diff --git a/TODO.md b/TODO.md
index dd14280..862dd30 100644
--- a/TODO.md
+++ b/TODO.md
@@ -498,7 +498,7 @@ Goal: rename the tables and column to the canonical M2M pattern (`tags`, `thesis
         `.tfe-back-link`, `.tfe-restricted` in `tfe.css`
       - `admin/edit.php`: multiple `style=` on `.admin-form-row` and banner preview → modifier
         classes in `admin.css`
-      - `index.php` line 146: `style="padding:2rem;color:#666;"` → `.cards-empty` in `main.css`
+      - [x] `index.php` line 146: `style="padding:2rem;color:#666;"` → `.cards-empty` in `main.css`
 
 - [x] **`.site-nav__right` is a duplicate of `.site-nav__link`** - removed `.site-nav__right` block
       from `common.css`; updated `nav.php` to use `.site-nav__link` on the À Propos link.
@@ -580,27 +580,27 @@ The design does **not** need to change - only the vocabulary of the markup.
 
 ### II - `public/index.php`
 
-- [ ] **`<div class="filter-info">`** is a status/notice banner. Use `<p role="status">` or
+- [x] **`<div class="filter-info">`** is a status/notice banner. Use `<p role="status">` or
       `<output>` - both carry live-region semantics for screen readers without extra ARIA.
 
-- [ ] **`<div class="cards-container">`** is a list of navigable items. Replace with `<ul>` -
+- [x] **`<div class="cards-container">`** is a list of navigable items. Replace with `<ul>` -
       removing the wrapper div and making each card an `<li>`. `.cards-container` → target `main > ul`
       or a single class on `<ul>`.
 
-- [ ] **`<a class="card-link"><div class="card">...</div></a>`** - the outer `<a>` wrapping a `<div>`
+- [x] **`<a class="card-link"><div class="card">...</div></a>`** - the outer `<a>` wrapping a `<div>`
       makes the div redundant. The `<a>` is already a block element (set `display:block`). The
       `.card` div can be removed; CSS targets `ul li a` directly. The `<li>` inside the `<ul>`
       becomes the card container.
 
-- [ ] **`<div class="card__media">`** - this is the image/media wrapper inside each card.
+- [x] **`<div class="card__media">`** - this is the image/media wrapper inside each card.
       When it contains an `<img>`, use `<figure>` (a self-contained media unit). When it shows
       the gradient placeholder (no real image), a plain `<div>` is fine since it's presentational.
 
-- [ ] **`<div class="card__info"><p class="authors">...</p></div>`** - the `.card__info` wrapper
+- [x] **`<div class="card__info"><p class="authors">...</p></div>`** - the `.card__info` wrapper
       exists only to add padding. Move the padding to the `<p>` or `<li>` directly; remove the
       div. The `<p>` stays. `.authors` class → either keep it or target `li > p`.
 
-- [ ] **`<div class="pagination-wrap">`** with `<a class="pagination-btn">` and
+- [x] **`<div class="pagination-wrap">`** with `<a class="pagination-btn">` and
       `<span class="pagination-info">` - replace with `<nav aria-label="Pagination"><ul>...</ul></nav>`.
       Each button becomes an `<li>`. The disabled state uses `aria-disabled="true"` +
       `tabindex="-1"` instead of a `.disabled` class alone (which has no keyboard semantics).
@@ -927,7 +927,7 @@ Current state: **zero ARIA attributes, zero skip links, zero focus-visible style
 
 #### 1.1.1 Non-text content (alt text)
 
-- [ ] **Home card images use the thesis title as `alt`** - `alt="<?= $item['title'] ?>"` is a
+- [x] **Home card images use the thesis title as `alt`** - `alt="<?= $item['title'] ?>"` is a
       reasonable fallback, but the title alone provides no context about what the image depicts.
       Prefer `"Couverture - [titre] par [auteurs]"` for cover images, or `""` (empty) for purely
       decorative banners where the caption below already carries all the text information.
diff --git a/public/assets/main.css b/public/assets/main.css
index b05c4d0..3eaf52a 100644
--- a/public/assets/main.css
+++ b/public/assets/main.css
@@ -22,6 +22,9 @@
   display: grid;
   grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fill, minmax(280px, 1fr));
   gap: 0;
+  list-style: none;
+  margin: 0;
+  padding: 0;
 }
 
 @media (min-width: 1400px) {
@@ -36,13 +39,7 @@
   }
 }
 
-/* Each card = media thumbnail + text below */
-.card-link {
-  text-decoration: none;
-  color: inherit;
-  display: block;
-}
-
+/* Each card = list item containing a block <a> link */
 .card {
   display: flex;
   flex-direction: column;
@@ -52,12 +49,22 @@
   overflow: hidden;
 }
 
+.card > a {
+  text-decoration: none;
+  color: inherit;
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  flex: 1;
+}
+
+/* card__media is a <figure> (with image) or <div> (gradient placeholder) */
 .card__media {
   width: 100%;
   aspect-ratio: 4/3;
   overflow: hidden;
   background: #e8e8e8;
   position: relative;
+  margin: 0; /* reset <figure> default margin */
 }
 
 .card__media img,
@@ -120,26 +127,22 @@
   font-style: italic;
 }
 
-.card__info {
+/* Card caption — <p> directly inside the <a>, below the media */
+.card__caption {
   padding: 0.55rem 0.5rem 0.65rem;
   font-size: 0.88rem;
   line-height: 1.35;
   color: var(--black);
-}
-
-.card__info .authors {
   margin: 0;
   font-weight: 400;
 }
 
-.card__info .title {
-  margin: 0;
-  font-weight: 400;
-  color: var(--text-muted);
-  display: -webkit-box;
-  -webkit-line-clamp: 2;
-  -webkit-box-orient: vertical;
-  overflow: hidden;
+/* Empty-state message shown when no cards exist */
+.cards-empty {
+  padding: 2rem;
+  color: #6b6b6b;
+  font-size: 0.9rem;
+  list-style: none;
 }
 
 /* Filter info */
@@ -169,14 +172,19 @@
 
 /* Pagination */
 .pagination-wrap {
+  border-top: 1px solid var(--border-color);
+  background: var(--white);
+  flex-shrink: 0;
+}
+
+.pagination-wrap ul {
   display: flex;
   justify-content: center;
   align-items: center;
   gap: 0.5rem;
   padding: 1rem;
-  border-top: 1px solid var(--border-color);
-  background: var(--white);
-  flex-shrink: 0;
+  list-style: none;
+  margin: 0;
 }
 
 .pagination-btn {
@@ -226,4 +234,7 @@
   .card:hover .card__media video {
     transform: none;
   }
+  .card__media--gradient {
+    transition: none;
+  }
 }
diff --git a/public/index.php b/public/index.php
index 3c32a4b..0599907 100644
--- a/public/index.php
+++ b/public/index.php
@@ -69,89 +69,98 @@ $extraCss = ['assets/main.css'];
     <?php include APP_ROOT . '/templates/search-bar.php'; ?>
 
     <?php if ($year): ?>
-    <div class="filter-info">
+    <p class="filter-info" role="status">
         Année : <?= htmlspecialchars($year) ?>
-        <a href="index.php" class="clear-filter">✕ Réinitialiser</a>
-    </div>
+        <a href="index.php" class="clear-filter"><span aria-hidden="true">✕</span> Réinitialiser</a>
+    </p>
     <?php elseif ($isDefaultView && !empty($latestYear)): ?>
-    <div class="filter-info home-latest-label">
+    <p class="filter-info home-latest-label" role="status">
         Découvrez les TFE de <?= (int)$latestYear ?> — sélection aléatoire
-    </div>
+    </p>
     <?php endif; ?>
 
     <main class="home-main" id="main-content">
-        <div class="cards-container">
+        <ul class="cards-container">
             <?php foreach ($itemsToLoad as $item): ?>
-                <a href="tfe.php?id=<?= (int)$item["id"] ?>" class="card-link">
-                    <div class="card">
-                        <div class="card__media">
-                            <?php
-                            // Resolve thumbnail: banner_path → cover file → gradient placeholder
-                            $thumb = null;
+                <li class="card">
+                    <a href="tfe.php?id=<?= (int)$item["id"] ?>">
+                        <?php
+                        // Resolve thumbnail: banner_path → cover file → gradient placeholder
+                        $thumb = null;
 
-                            // 1. Banner path (dedicated home thumbnail)
-                            if (!empty($item['banner_path'])) {
-                                $thumb = $item['banner_path'];
-                            }
+                        // 1. Banner path (dedicated home thumbnail)
+                        if (!empty($item['banner_path'])) {
+                            $thumb = $item['banner_path'];
+                        }
 
-                            // 2. Cover image from thesis_files (batch-loaded above)
-                            if (!$thumb && isset($coverMap[$item['id']])) {
-                                $thumb = $coverMap[$item['id']];
-                            }
+                        // 2. Cover image from thesis_files (batch-loaded above)
+                        if (!$thumb && isset($coverMap[$item['id']])) {
+                            $thumb = $coverMap[$item['id']];
+                        }
 
-                            // 3. Fall through to gradient
-                            ?>
-                            <?php if ($thumb): ?>
+                        // 3. Fall through to gradient
+                        ?>
+                        <?php if ($thumb): ?>
+                            <figure class="card__media">
                                 <img src="/media.php?path=<?= urlencode($thumb) ?>"
-                                     alt="<?= htmlspecialchars($item['title']) ?>"
+                                     alt="Couverture — <?= htmlspecialchars($item['title']) ?> par <?= htmlspecialchars($item['authors'] ?? '') ?>"
                                      loading="lazy">
-                            <?php else: ?>
-                                <?php
-                                $hue  = ($item['id'] * 47 + 160) % 360;
-                                $hue2 = ($hue + 40) % 360;
-                                ?>
-                                <div class="card__media--gradient"
-                                     style="background:linear-gradient(135deg,hsl(<?= $hue ?>,55%,40%),hsl(<?= $hue2 ?>,50%,28%));">
-                                    <span class="card__gradient-author"><?= htmlspecialchars($item['authors'] ?? '') ?></span>
-                                    <span class="card__gradient-title"><?= htmlspecialchars($item['title']) ?></span>
-                                </div>
-                            <?php endif; ?>
-                        </div>
-                        <div class="card__info">
-                            <p class="authors"><?= htmlspecialchars($item["authors"] ?? '') ?><?php if (!empty($item['authors']) && !empty($item['title'])): ?> – <?php endif; ?><?= htmlspecialchars($item["title"]) ?></p>
-                        </div>
-                    </div>
-                </a>
+                            </figure>
+                        <?php else: ?>
+                            <?php
+                            $hue  = ($item['id'] * 47 + 160) % 360;
+                            $hue2 = ($hue + 40) % 360;
+                            ?>
+                            <div class="card__media card__media--gradient"
+                                 style="background:linear-gradient(135deg,hsl(<?= $hue ?>,55%,40%),hsl(<?= $hue2 ?>,50%,28%));"
+                                 aria-hidden="true">
+                                <span class="card__gradient-author"><?= htmlspecialchars($item['authors'] ?? '') ?></span>
+                                <span class="card__gradient-title"><?= htmlspecialchars($item['title']) ?></span>
+                            </div>
+                        <?php endif; ?>
+                        <p class="card__caption"><?= htmlspecialchars($item["authors"] ?? '') ?><?php if (!empty($item['authors']) && !empty($item['title'])): ?> – <?php endif; ?><?= htmlspecialchars($item["title"]) ?></p>
+                    </a>
+                </li>
             <?php endforeach; ?>
 
             <?php if (empty($itemsToLoad)): ?>
-                <p style="padding:2rem;color:#666;">Aucun mémoire trouvé.</p>
+                <li class="cards-empty">Aucun mémoire trouvé.</li>
             <?php endif; ?>
-        </div>
+        </ul>
 
         <?php if ($totalPages > 1): ?>
-        <div class="pagination-wrap">
+        <nav class="pagination-wrap" aria-label="Pagination">
             <?php $yearParam = $year ? '&year=' . (int)$year : ''; ?>
-            <a href="?page=1<?= $yearParam ?>"
-               class="pagination-btn <?= $page <= 1 ? 'disabled' : '' ?>"
-               <?= $page <= 1 ? 'aria-disabled="true" tabindex="-1"' : '' ?>
-               aria-label="Première page">«</a>
-            <a href="?page=<?= max(1, $page - 1) . $yearParam ?>"
-               class="pagination-btn <?= $page <= 1 ? 'disabled' : '' ?>"
-               <?= $page <= 1 ? 'aria-disabled="true" tabindex="-1"' : '' ?>
-               aria-label="Page précédente">‹</a>
-            <span class="pagination-info">
-                <span class="page-current"><?= $page ?></span> / <?= $totalPages ?>
-            </span>
-            <a href="?page=<?= min($totalPages, $page + 1) . $yearParam ?>"
-               class="pagination-btn <?= $page >= $totalPages ? 'disabled' : '' ?>"
-               <?= $page >= $totalPages ? 'aria-disabled="true" tabindex="-1"' : '' ?>
-               aria-label="Page suivante">›</a>
-            <a href="?page=<?= $totalPages . $yearParam ?>"
-               class="pagination-btn <?= $page >= $totalPages ? 'disabled' : '' ?>"
-               <?= $page >= $totalPages ? 'aria-disabled="true" tabindex="-1"' : '' ?>
-               aria-label="Dernière page">»</a>
-        </div>
+            <ul>
+                <li>
+                    <a href="?page=1<?= $yearParam ?>"
+                       class="pagination-btn <?= $page <= 1 ? 'disabled' : '' ?>"
+                       <?= $page <= 1 ? 'aria-disabled="true" tabindex="-1"' : '' ?>
+                       aria-label="Première page">«</a>
+                </li>
+                <li>
+                    <a href="?page=<?= max(1, $page - 1) . $yearParam ?>"
+                       class="pagination-btn <?= $page <= 1 ? 'disabled' : '' ?>"
+                       <?= $page <= 1 ? 'aria-disabled="true" tabindex="-1"' : '' ?>
+                       aria-label="Page précédente">‹</a>
+                </li>
+                <li class="pagination-info" aria-current="page">
+                    <span class="page-current"><?= $page ?></span> / <?= $totalPages ?>
+                </li>
+                <li>
+                    <a href="?page=<?= min($totalPages, $page + 1) . $yearParam ?>"
+                       class="pagination-btn <?= $page >= $totalPages ? 'disabled' : '' ?>"
+                       <?= $page >= $totalPages ? 'aria-disabled="true" tabindex="-1"' : '' ?>
+                       aria-label="Page suivante">›</a>
+                </li>
+                <li>
+                    <a href="?page=<?= $totalPages . $yearParam ?>"
+                       class="pagination-btn <?= $page >= $totalPages ? 'disabled' : '' ?>"
+                       <?= $page >= $totalPages ? 'aria-disabled="true" tabindex="-1"' : '' ?>
+                       aria-label="Dernière page">»</a>
+                </li>
+            </ul>
+        </nav>
         <?php endif; ?>
     </main>