26.07.2026 22:15

Wildfire approaches Bordeaux – city not being evacuated for now

Bordeaux - 26 July 2026: An evacuation of Bordeaux has not currently been ordered. On Sunday, the wildfire in Gironde was temporarily around 15 kilometers from the metropolitan area. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said the fire had once again developed fiercely and unpredictably overnight, spreading toward the urban area. By morning, the situation had temporarily calmed down.Authorities continue to regard the threat as acute. Nuñez described the overall situation as highly unfavorable. Under the influence of shifting winds, the fire at times created its own local wind system. Such dynamics make it difficult to predict its spread: flying embers and rapid changes in direction can create new fire hotspots and threaten areas previously considered less at risk.According to consistent reports, the fire in Gironde has already affected around 42,000 hectares. Since evacuations began, some 220,000 people are said to have left their homes or places of residence. The figure relates to several affected areas and does not mean that Bordeaux has been completely evacuated. Municipalities around the Bassin d'Arcachon and suburbs west of the metropolitan area had previously been evacuated as a precaution.Protective measures now extend to the area around Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport. Following a decision by the prefecture, the hotel zone there has been evacuated until further notice. Authorities are responding to the fire's proximity to densely populated areas, major transport routes and critical infrastructure. The boundaries of evacuation zones are continuously adjusted to the movement of the fire front.The...

Aktuell Read 26.07.2026 22:00

Wildfires in Gironde: 42,000 hectares affected, 220,000 people evacuated

Bordeaux - 26/07/2026: The wildfires in Gironde have reached an extraordinary scale within four days. According to the prefecture, around 42,000 hectares had been affected by the flames by Sunday morning. A total of 220,000 people were moved from endangered areas as a precaution. Since Wednesday, 22 July, the fire had spread north of the Arcachon Basin and most recently threatened municipalities on the outskirts of the Bordeaux metropolitan area.During the night into Sunday, authorities ordered further evacuations. Marcheprime, Le Barp, Biganos, Mios and Cestas were among the affected areas. According to authorities, around 55,000 people in those locations alone had to leave their homes...

Aktuell Read 26.07.2026 21:46

Gironde: Firefighters battle unpredictable wildfire for fifth night

Saint-Jean-d'Illac - 26.07.2026: As visibility over the pine forests of the Gironde fades, the most difficult phase begins for emergency crews. Water-bombing aircraft largely remain on the ground at night. Firefighters then try to contain the fire lines and secure firebreaks. The major wildfire west of Bordeaux remains out of control on its fifth day.According to the latest situation report from the prefecture, the fire has affected at least 42,000 hectares since Wednesday. Although the figure remained unchanged on Sunday afternoon, the flames continued to spread. Around 220,000 people in the Gironde had to leave their homes or holiday accommodation as a precaution. A return...

Aktuell Read 26.07.2026 21:31

Forest Fire Near Le Porge: Return to the Municipality Remains Prohibited

Le Porge - 26 July 2026: Following the large-scale forest fire in the Saumos and Le Porge area, residents and visitors are still not permitted to return to the affected areas. The mayor of Le Porge warned that the security situation does not yet allow a return. The municipality announced on Sunday that several roads will remain closed until further notice.The affected routes include those connecting Le Porge with Lège-Cap-Ferret, Le Temple and Saumos. Access to Gressier beach, the La Grigne campsite and the La Jenny holiday village is also closed. The restrictions are intended to prevent additional vehicles from entering the operational area and obstructing emergency services. Residents, holidaymakers and day-trippers are asked to stay away from the cordoned-off areas.The fire broke out in Saumos on Wednesday, 22 July, and spread toward Le Porge and Lège-Cap-Ferret. According to municipal information, Le Porge was almost completely surrounded by flames during the night from Thursday to Friday. Homes were damaged or destroyed. Emergency crews continue to monitor charred forest areas because...

Aktuell Read 26.07.2026 21:15

Gironde Organizes Aid for Thousands of Evacuees

Bordeaux - 26 July 2026: Camp beds, bottles of water and hot drinks are ready at the Parc des Expositions in Bordeaux-Lac. Smoke hangs over large parts of Gironde as firefighters battle the major blaze. In the exhibition hall, the less visible work is beginning: people who have had to leave their homes need a place to sleep, reliable information and time to catch their breath.Bordeaux Metropole has opened the site to evacuees. Up to 10,000 people can be accommodated there. The municipal civic reserve, the French Red Cross and the towns of the intermunicipal association are providing rest areas, meals and basic supplies. Those wishing to help privately should not set off without prior arrangement, but should coordinate offers of accommodation, donations or volunteer work through the relevant municipality.The authorities have identified specific needs: drinking water, non-perishable food, bedding, sleeping bags, hygiene products, baby food and aids for elderly people. Support is also needed for pets. However, in-kind donations should not be brought directly to the exhibition grounds. Unplanned...

Aktuell Read 26.07.2026 20:45

Major fire in Gironde: New flames break out near Marcheprime

Marcheprime - 26 July 2026: Dense smoke rises again on Sunday between pine trees and sandy paths. In the municipality of Marcheprime, southwest of Bordeaux, firefighters are battling new fire fronts on the southeastern edge of the major fire in Gironde. According to the Gendarmerie, the fire broke out on Wednesday, 22 July, near the Arcachon Basin and has since expanded under difficult weather conditions.According to the latest situation report, at least 42,000 hectares have been affected by the fire. That is roughly four times the area of Paris proper. On Sunday afternoon, the affected area initially did not increase further, but authorities continued to...

Aktuell Read 26.07.2026 20:30

Wildfire in Gironde approaches the Bordeaux metropolitan area

Bordeaux - 26 July 2026: The wildfire in Gironde moved to within around 15 kilometres of the Bordeaux metropolitan area on Sunday. Overnight, the prefecture ordered the precautionary evacuation of five municipalities: Biganos, Cestas, Le Barp, Mios and Marcheprime. According to the information confirmed so far, the measure affects around 55,000 people.For many residents, the order came during a night when they had to pack suitcases, care for pets and leave their homes behind. The evacuations were prompted by a renewed flare-up of the fire. The affected locations are southeast of the Bassin d'Arcachon, as well as municipalities on the edge of the Bordeaux metropolitan...

Aktuell Read 26.07.2026 20:16

Forest fire in Gironde: Nearly 1,000 firefighters deployed

Saumos - 26 July 2026: North of the Bassin d'Arcachon, emergency crews have been battling a forest fire of exceptional scale for three days. According to Franceinfo, around 33,000 hectares had been affected by Sunday evening. Nearly 1,000 firefighters are taking turns on the fire lines under extreme conditions.The fire spread near Saumos through the dry pine forests of Gironde. Dense smoke, difficult-to-access terrain and shifting winds are hampering firefighting efforts. At the same time, crews must prevent embers from being carried over sections that have already been secured and igniting new fire hotspots.The gendarmerie, civil protection and military are supporting the fire service, securing...

Aktuell Read 26.07.2026 19:46

Normandy Landing Beaches Become UNESCO World Heritage Site

Colleville-sur-Mer - 26/07/2026: France has worked toward this decision for almost two decades: the Normandy landing beaches have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The World Heritage Committee recognized the sites of the Allied assault of June 6, 1944, as a cultural site of outstanding universal value. The decision was made during the Committee's 48th session, held in Busan, South Korea, from July 19 to 29, 2026.The new World Heritage site is called "Normandy Landing Beaches, 1944". It was inscribed under UNESCO Criterion VI, which covers sites directly associated with events, traditions or ideas of outstanding global significance. The organization particularly points to...

Aktuell Read 26.07.2026 19:30

Forest Fire in Gironde: 74-Year-Old Refuses to Leave Home Despite Evacuation

Mios - 26 July 2026: The order was clear: Residents of Mios were also told to leave their homes. The large-scale forest fire in Gironde had gained strength again, and the prefecture ordered precautionary evacuations in five municipalities southwest of Bordeaux on Saturday evening. However, according to Franceinfo, a 74-year-old resident named Caroline initially wanted to stay - together with her daughter and her animals.She believed she could still spend some time in her house, the woman told the broadcaster. She cited her animals as a key reason. Her stance illustrates how difficult an evacuation can be for those affected. Within a short period of time, they must make decisions about relatives, medication, pets, transport options and accommodation that is initially unknown. At the same time, wind, smoke and flames can change the situation within minutes.Mios is located southeast of the Bassin d'Arcachon and was among the areas to which authorities extended their protective measures. On the evening of 25 July, the Gironde prefecture ordered the evacuation of Mios, Biganos,...

Aktuell Read 26.07.2026 19:15

Tour de France moves final stage entirely to Paris due to wildfires

Paris - 26.07.2026: The organizers of the Tour de France have fundamentally changed the 21st and final stage at short notice due to the severe wildfires in southwestern France. The sporting part of the race will take place exclusively within Paris on Sunday. Security forces originally assigned to the route between Thoiry in Yvelines and the capital will be redeployed to support emergency services in the fire-affected areas, particularly in Gironde.The decision was announced on Saturday in a joint statement by the Paris Police Prefecture and Amaury Sport Organisation, the race organizer. The Interior Ministry ordered the reassignment of part of the forces deployed. The...

Aktuell Read 26.07.2026 19:01

Cocktails and card reading: Franceinfo visits an esoteric after-work event

Paris - 26 July 2026: First a cocktail, then a look at the cards: for the Franceinfo series "J'ai testé pour vous", journalist Ingrid Pohu attended an esoteric after-work event. There, after office hours, she met a card reader. The report explores a segment of the urban leisure market in which sociability, personal advice and staged self-exploration are combined in a single offering.After-work events are aimed primarily at working people who want to wind down after the working day in a relaxed atmosphere. They usually feature drinks, conversation and new contacts. The version presented by Franceinfo adds an esoteric service to this familiar format: guests...

Aktuell Read 26.07.2026 18:45

Wildfire in Gironde remains out of control near Bordeaux

Bordeaux - 26 July 2026: The wildfire in Gironde, which has been raging since Wednesday, remains out of control and, according to the latest information, is now around 15 kilometres from the Bordeaux metropolitan area. The prefecture reported a further spread of the fire on Sunday afternoon. According to the current situation report, around 42,000 hectares of vegetation have burned since the fire began. Firefighters and security forces are concentrating on protecting residential areas and particularly vulnerable facilities.The situation remains difficult due to shifting winds and high temperatures. Emergency crews report a rapidly moving fire front, complicating the planning of firefighting operations. Temperatures of up to 38 to 40 degrees are expected again in the coming days. Authorities therefore expect an increased risk that the fire will spread further or that areas already extinguished will flare up again.According to Prefect Sophie Brocas, people who had to leave their homes are currently unable to return. According to AFP information, the evacuations affect a total of around 220,000 people in Gironde. Municipalities west and southwest of Bordeaux have been particularly affected. During the night, nearly 700 especially vulnerable people were also brought to safety from eight medical and social care facilities. Longer-term accommodation options are being sought for them.The consequences extend to transport and infrastructure across the metropolitan region. The A63 motorway between Bordeaux and Spain is closed over a stretch of 60 kilometres. Rail traffic on routes south of Bordeaux has...

Aktuell Read 26.07.2026 18:32

With “De la Comedie-Francaise,” cinema goes behind the scenes of France’s national theatre

Paris - 26 July 2026: The feature film "De la Comedie-Francaise" takes audiences behind doors that otherwise usually open only for actors, stage managers and prop makers. In their 75-minute comedy, Martin Darondeau and Bertrand Usclat portray the final three hours before a premiere at France's most famous theatre. The film has been showing in cinemas nationwide since 22 July.The plot is fictional, but its material was carefully drawn from the reality of the institution. Pauline Clement, a member of the company since 2015 and a Societaire, meaning a permanently elected member of the ensemble, since this year, worked on the screenplay. The writers also...

Aktuell Read 26.07.2026 18:15

Wildfire in Gironde: Prefect advises tourists not to travel

Bordeaux - 26 July 2026: The large-scale wildfire in Gironde remained out of control on Sunday. Prefect Sophie Brocas strongly advised tourists not to travel to the threatened areas. The appeal is aimed primarily at people planning a stay on the Atlantic coast or in inland parts of Gironde. Additional travel traffic could put pressure on access routes and emergency corridors while response teams organize evacuations, protect settlements and fight the flames.According to the prefecture and the national gendarmerie, the fire has spread since breaking out near the Bassin d'Arcachon under difficult weather conditions. Police and gendarmerie officers are securing access roads, monitoring traffic and...

Aktuell Read 26.07.2026 18:01

Wildfire in Gironde: Some Residents Remain on Cap-Ferret Despite Evacuation

Lège-Cap-Ferret - 26 July 2026: The roads on the peninsula are largely deserted, but not every house has been abandoned. Although authorities have ordered the complete evacuation of Cap-Ferret, some residents want to remain in their homes and holiday accommodations, according to a report by France Télévisions. They hope the fire will spare their neighborhood, thereby creating an additional risk for emergency personnel.The wildfire broke out near Saumos on 22 July and spread toward Le Porge and Lège-Cap-Ferret. On 24 July, the entire peninsula was evacuated as a precaution. According to the municipality, more than 1,000 people left the area by boat, while around 12,000 others used the RD106 road. Returning to the affected locations initially remained expressly prohibited.Anyone who defies an evacuation places themselves in considerable danger. Dense smoke, shifting winds and closed transport routes can turn a situation that appears manageable into a life-threatening one within a short time. In the densely forested area, the decision also endangers others: if firefighters or rescue workers have to evacuate people...

Aktuell Read 26.07.2026 17:48

Mutual attacks in Ukraine and occupied territories claim at least six lives

Kyiv - 26.07.2026: Russian missile and drone attacks have killed at least two people in Ukraine and injured others. In Kharkiv, one person was killed in a drone attack, according to Mayor Ihor Terekhov; at least six people were injured, including two children. In Zaporizhzhia, a man was killed by a Russian glide bomb, according to Mayor Ivan Fedorov, while at least six others were injured.In the capital Kyiv, ballistic missiles caused fires overnight. Falling debris set a high-rise building near the historic center, as well as other buildings, cars and parking areas, on fire, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko. At least three civilians were injured, one of whom required hospital treatment. The Russian Defense Ministry said it had struck targets linked to Ukrainian drone production.The Ukrainian Air Force recorded one cruise missile, seven ballistic missiles and 136 attack drones of various types during the night of July 26. According to its preliminary figures, one cruise missile, five ballistic missiles and 104 drones were intercepted or disrupted by electronic measures....

Aktuell Read 26.07.2026 17:31

Carla Kirsch Lopez Gives Mexican Cuisine Its Own Stage in Lyon

Lyon - 26.07.2026: Mexican cuisine is far more than quick street food. Chef Carla Kirsch Lopez makes that case in a profile broadcast by Franceinfo on Sunday. At her Alebrije restaurant in Lyon's Croix-Rousse district, the Mexican-born chef advocates for a sophisticated, produce-driven interpretation of her homeland's cuisine - challenging the widespread notion that Mexico's culinary tradition begins and ends with tacos, burritos and Tex-Mex.Kirsch Lopez combines familiar flavors from Veracruz with produce from the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region. Corn, chilies, herbs and acidity define her flavor vocabulary; fish, vegetables and meat are sourced locally whenever possible. Even for typically Mexican ingredients, she seeks to limit imports...

Aktuell Read 26.07.2026 17:16

Support for Firefighters in Gironde Expanded

Lège-Cap-Ferret - 26 July 2026: In the fight against the severe forest fire in Gironde, an extensive supply chain has been established alongside operations on the fire front. According to Franceinfo, around 2,500 firefighters are deployed. At a center directly connected to the command post in Lège-Cap-Ferret, volunteers organize food, drinks and other urgently needed goods.The volunteers receive the numerous in-kind donations, inspect them and prepare them for distribution to emergency personnel. The logistics are intended to ensure that firefighters are reliably supplied after long deployments and do not lose strength through additional journeys or a lack of provisions. Especially in a major fire involving...

Aktuell Read 26.07.2026 16:45

Wildfire in Gironde: 170 Homes Destroyed in Le Porge

Le Porge - 26 July 2026: The scale of destruction is becoming visible in Le Porge, a municipality in Gironde severely affected by the wildfire. According to the mayor, around 20 percent of homes in the town may have been affected or destroyed. The town center was spared, but in several residential areas, residents are facing burned-out homes and smoke-filled streets.Le Porge lies between Lacanau and Lège-Cap-Ferret, near the Bassin d'Arcachon. The fire had spread across the region since Wednesday, 22 July, under difficult weather conditions. For many people, the initial priority was to leave their homes in time. Authorities ordered precautionary evacuations; the Gendarmerie...

Aktuell Read 26.07.2026 16:31

UNESCO Adds Italy’s Condominio Theaters to World Heritage List

Busan - 26 July 2026: UNESCO's World Heritage Committee has added Italy's 18th- and 19th-century Condominio theaters to the World Heritage List. The decision was made during the committee's 48th session in the South Korean port city of Busan. Ten historic theaters in the regions of Emilia-Romagna, Marche and Umbria were recognized. The venues continue to host performances and public events.In this context, the term Condominio means more than an ordinary condominium association. The theaters were created through a collective financing and ownership model: municipalities worked with citizens, often including wealthy families from the emerging middle class. They shared the costs, ownership, management and use...

Aktuell Read 26.07.2026 16:15

Wildfire in Gironde: Another 55,000 people must leave their homes

Cestas - 26 July 2026: Due to the wildfire that has flared up again in Gironde, authorities ordered the evacuation of five municipalities near Bordeaux overnight into Sunday. Marcheprime, Cestas, Mios, Biganos and Le Barp are affected. Around 55,000 people must leave their homes or holiday accommodation. It is one of the largest evacuation operations of its kind in France.The fire broke out near Saumos on Wednesday, 22 July, and had affected at least 32,700 hectares by overnight into Sunday. According to reports from emergency services, a renewed period of intense fire activity worsened the situation. The blaze reportedly generated its own local wind currents. This can cause the direction of the flames to change at short notice, making forecasts more difficult and firefighting operations even more dangerous.In Cestas, the administration ordered the evacuation of the entire municipal area. A municipal crisis unit is coordinating assistance for people who have not yet been able to leave their homes on their own. Emergency personnel are checking residential areas and arranging transport...

Aktuell Read 26.07.2026 16:00

Wildfire near Biscarrosse: Investigators examine accidental cause after van catches fire

Biscarrosse - 26/07/2026: On the edge of Departmental Road 652, between Biscarrosse and Sanguinet, a disaster began on the afternoon of Thursday, 23 July, whose consequences still mark the landscape of the Landes. According to the findings known so far from the investigation, a fire in a van is believed to have triggered the wildfire. The evidence currently points to an unintentional outbreak of fire.The cause has therefore not yet been conclusively established. Investigators are examining how the fire started in the vehicle and was able to spread to the dry vegetation. The initial information does not support allegations against any individual. Particularly where the...

Aktuell Read 26.07.2026 15:46

Yeon Sang-ho looks behind the faces in “The Ugly”

Paris - 26 July 2026: Three days before the French theatrical release of "The Ugly" on July 29, Yeon Sang-ho leads his audience into a quieter darkroom. The South Korean director, known worldwide for "Train to Busan", trades the frantic zombie apocalypse for a criminal case whose horror arises from looks, memories and hurtful judgments.At its center is Dong-hwan, whose father, Im Yeong-gyoo, is revered as a blind master engraver. When the remains of his missing mother are found after four decades, the son begins to ask about her story. A television producer accompanies the investigation. Gradually, people who knew Dong-hwan's mother have their say;...

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