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French culture

Crillon hotel flaunts treasures before auction
15/04/2013 - FRANCE - CULTURE

Crillon hotel flaunts treasures before auction

Paris’s famed Hôtel de Crillon is about to undergo a major facelift. But before it closes for the two-year renovation, the hotel is auctioning off many of its lavish items and allowing the public a close-up view of this iconic Parisian institution.
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Louvre staff end walkout over 'aggressive' pickpockets
11/04/2013 - FRANCE

Louvre staff end walkout over 'aggressive' pickpockets

France's Louvre museum reopened on Thursday after a staff walkout in protest against pickpockets forced the museum to close for a day. Employees say the pickpockets are growing in number and becoming increasingly aggressive.
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Louvre museum in Paris gets new director
04/04/2013 - CULTURE

Louvre museum in Paris gets new director

A Greek art and culture expert, Jean-Luc Martinez, was named the new director of France's famed Louvre museum on Wednesday. Martinez, 49, will oversee projects including the controversial opening of a branch of the Louvre in Abu Dhabi in 2016.
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Hotel de Crillon in Paris to close for two-year overhaul
29/03/2013 - FRANCE

Hotel de Crillon in Paris to close for two-year overhaul

The famed Hotel de Crillon, which overlooks the Place de La Concorde at the base of the Champs Elysées in Paris, will close this weekend for a two-year renovation. King Louis XV commissioned the building, which was built in 1758.
South Africa's French learning curve
22/03/2013 - SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa's French learning curve

French is spoken in many countries in continental Africa, but South Africa has not been a place traditionally associated with the French language. That could be about to change, with French being increasingly synonymous with "chic". One university professor has tapped into this new energy to promote the Romance language.
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French not favoured by language learners Down Under
21/03/2013 - AUSTRALIA

French not favoured by language learners Down Under

While the Australian population is largely a mixture of people who have moved Down Under from all over the globe, it's surprising how many Australians speak foreign languages. While French used to be a popular choice in schools, the distance between France and Australia has meant the popularity of French has been supplanted by languages closer to home, such as Arabic, Indonesian and Mandarin Chinese. Only 1% of Australians speak French, but one of them spoke to France 24.
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Ever wondered where New Orleans' French influence came from?
20/03/2013 - USA

Ever wondered where New Orleans' French influence came from?

In the southern US, French is spoken by a community of 500,000 people. These are the Cajun people, descendants of French-speaking Canadians who were forced from their homes by the English in the 18th century. Today they make up a tenth of Louisiana and their presence over the years have left a marked influence on the state. These days, the Cajuns continue their traditions through music and song, which help them to keep their linguistic heritage alive.
If Obama was just a regular guy...
20/03/2013 - MEDIAWATCH FRANCE

If Obama was just a regular guy...

...He might have had a tough immigration interview at Ben Gurion Airport! We look at a Haaretz article examining the hypothesis. Meanwhile, his limo breaks down (embarrassing). Also, we look at the ongoing debate in Quebec over whether their language police are too tough.
Roll over, Beethoven!
20/03/2013 - CULTURE

Roll over, Beethoven!

We take a "Beethoven Journey" with Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes – that’s the name of his current project. He tells us why he’s recording all five of the great German composer’s piano concertos, and touring them all across the world, including here in Paris. Next, French electro DJ Vitalic is bringing music of a ravier kind to the studio as he presents his third album, "Rave Age".
Romania's long-standing fascination with all things French
19/03/2013 - ROMANIA

Romania's long-standing fascination with all things French

The French influence has long been felt in Romania, which in the past has enjoyed a special relationship with France. While that's not so much the case today, there are still French speakers and Francophiles to be found in the country and similarities to be found in their respective languages. The historic links between East and West therefore look likely to continue - linguistically at least.
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