May’s third public holiday takes place this week – which means travel trouble – Cannes kicks off in a flurry of glitz, we’ll learn the make-up of the France squad for next month’s Fifa World Cup, and it’s the final weekend of the Women’s Six Nations. And Eurovision.
Monday
Courts — Moroccan singer Saad Lamjarred’s trial for rape begins at the Var Assize Court in Draguignan.
Drugs — Four alleged members of organised crime group DZ Mafia go on trial on drugs and weapons-trafficking charges.
Tuesday
Cannes — Glitz and movie glamour on the Mediterranean coast as the 79th edition of the Cannes film festival gets under way at the Palais des festivals et des congrès in Cannes. This year, during the opening ceremony, the Honorary Palme d’Or will be awarded to Lord of the Rings’ film-maker Peter Jackson.
Politics — MPs vote on the Military Planning Act, which adds an extra €36 billion to its defence spending by 2030 by expanding France’s nuclear arsenal and missile and drone stocks.
Travel — A national strike in neighbouring Belgium is set to have a knock-on effect in France, with all flights in and out of Charleroi cancelled.
Wednesday
Roads — France’s roads watchdog Bison Futé has issued a red travel warning across the whole of France, rising to black in the south-eastern Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, in the direction of popular holiday destinations, ahead of the Ascension holiday four-day weekend.
Thursday
Public holiday — Ascension, the third public holiday in May, means offices and certain businesses will remain closed, or operate shorter hours. It falls, as always, on a Thursday, which means schools and businesses may add an additional ‘bridge’ day to create a four-day weekend.
Football — France men’s team manager Didier Deschamps is set to announce his initial squad of 26 players for the upcoming World Cup in Canada, USA, and Mexico, which kicks off on June 11th.
Saturday
Singalong — the annual Eurovision Song Contest takes centre stage from Vienna, Austria. France will be represented by the 17-year-old singer Monroe and her song Regarde.
Sunday
Roads II — France’s roads watchdog Bison Futé has issued a red travel warning across the whole of France as holidaymakers head back home at the end of the Ascension holiday four-day weekend.
Rugby Union — So far, every match in the senior Women’s Six Nations has been played on a Saturday. But, for the final weekend of the tournament, all three matches are on Sunday. Wales v Italy kicks things off, followed by Ireland v Scotland — before the big match between France and England at Stade Atlantique, in Bordeaux.
READ ALSO How to watch the Women’s Six Nations on TV in France
