On the Agenda: What's happening this week in France?
From holidays and carnival to crucial political debates and two strike days, here's what is happening in France this week.
Monday
Pension reform bill - the controversial pension reform bill heads to the Assemblée nationale where debates - probably stormy ones - will begin.
READ ALSO 5 minutes to understand French pension reform
Ski world championships - the world championship ski event begins in the French Alpine resorts of Courchevel and Meribel.
Tuesday
Strike day - a third one-day mass strike will take place on Tuesday, so expect significant disruption on services like trains and city public transport, plus demos in towns and cities across France.
What to expect on the February 7th strike
Final day of sales - the winter sales end in most parts of France on Tuesday. You can learn more about the French winter soldes here.
Wednesday
Refinery worker's strike - French oil refinery workers began their 72-hour strike on February 6th. Wednesday was set to be the last day, though unions could call on workers to walk out again.
Friday
Nice Carnival - the fabulous carnival in the southern city of Nice begins on February 10th and runs until February 26th. This year is the event’s 150th anniversary, and you can find more information about schedules and attending on the website here.
Saturday
Another strike - there is another one-day strike action on Saturday, with disruption expected to be similar to Tuesday.
School holidays - schools in Zone B - which includes most of northern France and also Nice) begin their two-week February holiday on Saturday. Schools in zone A are already on holiday while those in Zone C (south west France and Paris) begin the following week.
Lemon Festival - on the border between France and Italy is the little town of Menton, which each year hosts a festival of lemons which includes a parade with floats made out of (what else?) lemons.
READ MORE: Bears, lemons and pig-squealing: 9 of France’s strangest festivals
France v Ireland - As part of the second round of the 2023 Six Nations rugby tournament, France will play Ireland in the 6 nations rugby tournament at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin at 3.15pm French time.
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See Also
Monday
Pension reform bill - the controversial pension reform bill heads to the Assemblée nationale where debates - probably stormy ones - will begin.
READ ALSO 5 minutes to understand French pension reform
Ski world championships - the world championship ski event begins in the French Alpine resorts of Courchevel and Meribel.
Tuesday
Strike day - a third one-day mass strike will take place on Tuesday, so expect significant disruption on services like trains and city public transport, plus demos in towns and cities across France.
What to expect on the February 7th strike
Final day of sales - the winter sales end in most parts of France on Tuesday. You can learn more about the French winter soldes here.
Wednesday
Refinery worker's strike - French oil refinery workers began their 72-hour strike on February 6th. Wednesday was set to be the last day, though unions could call on workers to walk out again.
Friday
Nice Carnival - the fabulous carnival in the southern city of Nice begins on February 10th and runs until February 26th. This year is the event’s 150th anniversary, and you can find more information about schedules and attending on the website here.
Saturday
Another strike - there is another one-day strike action on Saturday, with disruption expected to be similar to Tuesday.
School holidays - schools in Zone B - which includes most of northern France and also Nice) begin their two-week February holiday on Saturday. Schools in zone A are already on holiday while those in Zone C (south west France and Paris) begin the following week.
Lemon Festival - on the border between France and Italy is the little town of Menton, which each year hosts a festival of lemons which includes a parade with floats made out of (what else?) lemons.
READ MORE: Bears, lemons and pig-squealing: 9 of France’s strangest festivals
France v Ireland - As part of the second round of the 2023 Six Nations rugby tournament, France will play Ireland in the 6 nations rugby tournament at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin at 3.15pm French time.
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