On the Agenda: What’s happening in France this week
From yet more strikes and a pension crisis to an international day to celebrate the French language, a royal visit and the start of Ramadan, here's what is happening in France this week.
Monday
No-confidence vote - the government faces votes of no confidence in parliament over its use of Article 49.3 to push through controversial pension reforms without a vote.
Paris garbage strikes - Paris police have begun to use the power known as “requisition” on striking trash collectors, forcing them back to work under threat of prosecution, at the request of the government. Unions had originally voted to extend action until Monday, March 20th, at which point unions would vote once more to determine whether to extend. As of Friday, waste workers had continued to block some waste treatment centres near Paris.
International Day of the 'Francophonie' - a day to celebrate French language and Francophone culture across the world, the International day of Francophonie is a day to recognise the over 369 million French speakers globally.
READ MORE: A language expert's top three tips for learning French
Tuesday
Nuclear bill - parliament is due on Tuesday to examine the bill to step up France's nuclear energy programme.
Wednesday
Start of Ramadan - For Muslim people across the world, the holiday Ramadan will begin on Wednesday, March 22nd.
Thursday
Strikes - the eight main union federations announced a new day of "strong mobilisation" on Thursday, March 23rd, in the ongoing pensions battle. Expect disruption on services including public transport - find the latest in our strike section HERE.
Friday
Football - Les Bleus will play the Netherlands on Friday at Stade de France in the first of the qualifiers for the Euros 2024.
Film screening - The film Petites will be screened in Paris with English subtitles at the Luminor cinema near Hotel de Ville. You can find more information HERE.
Festivals - there are two festivals that begin on Friday, March 24th. The first is the Saint Mont Vignoble en Fête, which brings together wine lovers of the world, unite, in the delightful Gers department in south-west France for three days of cultural and gastronomic eventery. Then, there are the Banlieues Bleues which bring jazz and blues greats to the Paris suburbs of Seine-Saint-Denis.
Sunday
Royal visit - The UK's king Charles III will visit France for his first foreign state visit since ascending to the throne.
Changing times - The clocks go forward by one hour on March 26th - even though the EU had a plan to end this practice back in 2019.
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Monday
No-confidence vote - the government faces votes of no confidence in parliament over its use of Article 49.3 to push through controversial pension reforms without a vote.
Paris garbage strikes - Paris police have begun to use the power known as “requisition” on striking trash collectors, forcing them back to work under threat of prosecution, at the request of the government. Unions had originally voted to extend action until Monday, March 20th, at which point unions would vote once more to determine whether to extend. As of Friday, waste workers had continued to block some waste treatment centres near Paris.
International Day of the 'Francophonie' - a day to celebrate French language and Francophone culture across the world, the International day of Francophonie is a day to recognise the over 369 million French speakers globally.
READ MORE: A language expert's top three tips for learning French
Tuesday
Nuclear bill - parliament is due on Tuesday to examine the bill to step up France's nuclear energy programme.
Wednesday
Start of Ramadan - For Muslim people across the world, the holiday Ramadan will begin on Wednesday, March 22nd.
Thursday
Strikes - the eight main union federations announced a new day of "strong mobilisation" on Thursday, March 23rd, in the ongoing pensions battle. Expect disruption on services including public transport - find the latest in our strike section HERE.
Friday
Football - Les Bleus will play the Netherlands on Friday at Stade de France in the first of the qualifiers for the Euros 2024.
Film screening - The film Petites will be screened in Paris with English subtitles at the Luminor cinema near Hotel de Ville. You can find more information HERE.
Festivals - there are two festivals that begin on Friday, March 24th. The first is the Saint Mont Vignoble en Fête, which brings together wine lovers of the world, unite, in the delightful Gers department in south-west France for three days of cultural and gastronomic eventery. Then, there are the Banlieues Bleues which bring jazz and blues greats to the Paris suburbs of Seine-Saint-Denis.
Sunday
Royal visit - The UK's king Charles III will visit France for his first foreign state visit since ascending to the throne.
Changing times - The clocks go forward by one hour on March 26th - even though the EU had a plan to end this practice back in 2019.
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