Michael Jackson is making all the French papers. The front page of Le Parisien reads, simply, “Unforgettable”. Inside, there are photos of his three children with the title ‘An agonising goodbye to Michael Jackson.”The reaction in France is covered too. “For me, he’s God,” says one fan based in Rouen where 200 people gathered on front of the cathedral to mark the day.

Libération reports that the singer’s family was divided over the homage. Jackson’s mother wanted a more sober memorial. It also notes several friends who were not in attendance. Two of his closest friends, Quincy Jones and Elizabeth Taylor, were reportedly too sad to attend. Diana Ross, one of the appointed guardians for his children, did not attend either.

The regional press also covers the event. The Journal de la Haute Marne criticised the coverage of Jackson’s death and the coverage of the funeral which it said was excessive, drowning out the rest of the news. To say that he opened up the way for Obama is untrue, the paper notes, seeing as he spent his life whitening his skin. It is also critical of his permanent obsession with escaping the rigours of age – he should in no way be seen as a model for how to live ones life, the paper concludes.

The results of the end of school exam, Le Bac, were out yesterday and in the regional press in particular this is front page news.Le Telegramme’s headline is “Giggles and Tears”. Le Petit Bleu shows students queuing up at their schools for results. – an image that will make many feel slightly nauseous! Le Dauphine Libéré covered the oldest person in the country to sit the Bac, a 79 year old named Denis. Unfortunately, he failed! The paper has chosen to lead with star pupil Iséroise instead who got 20/20 – the best result possible. I say bring back Denis!

The G8 kicks off today in l’Aquila, Italy. The right-leaning Le Figaro says the group must be enlarged if it wants to remain relevant. Since the Gleneagles Summit in 2005, it is clear that the large developing countries have to be associated, the paper notes. South Africa, Brazil, China, Mexico and Russia account for 25% of the earth’s surface, 40% of its population and 15% of its GDP.

The communist newspaper L’Humanité says the “G8 is lying to the world”. Its editorial criticised Sarkozy who made a joint declaration in yesterday’s Libération with Brazil’s President Lula da Silva. In it, the French President said the world’s workers need more justice and more security. For l’Humanité, his actions do not match his words. Sarkozy is hoping to push back the age of retirement, introduce work on a Sunday and extend privatisation all of which, the paper believes, fly in the face of providing more security for workers. It says that the fact that it’s being held in l’Aquila hit by an earthquake is a fitting metaphor for the economic earthquake the world is suffering.

A former American soldier is suspected of having exaggerated his role in the Normandy landings according to Le Figaro. Howard Manoian did not arrive by parachute in Normandy on D Day. He in fact arrived by boat. He wasn’t one of the elite parachute regiment but part of a chemical The mayor of the Saint Mère Eglise says he will remain a hero in any case and that “he’s still my friend”!

L’Equipe is covering the Tour de France. In yesterday’s stage, Lance Armstrong just missed out on the yellow jersey by 0.22, the narrowest of margins. The paper speculates on his chances of winning the Tour which it says are slim given his age.