Paris’ famed artery, theatre hub and finish line of the Tour
Renowned Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama has died at 97. Born in Matsumoto in 1929, she rose to international fame after moving to New York in 1957, creating Infinity Nets and later Infinity Rooms. Her work blended psychedelia with personal struggle, inspiring generations and influencing movements from pop art to minimalism.
Across Paris, Bastille Day preparations unfold as leaders from Europe gather to show unity with Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. The parade will include thousands of troops, with the Coalition of the Willing presenting a show of support. France also confronts a third heatwave, prompting some restrictions on fireworks and public events.
The Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday have won a high court ruling in their legal battle over alleged unlawful information gathering. Seven claimants, including Prince Harry and Doreen Lawrence, have lost their cases, with bills potentially reaching around £50 million. The decision highlights ongoing tensions between the press and public figures.
Since late July 2026, fast-moving wildfires have forced more than 200,000 people to flee across southwestern France and central Spain. Fires have scorched tens of thousands of hectares, pushed toward Bordeaux and towns west of Madrid, injured firefighters and prompted France to deploy soldiers while Spain has declared a national emergency.
The Tour de France’s final stage has been shortened from 133km to 89km and moved to finish in Paris with two circuits on the Champs-Élysées and a Montmartre finish. Emergency services are being redeployed to fight wildfires in southwest France and Spain, with security forces reassigned to affected areas. Tadej Pogačar is poised to win a fifth yellow jersey.
Tadej Pogačar has secured a fifth Tour de France victory, joining a rare club of five-time winners. The Slovenian clinches the title after a tense final stage on the Champs-Élysées, with Remco Evenepoel second and Isaac del Toro third. Vingegaard crashes earlier in the race, and the finish is marked by a photo finish on Montmartre.