Is being first lady really such a good gig? Just ask Julie Gayet
Barbara Ellen
François Hollande’s partner snubbed the role, rejecting the endless media scrutiny and disruption to her career
October 2017
Emmanuel Macron’s appeal has already worn thin
Gabriel Bristow
Inside six months France’s youngest president is already looking like the old guard, writes activist Gabriel Bristow
August 2017
Macron needs more than makeup to be the new De Gaulle
John Lichfield
The preening young French president’s beauty budget will scandalise those on the minimum wage and do nothing for his collapsing ratings, writes freelance journalist John Lichfield
May 2017
What now for Macron? Jihadi threat and economic woes mean no honeymoon
The twists and turns of France’s strangest ever presidential election
April 2017
EU threatens Theresa May on trade talks and its citizens' rights
European leaders take hard line on Brexit at special summit, agreeing unanimously on rigid stance in just four minutes
It's Macron or Le Pen after first round of France's presidential election
Traditional left and right ruling parties kicked out of race with independent centrist and far-right leaders pulling ahead
First thoughts
France is angry. The left must show Europe that bigotry is not the answer
Owen Jones
Marine Le Pen denies French role in wartime roundup of Paris Jews
Boris Johnson cancels trip to Moscow after US strikes on Syria
March 2017
Hollande to May: agree Brexit terms first, then we'll talk trade
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, France's hard-left rebel, targets the disenchanted
French literary boy wonder Édouard Louis on saving the working class from Marine Le Pen
Europe's governments signal relief after Dutch election defeats far right
Turkey's Nazi remarks 'unacceptable', say Hollande and Merkel
Polish PM ridicules François Hollande's 4% poll rating in Tusk row
Europa
UK will have to give up all EU perks after Brexit, François Hollande warns
The Observer view on the French presidential election
Wanted: strong centrist European leaders with star quality
February 2017
French police sniper accidentally shoots waiter during Hollande speech
Official says two people injured by marksman when he tripped and discharged weapon during presidential address at opening of high-speed railway line