France's healthcare system is something of an object of fascination abroad and is often held up as an example for its quality of treatment and universality of coverage. But the system is actually facing some major structural problems that have come to a head in recent years. Perhaps the biggest and most urgent problem is a phenomenon the French call "medical deserts". What is a medical desert, where are they located in France, and what is the government doing to try to fix the problem? We take a closer look in this edition of French Connections.

Bordering the French Riviera, Marseille is a one-of-a-kind place in France with a soul of its own. The colourful metropolis is famous for being the sunniest city in the country and a fascinating destination with a rich history. The southern port city has been at the crossroads of trade and immigration since it was first founded in 600 BC. All this has made Marseille into a Mediterranean melting pot with a diverse cultural and gastronomic heritage.

In this week’s show, buckle your seatbelts as Genie Godula and Florence Villeminot focus on a French institution that, if you’re lucky, you can spot occasionally if you gaze up at the sky. The “Patrouille de France”, the precision aerobatics demonstration unit of the French Air and Space Force, is celebrating its 70th anniversary. What’s so special about the so-called “Grande Dame''? First off, the squad is composed of the crème de la crème of France’s elite air force pilots. But it’s much more than a stunt team, it holds a special place in the hearts and minds of the French.

In this special history episode of French Connections Plus, we put the spotlight on what has come to be seen as a dark period: the Middle Ages. The era known as "le Moyen Âge" in French covered some 1,000 years: ten centuries of political upheaval, royal intrigue, wars, disease and famine. But it was also a rich period of artistic and intellectual development when in many ways France took on the shape it has today. So what's left of this complex chapter of French history? Join Florence Villeminot and Genie Godula as they time-travel back to the Middle Ages in France.

This week we turn the spotlight on perhaps the most French thing of all: the language. If you're learning French, you'll know that it's a complex and rich language that's constantly evolving. So how has French changed in recent years? How does this reflect changes in French society? And how does its standing compare to other languages spoken around the world? In this edition of French Connections, we find out whether the future of the French language is bright.

If you're asked to name a French wine, Bordeaux is usually the first that springs to mind. Wines from the region around the southwestern French metropolis are famous for their complexity, elegance and class. But Bordeaux has so much more going for it than just wine. Join Florence Villeminot and Genie Godula as they discover the history and culture of the city through its gastronomy.

May is a month of celebration in France. The bulk of the country's 11 public holidays fall during May, making it a favourite for employees. Meanwhile, May Day or Workers' Day is an annual bellwether for social relations in the country. This year, trade unions are united and fired up against President Emmanuel Macron for ramming his controversial pension reform through parliament without a vote. They're hoping for mass turnout at rallies to put pressure on the government. Finally, May 1 is also a day to wish your loved ones good luck with a bouquet of the beautiful lily of the valley flower.

In this edition of French Connections, we focus on a debate that comes up repeatedly in France: does the French president have too much power and if so, should France change its current political system, known as the Fifth Republic? Recently, this question has been back in the spotlight after President Emmanuel Macron forced his controversial pension reform plan through parliament without a vote. FRANCE 24's Florence Villeminot has been looking into the arguments for a Sixth Republic in France.

In this special history episode of French Connections Plus, we take a deep dive into "la Belle Époque" or "The Beautiful Era", a period in France history straddling the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. It was a moment of peace and prosperity, technological progress, bubbling creativity and hope in the future. The period also saw deep societal change that laid the foundations of modern-day France. But there was a darker side to "la Belle Époque", as it was marked by great inequality and imperialism. This begs the question: was it really such a beautiful era? We take a closer look.

In this week's show, we take a closer look at money in France, a country where talking about financial matters can be quite taboo. The French have traditionally been big savers. So where does this tendency to stow away cash come from? We put the spotlight on one of the most popular savings options: the Livret A. Created in 1818, eight in ten French people have one of these savings accounts. So who can open one and what's so advantageous about it? We tell you more.