#france-relations

#france-relations

Macron underscored the need for France and South Korea to cooperate to help reopen the strait and deescalate Middle East animosities, affirming their resolve to secure the safe shipping route in the Strait of Hormuz.

"A visit to the Palace of Versailles is truly a walk through history, not to mention one of the most beautifully preserved palaces one can visit."

Corentin Roudaut, who once felt overwhelmed by Paris's traffic, found renewed confidence in cycling after the establishment of a segregated bike lane on Boulevard Voltaire. He now actively participates in promoting cycling in the city, witnessing a remarkable transformation in urban mobility and safety over the last decade.

In summer 1936, the French government passed a law that mandated paid holiday, a move that kickstarted the exodus of northerners to the Med every August, and it became a true emblem of the French vacances.

Leribault's priority will be to strengthen the safety and security of the building, the collections, and people, to restore a climate of trust, and to carry forward, together with all the teams, the necessary transformations for the museum, the culture ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

EU member states and the UK are united in taking defensive measures if a European country is attacked, and in helping the Gulf nations with whatever they can. However, they disagree on Trump's war goals and the extent to which they should support US action against Iran. There will be no unified position on the war. On the other hand, none of the member states will enter the war directly; they will not play an active role alongside the US or Israel.

In Italy, the most common topic mentioned as a source of national pride was culture and the arts. These were cited by 38 percent of respondents, more than any other place. An Italian woman who took part in the survey said she was proud of 'the works in the churches, paintings, sculpture ... most places in Italy have something beautiful.' An Italian man said that 'Italy is an open-air museum.'

While neutral colors form the timeless base of most Parisian wardrobes, warmer weather calls for bolder pops of color-and on a recent two-week trip to France, I noticed a bright poppy red hue blooming all over the capital city in the form of cozy cardigans, woolly scarves, and chic ballet flats. I immediately sought out the sunny shade, and soon found it mirrored everywhere from brasserie booths to café terrace tables

French President Emmanuel Macron recently wrote to his US counterpart Donald Trump asking him to lift sanctions placed on several European figures, including former European commissioner Thierry Breton and ICC judge Nicolas Guillou, according to extracts of a letter seen by AFP. In the letter, Macron says he is making a personal appeal to Trump to reconsider the sanctions, which he argues were unjustly imposed.

The first round of local elections happens next Sunday (March 15th), with 34,000 communes, from tiny villages up to the major cities, heading out to elect the local mayors who play a huge part in shaping the life and infrastructure of each area.

France cannot accept any form of interference or manipulation of its national public debate by the authorities of a third country. The ambassador took note, expressed his willingness not to interfere in our public debate, and recalled the friendship that binds France and the United States.

In reality, most French people do not spend their summers chasing iconic landmarks or ticking destinations off a bucket list. Their idea of a successful vacation is quieter, slower, and often much closer to home. Rather than Paris or Saint-Tropez, they favor rural regions, discreet coastlines, forested hills, and mid-sized towns where life moves at a gentler pace, often staying in family homes, rented gîtes, camping sites, or small guesthouses.

We want to speed up the European Union, we want to make it better, and we want to ensure that we have a competitive industry in Europe.

There are threats and intimidation and then suddenly Washington backs down. And we think it's over. But don't believe it for a second. He said when there is blatant aggression we must not bow down or try to reach a settlement. We tried this strategy for months and it's not working. But above all, it strategically leads Europe to increase its dependence.

Rachida Dati leaves a ministry struggling with budgetary cuts and badly shaken by the stunning theft of the French crown jewels from the Louvre in October. An ongoing parliamentary investigation has underlined the responsibility the ministry bears for the museum's security failings. One day before her own resignation, the Louvre's director Laurence des Cars stepped down.

"Everyone should take their cue from us, instead of criticising us," he said at the Munich Security Conference, after US Vice President JD Vance used his address at the annual gathering last year to attack European policies on immigration and free speech. "I believe that Europe is inherently strong and can be made even stronger yet," he added.

Host Ben McPartland is joined by The Local France's Emma Pearson, John Lichfield, and Emma Albright. We look at what's made the news in France this week - from Le Pen's appeal, a controversial price hike for museums for visitors from outside the EU, and the latest on those farmer protests. You can find the Talking France podcast on Spotify or Apple, download here or listen on the link below.