Science and Technology

The latest science stories from around France, plus developments in French tech and news updates for smarter living in France.

Gadget inspector: French tech firms reveal the future

Such is the vitality of the technology sector in France that the country had the third largest national presence in the startup section of the recent prestigious CES electronics innovation show in Las Vegas.

Giant 3D map is being made of France using lasers

The project is aimed at preventing natural disasters and identifying areas which are potentially suitable for agriculture as well as archaeological sites

Orange promises 24-hour solution to fixed line faults in France

Orange will install satellite wi-fi hotspots in local mairies to enable people with laptop computers or smartphones to communicate during an outage

French school pupils join astronaut Thomas Pesquet for ‘blob’ test

David VILLA ScienceImage, CBI CRCA CNES CNRS Photothèque

Blobs are single-celled organisms that are neither animal nor vegetable nor fungus and have astonished scientists by their ability to communicate and reverse ageing. Four have been sent into space for experimentation

Scientists call for old mobiles to help develop metals recycling plan

There are drop-off points in towns around Grand Est in a bid to stop waste of valuable metals in discarded phones

15 leave French cave after 40-day experiment without light or clocks

All Photos: Deep Time - Human Adaptation Institute

The team spent more than a month in isolation as part of a wide-ranging study into human behaviour

Paper fuel cells could track vaccines and help diabetics

The cells, developed over the last 30 years, could replace batteries and be used for enhanced transportation and logistic tracking, say developers, as well as in medical products

Astronaut Thomas Pesquet to take Michelin-starred meals to space

Chemist Raphaël Haumont and Michelin-starred chef Thierry Marx have created four French meals for the International Space Station

European Space Agency launches search for next Thomas Pesquet

Applications open for the next generation of astronauts as well as people with disabilities to be 'parastronaut' pioneers

Humans will walk on Mars in 30 years: French astronaut

As the Perseverance Rover begins its fact-finding mission, a veteran of three shuttle missions predicts humans will set foot on the red planet in the 2040s

French scientists thrilled at latest Mars landing

French scientists developed one of seven key instruments on the rover, while geologists in Lyon chose the landing site for the multibillion-euro mission

Sci-fi writers help French army imagine wars of future

A squad of sci-fi writers dubbed the 'Red Team' is helping the French army prepare for new technology conflict scenarios from 2030

Watch: Probe built in Toulouse to bring Mars rock to Earth

In 2026 a space probe built in Toulouse will bring rock samples from Mars back to Earth

New French robot, Charles, keeps electric vehicles topped up

The problem of leaving an electric vehicle at an airport car park and losing charge could soon be solved – thanks to a French robot.

France factory planning permission eased for investors

A list of 74 places where simplified procedures will allow investors to have “key in hand” factory sites, ready to build in nine months, has been published by the government.

‘Revolutionary’ 3D printer helping stamp out Covid-19

Volumic 3D has been making test tubes and face masks, as well as pieces for ventilators, sending them across France and Monaco

Litter tray checks cat’s health

Covid contact tracing app: a risk to rights?

An official opt-in phone app to trace whether you have had contact with someone infected with Covid-19 is under review. Some say the risks are too high if rushed in

Online map follows fibre roll-out in France

Undercover oysters deter French shellfish thieves

Fake oysters that contain tracking electronics are helping prevent hundreds of thousands of euros-worth of thefts

Who wants faster broadband in their French home?

Who doesn’t?

Flock of robot sheep cuts grass in French vineyards

Sheep are widely recognised as the best way to keep lawns trim but a French company is taking this a step further by producing a flock of grass-munching robots.