How Paris Tackled Pollution in the River Seine

River Seine clean-up

Following a century-long ban due to pollution, Parisians and tourists can now swim in designated areas of the River Seine.

By Kelly Yu

The iconic River Seine opened its banks to swimmers on July 5, marking the end of a swimming ban that had been in place since 1923 due to severe contamination in its waters.

For decades, the river has been polluted by E.coli, enterococci bacteria and other contaminants, with industrial waste, sewage overflow, and urban runoff making it unsafe for swimming.

Paris’s outdated combined sewer system, dating back to city planner Baron Georges-Eugène Haussmann’s 19th-century city planning, allowed untreated wastewater to flow directly into the river during heavy rainfall.

By the 1970s, about 60% of the city’s sewage was being dumped untreated into the river, and fish species had decreased to just three.

The historic reopening followed a €1.4 billion (US$1.6 billion) cleanup operation to make the river swimmable in time for the 2024 Paris Olympics, with open-water swimmers and triathletes competing in its specially treated waters.

Bastien Xu, a Parisian businessman who was among the first to take a dip when the ban was lifted, described it as a symbolic moment for the city: “The Seine River has always been seen as romantic, but now people can actually swim in it instead of just looking at it.”

“I was really excited. I felt lucky that we can swim there now after it wasn’t allowed for 100 years. My older French neighbors were envious because they never got the chance when they were young,” Xu told Earth.Org.

Continue reading “How Paris Tackled Pollution in the River Seine” →

Listen to “The French Connection” Ep. 8

This Sunday’s FRENCH CONNECTION on WRIU 90.3 FM mourns the end of Summer with a theme, “Seasons in the Sun”

By Michael Stevenson

( This program originally aired on WRIU, Kingston, 90.3 FM on Sunday, August 24 )

“Seasons in the Sun” playlist, THE FRENCH CONNECTION :: WRIU 90.3 FM :: August 24, 2025:
  • Gilbert Bécaud “Plein Soleil” (1964)
  • Brigitte Bardot “La Madrague” (1963)
  • Yael Naem “Playground Family / You Have Always Been” (from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Mon Bébé)  2019
  • Jeanne Cherhal “Canicule” (2006)
  • Françoise Hardy “Soleil” (1970)
  • Toots Thielmans “Theme From Summer of ’42” (M. Legrand) rec. 1987 live concert
  • Yves Montand “Les Feuilles Mortes” (m.Jacques Prévert, l.Joseph Kosma) lyrics for “The Autumn Leaves” by Johnny Mercer (recorded 1952)
  • This Is the Kit “Recommencer” (Kate Stables, 2021)
  • Henri Salvador “Jardin d’Hiver” (Henri Salvador, Keren Ann & Benjamin Biolay, 2000)
  • Django Rheinhardt & the Quintet of the Hot Club of France “September Song” (m.Kurt Weil, l.Maxwell Anderson) recorded 1947
  • Blossom Dearie “It Might As Well Be Spring” (Rogers & Hammerstein, recorded 1957)
  • Jack Kerouac “October” (reading)
  • Francis Cabrel “Octobre” (1994)
  • Black Box Recorder “Seasons in the Sun” (Jacques Brel, recorded 1998)
  • Camille Saint-Saëns “Carnival of the Animals” (composed 1886)

I Tell You It Is October!
by Jack Kerouac

There’s something olden and golden and lost
In the strange ancestral light,
There’s something tender and loving and sad
In October’s copper might.

End of something, old, old, old…
Always missing, sad, sad, sad…
Saying something…love, love, love…

Akh! I tell you it is October,
And I defy you now and always
To deny there is not love

Staring foolishly at skies
Whose beauty but God defies.

For in October’s ancient glow
A little after dusk
Love strides through the meadow
Dropping her burnished husk…

“I Tell You It Is October” appears in Jack Kerouac Collected Poems, published by The Library of America in 2012

The French August Vacation: A Cultural Tradition

Learn why the French take off the entire month of August for summer vacations and discover the cultural importance of this tradition.

Every August, an interesting phenomenon occurs in France: cities quiet down, shops close, and the bustling energy of daily life takes a noticeable pause. This annual exodus, known as “les grandes vacances,” sees millions of French people flocking to the coastlines, countryside, and other vacation destinations, leaving urban areas almost deserted.

Even in years when global events draw international attention — like the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris — the tradition persists. While the world watches athletes compete and tourists flock to the capital, many Parisians and other French citizens still adhere to their deeply ingrained custom of taking the entire month off.

The tradition of the August break reflects a unique approach to work-life balance, family, and leisure that remains a cornerstone of French culture, regardless of global happenings. Read on to learn more about why the French take off the month of August.

Historical Roots of the August Vacation

first paid french august vacation 1936

The tradition of taking a full month off has historical roots that date back all the way to the Middle Ages when Pope Gregory IX granted a one-month vacation to children who attended school to help out with agricultural work. This tradition lasted centuries and was in addition to religious holidays taken throughout the year. Then in the 19th century, when Napoleon was in power, a summer vacation was extended to six weeks, simply so that the children of the privileged class could get more integrated into the sociable networks.

Over the years, the summer vacations gradually grew longer and longer, but only those who had the means and ability to travel or stop working could afford to take it. This changed in 1936, when The Popular Front, a left-wing coalition of the French government, introduced two weeks of paid vacation time for workers, which many took during the month of August. This legislative change for the working class laid the foundation for the French to embrace the idea of a prolonged summer break, allowing them to escape the daily grind and enjoy quality time with family and friends.

A Deeply Ingrained Cultural Practice

The French value their leisure time and prioritize quality of life over work. This cultural inclination is reflected in their generous vacation policies and the emphasis on savoring life’s pleasures. The concept of “joie de vivre,” or the joy of living, is a fundamental aspect of French culture. Taking time off in August allows people to reconnect with this philosophy, indulging in good food, beautiful landscapes, and meaningful relationships.

For many French families, the August vacation is a cherished tradition. It’s a time for multi-generational gatherings, where grandparents, parents, and children come together to bond and create lasting memories. The rhythm of daily life slows down, and the focus shifts to relaxation and enjoyment. Whether it’s lounging on the sandy beaches of the French Riviera, exploring picturesque villages in Provence, or hiking in the French Alps, August offers a myriad of opportunities for leisure and exploration.

The Economic and Social Impacts

The mass departure during August has a significant impact on the French economy and society. Many businesses, particularly smaller ones, close their doors for the entire month, as owners and employees take their vacations. This temporary shutdown can be inconvenient for tourists and locals alike, as they may find themselves navigating empty streets and shuttered stores. However, this break also highlights the importance of rest and work-life balance, a concept that is often overshadowed in more work-centric cultures.

Tourism, on the other hand, thrives during this period. Coastal regions, mountain resorts, and popular tourist destinations see a surge in visitors, both domestic and international. The influx of vacationers boosts the hospitality industry, with hotels, restaurants, and local attractions experiencing a busy season. The French government and businesses often prepare for this annual migration, ensuring that the tourism infrastructure can accommodate the seasonal demand.

The Changing Landscape of French Vacations

In recent years, the tradition of taking the entire month of August off has seen some changes. With the rise of flexible work arrangements and digital nomadism, some French people are opting for shorter, more frequent vacations spread throughout the year. However, August remains a symbol of rest and rejuvenation, a time when the nation collectively pauses to recharge.

Moreover, global trends and economic pressures have influenced the way French people approach their vacations. While the tradition of taking August off remains strong, there’s a growing awareness of the importance of sustainable tourism and mindful travel. Many now choose eco-friendly destinations and activities, reflecting a broader cultural shift towards environmental consciousness.

A Cultural Statement

The French tradition of taking the whole month of August off is more than just a vacation; it’s a cultural statement. It embodies the French commitment to enjoying life, valuing relationships, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. As cities empty and the countryside fills with laughter and relaxation, the French August exodus serves as a reminder that sometimes, the best way to appreciate life is to slow down and savor each moment. Whether it’s a stroll through a sun-drenched vineyard or a leisurely meal with loved ones, the French have perfected the art of living well — and August is their time to celebrate it.

Embracing the Art of Living Well

No matter where you are in the world, get in on the French spirit and take time to indulge in the simple pleasures of life. To get you started, check out some of the items that we’ve spotted the French bringing along with them on their August vacations – available to ship anywhere in the world from the MFCH Boutique.

Source: The French August Vacation: A Cultural Tradition | My French Country Home Magazine

Embattled Bordeaux winemakers see Trump’s tariffs as latest blow

The sun is shining, the grapes are ripe and a good harvest is expected but a heavy cloud is looming over Laurent Dubois’s vineyard in southwestern France.

“It’s not up to me to pay the Trump tax!” he fumes, faced with the 15 percent in customs duties that is to hit his products in US President Donald Trump’s trade war.

Trump’s long-threatened tariffs are just the latest blow to be sustained by Bordeaux winemakers, who are operating in an increasingly tough market as consumer tastes change.

The duties imposed could have been worse and on their own will not destroy the industry, winemakers emphasise, but they say they are an extra burden they could so without.

Dubois, 57, a major figure in the Bordeaux region famous for its fruity reds, exports 70 percent of his production to 25 countries, including 10 percent to the United States.

The ninth generation to lead the Chateau Les Bertrands in Reignac, north of Bordeaux, Dubois is already seeing the effects of the 15 percent levy, which is being imposed after the EU failed to secure an exemption for wines and spirits.

‘Narrow margins’

“For our last shipment, a client in Texas asked us to give him a price,” Dubois told AFP. “But I’m French, I didn’t vote for Trump. So it’s not up to me to pay, knowing that our margins are very narrow.”

The United States is by far the largest export market for Bordeaux wines, with sales of over 400 million euros ($469 million) or 20 percent of the total.

China comes next on 300 million euros and the UK on 200 million euros, according to the Bordeaux Negoce union.

Customs duties, combined with the weakness of the dollar against the euro, constitute “a double whammy” for the price of bottles on the American market, said Dubois.

He said he expects a “small drop” in his exports to the United States but remains phlegmatic: “It could have been worse because a few months ago, Trump announced taxes of 50 percent or even 200 percent.”

His opinion is echoed by Laurent Rousseau, a winegrower in Abzac, near Saint-Emilion in the Bordeaux region, for whom the US market represents 43 percent of sales.

“There will be a price adjustment but there is no expected market shutdown. After that, I don’t know what will happen in December” during the annual renegotiation of the contract with his importer, he said.

‘It’s scary’

Export difficulties have led to overproduction and a collapse in wholesale prices in recent years.

A subsidised uprooting plan has reduced the cultivated area to 90,000 hectares (222,000 acres), compared to 103,000 two years ago.

US customs duties add to these difficulties, against a backdrop of a chronic decline in wine consumption as lifestyles change in France and elsewhere.

“It’s bad news, yet again,” said Dubois. “We had to reduce our area by about 10 percent (to 130 hectares), we did the uprooting.

“And then we see a number of companies, winegrowers who are shutting down or are in receivership. It’s scary. We say to ourselves: ‘The next one will be me’.”

Further north, the vineyards of Cognac are also being hit by the customs duties, as the United States is the largest market for the famous spirit.

China — the second-largest destination for a sector that is 98 percent export-dependent — has previously imposed taxes or price increases.

Bertrand de Witasse, a winemaker who supplies the Remy Martin distillery, saw his orders drop by 25 percent during a renegotiation in May.

“We’re all affected,” he admitted. “But as they say in Cognac, ‘You’re a billionaire for one year and a poor man for 10’.

“So, the years you’re a billionaire, you have to save and avoid wasting money.”

French winemakers are far from being the only Europeans affected.

On Thursday, the Italian Wine and Spirits Federation (Federvini) expressed “its deep concern” at the lack of an exemption for “wines, spirits, and vinegars”.

“We are seeing a missed opportunity,” said Federvini president Giacomo Ponti, emphasising that “the agreement could have fully recognised the strategic importance” of our sectors “in transatlantic relations.”

Source: Embattled Bordeaux winemakers see Trump’s tariffs as latest blow

Le best of Anne Sylvestre  

Retrouvez les plus belles chansons d’Anne Sylvestre interprétées à la télévision avec : 00:03 “Maryvonne” 02:04 “Le froid” dans Fabulettes 04:13 “Depuis l’temps que j’l’attends mon prince charmant” en duo avec Boby Lapointe 07:43 “Un mur pour pleurer” 11:45 “Une sorcière comme les autres” 17:36 “Clémence en vacances” 21:40 “Les gens qui doutent”