About this episode

The episode discusses France's adaptation to climate change, the rise of fitness culture, and the significance of the Grand Mosque of Paris amidst political tensions.

As France's record-breaking heatwave last week raises questions about how the country will have to adapt to a warming climate, we look at what that could mean for French culture. We also explore the country's growing interest in fitness – driven in part by its most popular YouTuber – and examine how the Grand Mosque of Paris, which marks its centenary this year, became both a symbol of Islam in France and a recurring source of political tension. France has just endured one of the most intense heatwaves in its history. Record 43C temperatures put the country's schools, hospitals and transport to the test and caused at least 1,000 heat-related deaths. Climate risk expert Antoine Poincaré , head of the Apave Climate School , argues France has little choice but to adapt to a hotter world. It will mean making difficult political choices and rethinking everything from schools to Champagne, croissants and even the postcard image of Paris. Listen @0') Working out has never been a particularly French pastime, until recently. Around six million people in France have gym memberships and the numbers are rising, driven largely by younger people. Christophe Andanson , who founded one of…

Topics covered

• climate change
• fitness culture
• political tension
• social media influence
• health and wellness
• cultural adaptation

Keywords

• heatwave
• fitness boom
• climate adaptation
• social media
• Grand Mosque of Paris
• politics
• health
• France

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Apave Climate School

Places: France, Paris, Grande Mosquée de Paris

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