Rendezvous
Reports on France - its people, its culture - and all the big issues facing the French.
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The bawdy joy of Georges Brassens
George Brassens, the French pipe-smoking poet-singer, died 30 years ago. Paris's Cité de la musique celebrates both the music and the free-thinking man in a big, joyful, bawdy exhibition.24/03/201121:11 -
Poets in France herald in the spring
For the 13th year, the nationwide Printemps des poètes (Springtime of the poets) festival is a daily reminder that while you can live without poetry, life is a whole lot finer with it.17/03/201121:09 -
Finding angels on France's problem estates
An artist from Texas is helping one of France’s most stigmatised housing estates to revamp its image thanks to innovative art projects, which introduce teenagers to flesh-eating plants and rappers to Baroque choruses.10/03/201124:46 -
Serge Gainsbourg 20 years on
France this week celebrates the 20th anniversary of the death of Serge Gainsbourg, one of the major French music personalities of the 20th century. Alison Hird looks back at his life in today's Rendez Vous. This programme was first broadcast in November 2008.03/03/201120:19 -
The campaign for surrogate motherhood in France
Gestational surrogacy, where a woman carries and gives birth to another woman's baby, is forbidden in France. Yet every year some 300 infertile couples turn to surrogate mothers to form a much-desired family.24/02/201120:27 -
Classic cars on show at Rétromobile
The annual classic car fair in Paris, Rétromobile, is now in its 36th year. Among the 400 vehicles on show, are the Mazda which won the Le Mans 24 hour race, 11 Aston Martins up for auction plus a new cheaper way into classic motoring via what are now called "Youngtimers".17/02/201120:44 -
In France they shoot school kids, don’t they?
In the heated, ongoing debate about what’s wrong with France’s education system, little mention is made of what happens in the classroom itself. A British academic says it’s time to take a long hard look at a classroom culture that beats confidence out of its pupils. There’s more to school than getting good marks!10/02/201120:55 -
France faces security challenge for workers in the Sahel
In this edition of Rendezvous, RFI's Philip Turle takes a look at how France is trying to protect its nationals in North Africa against the threat of kidnappings and examines why France has become a target for the group calling itself Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.03/02/201120:06 -
Lingerie adapts to real French women's bodies
The French are Europe’s biggest consumers of lingerie, and the latest trend is a return to curves, inspired by 1950’s pin-up corsets and cone bras. This is an acknowledgement that women’s bodies have changed over the last 30 years: the majority now sizing 40 and 42. What’s more, the biggest spenders are middle-aged women, who want more support, but refuse to skimp on sensuality. We head to this year's International Lingerie Trade Fair in Paris to see what's on offer for the fuller figure, and speak to lingerie professionals about why what you don't see matters as much as what you do.27/01/201121:33 -
Will Le Pen daughter change France's far right?
The daughter of France's far-right leader, Jean-Marie Le Pen, took over the leadership of the Front National this weekend. How will the party evolve under her leadership and what legacy has her father left?20/01/201120:45 -
Optimism Without Borders a surprise hit in pessimistic France
A recent opinion poll showed the French top the bill in the pessimism stakes; they’re more worried about the economic outlook for 2011 than either the Afghans or the Germans. But while they’re in the doldrums collectively, they’re more upbeat as individuals and are rushing to join the recently formed Optimism without Borders.13/01/201120:55 -
Does the Socialist Party have a ghost's chance of taking the French presidency?
Infighting, divisions and a lack of political vision have denied France's Socialist Party a presidential win since 1988. So in a bid to increase its chances, party boss Martine Aubry has devised a system of primaries ahead of the 2012 contest. But, as the programme finds out, some of the major candidates have already decided not to abide by the rules.06/01/201120:34 -
France's oyster producers sound the alarm bell
France is Europe's largest producer and consumer of oysters and most of the 130,000 tonnes produced annually will be savoured around Christmas and New Year. But since spring 2008 a mystery virus has been killing off cupped baby oysters. As they take up to three years to reach maturity, the full effect is now being felt.30/12/201021:33 -
French identity: a question of food
The UN cultural and educational institution UNESCO recently included the French gastronomic meal on its intangible world cultural heritage list. It recognised there was something special in the French tradition of eating well and eating collectively, but that this cultural practice is under threat. We look at the history of that tradition and what, if anything, UNESCO recognition will change.09/12/201021:15 -
Paris by night - not what it used to be?
Has Paris's nightlife gone into possibly terminal decline? With many now heading to London, Berlin and Barcelona for nighttime tourism, the city council has organised les Etats Géneraux de la Nuit to find a way to keep Paris's nightlife alive and residents' associations tucked up in bed. Some of the movers and shakers of the city's clubs and venues give their view.02/12/201020:42
Rendezvous
Reports on France - its people, its culture - and all the big issues facing the French.