Inside France is our weekly look at some of the news, talking points and gossip in France that you might not have heard about. It’s published each Saturday and members can receive it directly to their inbox, by going to their newsletter preferences or adding their email to the sign-up box in this article.

Second chance

As the Paris 2024 Olympics draw to a close I don’t think I’m alone in having had an absolutely brilliant time over the past two weeks – even the notoriously grumpy Parisians seem happy.

But if you’re feeling bereft at missing your daily fix of greco-roman wrestling, speed climbing and water polo then fear not – in two weeks the Paralympics start.

These will be largely held in the same venues as the Olympics and tickets are still available for many events – so if you were stunned by the beauty of Paris venues such as the Grand Palais fencing hall, the Eiffel Tower stadium or the Versailles equestrian events then the Paralympics are your chance to experience all these in person. More info here.

Los Angeles 2028, you have a problem #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/2gFezN7QnK

— Sophie Pedder (@PedderSophie) August 5, 2024

OPINION: Beauty of the Paris Olympics will be remembered long after the fake Last Supper

Now we just await what will be served up at the closing ceremony on Sunday evening – with widespread rumours that Hollywood star Tom Cruise will abseil into Stade de France as part of the handover of the Games to Los Angeles.

Of course, this would be nothing new to anyone who watched the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Games when Queen Elizabeth II and James Bond parachuted into the stadium (and yes, it was definitely the real Queen, the Tower of London awaits anyone who suggests otherwise).

Fake news

Of course the Paris Olympics have not been entirely problem free and there have been issues and controversies on and off the track – but much of the negative coverage of the Games is either created or amplified by Russian-linked disinformation.

From fake newspaper front pages to the shameful online hate campaign against the Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, analysis has found that social media accounts with links to the Kremlin were heavily involved.

Vomiting athletes, fake Macron and boxing: Russian disinformation targets Olympics

The thing is – this was widely predicted in advance, and yet it seems that organisers were still powerless against the tide of disinformation. So how can future events prepare themselves better? This does not seem to be a problem that will end when the Games do.

The little matter of a government

Talking of recurring problems, when France wakes up on Monday morning with the Games officially over it will be forced to remember that it doesn’t actually have a government.

Emmanuel Macron won an Olympic ‘truce’ from the ongoing wrangling over the shape of the new government but once the Games are over there will be no more distractions.

One month on from the inconclusive parliamentary elections and the left alliance has finally agreed on a candidate for prime minister, but no parties appear to have succeeded in forming a coalition or alliance and therefore the parliament remains deadlocked.

En garde

Watching the Olympic fencing reminded me of an excellent France fact that I recently learned – the last épée (sword-fighting) dual in France was fought in 1967.

It was between the mayor of Marseille, Gaston Defferre, and a right-wing MP named René Ribière and came after an argument in parliament which ended in Defferre shouting ‘taisez-vous, abruti’ (shut it, stupid). Ribière demanded satisfaction and the two men rolled up their sleeves and duelled with swords.

Ribière lost, having been slightly wounded, but both men survived and Defferre remained mayor of Marseille until his death in 1986.

And they say that modern politics has lost all decorum . . .  

Inside France is our weekly look at some of the news, talking points and gossip in France that you might not have heard about. It’s published each Saturday and members can receive it directly to their inbox, by going to their newsletter preferences or adding their email to the sign-up box in this article.