Valérie Trierweiler has broken a two-day silence since her split from the French president, François Hollande, saying she intends to continue her public profile working for charity. Continue reading…
Tag Archives: France
Francois Hollande tries to put soap opera separation behind him
The main players in France’s presidential soap opera attempted to turn the page on Sunday after François Hollande put an end to his decade-long relationship with the first lady after revelations about his affair with an actress. Continue reading…
The truth about French women defies their cool and stylish stereotypes
Shock news from across the Channel: French women do get fat, they have brattish, fussy-eater children, chipped nails, they sometimes sleep on their own wearing big cotton knickers and they do mind if their husband is enjoying cinq-à-sept trysts with his mistress. Continue reading…
Valerie Trierweiler: A day in the life of France’s unofficial First Lady
The role of First Lady of France is not constitutionally defined. She has no specific legal status. Officially, she doesn’t exist.
But when Valérie Trierweiler, a career woman who was not married to the President, arrived at the Elysée Palace, it posed double trouble for the palace protocol. Continue reading…
Vive le black market! One in three French have undeclared income
When Katell, a French estate agent, had a false ceiling constructed in her house in the
Breton town of Quimper, she paid cash for the week’s work. And when Catherine, a
teacher, had to spend €400 on her La Rochelle apartment, she paid cash.
They were not alone. A potent combination of rising unemployment and VAT rates has
given a huge boost to France’s black economy. Continue reading…
Anne Penketh 