The Quimper snails, a protected species found only in northern Brittany and the Basque Country, are being relocated to compensate for habitat loss due to a new tramway project in Brest. Conservationists, including Timothée Scherer from Biotope, are racing to save the snails before they hibernate. The Brest Métropole authority conducted an environmental impact study for the transport plan, which found 200 species in the area, 75 protected. The project, which began in 2019 and includes a second tram line and new cycle lanes, has been delayed by a year due to environmental concerns. Victor Antonio, director of mobilities for Brest Métropole, emphasizes the importance of preservation in city development. Conservationists will monitor the relocated snails to ensure the species' survival.

Laurent de Brunhoff, the author who continued the Babar the Elephant series after his father Jean de Brunhoff's death, has passed away at 98. The Babar series, originated from a story told by Laurent's mother Cécile, became a global success with millions of copies sold and expanded into a multimedia franchise. Despite its popularity, the series faced criticism for colonialist themes and racial stereotypes, leading to the withdrawal of one book, 'Babar's Picnic.' Laurent, a Legion d’honneur recipient, is survived by his second wife Phyllis Rose, his children, and his brothers.

France's culture ministry has halted the demolition of Marie Curie's Paris lab, the Pavillon des Sources, after public outcry and a petition. The building, part of the Curie Institute, was to be demolished for a development project, but campaigners, led by Baptiste Gianeselli, have fought to preserve it as a historic monument. Historian Claudine Monteil emphasized Curie's global significance and the need for heritage listing. The institute, which Curie directed and where she and her husband Pierre made groundbreaking discoveries, is a center for cancer research. Paris's City Hall had approved the demolition, but the decision has faced significant criticism, including from journalist Stéphane Bern. The Curie Institute claims the pavilion is polluted and unusable, contradicting its historical use by Marie Curie.

A British woman, 54, and her son, 22, died in an avalanche in the Mont Blanc mountain range in the French Alps. They were skiing off-piste with an instructor and other family members when the avalanche occurred. The instructor, who was wearing an avalanche detector, was found with light injuries, while five others, including the husband and father of the deceased, escaped. An inquiry has been opened to establish the circumstances of the deaths. Jean-Luc Boch, president of the Association of Mountain Station Mayors, emphasized that there is always a risk with off-piste skiing and that mountains demand extreme caution.

Alex Batty has returned to the UK after six years since vanishing in Spain at age 11. He was found in the French Pyrenees and flew back from Toulouse airport with his step-grandfather and Greater Manchester police officers. The police have not yet taken a statement from Alex or decided on a criminal investigation. Alex had been living a nomadic life in spiritual communities with his mother and grandfather. His mother wanted to move to Finland, prompting Alex to leave. He was found by delivery driver Fabien Accidini after walking alone for days. Alex, turning 18 soon, faces adulthood without qualifications or recent schooling but is in good health. His maternal grandmother will now take care of him. Questions remain about the progress of the abduction investigation, the whereabouts of his mother Melanie, and the fate of his grandfather David. The case has highlighted the presence of spiritual communities in France's Aude department.

The French government's controversial immigration bill, known as the Darmanin law, was rejected by opposition MPs before debate could begin, marking a humiliating defeat for President Emmanuel Macron. The motion to reject, initiated by the Europe Écologie Les Verts party, was supported by a diverse alliance of opposition parties. The government now faces options including revising the bill, abandoning it, or forcing it through using a constitutional tool. The bill, a key part of Macron's second term, has been criticized for over a year and includes measures such as mandatory language tests for long-term residency applicants and easier expulsion of certain foreigners. The Sénat had passed the bill with amendments, but most were dropped by the national assembly committee.

In Brest, Brittany, conservationists are rescuing Quimper snails, a protected species, from their habitat that will be destroyed by a €200m public transport project. The project, which includes a new tramway, has been delayed by environmental concerns, with an extra year added to its completion. An environmental impact study identified 200 species in the area, 75 of which are protected. The Quimper snail is particularly vulnerable due to its limited geographic distribution and slow movement. Conservation efforts involve relocating the snails and their environment to a new location nearby. Brest Métropole has integrated preservation into all city development projects, and the new transport network is expected to open in 2026.

The Palace of Versailles was evacuated due to a bomb threat, the second such incident in four days, amidst heightened security alerts in France following a fatal stabbing by a terror suspect and a separate incident in Brussels. Despite the threats, French cultural institutions, including the Louvre Museum, the Museum of Jewish Art and History, and the Institute of the Arab World, remain open and committed to their educational and cultural missions, with officials emphasizing the importance of maintaining cultural life and security.

Spanish rail company Evolyn plans to launch a high-speed train service between Paris and London in 2025, directly competing with Eurostar. The company has agreed to purchase 12 trains from Alstom and is in talks for track access. The £1bn project is led by Spain's Cosmen family and supported by British and French financial partners. Getlink, the Channel tunnel operator, supports Evolyn's application to become the second international operator on the route. Eurostar, the current sole operator, aims to carry 30 million passengers annually by 2030.

The art and personal effects of Oscar-winning actor, writer, and director Peter Ustinov, including a Renoir valued at over £1m, are being auctioned by Sotheby's in Paris. The collection, which reflects Ustinov's cosmopolitan tastes, includes his Golden Globe, drawings by Picasso and Toulouse-Lautrec, and annotated film scripts. Ustinov, who died in 2004, left behind an estate that has been subject to a prolonged family legal battle. His daughter Pavla recalls a spontaneous and chaotic childhood, with the collection representing Ustinov's successful life. The live sale is scheduled for July 6, with an online auction from June 30 to July 7.

Marie Antoinette's private apartment at Versailles, featuring a boudoir, library, and billiard room, reopens after renovations marking the palace's 400th anniversary. The apartment, where the queen sought refuge during the French Revolution, reflects her lavish taste. Curators at the Château de Versailles meticulously restored the rooms, which can only be viewed by small groups due to their size. The project also included the restoration of the Petit Trianon palace and a hamlet of rustic cottages. The queen's taste and alterations to the rooms are highlighted, as well as the historical significance of her and Louis XVI's departure from Versailles in 1789. The reopening is a key event in the anniversary celebrations for the palace, which now attracts nearly 7 million visitors annually.

A Paris exhibition featuring medieval treasures from the Victoria and Albert Museum aims to challenge the notion that England was 'primitive' during the middle ages, showcasing its significant contributions to European art, architecture, trade, and culture from AD1000 to AD1500. Curator James Robinson emphasizes the artistic and technical excellence of the period, despite the loss of many English medieval artifacts during the Reformation and Cromwell's revolution. The exhibition, which includes rare surviving items like the Gloucester Candlestick and the Becket Casket, highlights the rich artistic exchanges between England and continental Europe, and reflects on the historical ties between England and the rest of Europe.

David Lescot's play 'Dough' explores the role of money in a person's life, from birth to death, through a series of financial interactions. The play, which is set to be performed at the Edinburgh fringe, offers a humorous yet bittersweet look at the protagonist's financial ups and downs. Lescot reflects on his own life and relationship with money, emphasizing the importance of balance rather than wealth. 'Dough' was originally commissioned by the Comédie-Française and has been praised for its English translation and performance in New York. Despite the financial risk, Lescot is eager to present the play at the Edinburgh fringe for its international exposure.