Gironde

Firefighters battle wildfire in southwest France as 8,000 people evacuated

France — Link

A major highway near the city of Bordeaux was closed on Wednesday afternoon due to the fire raging nearby.

France braces for record temperatures as wildfires rage

France — Link

The fires in Gironde in south-west France have already destroyed 13,000 hectares (32,000 acres), driven by high winds, and forced the evacuation of 16,200 holidaymakers.

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

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.

President Hollande attends service for French bus crash victims

France — Link

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

France — Link

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'

France — Link

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

France — Link

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

France — Link

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.