France Archives - Northwest Public Broadcasting

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy Found Guilty Of Corruption, Sentenced To Jail

By NPR News March 1, 2021

French former President Nicolas Sarkozy (left) arrives to hear the verdict in a corruption trial at Porte de Clichy court house in Paris on Monday. CREDIT: Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was found guilty on Monday by a court in Paris on charges of trying to bribe a judge and influence peddling dating from his time in office. He received a three-year jail sentence with two of the years suspended.Read More

3 Dead In Likely Terrorist Attack In French Catholic Church Following Previous Attacks

By NPR News October 29, 2020

A man used a knife to kill three peopel at the church. The mayor of Nice calls it an attack on Christianity.Read More

Where Are The Thousands Of Nazi-Looted Musical Instruments?

By NPR News July 30, 2020

Families are still seeking the musical instruments and other items stolen by the Nazis. CREDIT: Cornelia Li for NPR

Researchers are still digging into the question and sharing their findings decades after the Nazis sacked the homes of Jews during World War II.Read More

France Blocks Export Of $27 Million Medieval Painting Found In French Woman’s Kitchen

By NPR News December 25, 2019

Art expert Stéphane Pinta points to a 13th century painting by Italian master Cimabue in Paris. Michel Euler/AP

The Italian painting by the artist Cimabue sold for nearly $27 million at auction. But now, government officials in France are intervening in order to stop the art from leaving the country. Read More

Notre Dame Celebrates 1st Mass Since Fire Devastated The Historic Paris Cathedral

By NPR News June 17, 2019

A small group in hard hats gathered on Saturday for Mass in Paris' Notre Dame cathedral. It was the first Mass since a fire devastated the church in April. Karine Perret/AFP/Getty Images

A group of around 30 people wearing hardhats gathered for Mass in the cathedral on Saturday, exactly two months after a severe fire. The service was not open to the public.Read More

D-Day: Allies Commemorate Pivotal World War II Invasion, 75 Years Later

By NPR News June 5, 2019

Veterans stand in front of a 1944 image of their comrades wading onto the beaches of France during D-Day commemorations in Portsmouth, England. Leaders of 16 countries involved in World War II joined Queen Elizabeth II at the ceremony on Wednesday. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

"The wartime generation — my generation — is resilient, and I am delighted to be with you in Portsmouth today," Britain's Queen Elizabeth II said Wednesday, as she kicked off a two-day commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion of Nazi-occupied France that reshaped World War II.Read More

After The Flames, Notre Dame’s Centuries-Old Organ May Never Be The Same Again

By NPR News April 21, 2019

The pipe organ of Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, one of the most famous in the world, was spared from the cathedral fire on April 15, but major restoration needs to be done on the instrument. CREDIT: Stephane de Sakutin/AFP/Getty Images

Chief organist Olivier Latry looks ahead at the church's extensive renovation process after the Notre Dame cathedral fire on April 15.Read More

As Officials Assess Damage, France’s President Aims For 5-Year Renovation Of Notre Dame

By NPR News April 16, 2019

People hug while looking at Notre Dame Cathedral in the aftermath of a fire that devastated the cathedral. Bertrand Guay/AFP/Getty Images

President Macron said he wants to see Notre Dame rebuilt within five years. Hundreds of millions of dollars were raised toward that effort one day after a fire damaged the cathedral.Read More