Edouard Balladur, who served as Prime Minister of France from 1993 to 1995, has passed away at the age of 97. Tributes have been paid to the former political figure.

Le Monde: Edouard Balladur, Former Prime Minister, Dies at 97

An obituary for Edouard Balladur, who served as Prime Minister of France and played significant roles in French politics.

As nearly 12 million French students return to school, the new academic year is marked by concerns over declining student numbers and efforts to rethink educational land planning. New policies, including a mobile phone ban in high schools, are in effect, while exclusive rankings of middle schools based on academic performance have been published. [cite: Le Monde, Le Figaro]

Le Monde: School Reopening: National Education and Local Officials Confront Accelerating…

As the number of students decreases at the start of the 2026 school year, the Ministry and local authorities are attempting to rethink educational land planning to prevent the creation of school deserts.

Le Figaro: Back to School: Colleges Where 6th Graders Have the Best Math and French Scores

Exclusive rankings reveal significant differences in academic performance among French middle schools, based on evaluations conducted at the start of the school year.

Le Monde: In Meuse, the School of Knowledge: A Laboratory Facing Demographic Decline

This article explores how a specific school in Meuse is acting as a pilot for addressing the challenges of declining student populations.

Le Figaro: Live - Back to School 2026: 'Everyone Will Use It Secretly,' Teenagers…

As nearly 12 million French students return to school, this live report covers student and teacher testimonials, and new school policies, including skepticism about the ban on mobile phones.

Le Figaro: Mobile Phone Ban, Survey on Sexual Violence, Finance Courses: New Features for…

This article outlines the key changes and new initiatives for the 2026 school year, including a ban on mobile phones in high schools and a survey on sexual violence.

The far-right National Rally (RN), led by Marine Le Pen, is reintroducing its controversial proposal to ban the Islamic veil in public spaces as part of its ongoing presidential campaign. This move is sparking renewed debate on secularism and religious freedom, with some on the right also considering similar stances. [cite: Mediapart, 25]

Mediapart: Ban on veils in public space: RN revives its obsession

The far-right party RN is relaunching its proposal to ban the Islamic veil in public spaces as part of its presidential campaign, despite internal doubts and legal risks. Some on the right are also exploring similar stances.

Mediapart: For thirty years, the ban on religious visibility for Muslim women has only…

Sociologist Hanane Karimi argues that far-right Islamophobic measures are also adopted by the right and center, contributing to a growing repression of veiled women.

Following an exceptionally hot summer, a new 'remarkable' heatwave is anticipated to begin on Wednesday in Southern France, with temperatures expected to reach at least 35°C in some departments. [cite: Le Monde]

Le Monde: New 'Remarkable' Heatwave Expected Starting Wednesday in Southern France

Following an exceptional summer of heatwaves, temperatures are expected to reach at least 35°C in some southern French departments.

The government held a seminar to discuss the upcoming finance bill for 2027, with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu aiming for a limited text to secure crucial support from certain socialist deputies in the minority parliament. [cite: Le Monde, 2, 16, 28, 33, 34]

Le Monde: How Sébastien Lecornu Hopes to Pass a Minimalist Budget for 2027

The government held a seminar on the upcoming finance bill, proposing a limited text to gain the crucial support of certain socialist deputies.

Former Prime Minister François Fillon is reported to have made numerous false statements on a YouTube channel concerning his wife's fictitious employment case, for which he was previously convicted. [cite: Mediapart, 38]

Mediapart: François Fillon, the conspiracy theories of a white-collar criminal

Former Prime Minister François Fillon made numerous false statements on a YouTube channel about his wife's fictitious employment case, for which he was convicted.