France — news & stories

The historic riverbanks of the Seine in Paris — from the Eiffel Tower to Notre-Dame and the Louvre — were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1991.

France passed its 2026 budget after four months of political deadlock, when two no-confidence motions against Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu's government both fell short in the National Assembly.

France's parliament adopted the 2026 budget, adding 6.7 billion euros in defence spending compared with 2025 for new submarines, armoured vehicles, and air-defence systems, while aiming to cut the deficit to 5% of GDP.

France heads into 2026 with modest growth but a rising debt-to-GDP ratio, after credit agency KBRA downgraded its sovereign rating to AA- citing persistently high deficits and a deteriorating debt trajectory.

Around 2,000 firefighters battled several wildfires along the Mediterranean coast in July 2026, with the largest blaze burning some 900 hectares in the Aude department near the Spanish border after weeks of dry, record-hot weather.