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INSIDE FRANCE

Inside France: Art, revolution, runners and the ‘city of light’

From art to revolution - and depictions of revolution in art - via a marathon with a difference, our weekly newsletter Inside France looks at what we have been talking about in France this week.

Published: 22 April 2023 15:03 CEST
Inside France: Art, revolution, runners and the 'city of light'
A visitor views French Romantic artist Eugene Delacroix's painting 'Liberty Leading the People', at the Louvre. Photo by THOMAS SAMSON / AFP

Inside France is our weekly look at some of the news, talking points and gossip in France that you might not have heard about. It’s published each Saturday and members can receive it directly to their inbox, by going to their newsletter preferences or adding their email to the sign-up box in this article.

Are the French revolting?

Another French Revolution? In my opinion this is dramatically over-stating things (which doesn’t mean that it’s not being called for on the street), but I think it’s true that the pension protests have now become a bit more of an existential crisis for France.

How do its governing structures actually work? And should they be changed? The model of Fifth Republic – with its strong powers for the presidency at the expense of parliament – is increasingly being questioned and calls for a Sixth Republic are no longer only heard among the radical fringe.

Actually agreeing on what changes should take place, however – well that’s a whole other thing . . .

Spirit of liberty

One things about French revolutions – and of course there have been several, it’s not all about 1789 – is that romantic and artistic depictions of them are truly baked into the national life (check out Marianne on the top of every single official communication).

Just one of many examples is this amazing sculpture of Alphonse Baudin – an MP killed on the barricades in 1851 protesting against the coup d’état of Napoleon III – depicted in the moment that he expires, symbolically clutching ‘the law’ in one hand.

It’s in the Petit Palais in Paris, which incidentally is hosting a great exhibition dedicated to actress Sarah Bernhardt right now.

Podcast

We’re talking about the ‘revolutionary spirit’ in this week’s Talking France, as well as how living in France changes you. Listen here or on the link below.

We’re also talking about French ‘chanson’ music, and I had fun putting together this playlist that gives a taste of this quintessentially French artform. 

Let it shine

And if you want to run a marathon that’s a bit different – check out the Paris Marathon Pour Tous. Part of the 2024 Olympics, the marathon will be run over the same course as the Olympic event, but at night. The theme is ‘light up the City of Lights’.

You might find me by the side of the route enjoying the atmosphere with a glass of rosé in hand.

Inside France is our weekly look at some of the news, talking points and gossip in France that you might not have heard about. It’s published each Saturday and members can receive it directly to their inbox, by going to their newsletter preferences or adding their email to the sign-up box in this article.

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INSIDE FRANCE

Inside France: Violence, QR codes and stuffed animals

From violent unrest in a French territory to the QR codes required at the Paris Olympics, via D-Day and weird taxidermy, our weekly newsletter Inside France looks at what we have been talking about in France this week.

Published: 18 May 2024 07:38 CEST
Inside France: Violence, QR codes and stuffed animals

Inside France is our weekly look at some of the news, talking points and gossip in France that you might not have heard about. It’s published each Saturday and members can receive it directly to their inbox, by going to their newsletter preferences or adding their email to the sign-up box in this article.

High tension

After a relaxed week with a double holiday and most of the country taking a break, it seems that the news has come roaring back this week – first a highly dramatic jailbreak that left two prison officers dead and a fugitive at large, then the worst rioting in 30 years on the French island of Nouvelle Calédonie which left five people dead, and finally a man shot dead by police while apparently trying to set fire to a synagogue in northern France. It seems that there’s barely been time to breathe. 

These three things are, of course, not connected and in the case of Nouvelle Calédonie have followed years of political and ethnic tensions on the Pacific islands.

But it’s not surprising that people feel a bit punch-drunk at this series of events. Already right-wing parties are attempting to make capital out of this ahead of the European elections – a favourite tactic of the far-right in recent years has been trying to portray France as in the grip of an uncontrolled wave of crime and violence.

While no-one would deny that France has crime and that there are problems with violence, the statistics do not bear out this image of a ‘lawless’ country’. 

QR codes

Talking of security, the big topic in Paris this week has been whether we need QR codes to get around the city during the Olympics, after the security plan for the Games was unveiled in detail.

For many people this will bring back bad memories of Covid restrictions, attestations and health passes – although once you dig into the detail of the Games QR codes you realise that they won’t actually affect all that many people.

The areas that they cover are limited and the most onerous restrictions are only in place for the week leading up to the Opening Ceremony. You can find a complete guide to whether you need a code, and how to get one if you do, HERE.

Talking France

We look at the QR code situation on this week’s Talking France podcast, as well as France’s economic reality, the quirks of the French health system and the new ‘drive like a woman’ campaign.

Plus John Lichfield talks about his involvement in projects to commemorate D-Day in his Normandy home, and why the 1944 landings still hold such a special place in French hearts. Listen here or on the link below. 

Get stuffed

But my biggest question about France remains unanswered – why is weird taxidermy furniture so popular? If you’ve spent time at a French brocante you will likely have come across stuffed animal parts made into a variety of items from coathooks and ashtrays to – as below – chairs or stools.

Answers on a postcard, please.  

Inside France is our weekly look at some of the news, talking points and gossip in France that you might not have heard about. It’s published each Saturday and members can receive it directly to their inbox, by going to their newsletter preferences or adding their email to the sign-up box in this article.

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