What role did France play in the American Revolution?

BERJAYA
02:41

On July 4, Americans are celebrating the 250th anniversary of their independence – an event in which the French played a part.

Kylian Mbappe at Philadelphia Stadium on July 04, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
BUDA MENDES / AFP

France beats Paraguay 1-0, advances to World Cup quarter-finals
Michael Olise performs an acrobatic bicycle kick during the France-Sweden match in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on June 30, 2026.
JUSTIN SETTERFIELD/AFP
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Michael Olise, France's heaven-sent prodigy
During the heatwave in Paris, June 22, 2026.
WILLIAM KEO FOR LE MONDE 
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Climate change: 'We cannot meet the challenge of adapting housing with the tools of the past. A thorough overhaul is needed'

Christophe Rodriguez, the director of the French Institute for Building Energy Performance, explains in an interview with Le Monde the urgent need to adapt institutions in order to carry out the 'project of the century' – the renovation of France's building stock.

BERJAYA
Lucien Lung/Riva Press for « Le Monde »
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'We sacrificed everything': In Nablus, the relentless decline of Palestinian society

In the occupied West Bank, Israel's financial stranglehold on the Palestinian Authority, combined with the proliferation of military checkpoints, has pushed society into unprecedented poverty. In Nablus, the economic heart of the occupied territory, all sectors have faced a sharp decline in living standards.

French cyclist Paul Seixas in Liège, Belgium, on April 26, 2026.
MAARTEN STRAETEMANS/AFP
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Paul Seixas, the 19-year-old phenom carrying France's Tour hopes

For his first appearance at the Tour de France, which begins Saturday in Barcelona, the 19-year-old French cyclist is already seen as one of the top rivals to four-time winner Tadej Pogacar.

BERJAYA

Feature

Roxana Azimi

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To go or not? The dilemma for artists and authors invited to far-right-run cities

Many professionals in the French cultural sector are questioning whether to take part in events held in towns governed by the Rassemblement National, which is waging a cultural offensive.

8 min read

BERJAYA
Trump pushes ahead with 250th birthday speech after storm forces evacuations
Sign for the American pharmaceutical manufacturer near Cork, Ireland, April 10, 2025.
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'Ireland's GDP trends reflect global strategies of a handful of multinationals more than the actual state of the economy'
BERJAYA
Germany sees mass protests around far-right AfD congress
Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky shake hands in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., December 28, 2025.
Trump speaks with Putin and Zelensky ahead of NATO summit
Man climbs Eiffel Tower and hangs American flag
Pope urges Europe to protect migrants in visit to Lampedusa island
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China's bridge and highway construction boom runs up against wall of debt in Guizhou
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US gripped by extreme heatwave, disrupting 250th anniversary and World Cup celebrations
Russia announces dozens of Ukrainian drones downed over St Petersburg
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'Clipification': How short-form videos are reshaping the media landscape
New Zealand open Nations Championship with slim victory over France
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Editor’s Picks

BERJAYA

Column

Alain Frachon

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'Which side were you on during Brexit? Every candidate in the French presidential election should answer this question'

The lessons from the UK's unprecedented vote to leave the European Union 10 years ago have been all too quickly forgotten, writes Le Monde columnist Alain Frachon.

3 min read

A summary of the heatwave in graphs

In Graphs

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Four graphs to visualize the unprecedented scale of France's June heatwave

France's most recent heatwave began on June 17 and reached unprecedented levels in terms of both peak temperatures and official alert status. It proved to be more intense than the infamous 2003 heatwave and could also surpass its duration.

4 min read

Landing of Africans at Jamestown (Virginia) from a Dutch warship in 1619. Illustration published in "Harper's Monthly Magazine," January 1901.

Series

Corine Lesnes

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The Christian right's charge to rewrite American history

'America 250' (12/13). Barack Obama's election in 2008 led to greater recognition of the role of minorities in nation-building. But the conservative backlash soon followed. Leading the 'patriotic' counter-offensive, Donald Trump has received support from the influential Hillsdale College.

8 min read

Opinion

Editorial

The shadows of an American anniversary

Le Monde
Op-Ed
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Timothy Snyder, historian: 'Trump's war against Iran shows that evil and folly can march hand in hand'

Timothy Snyder
History professor at the University of Toronto
Column
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'The heatwave shows, beyond any doubt, that without strong mitigation measures, adaptation will be impossible'

Stéphane Foucart

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  1. 'With Trump, the Founding Fathers' belief in the exemplary nature of US presidents has been lost'

  2. Michael Olise, France's heaven-sent prodigy

  3. 250 years of American independence: A disenchanted anniversary

  4. The incredible success of the de Gaulle biopic 'reflects the paradox embodied by the hero of Free France'

  5. Trump pushes ahead with 250th birthday speech after storm forces evacuations

  6. France beats Paraguay 1-0, advances to World Cup quarter-finals

  7. Trump kicks off US 250th anniversary celebrations at Mount Rushmore

  8. Paul Seixas, the 19-year-old phenom carrying France's Tour hopes

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