Travel beyond the headlines
t +44 (0) 843 289 2349
e [email protected]
w www.politicaltours.com
French Elections
Dates:
May 2017, Tuesday 2nd to Monday 8th
After Brexit and Trump all eyes are on France. A political upset here would leave the future of the EU hanging
in the balance.
Centre-right leader Francois Fillon is pitted against Marine Le Pen, leader of the anti-immigrant eurosceptic
Front National as the incumbent Socialists trail behind. The two are widely expected to make the second round
of the presidential poll.
Our tour starts in the Pas de Calais in the north of France where a combination of immigration and postindustrial decline have fuelled a rise in the FN’s popularity. Heading further south we look at the important rural
vote before heading to Paris.
The recent terrorist attacks have had enormous impact on the French psyche and we explore their political
repercussions. Demands for “Laïcité” or secularism have become more stringent, alienating some minorities
in turn.
The polls take place amid a lacklustre economy and widespread criticism of the Socialist government. Previously
the left and right have united to block the FN from winning the Élysée Palace. Will this year be different?
We have access to some of the best political analysts in Europe. Combined with that we help to gauge the voters’
mood with meetings with grassroots groups, business and labour leaders making this an exceptional tour.
Like our incredible US election tour in 2016 this could be an opportunity to see history in the making.
Price: £3250.00
Single Supplement: £450.00
Most meals and all accommodation are included in the price. Flights are not included and need to be arranged with
your own travel agent.
Political Tours Limited Bloxham Mill, Barford Road, Bloxham OX15 4FF, UK.
Travel beyond the headlines
t +44 (0) 843 289 2349
e [email protected]
w www.politicaltours.com
Like all our tours the itinerary is focused on current affairs. Events on the ground may change and the final
schedule may be adjusted accordingly.
Itinerary
Day One: Lille – Pas de Calais
We meet in Lille, France’s northern most industrial hub
for the start of our tour and the site of a battleground
between the hard-left and hard-right. The tour begins
in the evening with a dinner looking at France today
and the looming vote. Overnight in Lille
Day Two: Hénin-Beaumont
The North of France, with its heavy industry and
coalmines, has been in economic decline for decades.
Historically a stronghold of both Socialist and
Communist parties, there is a noticeable swing to the
National Front (FN). In the morning we head to HéninBeaumont, a town near Lille that has become Marine Le
Pen’s stronghold since 2014. We talk to the local head
of the National Front. Their rhetoric has changed in
recent years as they appeal to the popular vote. What
do they see as the key to their electoral strategy? After
lunch we return to Lille and examine a competing list of
frustrations. France’s largest union, the CGT, is at the
centre of the hard-left and has strong representation,
but the Socialists are deeply divided here. Francois
Holland’s presidency is blamed for virtually no growth
and 10-12% unemployment - with the youth hardest hit.
Some want even more left-wing policies, but there is
anger with Europe. We visit a local factory, and meet
members of the CGT. At La Voix du Nord, the regional
newspaper, we go over the political changes in the
region over the last decade and explain why the FN is
seen as the last hope for some. Overnight in Lille
Day Three: Champagne – The Rural Vote
Best known for its beverage, Champagne is another
target for the far right. Unlike the Pas de Calais there
are no migrants here, but economic stagnation and the
disappearance of public services have made people feel
insecure. The FN has been exploiting the theme of
“forgotten France” to appeal to these rural, low income
voters. But the conservative centre right (Fillon) is also
popular. We meet with a range of businesses and
voters. The EU’s role in farming and subsidies is
important but why is hostility to the block and
foreigners growing? We head to Paris next and over
dinner with an academic we discuss the flagging faith in
French institutions & France’s economic model.
Overnight in Paris
Day Four: Paris
Perhaps more than anything else the terrorist attacks of
2015 and 2016 have redefined French society. The 11th
arrondissement was the scene of two atrocities in 2015
with the Charlie Hebdo and the Bataclan massacres. A
young reporter recounts what happened at Bataclan. A
leading sociologist and author explains how French
society has changed over the last two years: The Charlie
Hebdo attack bonded the nation together, the
November attacks instilled fear and anxiety. Polling
experts explain how terrorism, security and
immigration have become the main issues for the major
parties and why French politics is so fluid; French
voters want to shake the whole system up, one way or
another. We look at the latest polling predictions for
both candidates. Dinner & overnight in Paris
Day Five: Paris – Les Banlieues
Much of the French political debate revolves around
long-term immigration and integration. We head to
Evry, a suburb and stronghold of former Prime
Minister Manuel Valls. France’s policy of placing
immigrants in state housing outside of city centres has
created tension and isolation. The leader of the local
council explains the problems they face. Young French
citizens with an Arab or African background can’t
integrate into French society and feel like second-class
citizens. Back in Paris we talk about the tension
between the great and long French tradition of laïcité
(or secularism) and minorities who want religion in
civic life and institutions. Overnight in Paris
Day Six: Paris – Election Day
We start on a hill overlooking the city where the
churches of four confessions stand. While majority
Russian, the city has a mind boggling mix of history
and ethnicity. Marko Rothko came from here and
Political Tours Limited Bloxham Mill, Barford Road, Bloxham OX15 4FF, UK.
Travel beyond the headlines
t +44 (0) 843 289 2349
e [email protected]
w www.politicaltours.com
Like all our tours the itinerary is focused on current affairs. Events on the ground may change and the final
schedule may be adjusted accordingly.
Itinerary (continued)
there’s a museum in his memory in the city fortress.
Daugavpils has ironically suffered from the sanctions
designed to punish Russia over Ukraine – the city’s
cross border trade has been hit. We visit a factory rail
carriage repair plant where they blame America for
their demise. The city’s mayor outlines it’s difficult
situation. Interestingly this is where the US sends
military cadets to learn Russian. We meet one of their
instructors. Overnight Paris
Day Seven: Review & tour ends
Over a late breakfast look back over the results and
assess what the vote will mean for France and Europe.
Farewell and departures for airport/station.
Our election tours have been immensely popular and earned us high acclaim.
Quotes from our US Election tour in November 2016:
“If it was a film we’d have ended watching from behind the sofa. Tremendously informative and (despite the result) a fun
tour.” AR
“The quality and variety of experts was excellent.” VH
“The speakers were a particular feature of this tour, and clearly much thought and effort had been put into selecting and
engaging people from a variety of backgrounds. I doubt if this could have been improved upon and it was a privilege
to meet them all.” CB
“We’ve done a variety of group tours before. This was the best we've been on, both in terms of content and company.” CR
“A sociological and political eye opener of a tour.” VH
“The highlight of the tour was the Trump rally, because it overturned all preconceptions about those who would vote for
Trump. We should have realised that the fact that his appeal was so wide would be very bad news for the Democrats. As
with Brexit the volume of discontent with those in power would mean people would vote for anything or anybody who
promised change.” SR
“A must for anyone with an interest in politics and current affairs who want to meet like minded people. I would
recommend Political Tours for the detailed organisation, visits to places not usually open to the general public and for the
more adventurous, the exciting countries you visit.” CB
“I would recommend the tours to anyone interested in current political events because the experience offered the sort of
access that experienced journalists have, minus the pressure to report back of course. Also the guarantee of the company
of people with similar interests.” VH
“I have been on a few tours before, but not one of them compared with this one. This was by far the best. Of course, the
material content, and the time and place of its setting had a lot to do with it, but there were other factors. The size and
mix of each group was about right, and having both yourself, and a local expert with us was a big advantage, able to sort
out en route problems too, and help set the tone and atmosphere. The tour itinerary was very detailed, and could hardly
have been more so.” CB
Political Tours Limited Bloxham Mill, Barford Road, Bloxham OX15 4FF, UK.