Keyword: Gironde

The hidden poverty in one of France's most prestigious wine regions

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The medieval village of Saint-Émilion, one of the most prestigious wine areas in France. The medieval village of Saint-Émilion, one of the most prestigious wine areas in France.

French journalist and author Ixchel Delaporte spent a year investigating the wine industry in the Médoc region near Bordeaux in south-west France. It produces some of the most prestigious – and expensive – wines not just in France but anywhere in the world. Yet the journalist's book on her experiences and discoveries reveals a deep chasm between the impoverished local workers, many of them seasonal and occasional staff, and often suffering from poor health and living in substandard accommodation, and the glittering world of the small but powerful elite who control the major vineyards. Mediapart's Joseph Confavreux reports.

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Head of state promised full investigation and told families of 43 victims: 'Today your pain, which seems unending, is our pain.'

Thousands gather in tribute to victims of French coach crash

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Nearly 5,000 marched at Petit-Palais-et-Cornemps to mourn the 43 victims, mostly pensioners, of France's worst road accident in 30 years.

Worst French bus crash for 3 decades as Hollande speaks of 'great tragedy'

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French president pledges 'nation's solidarity' after head-on crash between lorry and coach leaves 43 dead, mostly pensioners on day trip.

At least 42 dead in bus crash in south-west France

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Fire broke out after head-on crash near Puisseguin between a lorry and a coach carrying pensioners going on a day trip.

Wildfire in south-west France destroys 550 hectares of pine forest

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A wildfire that has ravaged 550 hectares of pine forest west of Bordeaux on France's Atlantic coast was contained but still simmering this weekend.