Paris Times

French Heritage Days Open Government Buildings and Historic Sites to the Public

Ministries, cultural institutions and privately owned historic properties across France have opened their doors for the annual European Heritage Days, drawing large numbers of visitors and highlighting preservation efforts.

Documents Shed New Light on LVMH’s Historical Attempt to Build a Stake in Hermès

Newly reported documents detail a confidential arrangement through which LVMH sought Hermès shares from an heir, adding new information about the origins of the luxury groups’ longstanding corporate dispute.

Paris Considers Higher Tourist Taxes to Help Fund Urban Infrastructure

Paris authorities are examining proposals to raise levies on hotels and short-term accommodation as the city looks for additional revenue to support transport, sanitation and other public services.

easyJet France Pilots Plan Late-September Strike Over Pay and Working Conditions

A union representing easyJet pilots in France has called industrial action later in September, raising the prospect of flight disruptions at airports including Paris, Lyon and Nice.

Macron Convenes Political Leaders as France Confronts Security and Energy Pressures

President Emmanuel Macron has brought parliamentary party leaders together at the Élysée as international conflicts, fuel prices and domestic political divisions put additional pressure on the French government.

France Changes Sick Leave and Pension Rules as Government Targets Social Spending

New French regulations tighten rules governing paid sick leave and alter calculations affecting some retirement entitlements as authorities seek to control social-security expenditure.

France Advances Tougher Social Media Restrictions for Younger Users

French authorities are pursuing stricter age-verification requirements for social networks as lawmakers seek stronger protections for minors using major online platforms.

French and EU Regulators Increase Scrutiny of Major US Technology Platforms

French digital authorities are working alongside European regulators as large American technology companies face closer examination under the European Union’s digital competition rules.

France Tightens Security Ahead of Demonstrations Over Police Firearms Rules

French authorities have increased security preparations ahead of demonstrations opposing proposed changes to legal protections for police officers who use firearms.

French Farmers Threaten New Blockades Over European Union Trade Agreements

Agricultural unions are preparing protests and possible highway disruptions as they press Paris to resist European trade concessions they say could expose farmers to lower-cost imports from South America.

France Strengthens Border Enforcement Along Frontier With Italy

French authorities have deployed additional officers near the Italian border as the government seeks to intercept undocumented migrants travelling north through Mediterranean migration routes.

France and Britain Face Continuing Pressure From English Channel Migrant Crossings

French authorities continue efforts to stop dangerous small-boat departures toward Britain as migration across the Channel remains a source of operational and diplomatic pressure for both governments.

EDF Workers Stage Strikes Over Proposed Changes to Employee Energy Discounts

Unions at state-controlled utility EDF have organised industrial action at nuclear facilities in opposition to plans affecting longstanding subsidised electricity tariffs for employees.

TotalEnergies Sells Fuel at Cost Across France as Pump Prices Pressure Consumers

TotalEnergies is selling petrol and diesel without a retail profit margin at its French service stations, providing relief for drivers while drawing criticism from independent fuel distributors.

Sanofi Sells Mature Medicines Portfolio to Germany’s Cheplapharm

French drugmaker Sanofi has agreed to divest rights to several established medicines to Cheplapharm as it redirects investment toward areas including immunology and rare diseases.

Stellantis Faces Union Scrutiny Over Plans for Maserati EV Production in China

French and Italian labour groups are challenging plans by Stellantis to produce future Maserati electric vehicles in China, adding to concerns about automotive manufacturing shifting away from Europe.

Airbus Secures Major Widebody Aircraft Order From Middle Eastern Airlines

French aerospace group Airbus has won a multibillion-euro order for long-haul aircraft from Gulf carriers, strengthening its position in the global widebody market as airlines continue expanding international fleets.

Mistral AI Raises €3 Billion to Expand European Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure

Paris-based Mistral AI has secured a €3 billion funding round at a reported €21 billion valuation, with the company planning further investment in European-developed artificial-intelligence models and infrastructure.

France Pushes for Tougher EU Measures on Chinese Electric Vehicles

Paris is pressing European partners to maintain strong trade protections against subsidised Chinese electric vehicles as France seeks to shield domestic and European manufacturers from lower-priced imports.

France Warns of Growing Russian-Backed Security Influence Across the Sahel

French military officials are monitoring the expanding role of Russian-linked forces in West Africa following the withdrawal of French troops from several Sahel countries.

France Maintains Naval Presence Around Eastern Mediterranean and Red Sea

French naval forces are operating across the eastern Mediterranean and wider Middle East as Paris seeks to protect maritime routes, maintain regional situational awareness and support freedom of navigation.

Macron and Carney Set for Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon Meeting on Strategic Cooperation

French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney are due to meet in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon to discuss closer cooperation in energy, defence, critical minerals, aerospace and advanced technologies.

France Holds UN Security Council Presidency With Ukraine and Middle East Crises in Focus

France is chairing the United Nations Security Council during September as Paris seeks multilateral responses to major conflicts including those in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Macron Warns International Conflicts Are Increasing France’s Energy and Security Risks

President Emmanuel Macron has highlighted the impact of wars in Ukraine and the Middle East on French energy supplies and security, with Paris seeking a peaceful reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and stronger protection of critical infra...

French Public Debt Projected to Rise Above 121% of GDP in 2027

France’s public debt is projected to reach about 121.7% of gross domestic product next year, increasing pressure on the government as borrowing costs and budget constraints intensify.

France Seeks €54 Billion Budget Adjustment as Deficit Pressures Mount

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu says France must find €54 billion in its 2027 budget to contain the deficit, combining spending restraint with other fiscal measures as the government struggles to stabilise public finances.

Paris Opens Normally Restricted Sites for European Heritage Days

Historic buildings and other sites usually closed to the public are opening across Paris for European Heritage Days on September 19 and 20, with endangered heritage among the themes of this year’s program.

Carrefour Cuts Prices Across Essential Goods as French Retail Competition Intensifies

Carrefour is reducing prices on a broad range of food and household products as French supermarkets compete for consumers facing continued pressure on living costs.

France Tightens Border Checks Amid Irregular Migration Concerns

French authorities are preparing stronger surveillance and identity checks along southern and eastern borders as the government responds to continuing irregular migration pressures.

Paris Airport Unions Threaten Strikes Over Pay and Working Conditions

Unions representing workers at Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports have issued strike notices as disputes over wages and working conditions threaten disruption during the autumn travel season.

Early Wine Harvests Spread Across France After Severe Summer Heat

Vineyards in Bordeaux, Burgundy and the Rhône Valley have begun harvesting earlier than usual after high temperatures and irregular rainfall accelerated grape development.

French Luxury Groups Adjust Retail Strategies as Chinese Demand Slows

LVMH, Kering and other French luxury companies are reassessing store networks and marketing plans as weaker Chinese consumer demand puts pressure on a key export market.

French Used-EV Incentive Targets Lower-Income Drivers

France has introduced new financial assistance for purchases of eligible used electric vehicles registered between 2017 and 2023, with the program funded through energy suppliers.

Orange Accelerates Standalone 5G Deployment in Major French Cities

Orange is expanding standalone 5G infrastructure in Lyon, Marseille and Bordeaux, targeting faster and lower-latency connectivity for industrial and logistics customers.

TotalEnergies Expands Offshore Wind Investment in Europe

TotalEnergies is committing additional capital to offshore wind developments along European coastlines as the French energy group broadens its renewable electricity portfolio.

CMA CGM Expands Logistics Network With European Terminal Acquisition

Marseille-based CMA CGM has completed the acquisition of a European container terminal as the shipping group continues expanding beyond ocean freight into port and logistics infrastructure.

SNCF Plans Major Modernization of France’s High-Speed Rail Network

SNCF has outlined a multi-year investment program covering newer, more energy-efficient TGV trains and upgrades to rail infrastructure as passenger demand increases.

EDF Reports Progress on Next-Generation Nuclear Reactor Program

EDF says engineering work on its latest European Pressurized Reactor projects is advancing as France pursues a long-term expansion of nuclear generation capacity.

Sanofi Expands Vaccine Manufacturing Capacity in France

Sanofi plans further investment in vaccine production facilities in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region as France seeks to strengthen domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity.

Airbus Secures New A350 Order From Asian Airline

Toulouse-based Airbus has won an additional order for A350 wide-body aircraft from an Asian carrier, adding to its long-term production pipeline for one of its flagship passenger jets.

Paris AI Startups Draw New Venture Capital as France Expands Technology Push

Several Paris-based artificial-intelligence companies have secured substantial new financing, adding momentum to France’s effort to build a larger domestic AI industry.

French Government Limits Primary Spending Growth to 0.7% in 2027 Budget Plan

France plans to hold net primary expenditure growth to 0.7% as the government tries to slow the deterioration in public finances while remaining within European fiscal constraints.

Paris and Rabat Restore Normal Consular Cooperation

France and Morocco are returning visa processing and consular services to normal operating levels as bilateral relations recover from an extended diplomatic dispute.

France Expands Financial Support for New Caledonia’s Strained Economy

Paris is providing further financial assistance to New Caledonia as the Pacific territory continues rebuilding its economy and public finances following the unrest that began in 2024.