-
Covid-19 cases expected to spike in France this summer
The spring booster vaccination campaign is still underway after being extended due to low uptake
-
Video: French police play ‘Titanic’ theme while driving through flooded street in Paris
Fun reaction to storm attracts millions of viewers on social media
-
Ski resort in French Alps to close due to lack of snow and funding cuts
Local officials have announced the closure of the Alpe du Grand Serre station in Isère, halting plans to keep it open year-round
Covid-19: Free Asterix magazine to help beat boredom
A free Asterix magazine – in French – can be downloaded each week to liven up the confinement period, offered by publishers Editions Albert-René.

The publishers of the popular Asterix books – whose co-creator Albert Uderzo died last week, aged 92 – have this week put out the first edition of a new 28-page magazine called Irréductibles avec Astérix (Indomitable with Asterix).
It includes several pages of homage and facts about Uderzo as well as a short one-off story about Asterix’s best friend Obelix, extracts from some of the best classic comic book albums, plus games and Asterix trivia.
The overall theme is that the Gauls – like everyone – are being forced to stay at home; meanwhile there are extracts about their friends in other countries, such as Switzerland, Spain – and Britain.
The publishers say they are offering the magazine so as to keep us entertained while we are forced to stay in our ‘huts’ – and they promise their Gaulish heroes will passer un savon au virus: literally, give the virus a soaping (which also means ‘a telling off’ in French slang).
The first edition also invites readers to send in their own Asterix drawings, with the best ones to be published next week.
The magazine will be published each week as long as the confinement lasts.
Previous stories
Asterix co-creator Uderzo has died
Connexion interview with Albert Uderzo
Stay informed:
Sign up to our free weekly e-newsletter
Subscribe to access all our online articles and receive our printed monthly newspaper The Connexion at your home. News analysis, features and practical help for English-speakers in France