Aujourd'hui: What's happening in France on Thursday

We're looking ahead to 6pm this evening when the French prime minister will lay out what will happen next with lockdown and whether restrictions will be lifted over Christmas.

France's initial three-stage plan for lifting lockdown has been derailed when the latest health data missed the government's targets for loosening restrictions - here’s a look at the options the government is considering.

 

Politics

As France’s bill to combat Islamic extremism is published, we’re taking a look at what the government is doing to combat the ‘separatism’ that it has brought upon itself - the deprived areas that became a fertile ground for extremist influences.

We’re also looking at the role of France’s State Council - created by Napoleon more than 200 years ago it has been making lots of headlines recently.

Brexit

France’s Europe Minister has laid out the measures France will be taking for extra checks on goods and people entering from the UK from January 1st, including 600 extra customs agents and increased security at Gare du Nord, which will become an EU external border point.

 

Whatever happens in Brussels over the next few days, a lot will be changing from January 1st for travellers between France and the UK - here is a roundup of the new travel rules - while the cherished British tradition of the ‘booze cruise’ will be coming to an end with new limits on the amounts of French wine and beer that can be brought into the UK.

It’s also possible that all non-essential travel from the UK to Europe will be banned under the Bloc’s Covid rules - the same rules that have barred non-Europeans such as Americans from France since March.

And in a not-very-hopeful sign, the EU has published its Brexit no-deal contingency plans.

Sport

The rescheduled PSG-Basaksehir football match took place yesterday, after players walked off the pitch in solidarity after complaints of racist language at the first fixture on Tuesday.

Below is the scene as the players of both teams took the knee before the match to protest racism. (Paris-Saint-Germain won the match, by the way)

 

Language

Our French word of the day is one that you could use about quite a few world leaders at present. 

French food

And we’re looking at the 12 dishes that make up a classic Christmas feast in France, from seafood to sticky chocolate desserts.