When police barged into a luxurious Paris hotel in 1917 the beautiful female occupant appeared - reportedly naked - and distributed chocolates.

Carla Bruni-Sarkozy has managed only fifth place in a poll to find Paris' 'ideal' woman.

The probable appointment of President Sarkozy's son to run Europe's largest office development has generated a storm of protest and mockery in France.

A Pharaonic plan to construct 129km of new Metro to bind Paris closer to its troubled suburbs in just over a decade was approved by the French cabinet yesterday.

Set against a futuristic cityscape, Jacobs' Louis Vuitton show featured a gentle army of the world's most fitted models, all in identical, oversized Afro wigs.

New Zealand has been named the 20th best country for quality of life by a UN report on migration and development.

Roman Polanski's fate has became an international cause celebre as Paris, Warsaw and figures from the film world demand his release.

Fallen All Black hero Byron Kelleher has apologised to the French for his alcohol-fuelled road rage fracas, as he tries to avoid prison.

US reviewers for the famously secretive guides sacrifice a century of tradition by discussing the dark arts of their trade on the internet.