On the Agenda: What's happening in France this week
From the French pancake festival to school holidays and another mass strike, here's what is happening in France this week.
Monday
Anti-discrimination plan - Prime minister Elisabeth Borne will present the government plan to combat racism, anti-semitism and discrimination based on origins.
Tuesday
Strikes and demos - January 31st is the second 'mass strike' day in the ongoing battle between unions and the government over pension reform. Expect severe disruption on public transport, school closures and possible power cuts. The day will also be marked by demos in towns and cities across France - the last one saw 1 million people take to the streets, and unions are hoping for a similar turnout.
Pension strikes: What to expect on January 31st
Some unions have announced their intention to continue with industrial action into February, so keep an eye on the latest updates HERE.
Wednesday
Immigration bill - the immigration bill - which includes, among other things a requirement for foreigners to take a language test in order to obtain certain types of carte de séjour - is presented to the Council of Minister, before it comes before parliament.
Language tests and easier expulsion - what's in France's new immigration bill?
Electricity bills rise - from Wednesday, domestic electricity bills can rise by a maximum of 15 percent after the 2022 price shield expires.
READ ALSO What changes in France in February
Thursday
Pancake day - the French festival of La Chandeleur is a celebration of the crêpe. It's not a public holiday, just a chance to eat lots of yummy pancakes and indulge in some of the stranger pancake-based rituals (crêpe on the wardrobe, anyone?) which are said to bring good luck for the year ahead.
La chandeleur: The day France goes crazy for crêpes
Saturday
School holidays - schools in zone A begin the two-week February holiday on Saturday. The February holidays have different dates in different zones, with one B beginning holidays on February 11th and zone C on February 18th.
Reader question: Is there any logic to France's school holiday zones?
Sunday
Rugby - France take on Italy in Rome in the opening weekend of the 6 Nations rugby tournament, with the French team hoping to repeat last year's result, which saw them win the tournament.
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Monday
Anti-discrimination plan - Prime minister Elisabeth Borne will present the government plan to combat racism, anti-semitism and discrimination based on origins.
Tuesday
Strikes and demos - January 31st is the second 'mass strike' day in the ongoing battle between unions and the government over pension reform. Expect severe disruption on public transport, school closures and possible power cuts. The day will also be marked by demos in towns and cities across France - the last one saw 1 million people take to the streets, and unions are hoping for a similar turnout.
Pension strikes: What to expect on January 31st
Some unions have announced their intention to continue with industrial action into February, so keep an eye on the latest updates HERE.
Wednesday
Immigration bill - the immigration bill - which includes, among other things a requirement for foreigners to take a language test in order to obtain certain types of carte de séjour - is presented to the Council of Minister, before it comes before parliament.
Language tests and easier expulsion - what's in France's new immigration bill?
Electricity bills rise - from Wednesday, domestic electricity bills can rise by a maximum of 15 percent after the 2022 price shield expires.
READ ALSO What changes in France in February
Thursday
Pancake day - the French festival of La Chandeleur is a celebration of the crêpe. It's not a public holiday, just a chance to eat lots of yummy pancakes and indulge in some of the stranger pancake-based rituals (crêpe on the wardrobe, anyone?) which are said to bring good luck for the year ahead.
La chandeleur: The day France goes crazy for crêpes
Saturday
School holidays - schools in zone A begin the two-week February holiday on Saturday. The February holidays have different dates in different zones, with one B beginning holidays on February 11th and zone C on February 18th.
Reader question: Is there any logic to France's school holiday zones?
Sunday
Rugby - France take on Italy in Rome in the opening weekend of the 6 Nations rugby tournament, with the French team hoping to repeat last year's result, which saw them win the tournament.
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