Events and competitions

Paris Olympic sites to open for tourist tours

The tours will offer visitors the chance to see key Olympic sites, including the Athletes’ Village

Go stargazing in France this weekend: find an event near you

This year, the theme of the Nuits des Étoiles is dedicated to the late French-Canadian astrophysicist Hubert Reeves

Tickets, access: how to visit spectacular Olympic ‘flying cauldron’

There are 10,000 free tickets available to see the balloon, which holds the first-ever fully-electric Olympic ‘flame’

news

If your table salt in France is looking a strange colour…lucky you!

The famous French brand is celebrating its 90th anniversary with a special golden idea

Help choose ‘France’s favourite monument’

Pick your choice and tune in to the live final to see who wins the top spot

French bakers attempt to make world’s longest baguette

The world-record bid, which must beat 132.62 metres, brings new meaning to the phrase ‘breaking bread’

Picnic in Paris? Chance to join huge meal on Champs-Elysees

The event could even be record-breaking. You can now apply for your chance to take part

Normandy first French region to stop funding wild animal shows

The move is part of a wider trend away from wild animal use

This is the French ultra trail race that no runner has ever finished

As if the 300km distance was not enough, participants are also required to bring a bottle of alcohol from their place of origin

US star to fire starting gun on 100th Le Mans 24-hour race

LeBron James will join list of celebrity ‘starters’ who signal the beginning of famous endurance event

Pension debates, strikes, wine, culture: The week ahead in France

This week (February 6-12) is set to feature several more days of anti-pension transport strikes, and a number of major cultural events in film, wine, arts and…lemons

Tour de France 2023 route unveiled: Will it pass near you?

The men’s race will begin in the Spanish Basque Country and include four summit finishes

Paris 2024 Olympic Games: ticket sales calendar revealed

Members of the public will be able to enter a ticket draw from this December. There will be one million seats available for €24

Vendée Arctique race departs from western France today

The 3,500 nautical mile race, which is one of the races on the road to qualifying for the Vendée Globe, is set to depart at 17:00 and will see sailors make a loop around Iceland

Hero sailor Jean le Cam among France's July 14 honours list

Actress Laetitia Casta and French-American choreographer Carolyn Carlson were also among the 467 people honoured for their services to the nation in this July 14 legion d'honneur list

Best festivals and events in France October 2020

What's on this month in France? A fashion exhibition, a festival about architecture, a day celebrating nature and more...

Who is Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar?

A brief history of the 22-year-old rider, who took the 2020 race by storm

Covid-19 in France: ‘Much bigger impact’ than thought

The coronavirus Covid-19 is expected to have a “much bigger impact” on France than thought, including on the economy, schools, high-profile events, tourist destinations, and cultural spaces.

Events in France this month: art, nature and music festivals

Discover the events not to miss in France this September.

France to allow gatherings of more than 5,000 from August 15

Gatherings of more than 5,000 people are to be permitted once again in France - with some conditions - from August 15; including concerts, shows, festivals, and salons.

Delayed Tour de France 2020 sets out new health measures

Organisers of the Tour de France are looking ahead to this year’s race - which was set to begin today (June 29) but will now start on August 29 - amid new health precautions, and uncertainty about how it will play out.

Deconfinement in France: What is reopening when?

The French government has announced more details on the planned schedule for deconfinement, which is set to start on May 11 and continue to September - including when parks, beaches and cafés will reopen.

Banksy Paris theft suspect claims links to artist

A man suspected of having stolen a Banksy artwork from a street sign in Paris has claimed that he was working on the instructions of the anonymous artist himself.

France unlikely ‘to escape’ coronavirus epidemic stage

France may find it “difficult to escape” the epidemic stage of coronavirus Covid-19, which would see it freely circulating across the country, the government's spokesperson has warned.

Mystery rock message in France finally ‘deciphered’

A mysterious inscription on a rock in Brittany is one step closer to being deciphered after a competition named two winners who suggested the most promising solutions.

French ‘human plane’ flies at 1,800m for first time

A Frenchman dubbed “the human plane” has flown at an altitude of 1,800 metres for the first time ever, using a carbon fibre “wing” propelled by four mini motors.

Elysée hosts a ‘Made in France’ show

A toothbrush made from recycled plastic, a mobile solar panel station and an anti-wind umbrella were among 120 products on show at the Elysée at a “Made in France” exhibition

France celebrates with traditional galette des rois

It is galette des rois season in France, as the country marks Epiphany on January 6, and bakers compete to make the best, most original versions of the popular patisserie.

British artist inspires Chinese light show in France

Artist's work the inspiration for a scene at Chinese Festival des Lanternes in southwest France

New Paris 2024 Olympic Games logo revealed

The new logo for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games has been revealed, with a design that features the symbol of France the Marianne, the Olympic flame, and a gold medal.

Tour de France 2020 route includes ‘crazy’ new summit

The route of the Tour de France 2020 has been officially revealed today (Tuesday October 15), and is set to include the first “crazy gradient” summit to the Méribel station (Savoie) in almost 50 years.

French ‘world’s best’ theme park opens site in Spain

The French Puy-du-Fou historical theme park in the Vendée (Pays-de-la-Loire) - previously voted the “world’s best” theme park - has opened a new sister site in Spain, near the city of Toledo.

France’s ‘flying man’ succeeds in Channel crossing

French ‘flying man’ Franky Zapata has successfully crossed the Channel today on his jet-powered ‘flyboard’, on his second attempt at the feat.

Best sites in France to watch the stars this weekend

Astronomy experts have recommended seven sites across France from which skygazers should watch the annual “Night of Stars” event, which is set for this weekend (Friday August 2 to Sunday August 4).

French start-up installs urinals for women in Paris

New female urinals created by a French start-up have been installed in Paris in a bid to cut long waiting times for women at public toilets.

Tour de France could return to England in 2022

Reports in France suggest that Yorkshire is in the running to host the Grand Départ for a second time

Fêtes de Bayonne opens amid tight security

Up to 1million people expected at annual event, which runs until Sunday, July 28

France invited to name planet 144 light years away

The French public has been invited to help name a planet located 144 light years from Earth, after its discovery in 2002 by French observatory, l’Observatoire de Haute-Provence .

You could be first British king of the grill

Organisers of the French barbecue championships have challenged British cooks who see themselves as king of the grill to have a go.

French social media alerted to Thermomix prize scam

French users of the social network Facebook are being warned over the spread of an online scam game that falsely promises players a “chance to win” a "free", high-end Thermomix kitchen mixer.

French Ligue 1 match has female referee for first time

A woman is set to referee a match for the French Ligue 1 this weekend, making her the first female referee ever to do so, the Fédération Française de Football (FFF) has confirmed.

Trump to visit France for D-Day 75th anniversary

US President Donald Trump is to visit Normandy in June this year for the 75th anniversary commemorations of D-Day, he has said.

Airbnb offers ‘night with Mona Lisa’ at Paris Louvre

Property sharing company Airbnb has worked with the Louvre museum in Paris to offer “a night with the Mona Lisa” competition, as part of the 30 year celebrations of the museum’s famous pyramid.

Dunkirk carnival ‘seagull cry’ contest has new winner

This year’s Dunkirk carnival has crowned a new winner of its annual “seagull’s cry” contest (“ cri de la mouette ”), as the unusual festivities continue throughout the month.

French women make world’s biggest Christmas jumper

A group of women from Albi (Tarn, Occitanie) are challenging themselves to knit the world’s biggest Christmas jumper after successfully competing in the Ugly Jumper World Championship in 2017.

What's on in France - November 2018

What to do, where to go and what to see in France

What’s on in France - December 2018

What to do, where to go and what to see in France

Prestigious French sail race Route du Rhum to begin

This Sunday sees the start of French transatlantic sailing race the Route du Rhum, with one boat to be skippered by experienced sailor and fundraiser Samantha Davies - a Briton who now lives in Brittany.

Esports attract Olympic attention ahead of Paris 2024

Paris Games Week opens on October 26, as the IOC considers whether to include esports in future Olympic Games

French festival friends brew cassoulet-flavoured beer

Two friends in Toulouse (Occitanie) - who are founders of a local beer festival - have combined the region’s local dish with their favourite drink, and created a cassoulet beer.

French woman first to win World’s Best Pastry Chef

Frenchwoman and pastry chef Christelle Brua has become the first woman ever to be named the World’s Best Restaurant Pastry Chef.

French athlete Kévin Mayer sets decathlon world record

French athlete Kévin Mayer has become the first ever Frenchman to hold a world record for the decathlon, beating the previous record-holder, American athlete Ashton Eaton, this weekend.

In Pictures: Let's go fly a kite

The Dieppe International Kite Festival runs until September 16 - and it even has a flying dog!

7,700m skydives to take place for first time in France

Members of the public will be able to parachute from an altitude of 7,700 metres for the first time ever in France, this September - nearly double the usual height, and including a free fall of two minutes.

French riding schools open doors to public from today

Riding schools, pony clubs and equestrian centres across France are opening their doors to the public for free in September, in a bid to encourage more people to take up riding.

Frenchman triumphs in France-China solar bike race

A Frenchman has come 8th out of 60 participants in a 12,000 km race from Lyon in France to Canton in China, using only an electric bike entirely powered by solar energy.

Gardeners find time to chat, visit and share tips

The approach of autumn means the Interesting Gardening Club, based in Ribérac, Dordogne will be starting up again and it welcomes all local gardeners whether they have acres, woodlands and lakes, or a simple cottage garden.

Paris ranked one of world’s top 20 cities to live in

Paris is one of the top 20 cities to live in worldwide, jumping up the rankings from 32nd to 19th place in one year, according to the 2018 annual list of “most livable cities” created by magazine The Economist .

Interceltique festival kicks off in style

The cream of Celtic music from Galicia to Scotland has descended on Morbihan town for annual festival, which attracts 750,000 visitors

Women cycling ahead of Tour de France demand parity

A group of female cyclists is gaining in popularity after once again completing this year’s Tour de France one day ahead of the famous male peloton, to demand equivalent recognition for their sport.

What’s on in France - August 2018

What to do, where to go and what to see in France

Tour de France 2018 win confirmed ahead of final stage

Welshman Geraint Thomas is set to win the Tour de France 2018 today (Sunday July 29) after maintaining his lead in the penultimate 31km stage from Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle and Espelette yesterday.

Fireworks return to Nice promenade after 2016 terror

Fireworks are to return to the Promenade des Anglais in Nice this August, more than two years after the show was stopped by the terrorist attack of July 2016.

Protest farmers say Tour de France tear gas ‘not us’

Farmers who protested at the start of the 16th stage of the Tour de France have sought to distance themselves from the tear gas that stopped the race and affected riders yesterday afternoon.

France World Cup Final to be on giant screen in Paris

The mayor of Paris has confirmed the football World Cup Final will be shown on a giant screen on the Champs de Mars at the Eiffel Tower, after France won its place last night.

Free concert tickets for subscribers to our newsletter

Connexion has tickets for concerts at the Itinéraire Baroque festival in the Dordogne

What’s on in France - July 2018

What to do, where to go and what to see in France

12-year-old French boy breaks Channel sailing record

A 12-year-old boy from Brittany has set a new world record to become the youngest person to cross the English Channel in a small children’s dinghy.

Town marks Scots link to its history

Fêtes Franco Ecossaises draws 30,000 visitors to Aubigny-sur-Nère

Hot food banned from Fête de la Musique in France

All hot food - from hot dogs to Merguez sandwiches to simple crèpes - has been banned from an Alsace Fête de la Musique festival over safety concerns.

What's on in France - June 2018

What to do, where to go and what to see in France

We have free tickets for ‘ultimate luxury car show’

Subscribers can get €100 of tickets to see some of the world’s most exciting cars and luxury accessories at Top Marques Monaco

What's On in March

Sarlat goose fair worth a gander

More people are going to festivals in France

Nearly seven million people attended 102 of the larger festivals in France in 2017, figures reveal

Water way to race across the city of Paris

A flotilla of 500 paddlers are expected to take to the River Seine in Paris in the early hours of a cold morning this month.

Events and competitions

Paris Olympic sites to open for tourist tours

Go stargazing in France this weekend: find an event near you

Tickets, access: how to visit spectacular Olympic ‘flying cauldron’

If your table salt in France is looking a strange colour…lucky you!

Trending

Why is November 1 a bank holiday in France, what is it traditional to do and are shops open?

MAP: house price falls in France - see how your area fares in new notaire data

Will lack of time left on UK passport affect re-entry into France?

When are doctor fees rising in France and will reimbursement be affected?

French films and TV shows to improve your language in November

How does France's public debt compare with the rest of Europe?

What the new red lines on these French motorways mean

Help choose ‘France’s favourite monument’

French bakers attempt to make world’s longest baguette

Picnic in Paris? Chance to join huge meal on Champs-Elysees

Normandy first French region to stop funding wild animal shows

This is the French ultra trail race that no runner has ever finished

US star to fire starting gun on 100th Le Mans 24-hour race

Pension debates, strikes, wine, culture: The week ahead in France

Tour de France 2023 route unveiled: Will it pass near you?

Paris 2024 Olympic Games: ticket sales calendar revealed

Vendée Arctique race departs from western France today

Angers and Guéthary ranked best town and village to live in France

French home’s huge Christmas decorations attract thousands of visitors

British rider Lizzie Deignan wins first women’s Paris-Roubaix

Hero sailor Jean le Cam among France's July 14 honours list

Get a Covid jab, win a prize? France debates vaccination ‘lotteries’

Fête Nationale military parade to go ahead in Paris if Covid allows

French fries: France’s top 10 chip shops revealed

French family fun ideas ... whatever the weather

Southern French village cancels all future bullfight events

Best festivals and events in France October 2020

Who is Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar?

Covid-19 in France: ‘Much bigger impact’ than thought

Events in France this month: art, nature and music festivals

France to allow gatherings of more than 5,000 from August 15

Delayed Tour de France 2020 sets out new health measures

Deconfinement in France: What is reopening when?

Banksy Paris theft suspect claims links to artist

France unlikely ‘to escape’ coronavirus epidemic stage

Mystery rock message in France finally ‘deciphered’

French ‘human plane’ flies at 1,800m for first time

Elysée hosts a ‘Made in France’ show

France celebrates with traditional galette des rois

British artist inspires Chinese light show in France

New Paris 2024 Olympic Games logo revealed

Tour de France 2020 route includes ‘crazy’ new summit

French ‘world’s best’ theme park opens site in Spain

France’s ‘flying man’ succeeds in Channel crossing

Best sites in France to watch the stars this weekend

French start-up installs urinals for women in Paris

Tour de France could return to England in 2022

Fêtes de Bayonne opens amid tight security

France invited to name planet 144 light years away

You could be first British king of the grill

French social media alerted to Thermomix prize scam

French Ligue 1 match has female referee for first time

Trump to visit France for D-Day 75th anniversary

Airbnb offers ‘night with Mona Lisa’ at Paris Louvre

Dunkirk carnival ‘seagull cry’ contest has new winner

French women make world’s biggest Christmas jumper

What's on in France - November 2018

What’s on in France - December 2018

Prestigious French sail race Route du Rhum to begin

Esports attract Olympic attention ahead of Paris 2024

French festival friends brew cassoulet-flavoured beer

French woman first to win World’s Best Pastry Chef

French athlete Kévin Mayer sets decathlon world record

In Pictures: Let's go fly a kite

7,700m skydives to take place for first time in France

French riding schools open doors to public from today

Frenchman triumphs in France-China solar bike race

Gardeners find time to chat, visit and share tips

Paris ranked one of world’s top 20 cities to live in

Interceltique festival kicks off in style

Women cycling ahead of Tour de France demand parity

What’s on in France - August 2018

Tour de France 2018 win confirmed ahead of final stage

Fireworks return to Nice promenade after 2016 terror