-
Three charged with taking bribes to provide false French tests for residency cards
The charges relate to the test de connaissance du français. It is thought that more than 250 applicants could be involved in a region of west France
-
DHL strike hits Christmas deliveries in France
‘All packages will be delivered even if they are a little late’, says DHL spokesperson
-
French firm aims to cut food waste through 'upcycling'
Waste is taken from restaurants and turned into new products
What is France’s Vigipirate alert system?
The security apparatus follows a three level plan
France follows a three level security alert system called Vigipirate to allow police and emergency services to coordinate their resources in times of crisis.
The name Vigipirate is an acronym for Vigilance et protection des installations contre les risques d'attentats terroristes à l'explosif.
The system, first introduced in 1978, has gone through several iterations. Last updated in 2016, there are currently three levels:
When has France been on high alert?
In the past ten years, France has been on its highest level of alert five times:
- March 19, 2022: After the Toulouse and Montauban shootings.
- January 7, 2015: After the Charlie Hebdo shooting
- November 14, 2015: After the November 2015 Paris attacks
- October 29, 2020: After the 2020 Nice stabbing.
- October 13, 2023: After the stabbings in Arras
Related articles:
Teacher killed, two injured in terrorist knife attack at French school
Paris trial over jihadist murder of French priest in 2016 begins today
Far-right terrorism ‘is a real threat’ in France