comes after a spate of serious incidents of police brutality and racism, some of which were caught on camera. Simultaneously, the French opposition, media, human rights groups and even the UN cried foul over the government's botched attempt to pass a new law that would have censored video footage of police forces. It's all a far cry from the outpouring of solidarity and gratitude towards the police that France witnessed back in 2015. We take a closer look.
12 min
January 12, 2021 French gastronomy: The origins of haute cuisine
This week, we're putting the focus on French gastronomy as we spare a thought for France's restaurant owners, staff and caterers, who are struggling through the Covid-19 crisis. We take a look back at the history of haute cuisine, from the first known recipe to the publication of the Michelin Guide. We also take you around the Château de Valençay, where fine dining was used as a political weapon in the 19th century. Finally, we check out a top culinary school in Paris, where budding chefs from around the world are absorbing the expertise of French masters.
12 min
January 08, 2021 Covid-19 vaccine: How to explain French mistrust?
As the French government rolls out its Covid-19 vaccination campaign, we’re putting the focus on the country's response. While many pandemic-weary nations view this fast-tracked medical breakthrough as light at the end of a year-long tunnel, France remains the most vaccine-averse country in the world. According to opinion polls, some 58 percent of French citizens are currently stating that they won't be getting the jab. This reluctance goes back almost as far as vaccines themselves. We take a closer look.
13 min
December 18, 2020 Albert Camus: The rise of a literary icon
This week, we're putting the focus on Nobel Prize-winning French author Albert Camus. As 2020 saw France mark 60 years since his death in a car crash, Camus's seminal work "The Plague" was unexpectedly thrust back into the spotlight by the Covid-19 pandemic. From the UK to Japan, the 1947 novel established itself as a global sensation, topping sales charts and pushing publishers into a rushed reprint. But Camus's prolific and multi-faceted career extends far beyond this viral hit. We tell you more about the author's life, starting with his humble beginnings in French-ruled Algeria.
13 min
December 04, 2020 Fed up, lonely and frustrated: France's seniors speak out
In France, patients over the age of 65 account for at least 92 percent of all Covid-19 deaths across the country, and contagion is especially high among senior citizens. But in the face of a second lockdown, it’s been a hard balance to strike for authorities, families and pensioners themselves, caught between the fear of infection and the misery of isolation. To give us her take on this issue, we meet activist Armelle Le Bigot Macaux, who’s the president of the School of European Grand Parents, an association that supports and advocates for grand-parents.
13 min
November 27, 2020 French athletes struggle with Covid-19 restrictions
In this edition we see how France's sports world is handling the Covid-19 curveball. With social distancing rules and two lockdowns upending many competitions and closing down most training facilities, it's been a rough year for athletes, clubs and fans alike. Faced with the dire consequences of this forced time-out, President Emmanuel Macron has met representatives and come up with a game plan. But beyond the financial aspect, this health crisis has also taken its toll on French athletes both physically and mentally. Judo champion Clarisse Agbegnenou gives us her take on the situation.
13 min
November 13, 2020 Charles de Gaulle: The man behind the myth
This week, we're exploring the life and legacy of Charles de Gaulle, who died 50 years ago this week. To many, he's the undisputed French hero: a wartime leader who led the Resistance to the Nazis in World War II before years later becoming the first president of the Fifth Republic. For much of his life, de Gaulle lived in the village of Colombey-les-Deux-Églises, where he and his wife Yvonne raised their children. We visit his much-loved home and learn more about the man behind the myth.
13 min
November 06, 2020 Covid-19 crisis: The new faces of poverty in France
This week, we're looking at the economic damage wrought by the coronavirus in France. As many as one million people could be plunged into poverty by the pandemic. Charities have also been impacted. One reason is that older people often volunteer, but many are now avoiding social situations since they are most at risk. The French government has announced measures to help those most in need, but some charity organisers say help is not reaching all the right people. We speak to Christophe Devys, the president of the Alerte collective, a group of 35 anti-poverty charities.
13 min
October 30, 2020 75 years on: Spotlight on France's social security system
In this week's show, we're taking a closer look at France's version of the welfare state: social security. One of the pillars of the French state, "la sécurité sociale" is essentially a massive safety net, to catch anyone who falls ill, loses their job or decides to retire. To get an insight into how the system works, we explore its 75-year history, while trying to understand the challenges it faces today.
12 min
October 16, 2020 Inside France's race for a Covid-19 vaccine
This week, as France grapples with a second wave of the coronavirus, what is the state of French medical research? Is the industry short on funds? And where is France in the race to develop a vaccine and potential treatments? We look at what work has been done so far in France to develop a safe, effective vaccine against Covid-19.
13 min