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INSIDE FRANCE

Inside France: Rising violence, business skills and a presidential crush

From the great debate on manners and civility in politics, via French 'attractiveness' and a bit of swearing and hugs, our weekly newsletter Inside France looks at what we have been talking about in France this week.

Published: 20 May 2023 07:53 CEST
Inside France: Rising violence, business skills and a presidential crush
Photo by GUILLAUME SOUVANT / 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.

Civility

This week in France we’re talking about manners and civility. Not because of the French reputation for rudeness – I’ve always found that most French people, even Parisians, are perfectly polite and in fact the politesse of greetings etc are in my opinion more observed in France than the UK.

No, this discussion is about civility in politics – and in comes as the great-nephew of Brigitte Macron was attacked and beaten in his hometown of Amiens, apparently because of his connection to the president.

It has sparked debate because attacks on elected officials are increasing – with MPs and local mayors reporting a steep increase in vandalism at their offices and even, thankfully more rare, instances of physical attacks. This all comes as a mayor in western France resigned after an arson attack at his home.

Things are, thankfully, not at the stage when elected all officials require bodyguards, but it does seem to be a worrying trend.

‘Attractive’ France

France is still the subject of lazy stereotypes about its workforce – they’re always either on strike or at lunch, apparently – but it seems that business leaders don’t agree, as France took the crown for the most new foreign direct investment in Europe for the fourth year running.

There are caveats to this of course – France was starting from a low base, and the investment doesn’t create as many jobs as in neighbouring Germany – but this ‘business friendly’ France is really down to the vision of Emmanuel Macron.

You can argue whether it’s a good thing or not, but it’s relatively unusual to see a single person change the image of country to such an extent.

OPINION: Macron has made a start, but France’s ‘reindustrialisation’ must move faster

Talking France

We talk about this in more detail – along with politics expert John Lichfield – in this week’s podcast, as well as discussing whether French drivers really deserve their terrible reputation, how priorité à droite actually works, what lies beneath the surface glamour of Cannes and some ideas for things to do this summer.

Listen here or on the link below.

Language learning tip of the week 

If you want to brush up your French swearing, simply head to the Metro on the day there is a breakdown on the line. The delayed commuter next to me as I navigated a badly disrupted Line 11 provided a free masterclass on the many different ways the French use ‘putain‘. My language horizons have been truly broadened.

Video of the week

We’re used to the famously tactile Macron creating ‘bromance’ headlines when he greets other world leaders with hugs, but in this (possibly selectively edited but still amusing) footage, it seems that the shoe was on the other foot when the president visited Iceland for the Council of Europe summit.

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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