France
The Movie Theater
In France you go to the cinéma; in America you go to the movies. Same screen, different religion — reserved seats, popcorn buckets, subtitles, and the great debate over talking during the film.
Read →
Two Years Running
Dylan Rocher and Jean-Pierre Subrenat won the US Open of Pétanque's Concours A for the second straight year, beating Mamitiana Raherison and Rija Ramampiandra in a cold, rain-slicked final at Pier A Park in Hoboken.
Read →
Eleven-Thirteen: The Final France Could Not Close
In Loutraki, the French women reached the European triplette final, led a comeback for the ages, and lost 11-13 to Belgium. Henri Roche on a week that started with Fannys and ended two points short — and on the young team that saved the trip with gold.
Read →
Halloween and Toussaint
In America, October ends with candy and costumes. In France, it ends with chrysanthemums and a quiet trip to the cemetery. Claire Donovan on two holidays that share one weekend — and the country learning to love them both.
Read →
The Boarding
France boarded a sanctioned tanker in the Indian Ocean this week. Moscow calls it piracy. Paris calls it enforcement. Martin Doyle on a helicopter boarding, a false flag, and the shadow fleet both sides are fighting over.
Read →
Semifinal Saturday
Three days of pool play in San Clemente are done, and the brackets are set. Today the season's last finalists get decided. Dana Whitfield on what Friday settled and what Saturday will answer.
Read →
The Café Gourmand
In France, dessert doesn't have to be a decision. The café gourmand gives you the espresso and a little parade of sweets — the whole menu's greatest hits, in miniature. Hélène Marchand on the art of not choosing.
Read →
The Overcapacity Pact
Fourteen economies signed a US-led statement against industrial overcapacity this week. France signed too. China calls it protectionism. Sam Kessler on the pact that names its target without naming it.
Read →
Two Fannys, Zero Points
In Loutraki, the French women opened the European championships with two 13-0s and not a single point conceded. Gégé Lacroix on what a perfect start is worth — and what it isn't.
Read →
The Goûter
At four o'clock, France stops for a snack. Not a sad desk-drawer granola bar — a real one. June Calloway on the goûter, and what America lost when it killed the afternoon.
Read →
The Last Supporter
Washington leaned on its allies to walk away from a Brussels disinformation conference. Canada and Lithuania walked. France stayed. Victor Lemaire on a very public split over who gets to call out whom.
Read →
Gold in Kuala Lumpur, Finals in San Clemente
Noé Khlif flew to Malaysia unplanned and came home with PPA gold and silver. Meanwhile the PPA Tour Finals opened in California. A very French week in American pickleball.
Read →Advertisement