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This is an ad for French satellite TV operator Canalsat. Warning: the video shows lots of naked people on bicycles, so don't click the Play button if bikes are considered NSFW in your office!

Via Ads of the World

I'm not always fond of HDR photography, but in this case the effect is rather impressive. The image shows the Hotel de Ville in Paris, which is not a hotel but the main city hall.

Click pic for bigger (Flickr)

Links for Wednesday 17 September 2008:

France’s second-largest city: Marseilles named Europe's culture capital for 2013
War against Islamic extremists:
Sarko's buddy: Obama Would Win Ten-to-One in France
No confidence in union leadership: Token resistance by the unions to new Renault job cuts
Vantoux: French town snubs its Vandal heritage
IAEA findings "very worrisome"
In his best commander-in-chief mode: Sarkozy zaps the pirates
Tante Zoë: Dear Nicolas, You Served Those Pirates Right!
Laurence Ferrari: France's new TV star hit by De Niro farce

A 7-minute clip from Madame Sarkozy's live appearance on British TV last night:

Related:

Carla Bruni and friends: The French first lady meets rock group Metallica (Daily Mail)
Mrs Sarkozy meets Metallica on TV (BBC)
(AFP)
(Times)
Carla Bruni wakes Nicolas Sarkozy up with her songs (Telegraph)
Carla and the monsters of rock (Independent)

I have no idea what the editorial policy of French ladies' magazines is, but I have the impression they're increasingly targeting a male audience. Or maybe I'm wrong, and French women like to watch other women in the nude? Never mind — in the September issue of Elle magazine French actress Laetitia Casta parades in different states of undress, and who can object to that?

Click pic for more | Recently on frogsmoke: Emmanuelle Beart Does It Again

It would be unnatural for a French automaker to not bring something significant to its home auto show - in this case, the Paris Motor Show. To that end, Peugeot will be showing off its latest hybrid concept, the PROLOGUE. Details are still scarce, yet the first pictures are out.

With a steeply-raked windscreen, and a bold front end with a gaping central grille and angular headlights, the PROLOGUE's aggressive details may seem a bit optimistic, considering the car's hybrid powertrain, five-door bodywork, and almost SUVish profile. But after learning that the internal-combustion and electric units combined are good for a full 200 hp, the car's design begins to make a little more sense. Peugeot claims ultra-low emissions with the combustion engine activated, and an electric-only mode which produces zero emissions.

Via MotorTrend

France's favorite nutcase is at it again. Rémi Gallard, aka Monsieur N'Importe Qui (Mr Anybody) thinks he's a kangaroo and can do whatever he likes, including stealing a cap from a policeman's head. (3:48)

Links for Tuesday 16 September 2008:

Another great stunt: French army rescues hostages held by pirates
Hard to believe: France sees little domestic impact from Lehman crisis
Subtle shift in power: French don’t mince their words on immigration
Tonight on UK TV: Carla Bruni, France's first lady of song
Steaks are high: Aberdeen Angus forces French to admit Les Rosbifs are right
State & religion: Why Anglican England is better than secular France
Why wait for next Pixar? Rediscover childhood with classic French short films

Belgian conceptual artist Wim Delvoye has been tattooing pigs since the 1990s. This lovely Louis Vuitton piglet must be one of his cutest projects. In case LV lawyers are looking to sue the artist for copyright infringement they'll have to fly to China, where Wim (who is a vegetarian) has a pig art farm.

Via Neatorama | Official website | Wikipedia

Previously on Frogsmoke:
Vuitton Doesn't Like Britney's Dashboard
Faux Oldsmobile Cutlass Sierra Louis Vuitton Limited Edition
Louis Vuitton Sues Darfur Fundraiser for Copyright Infringement
Louis Vuitton Portable Elephant
Louis Vuitton Is Trash?
Faux Louis Vuitton bicycle saddle

(Click to reveal full ad)

Restaurant owner Jean-Marc Speziale is so pissed off with the general prejudice that Languedoc-Rousillon wines are lousy plonk that he decided to hit back. He now labels some of his wines (which are actually very drinkable) Vin de Merde, or Shit Wine in proper English. He claims not to do it for the money, but purely in support of the suffering viticulteurs in the south of France. Some locals are skeptical about the idea, but Jean-Marc hopes to convince them over time. At this moment, 5,000 bottles of shit wine are waiting for customers, at 6.50 € apiece.

Source (in French)

Links for Monday 15 September 2008:

Globalisation of sexual ineptitude: No sex, please, we're French
Sunk like a rock: Tourist boat sinks in Seine, two dead
Overall impact is positive: Sarkozy’s economic reform has come unstuck
Change the habits:
"Such is human nature" Nicolas Sarkozy's ex-wife Cecilia 'betrayed' by friends
Slowly breaking down barriers: French writing prodigy challenges ghetto mentality
Bad idea:

WebUrbanist presents Unique Beach and Lake Houses. This one is in France:

Castel Meur, also known as The House Between the Rocks or La Maison de Plougrescant, was built in 1861. It’s nestled between two natural granite pillars on the English Channel coast in Brittany, France. Those rocks and the waterside location make Castel Meur an extremely photogenic abode. The house became somewhat famous when postcards featuring a beautiful photograph of the property were sold in gift shops around the world. Unfortunately, tourists lacking respect for the residence have caused damage to the home and property, prompting the owner to prohibit commercial sale of images of the home.

I think I could live there.

I don't think he won that day. (Click pic for bigger)

French specialist in 360° photography Gilles Vidal went to Lourdes and captured the popemobile and its passenger. Click the image to start, then use your mouse to move around. You can even go past the bodyguards! Source (in French)