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The Luxury Tycoon's Media ExpansionBernard Arnault, known as the "wolf in cashmere" and owner of the world's biggest luxury group with brands including Louis Vuitton, Dior and Tiffany, is under fire from journalists' unions in France for buying up almost all the country's business and economic press. Reporters Without Borders has accused Arnault of having a "stranglehold" on the main business titles in France after his LVMH group purchased the centrist business weekly Challenges.The Scale of Media ControlLVMH, whose diverse portfolio includes fashion, perfumes, champagne and spirits, now controls an array of influential business publications. These include the leading economic daily paper Les Echos, the business information service L'Agefi, the daily newspaper Le Parisien, and the celebrity magazine Paris Match. This extensive media empire has raised significant concerns about media diversity and independence in France.Legal Challenges and Regulatory ScrutinyThe acquisition of Challenges has prompted formal complaints from journalists' unions and Reporters Without Borders. France's council of state is examining whether authorities failed to properly assess the scope of LVMH's business media ownership, while the competition watchdog is evaluating union arguments that the group "abused its dominant position" by acquiring Challenges. Laure Chauvel, head of the France-Italy desk at Reporters Without Borders, described this as "a textbook example of the loopholes in French law which fail to keep media ownership in check."Broader Media Ownership Landscape in FranceArnault's expansion occurs amid growing debate over the concentration of media ownership in the hands of a few billionaires. This trend extends beyond Arnault to include other wealthy figures like Vincent Bolloré, who owns the TV channel CNews and has been accused of giving platforms to reactionary voices; Rodolphe Saadé, whose media holdings include BFM TV and La Provence; Daniel Křetínský, who is building a French media and publishing empire; and the Dassault family, which owns Le Figaro. This concentration of media power comes as France approaches a presidential election with the far right polling high.Political Stances and Future ImplicationsArnault, whose fortune is estimated at around $145 billion, has consistently opposed wealth taxes, having briefly moved to the US in the early 1980s to avoid what he perceived as a hostile business environment. His close friendship with Donald Trump was demonstrated when he and his family attended Trump's second inauguration. As France's media landscape continues to consolidate in the hands of wealthy individuals, concerns mount about potential editorial bias and the future of independent journalism in the country, particularly as the presidential election approaches.

The Lead: A Sun‑Lit Journey Through Provence’s Creative HeartAfter moving from London to Marseille five years ago, the author discovered why the Mediterranean city has long attracted painters, sailors, and wanderers. The piece maps a week‑long itinerary that weaves together affordable art studios, luxury sailing trips, and must‑see exhibitions across Marseille, Arles and nearby Aix‑en‑Provence. Marseille’s Bohemian Magnetism and the Rise of Its Art SceneConversations with painter Fanny Nushka and her sailor husband Benoît Bouchet reveal a city where low living costs let artists work full‑time. The turning point was Marseille’s designation as European Capital of Culture in 2013, which spurred the expansion of institutions such as Frac Sud, Mac and the Mucem. Today, the city buzzes with galleries, street art, and the ever‑lively La Friche La Belle de Mai. Sailing Luxury on Le Don du Vent: A Mediterranean Day‑TripFor €135 per person, Le Don du Vent offers a catered cruise that combines swimming, snorkeling and a seaside lunch. The experience showcases the unspoiled coves around Marseille and provides a unique perspective for photographers seeking turquoise waters and limestone cliffs. Extending the Trail: Arles, Art‑O‑Rama and the Summer ExhibitionsThe summer programme at the Mucem includes Bonnes Mères (motherhood) and Clément Cogitore’s Ferdinandea, l’île éphémère. At the end of August, the Art‑O‑Rama fair will occupy La Friche, turning the former tobacco factory into a multidisciplinary showcase of contemporary works. Aix‑en‑Provence: Quiet Markets, Iconic Museums and Hidden GalleriesMorning coffee at Maison Weibel on Place Richelme.Lunch at Drôle d’Endroit or Levantine street food at Tita.Visit the Granet Museum, Caumont Art Centre and the Vasarely Foundation.Explore the Gallifet art centre, a striking venue just 40 minutes from Marseille. Practical Tips for the Provence Art TrailBook the sailing tour in advance; slots fill quickly during summer.Check the Mucem’s exhibition calendar before traveling; tickets often sell out.Use the Plein Sud network guide for curated itineraries between Monaco and Montpellier.Carry a lightweight tripod for low‑light gallery photography.

The Sensory Feast of 'The Artist' Lucy Steeds's evocative novel, 'The Artist', is set over a summer in Provence in 1920, where the landscape shimmers, the cicadas hum, and "sunlight radiates from the yellow fields". Steeds' book is as much a sensory as literary experience as the listener is immersed in the heady smell of turpentine and the pungent stink of still life fruit and fish arrangements deliberately left to rot in the Provençal heat. The Story Unfolds When a British journalist named Joseph Adelaide tracks down a reclusive artist to his remote farmhouse in the south of France, his plan is to interview him for a magazine profile. Edouard Tartuffe is a revered painter who was taught by Cézanne and is known on the Parisian art scene as the “Master of Light”. But then he retreated from the limelight amid rumours of a feud with his former mentor. The Characters Come Alive Tartuffe – known as Tata – now lives with his 27-year-old niece, Ettie, and is blind in one eye. Joseph quickly learns that Tata also has an explosive temper and rules the household with an iron fist. The reader, Tanya Reynolds, imbues the mystery of the brutish Tata and his withdrawal from the world with atmosphere and slow-burning tension. Further Listening Recommendations SanctuaryMarina Warner, William Collins, 12hr 56min A moving essay series on the places we choose to live. Subtitled Ways of Telling, Ways of Dwelling, Warner’s book explores the concept of human refuge and shelter from the ancient world to the present day. Read by the author. Am I Having Fun Now?Suzi Ruffell, Bluebird, 8hr 54min The standup comic and podcaster’s book is part memoir about growing up as a working-class queer woman and part self-help manual on how to navigate life, from education and employment to parenthood, as an anxious person.

The Leadership Transition at LA PhilThe Los Angeles Philharmonic has officially announced Daniel Harding as its next music director, marking a significant transition in leadership for one of America's premier orchestras. The UK-born conductor, 50, will begin his tenure in the 2027/28 season with an initial six-year contract, succeeding Gustavo Dudamel who has led the orchestra since 2009.Dudamel will depart in August 2026 to become music and artistic director of the New York Philharmonic but will maintain close connections with the Los Angeles organization as its artistic and cultural laureate. This transition represents the end of an era for the LA Phil, which has flourished under Dudamel's leadership while also preparing for a new artistic direction.The New Musical VisionIn his new role, Harding will oversee programming across the entire organization, including presentations at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, and the Ford. His conducting schedule will begin with eight weeks in his first season, increasing to twelve weeks in subsequent years. This comprehensive responsibility reflects the central role of the music director in shaping the artistic identity of the institution.Harding brings a distinct musical perspective to the position, with the orchestra's president and CEO Kim Noltemy highlighting his "intellectual curiosity, passion for bringing in and engaging with new audiences, global perspective, and talent for nurturing emerging voices." These qualities are expected to align with and potentially expand the LA Phil's mission in the coming years.A Legacy of Musical ExcellenceThe Los Angeles Philharmonic, founded in 1979, has established itself as one of the world's leading orchestras, known for both its traditional classical programming and innovative contemporary commissions. The orchestra has premiered works by composers ranging from Stravinsky and Schoenberg to Lutosławski and John Adams, cementing its reputation for musical adventurousness.Under Dudamel's 14-year tenure, the organization has achieved significant recognition, winning 11 Grammy awards for recordings. The orchestra's multiple performance venues—including the iconic Walt Disney Concert Hall designed by Frank Gehry—have made it a cultural cornerstone of Los Angeles, attracting diverse audiences from across the city and beyond.Harding's Distinguished CareerBorn in Oxford in 1975, Harding has developed an extraordinary conducting career that began remarkably early. As a teenager, he came to the attention of Simon Rattle, who hired him as an assistant at the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. At just 21, he joined the Berlin Philharmonic as Claudio Abbado's assistant and became the youngest conductor in Proms history.His subsequent career includes 19 years with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra and more than two decades with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, which he helped found. Harding has maintained long-established relationships with major orchestras worldwide, including the Berlin Philharmonic, Amsterdam's Concertgebouw, and the Vienna Philharmonic. As an opera conductor, he has led critically acclaimed productions at Milan's Teatro alla Scala, Vienna State Opera, London's Royal Opera House, and at the prestigious festivals in Aix-en-Provence and Salzburg.A Unique Dual CareerWhat distinguishes Harding from most of his contemporaries is his parallel career as a qualified airline pilot. For the past few years, he has been piloting Airbuses for Air France while maintaining his conducting schedule. Harding has described this dual life as enriching, noting that "it's OK to take risks in concerts, because there it's safe to do so" and that "knowing another world, how other people work and having a completely different role is healthy."This unique perspective has informed his approach to music-making, with Harding stating that he "learned things about myself and conducting in a year that I didn't learn in 29 years before as a conductor." His first connection to the LA Phil came in 1997 when he conducted the orchestra at the Ojai music festival.The Transition PeriodIn the transition leading up to his official appointment, Harding will serve as music director designate, conducting the LA Phil in November 2026 and January 2027. These programs will feature wide-ranging repertoire including Brahms, Bernstein's Jeremiah symphony, Strauss's Also Sprach Zarathustra, and works by contemporary composers Thomas Adès and Betsy Jolas.The search process for a new music director was extensive, led by a committee including musicians, board members, and staff. John Lofton, bass trombone of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and search committee member, praised Harding's "exceptional level of focus and musical insight," noting that musicians value "his clarity, his respect for the orchestra and the way he invites us into the music."The Future of the LA PhilThe transition represents both an ending and a beginning for the LA Phil. As outgoing director Gustavo Dudamel expressed confidence that "the brilliance, heart and limitless talent of the LA Phil...will be in good hands under Daniel's musical leadership," the organization looks toward a new chapter.Esa-Pekka Salonen, the orchestra's creative director and former music director (1992-2009), expressed his hope that "the beauty, optimism and openness of Los Angeles proves as transformative for [Harding] as it has been for me." As Harding prepares to take the helm, the LA Phil enters a period of artistic evolution that will build upon its storied past while exploring new musical territories under his leadership.

The End of an Era: George North's Rugby Retirement Wales great George North has announced he will retire from rugby at the end of the season. The 34-year-old began his career with Scarlets and joined Northampton Saints in 2013, where he won the Premiership. A Legendary Career The wing or centre made the move to Ospreys in 2018, spending five years there before joining French side Provence. North retired from international rugby in 2024 with 121 caps for Wales and toured twice with the British and Irish Lions during his career. Tribute and Next Chapter In a video posted on X, North said: “Hi guys, I just want to come on here and let you know at the end of the season I’ll be retiring. For me, it’s the right time. I’ve been able to live out my childhood dream for many seasons playing with some of the best players, coaches and the staff behind. “I can’t thank my family, my friends and you guys enough for the support you’ve shown me over the years. Honestly it’s meant the world to me. The next chapter? Still working on that one, but I’m excited to see where that journey takes me. “So again, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. Diolch.”