Wednesday 13 July 2011

France news

The latest and breaking news from France.

latest france news

Syria's relations with France and US reach a new low

Syria's ties with the US and France nosedived on Tuesday, four months into a revolt against President Bashar al-Assad, after pro-regime crowds attacked the embassies of the two Western states.

12 Jul 2011

Liza Minnelli awarded French Legion of Honour

Liza Minnelli has been awarded France's Legion of Honour in recognition of her entertainment career and charity work.

Minnelli's extensive entertainment career and charity work recognised.

12 Jul 2011

Libya: Gaddafi 'prepared to leave'

Col Muammar Gaddafi is prepared to leave, the French foreign minister confirmed on Tuesday citing emissaries of the Libyan dictator, in the strongest indication to date the embattled leader is prepared to withdraw from power.

French foreign minister says message from Libyan officials clear.

12 Jul 2011

Dominique Strauss-Kahn sent a text message to Tristane Banon asking: 'Do I scare you?'

Dominique Strauss-Kahn sent a text message to a French writer who has accused him of attempted rape saying: "Do I scare you?", it was reported on Tuesday.

12 Jul 2011

Kenzo gets a new design team amid rumours Antonio Marras is headed for Dior

The duo behind Opening Ceremony head to Kenzo, but where does that leave current designer Antonio Marras?

12 Jul 2011

France to withdraw 1,000 troops

French president Nicolas Sarkozy said during a visit to Afghanistan on Tuesday that France will pull out 1,000 troops from its mission there by the end of 2012, as it speeds up its withdrawal with the United States.

12 Jul 2011

Libya: France risks Nato split

French calls for Gaddafi talks and admits 'passing messages' to regime.

11 Jul 2011

National Day celebrations in other parts of Europe

11 Jul 2011

Strauss-Kahn accuser questioned by police

French police quiz writer who former IMF head of attempting to rape her in 2003.

11 Jul 2011

French presidential candidate Martine Aubry dismisses rumours and critics

Martine Aubry, the former leader of France's Socialist party, has addressed for the first time speculation that she is an alcoholic, dismissing the claims and accusing President Nicolas Sarkozy's camp of spreading the rumours.

10 Jul 2011

Strauss-Kahn: hotel phoned Elysee

The security chief of the group owning the hotel where Dominique Strauss-Kahn was accused of trying to rape a maid was on the phone to President Nicolas Sarkozy's palace within minutes of learning of the alleged assault, he has confirmed.

10 Jul 2011

France trumps UK in holiday spending

Britons fall far behind the French in the amount they spend on holidays, it has been disclosed.

10 Jul 2011

Rachida Dati: Moi? For President?

She was President Sarkozy’s darling and justice minister before falling out of favour. However, Rachida Dati assures Kim Willsher we haven’t seen the last of her.

10 Jul 2011

MEPs break out the bubbly on tour of Champagne to 'investigate viticulture'

A group of MEPs missed important debates at Strasbourg to go on a taxpayer-funded tour of the Champagne wine region.

10 Jul 2011

Roland Mouret named creative director of Robert Clergerie

Designer, Roland Mouret is named creative director at 30-year-old French footwear label, Robert Clergerie.

08 Jul 2011

A tale of two skintones at Valentino's 'White Fairytale Love Ball'

Anne Hathaway and Valentino Garavani looked like yin and yang at the grand finale of Paris haute Couture yesterday.

07 Jul 2011

Nicolas Sarkozy's wealthy friend accused over 'stolen' art

A billionaire friend and financial backer of Nicolas Sarkozy is facing a possible jail sentence for allegedly accumulating “lost” and stolen paintings worth millions of pounds.

07 Jul 2011

Azzedine Alaia's couture debut shrouded in secrecy

'King of Cling' Azzedine Alaia does a 'Tom Ford' showing his inaugural couture collection to elite clients, friends and handpicked members of the press.

07 Jul 2011

Anna Wintour receives the Legion of Honor

The editor-in-chief of US Vogue received France's highest decoration from President Nicolas Sarkozy.

07 Jul 2011

Carven release their first ever pre-collection

Alexa Chung's favourite mid-market label, Carven, unveil their first ever pre-collection in Paris.

07 Jul 2011

Carven Resort 2012 collection in pictures

View the Carven Resort 2012 collection.

07 Jul 2011

Celebrities at Paris Haute Couture, day three

Daisy Lowe and Olivia Palermo put in several front row appearances, while Valentino's White Fairy Tale Love Ball drew a star-studded crowd.

07 Jul 2011

Paris Haute Couture Week closes with The White Fairy Tale Love Ball

The cream of the couture world gathered for a fund-raiser at Valentino Garavani's spectacular French castle.

07 Jul 2011

Sword-wielding man arrested

A man armed with two Japanese Samurai fighting swords was arrested tonight after holding a senior administrator’s wife hostage on a train in south west France.

06 Jul 2011