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Single Cecilia set to swing into London

Ever since last month’s announcement of their divorce, le tout Paris has been abuzz with speculation about the voluptuous former “first lady” repackaging herself in some glamorous role overseas. “She is rethinking her life,” says a biographer. “She wants to make a new life somewhere else. New York is too far to go. London would seem a more obvious choice for her.” Full story (Times)

Beaujolais rosé developed for Japanese market

For the first time in the 56 years since the "nouveau" label was launched, a rosé version will be among the 50 million bottles on offer this week as this year's new vintage is rolled out and shipped around the world. A handful of adventurous growers have produced 400,000 bottles of Beaujolais Nouveau Rosé, prompted not by French palates so much as by Japanese fashion. Full story (Telegraph)

High-rise vision sparks Paris revolt

Two years after riots swept through the tower blocks of the Paris suburbs, mayor Bertrand Delanoe will unveil on Wednesday artists' impressions of skyscrapers planned for three areas within the capital's ringroad. 'The drawings are just sketches. None of the plans will actually come to fruition,' claimed the socialist city planning councillor, in response to a survey in which 63 per cent of Parisians said they were opposed to high-rises. Full story (Guardian)

Need More Champagne? Make More Land

France is looking into expanding the strictly defined area where champagne is made, amid growing global demand for its prestigious bubbles — in an industry with $6 billion in sales last year. "Production is reaching a limit," say the champagne growers. If the expansion plan gets the go-ahead, it will likely be 2015 before new champagne hits the supermarket shelves. Full story (ABC News)

The French don't give a fig for fads

The French think we (the British) are hilarious with our faddy diets and food obsessions. A few years ago we were supposed to avoid carbs. A meal without bread? You've got to be off your trolley. No red meat? I don't think so. The French eat from every food group at every meal, regardless of whether or not they are healthy, super-healthy or protect us from disease. Full story (Telegraph)

A French Architect Goes Global

Like a character out of Jules Verne, Jean Nouvel, 62, says that he creates a small world in each building that he designs. "Every time I'm making architecture, it's in a world that doesn't exist for me. Each time it's an unfolding of interior spaces, details, locations, new relations among the elements of the ensembles, colors and materials that are not always the same. Each time, I try to create something that works in depth." Full story (WSJ)

The French Berlusconi

Six months in office, and Nicolas Sarkozy has not ceased being an embarrassment on the world stage. From his first appearance at the G8 summit in Germany, where he foolishly called for more delay on Kosovo – a move that courtesy forced his new partners to support – to his fawning visit to Washington this week, France's president is making waves for the wrong reasons. Headstrong and unreflective, Sarkozy risks making an ass of himself. Full story (Guardian)