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Fact check: Does France offer world’s most generous health reimbursement?
It comes after a government spokesperson made the claim this week
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Why parking fines in France are now more likely to be cancelled
It comes after France’s highest administrative court found in a driver’s favour
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What is ideal calendar donation for French firefighters and postal workers?
There is no set price for the calendars, which are sold in workers’ spare time
What is France’s Vigipirate alert system?
The security apparatus follows a three level plan
France follows a three level security alert system called Vigipirate to allow police and emergency services to coordinate their resources in times of crisis.
The name Vigipirate is an acronym for Vigilance et protection des installations contre les risques d'attentats terroristes à l'explosif.
The system, first introduced in 1978, has gone through several iterations. Last updated in 2016, there are currently three levels:
When has France been on high alert?
In the past ten years, France has been on its highest level of alert five times:
- March 19, 2022: After the Toulouse and Montauban shootings.
- January 7, 2015: After the Charlie Hebdo shooting
- November 14, 2015: After the November 2015 Paris attacks
- October 29, 2020: After the 2020 Nice stabbing.
- October 13, 2023: After the stabbings in Arras
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