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CULTURE

Miss France contestants to get employment contracts for the first time

For the first time in the history of the contest, the 29 Miss France finalists will get proper employment contracts, the organisers have announced.

Published: 18 November 2021 15:59 CET
Miss France contestants to get employment contracts for the first time
The winner of Miss France goes on to compete in Miss Universe. Photo: Valerie Macon/AFP

The announcement that Miss France finalists will get employment contracts comes as the contest organisers are being sued in the Labour Court by the feminist group Osez le féminisme, which contends that the ‘sexist’ nature of the competition breaches France’s strict labour laws.

Now Alexia Laroche-Joubert, president of the Miss France company, has announced that all 29 finalists will have valid work contracts, which comes with its own protections under labour laws, for the competition final and ceremony.

However it did not appear that the contract would cover the weeks of preparation for the show, and she gave no specifics on the type of contract, merely saying they would have “legal consequences”.

Although many younger French people regard the Miss France contest as an embarrassing anachronism, the event remains hugely popular, covered in detail by almost all French newspapers while the final is screened on terrestrial TV on Saturday night, regularly drawing audiences of more than 7 million people.

READ ALSO ‘Old fashioned and embarrassing’ – has Miss France contest had its day?

As well as looking pretty and appearing committed to world peace, the Miss France candidates also have to take a test on the history and geography of France. If you fancy your testing your knowledge of France, you can find the quiz HERE.

The final of this year’s contest will be held in Caen on Saturday, December 11th with 29 finalists representing the pre-2016 regions of France and the French overseas territories. 

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FOOD AND DRINK

Three things to know about the new Paris cheese museum

The Musée Vivant du Fromage is due to open its doors in early June, promising a unique immersive and interactive journey into France’s ‘culinary and terroir heritage’.

Published: 15 March 2024 14:16 CET
Three things to know about the new Paris cheese museum

Paris will soon be home to a cheese museum.

The venue, on Rue Saint-Louis en l’Île, in the fourth arrondissement, will open to visitors on June 3rd, sending – no doubt – clouds of cheesy odours wafting daily down the street.

It will be at the same location as the former restaurant ‘Nos Ancêtres Les Gaulois’ (Our ancestors the Gauls), with the objective of becoming “an essential meeting place” for cheese lovers, as well as both novices and professionals within the industry.

Here are a few things to know about the new cheese museum;

It will be interactive

Fans of camembert, chèvre, brie, morbier, Roquefort and brebis, assemble! The museum promises an educational and fully interactive tour of France’s historic cheese heritage, including the science and varied tradition of cheese-making.

The first portion will give an overview of the ‘culture’ of cheese. Then, you will learn about its history, as well as how it is made and finish off with a tasting (dégustation).

READ MORE: Best Briehaviour: Your guide to French cheese etiquette

There’s a dairy and creamery

Part of the tour features a fully functional dairy, where visitors can witness cheese being produced before their very eyes. 

There are two goals for this part of the museum – to help people discover the different regions of France and their iconic cheeses, as well as to encourage young people  to consider careers in the farming and dairy industry, which is enduring something of a recruitment crisis in France.

You will also be able to purchase cheese and souvenirs at the museum’s boutique.

It can host private events

The museum can be booked for private catered events for up to 150 people in the evenings, from 7pm, with or without the services of a cheese expert, who can guide guests through tastings and demonstrations. 

READ ALSO 7 tips for buying French cheese

Tickets are advertised at €20 for adults and €10 for children. For more information and to book a visit, log on to website of the Musée Vivant du fromage. Blessed are the cheese makers!

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