French connections

France may be known for its chateaux, cuisine and couture, but it is also quietly home to one of Europe's most varied amusement park industries. France has a network of theme parks – les parcs d'attractions – that in many ways reflect the country's contradictions: you've got global glamour next to local pride, high technology alongside nostalgic myth-making. Buckle up and join us on this wild ride around French amusement parks.

In this week's show, we take a deep dive into freedom of speech. It's been in the news stateside following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and the temporary suspension of stand-up comedian Jimmy Kimmel. In France, free speech is seen as a fundamental freedom that dates back to the Revolution of 1789. It is often described as a "liberté surveillée" (a supervised freedom) because while it grants wide-ranging freedom, it also sets strict legal limits. In France, freedom of expression is not absolute. So what are some of the things punishable by French law? We take a closer look.

In this French Connections Plus, Genie Godula and Florence Villeminot continue their tour of Paris with a stop in the 8th arrondissement. It has the most employees in the capital – but the fewest inhabitants! This key business district is renowned for its high-end hotels and boutiques, bringing visitors in from around the world to marvel at France's most luxurious goods. But the area is perhaps best known for having the most beautiful avenue in the world – the famous Champs-Élysées. Join us on this discovery tour of Paris's eighth arrondissement.

In this week's show we put the spotlight on how French institutions work, particularly the role of prime minister. Stuck between an all-powerful president pulling the strings, a turbulent parliament trying to topple you and critical media holding you accountable, some have gone so far as to describe Matignon, the prime minister's residence, as a "hell". So is being PM the toughest job in France? FRANCE 24's Florence Villeminot has been finding out.

This week on French Connections we explore "la rentrée", the renaissance that takes place after France's summer shutdown. Children return to school, politicians scheme about the year to come and people get back to work. While some experience a "rentrée blues", others take the opportunity to make a fresh set of resolutions.

In this edition of French Connections Plus, Genie Godula and Florence Villeminot continue their tour of Paris with a stop in one of the fastest-growing districts in the capital: the 19th. Located in the northeastern part of Paris, you’d be forgiven if you'd never heard of this district as it’s not a popular stop on the tourist track. While it may not have any notable monuments, the 19ème still has so much to offer! It's actually quite the hidden gem, where you can get a genuine taste of Paris in all its diversity. Join us on this discovery tour of Paris's nineteenth arrondissement.

This week, we focus on a French sporting institution that comes around once a year: the Tour de France. It's considered one of the most difficult and most prestigious cycling races in the world. We tell you some of the specifics of the "Grande Boucle", like the different jerseys to look out for. Part of the reason the race is so popular is because the whole atmosphere is electric. But the Tour de France is so much more than just a cycling competition – it's also a celebration of France. 

You might picture the stereotypical French person wearing a beret, with a glass of wine in one hand and a cigarette in the other. But does France deserve its chain-smoking reputation? While many tourists say large numbers of smokers are one of the first things they notice in France, statistics show that their number is in fact dropping dramatically. So what steps has the government taken to get people to stop smoking? We take a closer look in this edition of French Connections

In this edition of French Connections, Genie Godula and Florence Villeminot take you to the oldest district in Paris: the fifth arrondissement. First built by the Romans as part of the ancient city of Lutetia, the 5th is also a very young area, filled with students from several top universities and some of the best prep schools in France. The area is a window into Arab culture as well. It's home to both France's biggest mosque and the incredible Arab World Institute. Join us for a tour of the Latin Quarter and beyond.

For many French people, passing the national end-of-high-school exam, known as the Baccalaureate or "Bac", is an important rite of passage. The French love to brag about the "Bac" and how difficult it is, since this implies French pupils are smart. But with so many people passing the diploma, has it lost its value? Recently, the government completely reformed the Bac to make it a "springboard to success". Will it retain its egalitarian – albeit stressful – appeal? We take a closer look in this edition of French Connections.