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Paris Mayoral Race Puts Green Transformation to the Test

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The upcoming mayoral election in Paris is shaping up as a key test of public support for the city’s ambitious green transformation. Over the past decade, outgoing mayor Anne Hidalgo has pushed major changes, including around 1,000 km of cycle lanes, more trees and pedestrian-friendly streets. Supporters say the redesign has encouraged cycling and reduced pollution, while critics argue the changes have disrupted traffic and strained city finances.

Opinion polls suggest the race is mainly between Socialist candidate Emmanuel Grégoire, who supports continuing the environmental agenda, and conservative rival Rachida Dati, who says the city’s traditional character has been harmed by rapid changes. Meanwhile, far-right candidate Sarah Knafo is gaining ground in the polls and could complicate the race if she reaches the second round later this month.

While the green policies have led to more bike use, reduced car traffic and improved air quality, they have also drawn criticism over issues such as rising municipal debt and cleanliness in the city. As voters head to the polls, the election will determine whether Parisians want to continue the push toward a greener, car-free urban model or shift toward a more balanced approach to transportation and city management.

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Americans Flock to France in 2025 Despite Trump-EU Tensions

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Despite strained relations between U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration and the French government, American tourism to France surged in 2025. According to the French tourism ministry, visits from the United States rose 17% compared to the previous year, with more than 5 million Americans travelling to the country. The increase came even as the U.S. dollar weakened by over 10% against the euro, reversing years of favorable exchange rates for American travellers.

France welcomed a record 102 million foreign tourists in 2025, up from 100 million in 2024 when Paris hosted the Olympics. Tourism Minister Serge Papin said visitor spending also climbed 9% to 77.5 billion euros ($91.34 billion), driven by higher demand for premium hotels and experiences. He described France as a destination that continues to inspire global travellers despite geopolitical tensions.

The rise in U.S. visitors suggests many Americans remained undeterred by political friction, including trade disputes with the European Union, disagreements over digital regulation, and tensions surrounding global security issues. However, the European Travel Commission forecasts a potential dip in U.S. travel to Europe in 2026, while expecting growth from Chinese and Indian tourists to offset any slowdown. Early 2026 flight booking data from markets such as Mexico and China has been encouraging, though comparable U.S. data has not yet been released.

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Identical Twin Brothers’ Shared DNA Complicates French Murder Trial

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A murder trial in France has been complicated by the involvement of identical twin brothers whose shared DNA has made it impossible for forensic experts to determine which one pulled the trigger. The 33-year-old twins are among five defendants standing trial near Paris over a double murder and several attempted killings that took place in 2020, according to French media reports.

While investigators believe both brothers conspired to carry out the murders, DNA found on an assault rifle used in a later gunfight could only be linked to one of them — without being able to say which. A police officer told the court in Bobigny that forensic science could not conclusively distinguish between the twins, with one investigator remarking that “only their mother can tell them apart.”

Authorities suspect the brothers exploited their identical appearance by swapping clothes, phones and identification documents to evade detection. With DNA evidence unable to separate them, investigators relied on phone data, surveillance footage and wiretaps to track their movements. Despite these efforts, the key question of who fired the weapon remains unresolved as the trial continues, with a verdict expected in late February.

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Louvre Says Empress Eugénie’s Crown Can Be Restored After Heist Damage

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The Louvre Museum has said the crown of French Empress Eugénie was left badly crushed but largely intact after it was dropped by thieves during a high-profile jewellery raid last October. Although raiders stole jewels worth an estimated €88 million, they abandoned the diamond-studded crown on their escape route. The museum has now released the first images of the damaged crown, confirming it can be fully restored.

According to the Louvre, the 19th-century gold crown was deformed when thieves attempted to pull it through a narrow hole cut into its glass display case. While one of the eight golden eagles adorning the crown is missing, it still holds all 56 emeralds and all but 10 of its 1,354 diamonds. Museum officials said restoration can be carried out without reconstructing the piece, under the supervision of an expert committee led by Louvre president Laurence des Cars.

The raid took place on 19 October, when thieves used a stolen vehicle-mounted lift to access the Galerie d’Apollon from a balcony near the River Seine. After cutting through a window and threatening guards, the gang broke into two jewellery cases and escaped within four minutes on scooters. Four suspects have been arrested, though authorities say the mastermind remains at large and several other stolen royal jewels have yet to be recovered.

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Marine Le Pen’s Appeal on EU Funds Misuse Begins in Paris

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French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has begun a critical appeal in Paris that could determine her eligibility to run in the 2027 presidential election. She was banned from holding public office in March after being convicted, along with eight former National Rally (RN) lawmakers, of misappropriating over €4 million in European Union funds. The case stems from payments made to staff working for the party instead of the European Parliament between 2004 and 2016.

Le Pen maintains that her actions were legitimate and hopes to convince the new panel of judges of her innocence. She also appealed her initial sentence of four years’ imprisonment, with two years suspended and two under home detention, and a €100,000 fine. The appeal hearing, which also involves the RN and ten other co-defendants, is scheduled to conclude on February 12, with a ruling expected before summer.

If the five-year ban is upheld, Le Pen would be barred from contesting the 2027 election. In such a scenario, her protégé, 30-year-old RN party president Jordan Bardella, is expected to lead the party’s presidential bid. The European Parliament is seeking more than €3 million in damages, while the RN must also pay a €2 million fine, half of which has been suspended.

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Louvre Reopens After Strike Delay, Some Sections Remain Closed

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Paris’ Louvre Museum reopened on Monday after a three-hour delay, though several sections remained closed as staff partially resumed a strike over pay and working conditions, according to Reuters. Employees had held a meeting earlier in the day to decide whether to continue rolling industrial action, which began last month and was paused during the Christmas period.

The labour dispute has added to the challenges facing the world’s most visited museum, which is still reeling from a major jewel heist in October. In that incident, four burglars stole jewels worth about $102 million in broad daylight, and the stolen items have yet to be recovered.

The Louvre has also been grappling with infrastructure issues, including a recent water leak that damaged ancient books and raised concerns about the deteriorating condition of the historic building. Together, the strike, security lapse, and maintenance problems have put renewed pressure on museum management and French authorities.

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Inquiry Reveals Louvre Heist Succeeded Due to 30-Second Security Lapse

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A French culture ministry inquiry has found that the burglars who stole France’s crown jewels from the Louvre in October gained a crucial 30-second advantage due to security lapses at the museum. The four thieves, who escaped with jewels worth $102 million, exploited delays in surveillance footage and weaknesses in the museum’s infrastructure, including a fragile window in the Apollo gallery. The heist has raised questions about how such vulnerabilities existed at the world’s most visited museum.

Investigators concluded that delayed access to live camera feeds and limited monitoring capabilities slowed both museum security and police response. According to Noel Corbin, chief of general inspection of cultural affairs, even a slightly faster alert or a more resistant window could have prevented the burglars’ escape. The report highlighted that security staff were unable to view certain camera images in real time due to insufficient screens and a lack of exterior surveillance coverage.

The Louvre, employing about 2,200 staff and hosting nearly 9 million visitors annually, operates with the complexity of a small city, making rapid coordination essential. The inquiry underscores the need for upgraded systems and improved communication channels within the museum’s sprawling security network. The stolen crown jewels remain missing, and the incident has renewed urgency around reinforcing protection for France’s cultural treasures.

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Louvre to Increase Ticket Prices for Non-EU Tourists After Security Failures

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The Louvre Museum in Paris will raise ticket prices by 45% for most non-EU tourists starting 14 January, increasing the standard entry cost to €32. Visitors from countries such as the US, UK, and China will be affected, with guided group visitors paying €28. The measure aims to generate €15m–€20m annually to support major upgrades, including modernisation and improved visitor facilities.

The decision follows growing concerns over the museum’s outdated security and infrastructure, highlighted after a €102m jewellery heist in October that exposed serious vulnerabilities. An official audit revealed insufficient maintenance investment, despite the museum heavily prioritising art acquisitions in recent years.

With nearly 9 million visitors last year—many rushing to the Mona Lisa—crowding and long queues have long been a challenge. President Emmanuel Macron has backed plans to revamp the museum, move the Mona Lisa to a new space, and expand amenities such as restrooms and restaurants. Renovations will continue alongside closures of ageing sections, including a gallery of Greek ceramics flagged for structural issues.

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Louvre Shuts Campana Gallery After Structural Weaknesses Discovered

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France’s Louvre Museum has closed its Campana Gallery after a structural assessment revealed severe weaknesses in beams supporting the Sully wing. The gallery, which showcases Greek vases and includes office spaces, dates back to the 1930s and was shut less than a month after a high-profile daylight heist exposed security vulnerabilities at the world-famous museum.

According to the Louvre, the technical report made it necessary to immediately close the first-floor gallery and relocate 65 staff members working above it. Union representatives said employees had long raised concerns over the ageing building, but were surprised by the extent of deterioration now confirmed.

The closure comes as the museum faces scrutiny over its management practices. A recent auditor’s report criticised the prioritisation of art acquisitions and post-pandemic projects over infrastructure and security upgrades. The investigation into last month’s $102 million jewel theft—carried out using a lift, broken windows, and motorbike escape—remains ongoing. The Louvre, originally a royal palace built in the 12th century, continues to grapple with balancing heritage preservation and modern safety demands.

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France Remembers Bataclan Attacks as Jihadist Threat Persists a Decade Later

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As France marks ten years since the deadly Bataclan attacks, the nation faces renewed reminders of the enduring jihadist threat. Authorities have arrested Maëva B, a 27-year-old French convert linked to Salah Abdeslam, the only surviving attacker from November 2015, on suspicion of plotting a violent act. The arrest underscores the persistence of home-grown extremism, even as large-scale terror plots have diminished following the fall of the Islamic State.

The coordinated Paris attacks on 13 November 2015 killed 130 people and wounded hundreds more, becoming a defining moment in France’s modern history. Since then, intelligence agencies have strengthened counter-terror capabilities, yet experts warn of “ambient jihadism” — a decentralized, ideology-driven threat fueled by social networks, political polarization, and global conflicts like the Israel-Gaza war.

Thursday’s national commemorations include tributes at attack sites, the opening of a memorial garden, and the illumination of the Eiffel Tower in France’s tricolour. Survivors continue to share how their lives were forever altered, while Abdeslam’s offer to participate in “restorative justice” has drawn outrage from victims’ families, who insist terrorism cannot be treated as an ordinary crime.

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