Montpellier

Météo-France placed the Aude, Hérault and Pyrénées-Orientales on yellow rain-flood and storm vigilance, with up to 200 mm of rain possible locally. A viral video showed a high school north of Montpellier flooded, while forecasters said a remarkable Mediterranean rain episode in the south-east was ending Thursday. Debate continues over whether climate change is altering the Mediterranean storm season.

Montpellier host Toulon in a Top 14 rugby match, with coverage focusing on kickoff time and which TV channel is broadcasting the game. Rugbyrama published details on how to follow the fixture, and the matchup is drawing attention among French rugby fans ahead of the encounter.

The trial of Béziers mayor Robert Ménard opens in Montpellier this Wednesday. The far-right mayor is prosecuted for refusing to marry a foreign national who was subject to an obligation to leave French territory (OQTF). The case has drawn national attention, touching on mayors' duties, immigration policy and the limits of civil disobedience by elected officials, and is widely covered by French media including CNews.

Maxime Teissier, from Montpellier, has stepped down from representing France at the Miss Universe pageant. The Miss France runner-up said she abandoned the competition 'with regret', despite feeling ready for the international contest. Her withdrawal, reported by Midi Libre, has surprised followers of the pageant, who are asking why she pulled out and who will take her place.

Montpellier HSC resume their Ligue 2 campaign against Grenoble with forward Yaël Mouanga back in the squad after time out. Midilibre reports that his return gives the coaching staff an attacking option heading into the restart of the season, a boost as Montpellier look to climb the table in the second half of the campaign.