Monthly Archives: January 2007

[youtube]CKzlcn9T-ag[/youtube] “March of the Penguins” was a highly successful French film a few years ago. The French title was “March of the Emperors“. French satellite TV channel Canal+ used the theme of the movie in this commercial. The clip has … Continue reading →

In 1954, French photographer Philippe Charbonnier visited and documented a number of psychiatric hospitals (or asylums as they were called then) for the “Réalités” newspaper. Some of the disturbing photographs were printed, but in view of the sensitivities of those … Continue reading →

Yes, this skull! The skull of soccer player Lilian Thuram (at least a cast of it) will be exhibited in the Parisian Musée de l’Homme, as part of an upcoming exhibition. Thuram will be in the illustrious company of the … Continue reading →

36 reasons to say goodbye to Britain – and one to say bonjour to fabulous France. Poor Brits… In the league table of the best countries to live, Britain is 37th. And as if that wasn’t wounding enough, the country … Continue reading →

Elodie Thebaud with her triplets, born from eggs bought in Greece. Human-egg trade thrives: Infertile couples travelling the world seeking donors. French women who want babies but can’t have them go shopping for eggs abroad. They have to: in 2004, … Continue reading →

Borrowed from computer software: Copy & Paste in Architecture. Until recently, the Fouquet’s Barrière hotel on the Champs-Élysées was a hodge-podge of six different buildings, separated by an empty space. French architect Edouard François was asked to fill that gap, … Continue reading →

Creased sheets betray officer’s presidential nap. A police officer has appeared before a disciplinary committee for falling asleep in President Chirac’s bed on the French presidential aircraft. During Chirac’s recent state visit to Mali the officer was told to guard … Continue reading →

The French government may not like America’s military might, but French industry loves it: Michelin signs 2.4 billion dollar army deals. In the space of two weeks French tire maker Michelin concluded two deals with the US army. Earlier this … Continue reading →

Meet the racist, the gay basher and the holocaust denier Shame on them: Some French politicians don’t deserve their top jobs In the past few weeks, three elected officials have been slapped by the courts for saying things they shouldn’t … Continue reading →

[youtube]Ck4idxiac44[/youtube] Mylène bares it all: “L’Amour n’est rien…” Every Friday, Frogsmoke gives a French female singer her own space. Today’s “Fille Sourire” is the 45-year old Mylène Farmer, singing ‘L’Amour n’est rien…‘ (2006). Mylène Farmer (September 12, 1961), born Mylène … Continue reading →

Dozens of people have gone on trial in Paris for suspected roles in a network that recruited desperate pregnant women from Bulgaria, took them to France and sold their newborns to childless couples. An 83-year-old man described buying a baby … Continue reading →

So, it’s true: UFOs visited France! As mentioned earlier on Frogsmoke, France’s National Space Studies Centre (CNES) was supposed to publish 6,000 reports of UFO sightings around this time, but the highly-anticipated online archive isn’t ready yet. If you’re interested … Continue reading →

Paul Bocuse and the three winners. No sandwiches for French senators: their in-house chef wins the Bocuse d’Or A Frenchman who usually cooks for the French Senate took the top prize of 20.000 euros at the Bocuse d’Or competition Wednesday … Continue reading →

From left to right: Mr 7.358 million, Mr 3.87 million, Mr 3.595 million Rich, richer, richest: France’s captains of industry can’t complain. Last week, I gave you the list of the top-ten earners in the French entertainment business. It turns … Continue reading →

Polish strawberry growers fear French competition Ten or twenty years ago, French winemakers recruited thousands of Polish grape pickers each summer because they provided cheap labor. Nobody in Poland complained, because the Poles don’t produce wine. Now, the French strawberry … Continue reading →