Sir John Eliot Gardiner first performed the Solemn Vespers of the Virgin back in 1964, an experience that inspired him to create the Monteverdi Choir. One of the greatest masterpieces of the Baroque is being performed again, for Monteverdi Choir's 50th anniversary at the Versailles' Chapelle Royale, conducted again by the great Sir John Eliot Gardiner.

The rooftops of Paris have been an example of architectural revolution and advance in technology for more than a millennium: the astonishing framework of Notre-Dame, covered with 500,000 pieces of manually placed golden leaves; the refined glass rooftop of the Grand Palais, successfully built only because of the revolutionary invention of steel; Russian Orthodox Spiritual and Cultural Centre which weighs only 8 tons instead of forty-two... These are not only architectural masterpieces, but tokens of art as well, which stand together and testify to the innovative spirit of Paris itself.

King of France from 1226 to 1270, Louis IX, also known as Saint Louis, has left in history the image of a pious, just and popular sovereign.

Philippe Auguste was an important protagonist of the Hundred Years War. Born into a line of Capetians who ensured the succession of their descendants to the throne, he became king at age of fifteen.

Nephew of Napoleon I. Elected first president of the Second Republic in 1848, he led the coup d'état of December 2,1851.

Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte was proclaimed emperor of the French in 1852 after having been elected, four years earlier, first president of the republic.

The reign of Napoleon I, emperor of the French, was marked by numerous military campaigns throughout Europe and by important reforms.

On December 2, 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte was crowned as French emperor. He is now known as Napoleon I.

The story of the reign of Louis XVI, told by renowned historians and reconstructed by actors in costume and through 3D animations. The grandson of Louis VX was crowned in 1775, then dethroned in 1792.

The story of the reign of Louis XVI, told by renowned historians and reconstructed by actors in costume and through 3D animations. The grandson of Louis VX was crowned in 1775, then dethroned in 1792.

Louis XIV had a great zest for life and a brilliance like no other king of France before him...

The history of the reign of Louis XIV, one of the most important French sovereigns, told by historians and reconstituted in several tableaux.

Promised since childhood to the king of France, Anne of Austria left her native Spain and married Louis XIII in 1615. The young couple is only 14 years old. Their wedding night is a disaster.

Henri IV was the heir of Robert de Clermont, the last son of Louis IX. King of Navarre since 1572, he became King of France on August 2, 1589 upon the death of his distant cousin Henry III.

Henri IV was the heir of Robert de Clermont, the last son of Louis IX. King of Navarre since 1572, he became King of France on August 2, 1589 upon the death of his distant cousin Henry III.

François I, this king builder left behind many castles: Blois, Fontainebleau, Amboise, but especially Chambord.

Paris neighbourhoods: Inside the elegant 9th arrondissement.

Paris neighbourhoods: The iconic 6th arrondissement

Paris neighbourhoods: Exploring the dynamic 19th arrondissement.

Paris neighbourhoods: Exploring the massive 17th arrondissement.

Le Corbusier: The most revered and reviled architect of the 20th century.

The Pompidou Centre closes: Modernising modern art's Parisian HQ.

Mental health crisis reaches new lows for French teens.

Montparnasse Tower: Paris's most unpopular landmark gets a facelift.

Fortnite, Rocket League, Valorant: How Esports took France by storm.

2030 Winter Games: Will France rise to the challenge?

Inside a French emergency psychiatric unit: Social stigma, a lack of beds and drug shortages.

Between memory and silence: The journey of Cambodian refugees in France.

Why are the French so fascinated by Ancient Egypt?

Who is Didier Deschamps, the France coach aiming for a third World Cup title?

The Louvre heist: Security flaws and deeper cracks at France’s top museum.

Why French mayors are throwing in the towel.

Abuse at French after-school programmes: Parents sound the alarm.

Wardrobe crisis: resisting ultra-fast fashion in France.

Zinedine Zidane dominated the World Cups of 1998 and 2006, but with contrasting fortunes.

Andres Iniesta and Xavi made for the World Cup’s greatest midfield double-act.

Brazil's poster boy of the 1990s, Ronaldo was ice cold in front of goal on the biggest stage.

Edson Arantes Do Nascimento - or Pelé - is the greatest figure in football history.

Captaining Argentina to glory at the 2022 World Cup cemented Lionel Messi's status as the greatest footballer in history.

A World Cup winner as a teenager, then the scorer of a World Cup final hat-trick, Kylian Mbappe is French footballing royalty.

The mastermind behind the Netherlands reaching the World Cup final in 1974, Johan Cruyff is the most influential figure in the modern game.

No individual has dominated a single World Cup like Diego Maradona dominated Mexico 1986.