October 2026

Fall has arrived in Bordeaux, as the days are getting shorter and a little cooler. We’ve had a few days of rain. When it rains, it pours, and then it stops. Sometimes it feels almost abrupt. Honestly, we have found the weather app to be of little use as it is often so inaccurate, its better to trust your own eyes to scan the clouds and go with any gut feeling. The sound of thunder and lightning seem louder here. It feels like its amplified, down the long and narrow streets. I still get up and go to the window, fascinated. While at times inconvenient for sure, the rain, especially hard rain seems to clear and clean the streets, the air. I like to watch the water rush down the streets, toward the drains, as these paths have been carefully planned. Even the narrowest streets have a slight slant designed to help with the diversion of water…

French Polynesia has a special place in my heart. We went on our honeymoon to Bora Bora and in 2022, we spent a week in Moorea and another week cruising between the islands. Its a beautiful place. To see a celebration of its culture in Bordeaux was interesting. You don’t normally think of Tahitians living in France, but it was great to see this community pride in celebrating this aspect of France’s diversity. We had met a hotel manager in Beaugency after appreciating his tattoo and asked him about it. He came to France to find work. The relationship between Tahiti and the French hasn’t always been great. A side note on history (from Wikipedia): In 1842, Tahiti and Tahuata were declared a French protectorate to allow Catholic missionaries to work undisturbed. The capital of Papeetē was founded in 1843. In 1880, France annexed Tahiti, changing the status from that of a protectorate to that of a colony. In 1946, Polynesians were granted French citizenship and the islands’ status was changed to an overseas territory. It was heart warming to hear the drumming, the dancing and to see the familiar island clothing. They also had stands where you could get an island style tattoo and a massage.

For the past three weeks, all across France, there has been a growing group of student protests, decrying the conditions of public education. Many are joined by teachers and parents, university students and others who stand in solidarity and share the concerns of how teacher shortages, decaying school facilities, lack of financial resources and investment, and ill-preparation for university are impacting students and their future. Of note is also the disparities among the public schools, an indicator of how your zipcode can determine the level and quality of services. What has also emerged has been the police response that has been escalating. The protesters have damaged schools and property, thousands have been arrested, and many injured, some very seriously. That said fires have been set, tear gas has been thrown into the crowds and seeing police show up in riot gear has not encouraged anyone to have a conversation.

October 6, was named, Black Tuesday, where protests were taken up a notch. Authorities estimate about 900 demonstrations, blockades and related incidents were underway outside high schools (lycées), with more than 160 schools shut down across the country yesterday.

Closer to home here in Bordeaux, had headed out to do some shopping at the local market, about 6 blocks from the house, and was surprised to see paddy wagons and pairs of police officers at every other street corner in full riot gear. They were definitely preparing for an encounter. I later learned students set fire on Rue du St. Catherine, and as a firefighter showed up to put it out, a student threw an aerosol can into the flames, causing an explosion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCCopxhkNMk

While the government is struggling to get a hold of the situation, this is no doubt going to be a very prickly issue for upcoming presidential elections. Public education, equity, law enforcement, civil liberties and more will need to be addressed. Coupled with politics is France’s financial pressures, as there is no money to address these issues, and the national debt is skyrocketing.

I will say it is impressive to see young students willing to talk to the French media, as well as the international media in English. Their command of the language is quite strong and their statements are articulate and succinct. The world is watching and France needs to get a handle on this.