Hero’s welcome for last solo sailor home

Crowds lined the quay in Sables d’Olonne to cheer Sébastien Destremau as he trailed winner Armel Le Cléac’h by 50 days to finish last in the Vendée Globe after 124 days at sea.

Published Tuesday 04 April 2017 - 10:08 Modified Tuesday 04 April 2017 - 10:08

Saying he was one of just 88 to have finished the race since it started in 1990, Destremau added: “So, I was last, so what!”

french news

Thousands of litres of fuel spill into fields in Normandy after tanker overturns

Tests are being carried out into risk of pollution of local water supplies to homes
Speed limits to (mostly) drop to 30 km/h in this French city

The new measure will improve noise and pollution, improve safety and encourage cycling, say local authorities
Thousands of French parking fines cancelled after IT bug

The fines had been issued in error after IT system was privatised

Thousands of litres of fuel spill into fields in Normandy after tanker overturns

Tests are being carried out into risk of pollution of local water supplies to homes

The Code de la route has changed for cyclists in France

New lights have been authorised and cyclists can now (legally) ride side by side in certain circumstances

Watchdog highlights Christmas food shopping ‘scams’ in France

Pastries with palm oil, excess packaging, inflated prices…vote for the worst ‘scam’ in this food watchdog’s annual contest

Epidemic alerts raised in France: see how your area is affected

Bronchiolitis is bad nationwide while flu indicators are increasing in the north and east

Cheaper but slower… €10 train fare for Paris to Brussels route

Ticket sales are already open for journeys up to the end of March

‘Check your rent is not too high’: Mixed reaction to new Paris poster

The campaign contributes to the ‘clichéd, outdated caricature of the chubby, arrogant landlord’, one property specialist says

Woman removed from French easyJet flight over swearing incident takes legal action

The passenger was forcibly removed by border police after debate over cabin bag size and claims she ‘was treated like a terrorist’

December French rail strike: Less disruption expected than forecast

High-speed services should not be affected during the Christmas season

Learning French: what is the meaning of j’avoue and when should it be used?

A French language tic which can indicate you are actively listening to and agree with what is being said

Act fast to benefit from this financial help to buy an electric bike in France

The government policy is coming to an end in the beginning of 2025

See which offences can result in a car being impounded in France

There is also a time limit and set procedure to follow to recover a car

Legendary British cookery writer was inspired by Antibes - and its market

Sarah Hyde, who now lives in the town, explores Elizabeth David’s connection with its marché provençal. We also share one of her recipes

Eight common cold and cough medicines to be pulled from open sale in France

These drugs containing the vasoconstrictor pseudoephedrine are banned from over-the-counter sale from December 11 due to the increased risk of complications

Snow is here (more on way): Many French ski resorts set to open this week

Resorts in the Pyrenees announced their opening dates following heavy snowfall on Sunday and Monday

IT problems and digitalisation of French residency cards ‘causing issues’

Some applicants reported to face a ‘serious infringement of rights’ during residency process

French grants for home renovations are changing

Act now if you want to fit a wood stove before the MaPrimeRénov grants are reduced in 2025

Weather for the week December 9 to 13: Winter arrives in France

A chill is to spread across the country with temperatures 3C below seasonal norms

GPs and specialists: List of new fees starting December 2024 in France

Fees will rise for consultations, firstly later this month, and again in July 2025

France ends grants for electric radiator thermostats

The Coup de pouce Pilotage scheme was due to close on December 31 but has been discontinued early due to fraud

The basics of French cheese and wine pairing

Columnist Jonathan Hesford looks at the types of cheese and styles of wine that match

Photos: ‘How we prepare our garden in south-west France for winter’

Part-time paysanne Sue Adams on protecting your precious plants

Beware ‘false friends’ but take heart - the French struggle with them too

Columnist Nick Inman recounts the struggles of his Francophone colleague with English

Power cuts, fallen trees, one dead: Storm Darragh leaves trail of damage across France

Plane diverts to Spain after shaky landing attempt at Toulouse. Many areas remain on alert

Why bon is always a good word to use in France

Columnist Nick Inman notes the many polite ways people wish you well for all activities

Hero’s welcome for last solo sailor home

Crowds lined the quay in Sables d’Olonne to cheer Sébastien Destremau as he trailed winner Armel Le Cléac’h by 50 days to finish last in the Vendée Globe after 124 days at sea.

Thousands of litres of fuel spill into fields in Normandy after tanker overturns

Speed limits to (mostly) drop to 30 km/h in this French city

Thousands of French parking fines cancelled after IT bug

Thousands of litres of fuel spill into fields in Normandy after tanker overturns

The Code de la route has changed for cyclists in France

Call France's laughter hotline to cheer yourself up for free

Speed limits to (mostly) drop to 30 km/h in this French city

Thousands of French parking fines cancelled after IT bug

Watchdog highlights Christmas food shopping ‘scams’ in France

Epidemic alerts raised in France: see how your area is affected

Cheaper but slower… €10 train fare for Paris to Brussels route

‘Check your rent is not too high’: Mixed reaction to new Paris poster

Woman removed from French easyJet flight over swearing incident takes legal action

December French rail strike: Less disruption expected than forecast

Learning French: what is the meaning of j’avoue and when should it be used?

Act fast to benefit from this financial help to buy an electric bike in France

See which offences can result in a car being impounded in France

SNCF comes fifth in European ranking of best train companies

Letters: How are hybrid cars supposed to carry a spare tyre in France?

Ministers to debate emergency law so France can continue to collect tax and pay expenses

Legendary British cookery writer was inspired by Antibes - and its market

Eight common cold and cough medicines to be pulled from open sale in France

Snow is here (more on way): Many French ski resorts set to open this week

IT problems and digitalisation of French residency cards ‘causing issues’

French grants for home renovations are changing

Good news for residents in Brittany as extra trains confirmed

Drivers can now get proof of driving licence online in France

Controversial new French motorway: Decision delayed on work suspension

Weather for the week December 9 to 13: Winter arrives in France

GPs and specialists: List of new fees starting December 2024 in France

France ends grants for electric radiator thermostats

The basics of French cheese and wine pairing

Photos: ‘How we prepare our garden in south-west France for winter’

Beware ‘false friends’ but take heart - the French struggle with them too

Power cuts, fallen trees, one dead: Storm Darragh leaves trail of damage across France

Why bon is always a good word to use in France

Hero’s welcome for last solo sailor home

Crowds lined the quay in Sables d’Olonne to cheer Séb­astien Destremau as he trailed winner Armel Le Cléac’h by 50 days to finish last in the Ven­dée Globe after 124 days at sea.

Thousands of litres of fuel spill into fields in Normandy after tanker overturns

Speed limits to (mostly) drop to 30 km/h in this French city

Thousands of French parking fines cancelled after IT bug

Thousands of litres of fuel spill into fields in Normandy after tanker overturns

The Code de la route has changed for cyclists in France

Call France's laughter hotline to cheer yourself up for free

Speed limits to (mostly) drop to 30 km/h in this French city

Thousands of French parking fines cancelled after IT bug

Watchdog highlights Christmas food shopping ‘scams’ in France

Epidemic alerts raised in France: see how your area is affected

Cheaper but slower… €10 train fare for Paris to Brussels route

‘Check your rent is not too high’: Mixed reaction to new Paris poster

Woman removed from French easyJet flight over swearing incident takes legal action

December French rail strike: Less disruption expected than forecast

Learning French: what is the meaning of j’avoue and when should it be used?

Act fast to benefit from this financial help to buy an electric bike in France

See which offences can result in a car being impounded in France

SNCF comes fifth in European ranking of best train companies

Letters: How are hybrid cars supposed to carry a spare tyre in France?

Ministers to debate emergency law so France can continue to collect tax and pay expenses

Legendary British cookery writer was inspired by Antibes - and its market

Eight common cold and cough medicines to be pulled from open sale in France

Snow is here (more on way): Many French ski resorts set to open this week

IT problems and digitalisation of French residency cards ‘causing issues’

French grants for home renovations are changing

Good news for residents in Brittany as extra trains confirmed

Drivers can now get proof of driving licence online in France

Controversial new French motorway: Decision delayed on work suspension

Weather for the week December 9 to 13: Winter arrives in France

GPs and specialists: List of new fees starting December 2024 in France

France ends grants for electric radiator thermostats

The basics of French cheese and wine pairing

Photos: ‘How we prepare our garden in south-west France for winter’

Beware ‘false friends’ but take heart - the French struggle with them too

Power cuts, fallen trees, one dead: Storm Darragh leaves trail of damage across France

Why bon is always a good word to use in France

Crowds lined the quay in Sables d’Olonne to cheer Sébastien Destremau as he trailed winner Armel Le Cléac’h by 50 days to finish last in the Vendée Globe after 124 days at sea.