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A vehicle of the French prison administration parked at the Avignon courthouse

Co-accused in French rape trial says he is 'a criminal'

A man who learned to drug and rape his own wife from the Frenchman who admitted he recruited scores of strangers to sexually assault his partner, said that he deserved to be harshly punished.

World • 18 Sep 24

Dominique Pelicot is accused of administering anti-anxiety drugs to Gisele Pelicot over a period of almost a decade, from 2011 to 2020

'I am a rapist,' Frenchman admits in mass rape trial

"I am a rapist," a 71-year-old Frenchman accused of drugging his wife so he and scores of strangers could assault her has told a court, returning to the dock after being ill for around a week.

World • 17 Sep 24

The boat was destroyed after running aground on rocks

Eight migrants die trying to cross English Channel

French authorities have said eight migrants died while trying to cross the English Channel overnight.

World • 15 Sep 24

The bells were transported through the city to Notre Dame

Eight bells return to belfry of Notre Dame in Paris

Eight bells, one weighing over four tonnes, are being returned to the belfry in Notre Dame cathedral in Paris just months before it is due to reopen five years after a devastating fire.

World • 12 Sep 24

Judge Roger Arata said the trial will continue as planned

Frenchman fit to resume trial for mass rape of wife

A Frenchman being tried for recruiting strangers to rape his drugged wife will be back in court to testify tomorrow after being admitted to hospital, the presiding judge at his trial said.

World • 10 Sep 24

The organisers said 160,000 protesters gathered in Paris

Protests in France after Macron picks Barnier as PM

Thousands of people have demonstrated across France against Emmanuel Macron's decision to pick centre-right politician Michel Barnier as prime minister, with leftist parties accusing the president of ignoring election results.

Europe • 07 Sep 24

The length of Michel Barnier's political career earned him the nickname of the 'French Joe Biden' (File image)

Barnier: The 'French Joe Biden' who grappled with Brexit

Veteran French politician Michel Barnier has held a collection of top jobs as minister, European Union commissioner and negotiator on Brexit during a half-century political career that has seen him lean further to the right in recent years.

World • 05 Sep 24

Newly appointed Prime Minister Michel Barnier (R) with outgoing prime minister Gabriel Attal (L) during the handover ceremony

Ex-Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier named French PM

President of France Emmanuel Macron has named the European Union's former Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier as new prime minister following almost two months of political deadlock after snap polls, the presidency said.

World • 05 Sep 24

France's economy grew 0.2% in the second quarter of 2024, while inflation eased in August, new CSO figures show

French Q2 economic growth revised down to 0.2%

France's economy grew 0.2% in the second quarter of 2024, official data from the country's statistics office INSEE showed today, revising down the preliminary figure of 0.3% published in July.

Business • 30 Aug 24

France's Iliad has recorded 50 million total subscribers in the first half of 2024

Iliad now Europe's 5th largest telecoms operator

France's Iliad said today it had reached its goal to become Europe's fifth largest telecoms operator by the number of customers, after it recorded 50 million total subscribers in the first half of 2024.

Business • 29 Aug 24

Pavel Durov, 39, was originally arrested on charges of failing to curb illegal content on the app

Telegram boss placed under formal investigation in France

French investigative judges have placed Russian-born tech billionaire Pavel Durov under formal investigation after four days of custody, the Paris prosecutor has said, as part of a probe into the role of his messaging app Telegram in organised crime.

World • 29 Aug 24

Telegram boss to stay in French custody

Telegram boss Pavel Durov could be held in police custody until Wednesday after French prosecutors said they had granted extra time for questioning, while a senior ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin alleged Washington was behind his arrest.

Business • 27 Aug 24

A variety of issues are on the agenda for today's meeting, including EU affairs, the war in Ukraine and relations between the two countries

'Substantial' meeting held between Taoiseach and Macron

Taoiseach Simon Harris has said he had a long and substantial discussion with French President Emmanuel Macron at their meeting in Paris today.

Ireland • 27 Aug 24

The parade featured vintage military vehicles, as surviving veterans of the 2nd Armoured Division looked on

Paris commemorates 80th anniversary of liberation in WWII

Paris has celebrated the 80th anniversary of its liberation from German troops in World War II with tributes, military marches and the hoisting of a flag at the Eiffel Tower.

World • 25 Aug 24

Telegram chief Pavel Durov was detained at Le Bourget airport

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov arrested at French airport

Telegram chief executive Pavel Durov is expected to appear in court today after being arrested by French police at an airport near Paris for alleged offences related to his popular messaging app, sources told AFP.

World • 25 Aug 24

French gendarmes and French military vehicles are pictured near a forest in Autreville following the collision between two Rafale jets

Two dead after French military jets collide in midair

Two military personnel have died after two French military jets collided in midair over the east of the country, French officials said.

World • 15 Aug 24

A formation of Rafale fighter jets during this year's Bastille Day parade (file image)

Two pilots missing after fighter jets collide in France

Two Rafale fighter jets have collided mid-air before crashing to the ground in northeastern France, civil and military authorities have said.

World • 14 Aug 24

Movie Star Tom Cruise drew gasps from spectators as he dropped 50m to the floor of the Stade de France in the finale to the Paris Games

Tom Cruise hands Olympic flag to LA, closing Paris Games

Movie star Tom Cruise rappelled from the roof of France's national stadium and received the Olympic flag, bringing a heavy dose of Hollywood to the closing ceremony of the Paris Games as the French capital handed over to the next host Los Angeles.

Olympics • 14 Aug 24

Paris was expected to have 11 million visitors during the Olympic games

Revenue boost for Paris hospitality 'underwhelming'

The eyes of the world may be on Paris for the Olympic games, but for many local hotels and restaurants, the boost to revenue has been "underwhelming".

World • 06 Aug 24

BNP Paribas is in exclusive talks to buy 100% of AXA Investment Managers arm at an agreed price of €5.1 billion

BNP Paribas in talks to buy AXA Investment Managers

BNP Paribas is in exclusive talks with French insurer AXA to buy 100% of its AXA Investment Managers arm at an agreed price of €5.1 billion, the euro zone's biggest bank has said.

Business • 02 Aug 24

The Olympic Games, currently underway in Paris, will likely boost French growth this year, INSEE said earlier this month

France's economy grew 0.3% in Q2, early data shows

France's economy grew marginally faster than expected in the second quarter as the delivery of a cruise ship boosted exports, offsetting flat consumer spending, official data showed today.

Business • 30 Jul 24

Hackers also leaked personal information revealing Israeli athletes' military status on social media

French cybercrimes team called for athlete's data leak

France's cybercrime unit (OFAC) is pushing to get private data on several Israeli athletes competing in the Paris Olympic Games removed from social media, police sources said.

World • 27 Jul 24

As it happened: French rail network sabotaged

Follow developments as they happen following the "sabotage" of France's high-speed rail network ahead of tonight's Olympics opening ceremony.

France • 26 Jul 24

Passengers gather around departure boards at Gare Montparnasse train station in Paris as France's high-speed rail network was hit by 'malicious acts'

France to step up security of rail network after sabotage

France will step up security on the country's rail network, the country's SNCF railway operator has said, after sabotage hit the network today and affected the travel plans of thousands on the opening day of the Paris Olympic Games.

World • 26 Jul 24

The opening ceremony gets under way in Paris this evening

Taoiseach at leaders' meeting ahead of Olympics opening

The Taoiseach is attending a meeting of world leaders at the Élysée Palace this afternoon ahead of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris.

Politics • 26 Jul 24