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La Voie Bleue: European Cycle Route of the Year is in France
700km bike path linking Luxembourg and Lyon has been crowned winner of the 2026 title
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Before and after: Garonne river floods in south-west France
Satellite images show extent of flooding from back-to-back storms in February
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Home insurance increases expected in France after floods
Compensation costs for the recent storms and flooding across the west and south-west is estimated to be in the billions of euros
Paris launches new local police force
Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo is to set up a mairie-controlled police force to concentrate on public order duties and enforce local bylaws after years of holding out against the idea.
The new force of about 3,400 officers will work 24/7 and will take in the present 3,200 agents used for traffic, parking and anti-litter duties. Initial cost is €3.5million for equipment and pay this year.
The 15,000 Police Nationale officers in Paris are used more for security duties since the terror attacks, so the new unarmed force will put extra numbers on the street for local policing roles.
The mairie said: “The goal is to increase numbers in the late afternoon and evening, which are the most anxiety-prone moments for Parisians.”
