National civic service

National civic service - Nearly two decades after France phased out conscription for men, some 2,000 teenagers on Sunday began a pilot programme for a new national civic service, a project of French President Emmanuel Macron. For a fortnight, the 15- and 16-year-olds will leave home for training in first aid and other basic skills, followed later by another two weeks of volunteering. Macron caused surprise on the campaign trail in 2017 by promising to introduce a month-long compulsory national service, saying he wanted to give girls and boys "a direct experience of military life".

Last local news

Evening Update Friday 7 November 2025

The man who allegedly drove his car into pedestrians on the Ile d’Oleron has said that he regrets his actions, according to the local prosecutor.... Evening Update Friday 7 November 2025 Read More

07/11/2025

French and Riviera News Friday 7th November 2025

Time is running out for the marine animals at Marineland in Antibes. On Thursday, 6 November 2025, France’s Minister for Ecological Transition, Mathie... French and Riviera News Friday 7th November 2025 Read More

07/11/2025

Evening Update Wednesday 6 November 2025

A highly critical report into the operation of border facilities for migrants in Menton has been released today. Inspectors carried out an unannounced... Evening Update Wednesday 6 November 2025 Read More

06/11/2025

French and Riviera News Thursday 6th November 2025

A 35-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday after deliberately driving into pedestrians and cyclists on the island of Oléron, off France’s western coa... French and Riviera News Thursday 6th November 2025 Read More

06/11/2025

Evening Update Wednesday 5 November 2025

Five people have been injured, two of them seriously, after a man deliberately drove into pedestrians this morning in the Charente-Maritime department... Evening Update Wednesday 5 November 2025 Read More

05/11/2025