On the Agenda: What’s happening in France this week

This week in France, a historic moment awaits as French astronaut Sophie Adenot prepares to make history by performing the first spacewalk by a French woman. The six-hour and thirty-minute spacewalk will involve repairs on the International Space Station's transmission system. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is set to visit wildfire-hit areas in Gironde, speaking to local officials and those involved in reconstruction efforts following a massive fire that ravaged 42,000 hectares, the largest in area since 1949.

President Emmanuel Macron will meet with mayors and firefighters tackling the Gros Bessillon wildfire in the Var.

The summer heatwave has finally come to an end, with cooler weather expected in its place. However, the end of the heatwave is expected to be short-lived, as another period of extreme heat is anticipated for 2026. The Assumption weekend saw France's roads at their busiest, leading to traffic jams, especially in areas connecting the Île-de-France and Bordeaux, via Toulouse, to the Mediterranean, as well as in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Some travel warnings are still in effect for Monday.

As schools reopen, millions of parents will receive a one-off, means-tested government payment to assist with the costs of school supplies. The school year also kicks off with an exciting lineup of French football, with Ligue 1 returning on August 21st, featuring Olympique de Marseille hosting Strasbourg. The first one-day strike by easyJet staff has forced the cancellation of dozens of flights, with more disruption possible up to September 2nd.

This week also sees the return of the Fêtes de la Saint-Louis in Sète, a festival with a rich history dating back to 1666, featuring water-borne jousting, swimming, entertainment, shows, and fireworks.