Go west, young woman

The trial has opened of a suspect in the Rwandan genocide who fled to France. Former military policeman Philippe Hategekimana allegedly set up roadblocks to identify ethnic Tutsis, who would be murdered.

In the heart of the Touraine countryside, in France's Loire Valley, old mechanical wind turbines are being dismantled from their masts to be restored.

A project provides solar-powered sewing machines to socially disadvantaged women in rural villages. In addition to the machines, the young women receive seamstress training.

Coucouron has been receiving its drinking water by road. The surrounding region was previously not thought to be at risk of drought. The French government has announced a national plan to use water more efficiently.

May 17 is the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. This Wednesday also marks exactly 10 years since gay marriage became legal in France. Since then, around 7,000 such marriages have taken place each year in the country.

Europe is monitoring its groundwater levels, hoping to avert acute shortages over the summer and mitigate a crisis in some of the driest areas. FRANCE 24's Science reporter Shirli Sitbon looks at the situation in France, where it has rained in some regions in recent weeks, but not everywhere. Many areas, particularly in the south of France, are still likely to face a drought this summer.

We take you to the westernmost point of France; the last piece of civilisation before the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean. Ouessant, located 25 kilometres off the Finistère coast in Brittany, is a rugged and fascinating island, where less than 500 people live all year round. We meet a fisherwoman, a doctor and a photographer who appreciate its raw beauty.

Progress has been made, but there's still a long way to go in achieving gender equality in the workplace. Women continue to be under-represented in leadership positions and are still earning less than their male counterparts. Yet studies show that diversity and inclusiveness bring more profits to businesses.

The Cannes Film Festival kicks off and while seven out of the 21 directors nominated this year are female, there's anger over the opening movie starring Johnny Depp who's staging a comeback after winning a defamation trial against his former wife, Amber Heard, who accused him of abuse.

Located on France's Normandy coast, the Mont-Saint-Michel is one of the most iconic and photographed places in the country. Every year, the site attracts nearly 3 million visitors. Built 1,000 years ago, the abbey on a tidal island, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, has stood the test of time and survived throughout the centuries. Our France 2 colleagues report on some of its secrets, with FRANCE 24's Guillaume Gougeon.

In a small village deep in central France, the same family has run the "La Promenade" restaurant for four generations. The story began in 1960, when Lucienne created a small bistro. Then Jacky, the son, took over and won the first Michelin star in 1989. Today, the grandson Fabrice watches over this mecca of French gastronomy, and now his son Clément is studying for his chef's diploma. "La Promenade" is a moving family story, whose finest pages are perhaps yet to be written.

Accelerated by Vision 2030, Saudi business women have been thriving in various industries despite the on-going crackdown on dissent and political activism.