France in focus

On January 27, 1945, the French population had yet to grasp the full horror of the Holocaust. After the Soviet army finally liberated Auschwitz and the allies advanced on the Western front, the first survivors began to trickle back to their home countries and the true scale of the tragedy began to emerge. Esther Dzik was one of the survivors who returned to Paris in 1945. She'd been deported in September 1943 at the age of 15 and sent to Auschwitz, where her own sister perished. Now 97 years old, she tells us about the conditions in the camp, her resolve to survive and the struggle to rebuild her life after her whole family was murdered.

We also hear from historians who explain that the return of some of the Jewish people who had been deported was a painful moment for many of them, as their stories were often overshadowed by heroic accounts of political resistance.

Plus we learn more about the legislative changes and the archival work which saw France rebuild its relationship with the Jewish community and lay the foundations for the remembrance and educational work which survivors like Esther are tirelessly involved in.

The Pelicot rape trial at the end of 2024 put the issue of sexual violence at the centre of public debate in France. Seen as a real turning point, the case has also raised questions about men's responsibility in rape culture. From the #Notallmen slogan circulating on social media, to discussion groups where some men have been examining their own behaviour, the case has prompted many men to take a long, hard look in the mirror. FRANCE 24's Sonia Baritello, Olivia Salazar-Winspear, Jade Lévin and Jonathan Walsh met some of them.

On January 12, 2019, the residents of rue de Trévise in Paris's 9th arrondissement (district) were woken by a huge explosion prompted by a gas leak. As they were rushed out of the building by the emergency services, the full horror became apparent: four dead, dozens injured and an entire neighbourhood destroyed. Six years later, some former residents are finally able to return home. But many are still waiting for repairs to be completed and want an explanation about what caused this tragic accident. We take a closer look in this edition of France in Focus.

At 8:30am on the morning of January 12, 2019, a strong smell of gas was coming from the Paris basement of 6, rue de Trévise. Minutes later, a fireball killed two firefighters and a resident of the building. Cars were overturned, and the impact also shattered the windows of the surrounding buildings; a Spanish tourist died in a hotel on the other side of the street. The fire quickly spread to the building's stairwell; one by one, its residents were evacuated.

Six years later, the neighbourhood has been rebuilt, local shops have reopened and the rue de Trévise is no longer a bomb site. But the trauma remains and some residents are struggling to return to a building they had to leave immediately on the day of the explosion. The ongoing battle with insurers to receive the compensation they were promised has resulted in feelings of frustration and despair. In January 2022, a €21 million agreement was signed to compensate those affected, but many of them have yet to receive anything.

Just who should be held responsible for the accident? According to some expert assessments, a water leak wore down the ground close to the building, causing the pavement to cave in, which then ruptured a gas pipe and caused the explosion. Yet there are conflicting reports. The building's management company is being investigated for failing to repair the leak, despite being aware of it since 2015. Paris City Hall has also been accused of neglecting its duty when it came to repairing the nearby pavement. As yet, no date has been set for a trial.

This week, France in Focus heads underground to explore the "Sistine Chapel" of prehistory. Thirty years ago, three explorers discovered the Chauvet cave, a site in southeastern France that was cut off from the world for thousands of years. Inside, paintings and engravings dating back 36,000 years decorate the walls. The site is sealed off to the general public, but each year a team of scientists heads inside to try to work out what life was like at the time. FRANCE 24's Jon Walsh and Joanna Cockerell report.

With thanks to the scientific team for the footage filmed inside the Chauvet cave.

For oyster farmers, the year-end holiday period is a vital one as they make around a third to half of their annual sales during this time. But last year was catastrophic for some oyster producing regions in France after sales were banned following a spate of food poisonings in parts of the country. Along with a tarnished image, oyster farmers also have to deal with an uptick in poaching, and rising seawater temperatures which threaten production.

Thierry Lafon has farmed oysters in Arcachon Bay for nearly 40 years. Like many of the 300 oyster farms in the area, Lafon’s business took a major blow last winter when sales of Arcachon Bay oysters were banned on December 27, 2023 following a number of foodborne infections. Analysis revealed the presence of norovirus in the oysters, the pathogen that causes gastroenteritis. It was a disaster for the local oyster industry which relies on the Christmas season for up to half of its revenue. "But that’s just the tip of the iceberg", Lafon said, adding: "oyster prices have collapsed as a whole".

While sales of Arcachon Bay oysters have improved after a 50 percent drop at the beginning of 2024, many oyster farmers say the root of the problem has yet to be addressed, citing polluted waters in the bay.

Oysters contaminated by raw sewage

The pollution can be traced back to severe flooding, triggered by major storms that hit the region last autumn. While the Intercommunal Union of Arcachon Bay (SIBA) which handles local sanitation, blamed the pollution on heavy rainfalls, a video shot by a local resident showed raw sewage and effluent deliberately dumped into a stream that feeds Arcachon Bay. Lafon, who heads a local environmental defence group, was the first oyster farmer to file a complaint against SIBA.

SIBA did not respond to requests for an interview and continues to blame the weather. In October, the group announced an investment of 120 million euros over five years, which includes a new water treatment facility in the bay area.

Environmental groups however say it’s not enough to solve the problem, which, according to them, stems from urbanisation. When the rainwater can no longer infiltrate the soil, the runoff increases exponentially. A popular tourist destination, Arcachon Bay is undergoing further development with 30,000 new homes slated to be built by 2040.

Professional Poaching

On top of sewage dumping which lead to contamination risks, there’s another cause for concern. Oyster farmers have long had to cope with theft, particularly around the holiday season. "It’s always a sensitive time for oyster farmers as a big chunk of their annual revenue depends on this period. So, we boost patrols, almost daily." Commander Jérôme Goussard of the Arcachon Nautical Brigade said.

Oysters under threat from global warming

It's not just pollution and poaching that have proven to be major headaches for oyster farmers either. Climate change too has had a major effect on the industry, with some oyster species of unable to adapt to the warming waters.

In Carantec in Brittany, oyster farmer Gireg Berder has had to struggle with green algae which have multiplied around the region because of both the fertilisers used for intensive agriculture, and rising temperature of the local waters. “The algae overgrows, and everything underneath decomposes, and it kills off all the species living there,” Berder said.

Due to global warming, the water is also becoming more acidic, which poses a danger for oysters. According to scientist Frédéric Gazeau, who co-authored a study on the environmental impact on oysters, lower water pH weaken oysters’ calcium carbonate shell, forcing the molluscs to use more energy for protection.

This means that the oysters “won’t be able to use that energy for other vital processes like reproduction, tissue growth, feeding, and so on. Our study shows a 20 percent reduction in growth by 2050," Gazeau said.

In the face of all these difficulties, oyster farmers in France have no choice but to change their practices. In the Arcachon Basin, Lafon is criticised by some for his outspokenness, which some believe damages the industry’s image. Nonetheless, Lafon is no longer willing to remain silent, as he believe that polluters must shoulder responsibility in order to protect his line of work.

Since the 2019 fire that devastated Notre-Dame, the historic centre of Paris has been affected by extensive renovation works. Now, five years later, the reopening of the cathedral on Saturday, December 7 is bringing hope to locals and businesses that have faced years of disruption, dwindling tourism and financial struggles.

But for nearby souvenir shops and restaurants, going back to normal remains a challenge. The Esmeralda brasserie for instance, has lost more than 30 percent of its revenue since the fire. The reopening of Notre-Dame is a much-needed boost, with the gothic edifice expected to attract 15 million visitors in its first year alone. Tourists can already enjoy immersive virtual tours, hands-on workshops, and an exhibition detailing the cathedral’s restoration process located underneath the forecourt of Notre Dame.

The full restoration project, however, won’t be completed until 2028. Behind the barricades, the entire Île de la Cité is being revamped. Renovation plans include greener spaces, reduced traffic, and new facilities like a café, a bookstore, and an updated entrance to the archaeological crypt under Notre-Dame. The reopening marks a new chapter not just for the iconic cathedral but for the vibrant neighbourhood that surrounds it.

On November 14, 1994, the rail operator Eurostar launched its high-speed services through the Channel Tunnel. A historic day that saw Paris and London connected in record time but the 30-year journey hasn't always run smoothly. FRANCE 24 takes a closer look.

In its early days, the cross-Channel route was a success: each year, Eurostar transported around 10 million passengers without any major incidents. Travelling to London became as easy as heading to Lyon or another major regional city.

However, the last few years have brought significant challenges, starting with Brexit and the reintroduction of customs between the UK and the European Union. This came as a shock for many travellers, who were used to crossing borders freely, almost forgetting the separation of sea between the island and the continent. Then came the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, which nearly spelled the end for Eurostar. Due to health restrictions, only a couple of trains were allowed to run each day, with very few passengers on board.

Eurostar was forced to adapt. It merged with the service connecting Paris to Brussels, previously known as Thalys. Now, Eurostar is looking to expand to major European cities like Amsterdam and Cologne. The brand also appeals to travellers from other continents who are keen to explore Europe by train.

Despite soaring ticket prices and numerous obstacles, Eurostar is determined to stay on the right track.

The Vendée Globe, the greatest sailing race in the world, is often called the Everest of the Seas. It’s extreme and it’s all about resilience and high technology. Every four years, skippers set out to conquer the most hostile oceans. This solo, non-stop, unassisted race around the planet that lasts nearly three months is a dangerous yet thrilling adventure. Ahead of this year's edition, FRANCE 24's Aurore Cloé Dupuis and Cédric Ferreira take a deep dive into the world of yacht racing and discover how sailors prepare for challenges at sea.

Is there anybody out there? In France, an organisation exists whose sole role is to answer this question. The GEIPAN, part of the French space agency, decodes dozens of cases each year. They try to find rational reasons to seemingly impossible sightings. In most cases they succeed, but a total of 99 phenomena remain unexplained to this day. Our reporters Joanna Cockerell and Sylvain Rousseau went to meet the detectives to see how they work and to understand why there is currently increased interest in UFOs.  

French-language music took centre stage during the Paris Olympics, with giant karaokés, star-studded ceremonies and a medley of styles and sounds. Boosted also by TV series, online streaming and a 30 percent increase in French music exports, Francophone songs are on a roll. In this week’s France in Focus, we take a deep dive into the French music scene and look at whether it can keep up the momentum, as well as what it means for the French language.