French Towns Research Articles

Leur Algérie de Lina Soualem : Inscrire la mémoire de l’immigration algérienne dans « la France du vide »

This essay focuses on Leur Algérie, a 2020 documentary about remembering and representing the Algerian experience of immigrating to France’s “rural desert”—or to what geographer Roger Béteille calls “la France du vide.” The context for this analysis lies in the decline of the aging chibanis (North African “elders” or “grey hair”) population in France. While the social issues they face (ranging from lodging, to pension, health, and social benefits) have received media and political attention, questions about their memory and its place in contemporary France point to a “vide mémoriel” (memory void) that has largely been filled by French cultural figures of Maghrebi descent. Thus, with Leur Algérie (2020), filmmaker Lina Soualem delves into the history of her paternal grandparents. Originally from the Laaouamer area in rural Kabylia, they raised their family in France, specifically Thiers, a small French town in the sparsely populated mountains of the Massif Central. This essay examines how Soualem uses scenery and silence to symbolize a memorial void and absence. It relates images of desert-like emptiness and “non-places” in both Thiers and Laaouamer to the gaps in the grandparents’ narrative. Ultimately, it explores tensions between the experiences of Algerian immigrants in France and what Soualem identifies as their “invisibilization” in France’s memorial space.

Prophylaxie de l’épuisement professionnel chez les masseurs-kinésithérapeutes libéraux : étude qualitative par entretien semi-directif

Introduction. - Burnout affects healthcare professionals, especially since the recent health crisis. The literature shows that physical therapists are exposed to risk factors of burnout and that there is no specific prevention of this syndrome in this population. The aim of this study is to identify the strategies and means used by physical therapists to prevent burnout.Method. - A qualitative study was carried out using semi-structured interviews. Eight physical therapists practicing in the same French town were recruited by random selection and interviewed about their place of practice. Semi-structured interviews were conducted. The strategies and means used by each of them to manage the risk factors of burnout, their feelings about their exposure to these factors and their level of information about the syndrome and its prevention were collected.Results. - The results show that the professionals interviewed are exposed to burnout risk factors, that they use organizational and individual prevention strategies, and finally that they lack information and training concerning this syndrome and its prevention.Conclusion/Discussion. - Another study could expose ways to prevent the syndrome for the whole of the population studied.Level of evidence: NA

Why and how often do authorities remunicipalise urban public transport? The case of France

ABSTRACT For decades, public transport services in most French towns and cities have been provided on a delegated management basis, by subcontracting to private parties, using calls for tender as a selection mechanism. Recently, however, a number of cities, some of them large, have opted for direct management, moving away from the private, competitive model in favour of public management. Our study answers two questions: What is the scale of this shift? And how can it be interpreted: what are the triggers and motivations behind it? The literature on these questions is sparse, partial and dated. Our database shows that remunicipalisation is no longer an anecdotal phenomenon in France. Our interviews reveal that the motivations are always composite and that political factors are predominant.

Spatial pattern of Olympic medals

Reviving the idea of the ancient Olympics, the modern Olympic Games were held in Athens in 1896 after 1503 years. The first Winter Olympics were organized in 1924 by the French town of Chamonix. In 2024, the 30th Summer Olympics will be held. On the occasion of this, I created my map, on which I depicted the countries of the world in terms of their medals won at the Summer and Winter Olympics.

Going Local, Going Mainstream? Ethnographic Study of Two French Cities Governed by the Rassemblement National

Abstract The government actions of populist radical right (PRR) parties have predominantly been scrutinized at the national level, leaving a critical aspect – their territorial foothold – largely unexplored. Through a comparative ethnographic study of two medium-sized French towns governed by the Rassemblement National since 2014, this article delves into how seizing municipal power has influenced the party's efforts towards mainstreaming. We examine the party's strategy, aimed at institutionalization, which relies on a blend of rhetoric emphasizing proximity, pragmatism, and non-partisan administration while preserving fundamental ideological elements of the radical right. This amalgamation of mainstreaming and radicalism, adaptive to different contexts and audiences, is termed ‘adaptable ideology’. Our study makes significant contributions to two pivotal aspects of the literature: understanding the mainstreaming trajectory of PRR parties and exploring the recent, localist turn in the study of this political realm.

Intérêt d’une séance éducative « flash » coordonnée par des pharmaciens d’officine pour des patients âgés diabétiques de type 2 en milieu rural

The number of elderly people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) is increasing worldwide. Community pharmacies, thanks to their proximity, provide more easy access to therapeutic education for rural patients. Populations living in isolated areas require specific educational resources related to their condition. The aim of this project was to perform a short (FLASH) educational intervention, coordinated by community pharmacists, and then evaluate the impact of this intervention on patient knowledge of their disease. The study was performed in Issoudun, a rural French town of approximately 10,000 inhabitants. Educational priorities were defined and the project was presented to health authorities and local health professionals. Pharmacies in Issoudun recruited patients, either alone or accompanied by their caregivers. The educational intervention lasted 2h and focused on 4 teaching objectives: knowledge concerning diabetes, diabetic complications and how to monitor them; how to react to hypoglycemia; understanding treatments; and understanding glycated hemoglobin. The impact of this educational intervention was assessed using a questionnaire delivered before the intervention, immediately after, and after 6months. Forty-five patients aged 71±6years with T2D duration of 14±6years were recruited over 6months. Some false beliefs were identified before the intervention. The educational session led to a significant improvement in the percentage of correct answers (before: 60.3%±7.5, after: 99%±0.4, P=0.0002) and at 6months (99.5%±0.3, P=0.0002) compared with the patients' initial knowledge. Almost all false beliefs were corrected by the intervention and patients were able to recall the mechanism of action of their drugs, with the help of a "key and lock" schematic. This short FLASH educational intervention, coordinated by community pharmacists, showed that the model was both interesting to patients and effective. This method could be expanded to other rural communities and medical deserts.

Proposals for revitalizing urban post-industrial areas: A case study of a French town

The article aims to investigate the current state and identify potential development pathways for the small industrial town of Lavaveixles-Mines in the Creuse Department of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, France. The purpose of this study is to develop and propose architectural and urban planning measures and initiatives for the restoration and reactivation of post-industrial areas using the case of the researched city. The methodology used in this research is based on an interdisciplinary approach that combines architecture, urban planning, urbanism, history, sociology, economics, and ecology. This has contributed to the development of innovative solutions aimed at revitalizing outdated industrial territories while preserving their unique identity. As a result, the most effective concept for architectural and urban planning transformation of the city was found and some specific methods and techniques presented in this study were developed.

The role of a green economy in revitalising shrinking cities: Comparative case studies in France and Mexico

This paper aims to research different strategies for developing the green economy in shrinking cities. Considering urban shrinkage and the green economy as two extended concepts, a French town in post-Fordist transition and a Mexican post-mining town are selected as the most diverse/similar systems to indicate different strategies for sustainable development in shrinking cities. Embedded into different national backgrounds, including urban dynamics and support schemes for the green economy, the selected cases share the objectives of greening and regrowing strategies relying on other sectors of the green economy. The methodology applied is qualitative, including fieldwork, semi-structured interview techniques, carried out in person or remotely, and questionnaires. Findings show some positive results regarding sustainability and ecological transition in the French case, while regrowth trends were reached in the Mexican case. However, the analysis leads to uncertain scenarios for positive long-term impacts, especially due to uncertainty around future supporting policies for territorial cohesion and sustainability at national and regional levels.

February 11 — World Day of the Sick

Surely everyone knows that April 7 is Health Day, and on the third Sunday of June, traditionally, all medical workers celebrate their professional holiday. It turns out that our patients also have their own memorable date. Celebrating February 11 as the World Day of the Sick was proposed by Pope John Paul II in 1992. In France, on this day they celebrate the Our Lady of Lourdes Day. It was on this day many centuries ago that the apparition of Our Lady took place in the French town of Lourdes. She healed the suffering and became a symbol of the savior of the sick. The purpose of celebrating this memorable date is to attract the world community to the problems of people who, by chance, temporarily or for a long time, have replenished the army of millions of patients around the world.

Représenter l’égyptologue, rendre hommage au Boulonnais. Le portrait d’Auguste Mariette par Florent Buret

In this paper, we propose the first study of the portrait of Auguste Mariette kept in the Château Comtal – Musée de Boulognesur- Mer (France). Painted by Florent Buret in 1899, the work pays tribute to the Egyptologist born in this city in 1821. Artificially composed from photographic sources, this portrait evokes his work for the Louvre and Boulaq museums in France and Egypt. It was included in the “historical gallery” of the town hall of Boulogne-sur-Mer with fourteen other personalities of the city. As such, it reflects the pride of a late 19th century French town and its scholarly and political networks.

The Future Is Eugène

The Future Is Eugène

Renovation of the Forgotten Ruins and Urban Public Spaces in Sapa Town, Vietnam for Sustainable Development

Sapa is one of the famous French towns for tourism in Vietnam with lots of colonial architecture, buildings and urban public spaces which are known for their great historical, cultural, aesthetic, and landscape significance. After the wars in Vietnam, the remaining architectures and public spaces, which were of significant value in terms of history, culture, aesthetics and landscape during the French colonial period in the town, have been severely degraded or arbitrarily renovated. In order to propose solutions for maintaining and promoting the ruined structures and urban public spaces of the town, this study adapted three different sets of criteria for assessment for the urban public spaces, heritage buildings and new buildings. The surveyed urban public spaces and buildings have been ranked in different classes based on their earned total average points in terms of level of usability and value. Proposed strategies adopted were developed based on lessons learnt from previous studies, which include new construction, integration, reservation and relic maintenance.

The future of the child’s feelings and words: the example of extracurricular activities in a French town

La loi française sur les rythmes scolaires (MEN, 2013) vise notamment la réussite de tous les élèves à l’école primaire et institue les nouvelles activités périscolaires (NAP). Ces NAP font aujourd’hui partie de l’expérience scolaire de l’élève. Si l’enfant, cible et acteur principal de ces NAP, est exclu des débats et décisions le concernant (MEN, 2017), nos travaux le considèrent comme un informateur privilégié. L’objectif de cet article est de contribuer à une meilleure connaissance de ce que les enfants participant aux NAP disent y vivre et y ressentir afin de mieux comprendre les raisons de leur goût et leur intérêt pour ces NAP. Vingt-six enfants ont été entretenus. Nos analyses révèlent la capacité des enfants à être à l’écoute de leurs sensations internes et à s’exprimer sur ces sensations, présentant des raisons de leur goût et leur intérêt pour les NAP et soulignant le paradoxe de la non-prise en compte de leur parole dans les décisions concernant ces NAP. Nous discutons alors des raisons de cette non-prise en compte.

Charles-François Mathis and Émilie-Anne Pépy, Greening the City: Nature in French Towns from the 17th Century

Charles-François Mathis and Émilie-Anne Pépy, <i>Greening the City: Nature in French Towns from the 17th Century</i>

Charles-François Mathis and Émilie-Anne Pepy, Greening the City: Nature in French Towns from the 17th Century. Winwick: White Horse Press. 2020. 340pp. 54 figures. £75.00 hbk.

Charles-François Mathis and Émilie-Anne Pepy, Greening the City: Nature in French Towns from the 17th Century. Winwick: White Horse Press. 2020. 340pp. 54 figures. £75.00 hbk.

In Search of Lost Fort in Puducherry

The fort and the fortified walled town that had never been seen before on the Indian East coast was in Puducherry during the early phase of French rule. Francois Martin had planned the town Pondichery and strengthened its defences. He constructed a great star-shaped fort called Fort St. Louis named after Louis XIV, after the plan of Vauban for the Tournai fort, was viewed as far stronger and all the way more secure and hoped that no one can destroy it. On August 25, 1706, the fort was inaugurated and then in 1745, the whole town was encircled with a fortified wall and moat. Between 1761 and 1770 the whole French town, fort and the fortified walls were razed down by the British army. Now the remains of the unconquered fort and town walls are not found anywhere in modern Puducherry. Jean Deloche made a major study to trace the early French Puducherry using records and maps. In January 2018, a team of History students from Tagore Government Arts and Science College under the direction of the author unearthed a part of the architecture of the lost fort in the heart of modern Puducherry town. This paper brings out a comprehensive summary of the archaeological fieldwork in search of French fort and fortified wall which encircled early Puducherry.

Does Holding Elections during a Covid-19 Pandemic Put the Lives of Politicians at Risk?

We estimate the impact of French town hall elections held in mid-March 2020 on the mortality of 170,000 male candidates aged above 60. Their excess mortality during March and April was similar to the general population. We compare candidates in cities with two candidate lists to those in cities with only one list, as elections are more intense in contacts in the former group. We also use a regression discontinuity design and investigate mortality in 2020 depending on how candidates fared in the 2014 election. We cannot detect any causal effect of active participation in the 2020 elections on mortality.

Does holding elections during a Covid-19 pandemic put the lives of politicians at risk?

We estimate the impact of French town hall elections held in mid-March 2020 on the mortality of 163,000 male candidates aged above 60. Their excess mortality during March and April was similar to the general population. We compare candidates in cities with two candidate lists to those in cities with only one list, as elections are more intense in contacts in the former group. We also use a regression discontinuity design and investigate mortality in 2020 depending on how candidates fared in the 2014 election. We cannot detect any causal effect of active participation in the 2020 elections on mortality.

Stalking Shadows by Cyla Panin

Reviewed by: Stalking Shadows by Cyla Panin Fiona Hartley-Kroeger Panin, Cyla Stalking Shadows. Amulet/Abrams, 2021 [400p] Trade ed. ISBN 9781419752650 $18.99 E-book ed. ISBN 9781647002121 $15.54 Reviewed from digital galleys Ad Gr. 8-10 Once a month, when her younger sister, Ama, turns into a literal beast, Marie scent-marks an inconspicuous victim for her sister to kill and eat: after all, nobody will pay much attention to a missing vagrant or drunkard in their eighteenth-century French town. Still, Ama’s bloodthirsty transformations endanger the townsfolk’s lives and her family’s reputation, and when a local child is killed, Marie fears that Ama is losing herself to the beast. Certain that the explanation and cure for Ama’s curse lies within the local manor house, where Ama went to work off their father’s debts and came back with a beastly form and appetite, Marie volunteers her knowledge of herbs to help the young lord’s sickly little brother and proceeds to snoop. The mystery falls flat as Marie’s snooping doesn’t yield any useful answers; most of her assumptions conveniently turn out to be correct, while neglected plot threads dangle for long stretches of time. Things gain some oomph at the end, though, as unsuspected dimensions of the curse come to light and enable Marie to expose the true instigator behind the murders. The premise is a diverting twist on beastly fairy tales, and though the descriptive prose and distracted pacing sometimes hinder the action, readers looking for sisterly bonds, big spooky houses, and girls with inner (and outer) beasts will find them here. Copyright © 2021 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois

Altitude healing effect in severe asthmatic children

BackgroundThe beneficial effect of a climatic treatment in children with asthma was established quite some time ago, but the mechanism of this beneficial effect has not been fully elucidated. We investigated the role of the cytokines of the TH2 pathway, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) over the course of a high-altitude climatic therapy. MethodsA group of 67 children originating from various French towns suffering from uncontrolled severe asthma was sent via their medical specialists, to the Briançon climatic area. They were monitored over the course of an entire school year. During this time, they returned home for 15 days during the Christmas holidays. At each stage, assessment of asthma control, lung function examination (peak flow meter and spirometry), and measurement of exhaled NO, ROS and RNS in exhaled breath condensate (EBC), and the level of cytokines in the plasma of the TH2 pathway were carried out. ResultsThe degree of asthma control improved at high altitude and worsened upon returning home. The average value of the peak expiratory flow also improved during the first 3 months but then worsened upon returning home, while the other spirometric parameters did not change. The level of expired NO and the scores for quality of life underwent a similar change. The level of RNS and ROS in the EBC did not change significantly. Besides, a marked and statistically significant decrease in the level of IL-13 and IL-10 was noted. ConclusionThe beneficial effect of a climatic stay of children suffering from allergic asthma at altitude appears to be linked with less allergenic stimulation.