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Military

What made the mysterious white traces in sky over south-west France?

One person on Twitter asked if it was ‘meteorological modern art’ or whether there was an ‘extra-terrestrial explanation’

Massive military exercise to take place on beaches in south of France

7,000 soldiers to train based around a hypothetical invasion scenario

World War One anti-tank gun stored in attic in France to be kept

The German blunderbuss was handed in during last year’s government sponsored weapons amnesty with arms given expected to be destroyed

practical

Elections, pension reform, defence: French politics in 2023

We look at who votes in the Senate elections, the ‘real deadline’ to resolve the Northern Ireland border dispute

France’s July 14 military parade: theme and schedule to watch on TV

The traditional procession carries the theme ‘share the flame’, a nod to past resistance fighters and the Paris 2024 Olympics

‘France’s July 14 military parade is no Russia or North Korea’

The parade featuring tanks and fighter planes is a display of France’s values and identity and is often misunderstood by foreigners, say historians

French military jets brush in mid-air ‘near-miss’ in practice session

The Rafale planes later landed without incident but a piece of one aircraft fell and damaged the roof of a home in a nearby village in the south-west

Shoeless pilot in stolen plane intercepted by French army jet

A fighter jet and army helicopter intervened over Toulon after the pilot, who was flying in socks, failed to respond to radio calls and flew through several no-fly zones

Macron announces plan to help citizens flee besieged Ukrainian city

Around 100,000 people are said to trapped in Mariupol, which has faced heavy bombardment by Russian forces

France ups defence and deploys three of its four nuclear submarines

It is the first time it has had three such vessels at sea at once since the end of the 1980s. It comes as the military successfully test an upgraded nuclear cruise missile

Cadre Noir de Saumur: Discover France’s unique style of horse riding

Recognised by Unesco as an intangible cultural heritage, this technique of riding requires intensive training both for the rider and horse

French air force confirms July 14 red smoke error

A French Alphajet that displayed a red plume of smoke instead of blue as part of the traditional July 14 Fête Nationale flypast over Paris did so in error, the French air force has confirmed.

Day and night air combat exercises across parts of south west France

The Armée de l’air is acting out an imagined conflict between ‘Greyland’ and ‘Redland’. They will be flying between Landes and the Massif Central until October 15

French army ordered to stop killing wild Paris rabbits

The rabbits live on the Esplanade des Invalides, directly in front of the museum of French military history

France carries out its first-ever military exercise in space

Several simulations of hypothetical space-based situations were run, such as defending French satellites or destroying Earth-bound debris

Military Wives choir seeking to perform in Normandy

The Chivenor Military Wives Choir, is hoping Connexion readers can help them find a choir to sing with for their planned tour of the Normandy Beaches next October, to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

Macron defends French army officer centenary ceremony

President Emmanuel Macron has hit back at critics of the centenary ceremony in honour of military officers - set to be held at Les Invalides this Saturday (November 10) - saying it “makes sense to celebrate them”.

Did you know? Striped shirts and the French navy

The blue and white striped top is the emblematic French article of clothing along with black berets.

Robot sniper injures with precision

A French firm has invented a remote-controlled robot ‘soldier’, said to be the world’s first, which can accurately shoot to neutralise an enemy without killing them at up to 300m away.

Women pioneers in French submarines

Four female naval officers have become the first to complete a mission on a French nuclear battle submarine after being barred from such work since the service was founded.

Make sense of... Service national

Bringing back ‘national service’ is in the news again. Here we look at the history of this in France and what form the new version may take

Focus of Macron’s Australia state visit revealed

The Elysée has confirmed that Macron's official visit is focusing on “strengthening the strategic partnership” between Australia and France, especially on defence and climate change, as well as food, art, and culture.

Military plane drops ‘bomb’ over Loiret, injuring two

A military fighter jet has dropped a replica bomb on to the roof of a working factory during a flight in Loiret (Centre-Val de Loire), injuring two people.

Trump visit and Jupiter returns to human life

Editorialistes (opinion writers) hold a major role in the French press. Here, in a new regular column French journalist Paul de Villepin examines recent ‘hot topics’ which have featured in the columns of the country’s media

Voluntary military service scheme sees 70% land jobs

Centres offering young recruits a two-year trial of voluntary military service (SMV) have been voted a success as many recruits have found work.

Beautiful skies as jet pilots dogfight

Spectacular view for south-west residents after fighters write all over the sky with contrails

Military

What made the mysterious white traces in sky over south-west France?

Massive military exercise to take place on beaches in south of France

World War One anti-tank gun stored in attic in France to be kept

Elections, pension reform, defence: French politics in 2023

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Best places to live in France for over-60s, according to new ranking

Great white shark seen in waters off south of France

Electric ants spotted in south of France for second time

EES: What are next steps for EU’s new digital border checks?

Why bank cards are changing in France

Where is snow now expected in France this week?

Ryanair threatens to end flights to ten regional French airports over tax plan