Is Paris ripe for a boom in alternative transportation?

We look at the latest French and international reactions to tensions in France following a week of riots. In other news: British PM Rishi Sunak is accused of breaking a climate pledge, just days after the Earth's hottest day ever. Finally, find out why humans are more similar to elephants than previously thought!

Beaune is the wine capital of France's Burgundy region. Above ground, the old fortified city is already beautiful. But the real treasure is hidden below the surface, down in the cellars. They contain two million bottles of wine, in a total of five kilometres of galleries, all linked together. One of the oldest cellars in Beaune has been occupied for four generations by the Maison Drouhin.

As part of a new immigration bill, the French government is hoping to fill labour shortages with undocumented migrants by offering them a one-year residency permit. But despite President Emmanuel Macron having promised progress in the first fortnight of July, plans for the bill have been overshadowed by the recent riots, while right-wing politicians still disagree over several aspects of the legislation.

urkey finally says yes to Sweden joining NATO, but what does it get in return? Also in the news: we look at episodes of climate catastrophe across the world.

'Collective punishment': French papers reflect on muted Bastille Day festivities

Space wars: Meet the French soldiers scanning the skies

The recent passing of Jane Birkin was a reminder of just how attached French people are to la chanson française, which literally translates to "French songs" but is much more than that. Chanson française is a very distinct genre of music and is intertwined with French culture and history. Several styles of chanson française have emerged over the years, but the defining feature that ties them all together is that it's all about the words. In this episode of French Connections we take you on a musical tour of la chanson française.

A hundred years ago, painters, sculptors, writers and musicians battled for gold, silver and bronze at the Olympics. To mark a year until the Paris Games, we're looking at the artistic side of the world's biggest sporting event with an exclusive interview with highly acclaimed theatre director Thomas Jolly, who's in charge of the opening and closing ceremonies.

Bruno Le Maire has said cutting all economic ties with China, as some in the West have proposed, is "an illusion." Germany is among the countries seeking to reduce what it sees as a perilous reliance on the Asian giant.

"We cannot give Marine Le Pen an inexorable path to power," French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin warned, as speculation grows that he might be vying to succeed Emmanuel Macron.

Niger's military junta on Friday announced ordered French ambassador Sylvian Itte to leave the country within 48 hours. Macron reiterated Paris' support for ousted President Mohammed Bazoum.

France says it will not budge in its refusal to engage with Niger's coup leaders. A month after their takeover, they issued a Monday deadline to the French ambassador to leave their country, but Paris has insisted its envoy will stay put. Also, Africa sets its own stage in Kenya for conversations about its experience of the ravages of climate change. With the first ever Africa climate summit now a week away, we speak to its CEO about the existential stakes faced by the continent.