News From France 11.10 by News From France

News From France

Vol. 11.10 December 31, 2011

A free monthly review of French news & trends

President Sarkozy Visits Google’s New Paris HQ

President Nicolas Sarkozy visited the new headquarters of the internet company Google in Paris on December 6, during inauguration festivities. The 30,000-square-foot “Googleplex” will act as the operating base for Google’s affairs in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, and include centers for research and culture. Story, p. 3 .

inside

French and German Leaders Act on the Euro

Current Events

France & America

In Depth

Business & Tech

Society

Culture

France in America

French Global Thought Leaders

France Magazine’s 100th Issue

U.S. Sees French Pastries Rise Solar Lighting on Champs-Elysées “Nap Bar” Opens in Paris © Présidence de la République/ P. Segrette

In response to the ongoing volatility in the euro currency zone, President Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have spearheaded a fiscal pact that aims to keep the zone united and strong. On December 5, Mr. Sarkozy and Mrs. Merkel met in Paris to discuss the configuration of the treaties that govern how EU member countries formulate their budgets. The pact’s underlying goal is to “ensure that the deregulation which led to the euro area’s current situation can’t recur under any circumstances,” Mr. Sarkozy said. To this end, he and Mrs. Merkel proposed mechanisms to enforce the goal of a maximum ratio of 3 percent national debt to gross domestic product in every EU member country. Though these measures call for budget balancing, these mechanisms are expected to strengthen confidence in the euro, which in turn will stimulate economic growth for the 17-state eurozone. Speaking at the end of the bilateral meeting, President Sarkozy asserted his firm belief on the course of action discussed with his German counterpart. “The crisis requires an extra commitment towards unity and a Europe that will not repeat the mistakes of the past... This is our duty. We have no other choice” than to resolve the euro currency turmoil, Mr. Sarkozy said.

President Sarkozy and Chancellor Merkel addressed fiscal coordination and opposed eurobonds.

French Design in Miami Alliance Française D.C. Expands

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Dr. Pierre Laszlo, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry at the Ecole Polytechnique in Paris, hosted a conference December 12 at France’s embassy in Washington. The event, playfully titled “Is Chemistry a Good, Nurturing Mother? Or Does It Poison Us?” provided the Academy of Science Prize winner an occasion to meet with an American public and discuss France’s recent advancement in science. An active public speaker and writer, he is the author of over 200 primary publications in the field of organic chemistry. In his lecture, Dr. Laszlo remarked on the risks and benefits of science. Chemistry can make carbon copies of natural products and create new molecules for drugs, and it can also create hormono-mimetic chemicals that affect human health and biodiversity. Dr. Laszlo’s conference was organized in partnership with the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) in partnership with the Office of Science and Technology at the Embassy of France.

France Stands Firm With Opposition in Syria In light of the ongoing human rights violations in Syria, France has strengthened efforts to support forces opposing Bashar al-Assad’s government at home and abroad. On December 10, France successfully lobbied to have the issue brought to the UN Human Rights Council, giving rise to the prospect of humanitarian assistance. At the same time, Minister of the Interior Claude Guéant has increased security measures for Paris-based members of the Syrian National Council, who represent the democratic movement in Syria. “There have been threats,” Mr. Guéant explained. “We have a duty to take measures” of protection. In conjunction with these events, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs lauded Syrian cartoonist and publisher Ali Ferzat for winning the Reporters Without Border’s Press Freedom Prize. Ali, who was mugged by Assad supporters, continued to publish his anti-government newspaper despite having his hands broken. In a document released to the press, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs noted that Ali’s struggle “symbolizes the courage of the Syrian people, who are fighting every day to defend their freedom and fundamental rights.”

World Thinkers: French Minds in Global Policymaking Foreign Policy magazine recently released a list ranking the world’s top “100 Global Thinkers” from the past year, and the list included five French leaders. The journal lauded new IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde for her bold leadership during uncertain finacial times, and recognized President Nicolas Sarkozy for “giving France swagger” in current foreign policy toward the Libyan democratic revolution last spring. Philosopher Bernard-Henri Lévy was named to the list for his “muscular humanitarianism,” as shown through his ceaseless support of the Libyan cause. Former head of the European Central Bank JeanClaude Trichet also appeared on the list, for “steering the world amid crisis” and working to rescue the euro, a currency he helped create. Finally, the magazine fêted the contributions of diplomat, human rights advocate and former French Resistance fighter Stéphane Hessel, for his 2010 bestselling book Indignez-Vous (Time for Outrage).

Visiting Scholar Talks Chemistry at the Embassy

current events

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IMF chief Christine Lagarde was named 2011’s Global Thinker #15 by Foreign Policy magazine.

interview with the expert Nicolas Thiriet Political Counselor, Chancery, Embassy of France © Samuel Tribollet

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In the ever-changing world of international affairs, Nicolas Thiriet is the kind of diplomat who is able to adapt quickly to many situations. Originally trained as a specialist on Asia, Mr. Thiriet currently covers European and Eurasian affairs, as well as Russia and activity within the European Union. News From France caught up with the expert for a better understanding of all that his work entails.

In a few words, what is your role at the French Brussels the think tank scene is more focused on EuEmbassy? rope, whereas the think tanks here address policy issues on a global scale. And with the press, you have an I am a Political Counselor, and I work in what’s called the enormous flow of information—sometimes too much chancery. There I cover European and Eurasian affairs, as information—from which you have to discern what’s well as our relations with the U.S., Turkey and relations most important. within the European Union itself. What should Americans know about France’s acYou’re part of the France’s diplomatic service, but tions in the ongoing eurozone currency turmoil? you’re also involved in European Union issues. How do you balance these two roles, and work with the I would say that what appears in the media about EuEU’s offices in Washington? ropean efforts is generally accurate, and I should say that France is among the EU countries most proactive I have regular contact with the EU delegation. Together in trying to find a solution. As a result of our signifiwe try to defend and promote the interests of the EU, cant population and economy, France has historically because doing so is the job not just of the EU delega- enjoyed a leading role in the European Union. tion but of each EU member state’s diplomatic staff as well. For example, in terms of the Euro currency crisis, What advice would you give to those interested in we and the other Eurozone countries work together to doing the sort of work you do? explain to our American partners the steps we are taking in response to the situation. First, it’s important to work on foreign languages, because they are absolutely necessary in the life of Washington is a uniquely dynamic place for inter- a diplomat. Second, I recommend going abroad, national affairs. How does it compare to other capi- either to travel, or better yet, to live in a foreign tals in which you have been posted? country, for example through a study-abroad program. Doing so also allows you to specialize in a particular Before Washington I was posted in Brussels, and I’d say region. Aside from real-life experience, I would also recthere are many similarities between the two capitals. ommend foreign policy studies: international law and Washington is exceptional because it’s home to the economics, security studies, etc. So, in a few words, U.S. executive branch, the U.S. Congress, the think foreign languages, travel experience and international tank community and a top-notch press industry. In policy coursework.

france & america

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(From page one) President Nicolas Sarkozy visited the new Paris headquarters of internet company Google on Tuesday, December 6, as part of its large-scale inauguration activities. The President was accompanied by Frédéric Mitterrand, Minister of Culture and Communication, and Eric Besson, Minister of Industry, Energy and the Digital Economy, who together toured the 30,000-square-foot facility in the north-central 9th arrondissement of the French capital. Eric Schmidt, former president of the tech giant, was present for the occasion and met with Mr. Sarkozy and the Ministers for a series of talks and a question-and-answer session. The new facility, nicknamed the “Googleplex,” will include an extensive Cultural Institute, designed to promote “past, present and future European cultures,” according to an official press release from Google. The site will also house a Center of Paris Research and Development, dedicated to advancing technological re-

search based in the capital region. With a current payroll of 350 employees, Google plans to grow its new center to a benchmark of 500 employees over a period of roughly 18 months. According to Carlo d’Asaro Biondo, President of Operations for Southern Europe, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the company’s objective is “to make France one of Google’s major centers in the fields of cultural service creation and economic development.” Mr. Sarkozy’s visit to Google serves as the latest event in a series titled “Journées du Numérique 2011”(Digital Days 2011), an effort by the President and his cabinet to promote French tech start-up activity. The program includes a proactive strategy for development, notably via publicprivate partnerships, in the town of Saclay, just southwest of Paris. The suburb has been termed a “Silicon Valley à la française” and is meant to serve as an incubator for French digital entrepreneurship and resulting economic growth.

Celebrating Multiculturalism in the Classroom

Bilingual education is “invaluable” in helping kids “fully develop,” says school head Anne-Sophie Gueguen.

The French Academy of Bilingual Culture in North Milford, NJ was founded with a simple goal: to teach children the value of cultural exchange at an early age, introducing them to French language and civilization through a progressive and creative curriculum. Established in 2007, the school is the only one of its kind in northern New Jersey. This month, it opened its doors to the public to celebrate its success and to welcome prospective new students and their families. Speaking about her school’s unique mission, founder and head of school Anne-Sophie Gueguen noted that “Bilingualism is an invaluable opportunity for our children to fully develop, learn and be raised equally in both languages.” Ms. Gueguen expressed gratitude towards the many parents who dedicated their time to the school, and looked forward to the new year’s additions to the curriculum, from piano and dance to weekend French classes.

France Magazine Celebrates 100th Issue This Month How do you fête 100 issues? For France Magazine, the answer was obvious: with a celebration of food and wine! In what may be a publishing first, three-star chef Alain Passard of Paris’s Arpège restaurant provided the cover art—one of the many luscious collages he has done to illustrate his culinary creations. This landmark edition is dedicated to the memory of the great chef Jean-Louis Palladin, who was profiled in its first issue (summer 1985). “Palladin came to the U.S. from Gascony in the late 1970s,” explains editor Karen Taylor. “He revolutionized French cooking in America and was known for his fearless creativity. But he also loved to share his knowledge and was a great mentor. So all of the feature stories in this issue pay tribute to different aspects of his legacy.” A highlight is an article relating Palladin’s extraordinary career along with touching and amusing anecdotes from the many chefs he influenced—Daniel Boulud, Michel Richard, Eric Ripert and others. “He was deeply admired and loved,” says Taylor. “And his creativity and excellence are traits common to so many of the other people who have appeared in our pages over the years.” A copy of France Magazine’s 100th issue is included with new subscriptions, which may be ordered at www.francemagazine.org. For the NFF discount rate, enter the promotional code PR07G.

The 100th edition includes a profile of chef Jean-Louis Palladin, featured in France Magazine’s first issue in 1985.

French Explorer Speaks To U.S. High School Students Famed explorer Jean-Louis Etienne shared his experiences with young people on November 28 at the Lycée Français La Pérouse in San Francisco. Etienne, a nutrition specialist and sports biologist, was in1986 the first man to reach the North Pole in a solo expedition. Since then he has set two additional records, including the longest distance traveled by dog sled in Antarctica and the first arctic balloon crossing in the North Pole. Invited by La Pérouse’s junior and senior classes, Etienne gave a conference as part of the school’s guest speaker programs. Drawing from his experiences on both polar icecaps, the Legion of Honor officer and National Order of Merit knight stressed the importance of studying climate change in the Arctic to learn about global warming more generally.

At Google’s Paris HQ, French President Urges Innovation

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Arctic explorer Jean-Louis Etienne talked climate change in San Francisco.

French Theater Meets American Lit on Bastille Stage Suburban angst and family struggle are recurrent topics in French and American theater. This December, as part of the 40th annual Festival d’Automne in Paris, French theatre collective Les Possédés presented their own adaptation of Bullet Park, by American writer John Cheever. The production aims to capture “the pleasures and agony of suburban life” as it tells the story of the Nailles family, residents of metro New York City. Director Rodolphe Dana collaborated with writer Laurent Mauvigner to ensure that none of the literary value of Cheever’s novel was lost in its stage adaptation. Founded in 2002, Les Possédés is a group of artists dedicated to the exploration of the human condition through theater. They cite Anton Chekov as among their greatest inspirations, so it is perhaps only appropriate that they take the lead in adapting the work of the Massachusetts novelist known as the “Chekov of the suburbs.”

in depth

French Pastry Traditions Flourish in America

lot has been happening in the pastry world—rather, the world of French pastry traditions, and the spread of la pâtisserie throughout the United States. From the success of an oddly-named Breton croissant to the opening of multiple first-rate brands in American cities, France’s baking heritage is thriving. News From France explores a culinary artform on the rise (pun very much intended).

Though its final appearance is simple, the process of preparing kouign-amanns is actually complex, with lots of room for error for the inexperienced chef. Mr. Wood said his first attempt was a “disaster.” The pastry is uniquely challenging because, unlike a croissant, it has sugar and butter between the layers of rich pastry. If incorrectly prepared, the sugar could liquefy and destroy the dish, Mr. Wood said.

Not Your Average Croissant

D.C. Welcomes French Bakeries

Who knew that French baking would What’s sweet, salty and flaky, crunchy draw the attention not just of evon the outside and soft on the inside? eryday food lovers, but also of poThe answer is an unusual pastry called litical leaders in Washington? Mayor kouign-amann, a French delicacy of the District of Columbia, Vincent that lately caused a sensation in dinGray, attended the opening of the ing circles around the United States. city’s first Paul bakery in May 2011 Richer and crispier than a croissant, in the Penn Quarter neighborhood. the pastry has been delighting AmeriAlso present was the Ambassador of can palettes even as its pronunciation France to the United States, François (“kween ah-Mon”) perplexes. Delattre, who joined Mr. Gray in the Occasionally called the “fattiest ceremonies and expressed his pleapastry in Europe,” the dessert’s name sure in representing a new element of derives from the Breton term for “butFrench culture within D.C.’s city limits. ter cake.” It is made from layers of In New York meanwhile, the pastry buttery, flaky dough that puff up institution Ladurée, famous for their when cooked, with sugar sprinkled trademark macarons, opened shop between the layers adding a sweet The kouign-amman, Breton for “butter cake,” has been delighting American on Madison Avenue to enthusiastic touch. Each pastry is baked in a pan foodies since French-trained chefs began offering the treat in U.S. venues. crowds. So dedicated were those willthat’s brushed with sugar and coated ing to experience the shop’s first North with butter, resulting in a caramelly, crunchy exterior. California chef Brian Wood, whose Oakland-based Starter American storefront that they braved a 45-minute wait in August heat to enjoy Bakery was an early purveyor of the cakes, compared their texture to the top of the pastries celebrated for unusual flavors, such as rose petal and pistachio. a crème brulée. “It’s pretty awesome,” he said. Pastry chef and restaurateur Dominique Ansel was among the first to offer B ack in Washington, Paul appeared not content to open just one shop in the pastry to the American public at his New York City bakery, where it was an the city—so a second began operations in November in the upscale district immediate hit. Every morning, he and his staff prepare a batch of 100 of the of Georgetown, located in the city’s northwest small buns. They nearly always sell out before lunchtime. The kouign-amann has also been a cornerstone of Starter Bakery in Oakland, quadrant. On hand to where co-owner Mr. Wood painstakingly prepares each cake for Californians clam- celebrate the event oring to devour them. He hopes to expand the bakery’s repertoire to include more was Minister of State for French Nationals French-inspired delicacies, “blending French technique with American taste.” Abroad, Edouard Courtial, who was in town for related business. Minister Courtial represents the interests of the two million French nationals who live abroad. Whether from the American popularity of the kouign-amann to the appearance of multiple French bakery outlets throughout the United States, it would seem that French traditions of pastries and baking are gaining ground— French pastry creations seem to be in demand everywhere. The famed pastry Above, Amb. Delattre and Maxime Holder, and fans—with each brand Ladurée opens its first boutique in New York City, its first in North America. President and General Director of the Paul Group. delicious bite.

business & technology

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Champs-Elysées Lights Offset by Southern French Solar

This December, Paris’s celebrated Avenue des Champs-Élysées will glitter with lights in honor of the holiday season. But revelers strolling past the display might not be aware that their wintry cheer is being powered by the warm sun of southern France. As the French government strives to go green, all energy consumed by this year’s holiday display in the capital will be offset by a solar farm in the Pyrénées-Orientales region. According to the New York Times, the Comité des Champs-Élysées, which manages the lighshow, has extended their efforts to reduce their environmental impact, including the installation of cutting-edge, highly efficient LED bulbs. This winter’s spectacle is also a particularly bold departure from traditional seasonal motifs like snowflakes, instead featuring rings of multicolored LEDs suspended above rows of trees. The display is intended to create a constantly-changing image throughout the day, as the lights cycle through a series of colors ranging from bright white to green, red and yellow. The spectacle’s combination of style, efficiency and creativity seeks to showcase French ingenuity to the rest of the world, organizers say. “The Champs-Élysées is a window to our city and to our country, and so ought always to affirm French excellence and inventiveness,” Committee President Jean-Noël Reinhardt said in a statement. The display was lit on November 23 by popular French actress Audrey Tautou, and will continue through December.

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Le Grand Palais Goes Video Game Wild Do you ever wish you could go back in time and play your favorite video games from years past? For Parisians, this nostalgic fantasy has become a reality with the exposition “Game Story.” Taking place in the newly refurbished southwest hall of Paris’s Grand Palais from November 10 to January 9, “Game Story” traces forty years of video game history through a series of interactive platforms. The exhibit is divided into six gaming genres, including sports, history, action and adventure, science ficiton, kawaii (cute games), and fantasy. The set-up, which allows gamers to play on their favorite consoles, follows the evolution of video games and their devices from clunky square boxes to intense 3-D graphic producing machines. Consoles featured at the exhibit range from the 1971 Odyssey to the widely popular Xbox 360. Games include Pong, Pacman, Super Mario Bros., Dance Dance Revolution and much more.

Visitors will see the capital’s famous Champs-Elysées under a new light this year, offset for a neutral carbon footprint.

President Sarkozy inaugurated new train cars on the A line of Paris’s RER (Réseau express régional) on December 5, unveiling the newest feature of the city’s already extensive public transportation system that will allow for as much as 60 percent more capacity on the line. The cars feature a double-decker structure meant to allow riders to enter and exit with greater ease. Following some public discontent over the RER system during the spring of 2008, Mr. Sarkozy asked Pierre Mongin, head of Paris’ transport authority called RATP, to take steps toward overhauling parts of the city’s beleaguered commuter rail infrastructure. Mr. Mongin signed the contract for the new

vehicles with the rail consortium Alstom-Bombardier. The undertaking will add 60 new train cars at a pricetag of about 920 million euros. The President, during a speech at the occasion, proudly announced that such a project usually takes four years to complete, but “the cars are [running] 18 months after the signature” among the parties involved. The RER A daily serves approximately 1 million passengers and functions as a critical part of the five-line system that provides daily transportation to some 3 million commuters overall. Public transportation in the greater Paris region serves a ridership of some 13 million every day.

Sarkozy Defends French Nuclear Energy Development With 400,000 workers in the field, France is the world leader in nuclear energy. As of last year, 74 percent of France’s energy was produced by nuclear power, making France both Europe’s biggest user of nuclear energy and least dependent user of fossil fuels.

On November 25, President Sarkozy visited the southeastern departments of Vaucluse and the Drôme to discuss nuclear energy policy. Speaking to employees of ISOVER-Saint-Gobain, one of the world’s leading producers of mineral fibers, Mr. Sarkozy stressed maintaining the sustainability and durability of France’s energy systems. Following his visit to ISOVER, he met with representatives of EDF (electricity of France), France’s second largest utility company, and AREVA, the French public energy corporation, at the nuclear power plant in Tricastin. Referring to the recent concerns about nuclear energy following the March accident in Fukushima, Japan, Mr. Sarkozy declared that “it would be impossible for France to abandon nuclear [energy] and reverse a sixty-year legacy, without offering any credible alternatives.” He also said that abandoning nuclear energy would have considerable consequences for “economic, industrial, employment and purchasing power, especially in times of crisis.”

France is the world leader in nuclear energy, a sector which employs some 400,000 workers.

Sixty Double-Decker Cars Boost Paris’s RER A Line

Cruiseship France to Sail As Ambassador of Luxury “A haven of comfort and well-being” is France’s luxurious new cruise ship, according to its company, Paris Yacht Marina. Didier Spade, the group’s owner, decided to create a “new gem” of the sea appropriately dubbed France to act as an “international ambassador of the ‘French exception’ and a messenger of the French touch’” by promoting French elegance aboard. Spade wanted to construct a ship that offered passengers a first-rate lifestyle rather than a “floating amusement park,” as other ships might seem to be. With eight extravagant restaurants, a cooking school, a palm tree garden and more than 300 suites decorated by the top French designers, the France offers something for all refined tastes. Roughly 260 meters (850 feet) in length with a capacity of 640 passengers, and engineered to reduce energy consumption, the 350 million-euro vessel is by far France’s largest and most environmentally-friendly cruise ship. The France is slated to set sail in 2015.

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The Cité Universitaire announced in December that some 1,500 living spaces will be built between now and 2017. The famous and sprawling student housing complex in Paris’s 14th arrondissement operates buildings themed by countries, from the Maison du Brésil (the Brazil House) to the Fondation des Etats-Unis (the United States Foundation, also a residence). The first construction project at the site in over 40 years, the finished works will allow for a capacity increase of 25 percent. Construction is financed by the national and city governments in partnership with the governments of those countries whose houses bear their names. Typically, an initial fund of about 25 million euros ($33 million) is needed to build a house, and is usually given by the foreign government. In the case of the new works, assistance from France will help support costs. Originally opened in 1925, the Cité Universitaire welcomes 10,000 students every year and provides affordable, centrally-located housing options for students from around the world who wish to study in Paris.

Nobel Laureate Gives AIDS Research Lecture in San Juan

For many among the 25 million visitors who flock to Paris each year, a day of strolling down the Champs-Élysées, exploring boutiques and tasting delicacies in cafes can be enchanting—and exhausting. But trudging all the way back to a hotel room for a nap can be inconvenient. With this dilemma in mind, a group of Parisian entrepreneurs devised a novel plan to revive fatigued tourists without taking too much time out of their visits to the city. Inspired by the prevalence of the siesta in some Latin and Asian countries, Christophe Chanhsavang opened the “Bar Zen à Sieste” (Zen Nap Bar) in the center of Paris to serve weary travelers. The establishment offers antigravity chairs and soothing music in dimmed, curtained chambers. To maximize efficiency, customers may nap for 15 minutes (at a charge of 12 euros, or about 16 dollars, for each quarter hour), or may choose to linger for any of the massage, manicure or pedicure services on offer. “For tourists, this is better than a café, where you’re often uncomfortable, badly seated, and unable to rest,” said Mr. Chanhsavang told the New York Times. “Our naps are accessible, energizing— and above all, short.”

For Tuckered Tourists, Respite at Paris “Nap Bar”

Cité Universitaire to Build New Housing for 1,500

The first-of-its-kind Bar Zen à Sieste (Zen Nap Bar) allows tourists some precious yet brief downtime.

“Glass Pearls” Dazzle at the Viaduc des Arts Glass pearls have figured in the decorative arts for centuries, and in the celebrated Viaduc des Arts in Paris’s 12th arrondissement, no fewer than 17 masters are set to display their craft. Whether by moderns means such as a blowtorch or by the old practice of glassblowing, the artisans form beautiful creations before the eyes of spectactors from December 9 through January 27, 2012. The event is organized by the Association Viaduct des Arts. Established in 1993, the group has transformed and made famous Daumesmil Avenue. The street has become one of the most intriguing in Paris because it is home to some of the most

prestigious arts and crafts of France. Housed there are more than 50 artisans who have settled in Paris to showcase their creations in various trades, fashion and decoration. One can find manufacturers of lighting, furniture restorers, old posters, fashion designers, jewelry and accessories. The Association Viaduc des Arts works to help artisans better display their passion for their trade to the world. To see the glass-making and other events, it appears their efforts have been well-received by the public. For more information on the Viaduc des Arts and its activities, please visit www.leviaducdesarts.com.

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A glass pearl from artist Séverine Leblond.

Hosted by the local Alliance Française, Françoise Barré-Sinoussi from the Pasteur Institute in Paris gave a lecture on December 5 at the amphitheater Recinto de Ciencias Medicas in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In her lecture, entitled “From the Discovery of HIV to the end of AIDS: Past Achievements and Future Challenges,” Dr. Sinnoussi explained the evolution of AIDS from its origin among chimpanzees in Central Africa to the hunters who later came in contact with these animals and who were the first infected humans of a now-global epidemic. Dr. Sinoussi received the 2008 Nobel Prize in Medicine for her discovery of the HIV-1 and the HIV-2 viruses, which led to the identification of the AIDS virus.

Montbéliard Celebrates 25th Annual “Lumières de Noël”

This year, Montbéliard celebrates its 25th Lumières de Noël, which borrows from German tradition.

This Christmas, the city of Montbéliard on France’s eastern border is transforming, once again, from a quiet town square into a bustling Christmas market in the 25th installment of Les Lumières de Noël—the Lights of Christmas. The event, which combines

festive lights and Christmas goodies, is steeped in the German tradition of Christkindelmarkets. At the center of the market is St. Martin’s, France’s oldest Protestant church. Towering above a sea of small wooden booths adorned with lights and wreaths, the historic building presides over a festive scene worthy of any holiday postcard. The surrounding wooden chalets, which sell cured meats, chocolates and other artisanal goods, will take on a special twist this year under the theme of the Basque country. The Pays Basque, a unique cultural area in Southwestern France, is known for its fine linen, Bayonne ham and Irouleguy wine. Commenting on the festival, the city council noted that Les Lumières de Noël “is more than just a Christmas market—it is an engagement that no one in the region wishes to miss.” Also scheduled during the festival’s four weeks are a number of events, including a performance of Alsatian folk music, a visit from St. Nicholas, and a procession of 140 children holding lighted candles.

cultural highlights

coup d’oeil

Artist Cyprien Gaillard Finds Art Among Ruins

French Blogger Weighs New York, Paris Night Fashion

Art doesn’t have to be new to be provocative and beautiful, according to groundbreaking French artist Cyprien Gaillard. The subject of a new exposition at the Centre Pompidou in Paris, Mr. Gaillard has become known for his studies of destruction. He travels the globe in search of ancient ruins, abandoned modern structures and other objects shunned by mainstream society, and finds the art hidden within them. The artist was the 2010 winner of the prestigious Marcel Duchamp Prize— named in honor of the surrealist iconoclast celebrated for his ability to see art in unexpected places. The same year, Mr. Gaillard also exhibited at Washington’s Hirshhorn Museum with Mexican-born artist, Mario Garcia Torres. The exposition at the Centre Pompidou, which incorporates objects drawn from sites as diverse as a World War II bunker, a Babylonian excavation and a modern city street, seeks to find a “new harmony” among them, according to the exhibit’s website. Following his Centre Pompidou engagement, Mr. Gaillard will travel to California at the end of this year to become artist-in-residence at the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles.

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At 31, Cyprien Gaillard has exhibits in Europe and the United States, as well as a glut of prestigious awards.

When it comes to fashion, do you tend to trend “New Yorker” or “Parisian”? In her recent essay, “Party Dressing: New York vs. Paris,” prominent fashion blogger Garance Doré remarks on the cities’ different styles and the social codes from which they’re derived, with her knowledgable perspective as a seasoned observer of womens’ trends. The branché fashionista notes that in the Big Apple, the night is “public,” with fellow revelers watching and commenting on everything from one’s clothes to the company they keep. Ms. Doré also touches on the history of the New York Evening, putting it like this: “New York invented socialites. You go out to be seen and take part... When the Parisian goes out, her goal is to be cool. The coolest.

From “fauhawk” to “googling,” made-up words often find their way into common speech, in English as well as French. A group of language buffs recently gathered in Le Havre to celebrate neologisms and select this year’s best new addition to French colloquial speech. The winning word was “attichiante,” meaning a woman that “you can’t live with, and you can’t live without,” according to UK newspaper the Guardian. The word is a combination of the term “attachant(e).” (charming, captivating) and the expression “chiant” (“a pain in the neck”). The word was selected as this year’s winner by the audience at the tenth annual XYZ Festival. Runners-up included “bête seller” (a popular but stupid book), and past classics from the festival include “ordinosore” (a term for an outdated PC that blends the words for computer and dinosaur) and bonjoir (a midday greeting that combines “bonjour” and “bonsoir”). The festival was founded in 2001 by Eric Donfu, a sociologist who tracks and studies changes in modern society and culture. He said the XYZ event is important to the continued evolution of the French language. “This festival defends the idea, as expounded by Victor Hugo, that language is a living thing and dies if we don’t invent words,” he told the Guardian.

Miami’s Art Deco District Hosts French Design

A scene from “Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité,” now on display at Miami’s Wolfsonian Museum.

From November 25 to March 26, the Wolfsonian Museum of Florida International University is hosting an exhibit on French design. Organized in collaboration with the Maison Française, the exhibit takes place in Miami’s Art Deco District and is appropriately titled “Liberty, Equality and Fraternity” after France’s national motto. The exhibit features a retrospective look at France’s decorative industry from the 1940s to the present. Told in a nine-part narrative, it focuses on individual designers such as Philippe Starck and the Bouroullec Brothers, during the most important episodes of the industry’s history. One display focuses on the phenomenon of villes nouvelles, or new towns, built around French urban areas in the 1960s and 70s to accommodate population growth. According to the university, the exhibit aims to examine “the changing political, economic, and cultural contexts in which French design is created and disseminated.” To this end, the nine installments explore how the industry has shaped the notion of French design in the latter half of the 20th century. The smorgasbord features 150 objects, including furniture and industrial art. In step with its French theme, a number of the works are mounted on wood units of blue, white and red.

Writing a Bête Seller on Your Ordinosore? French Neologisms

After beginning her career in fashion as an illustrator, Garance Doré launched a blog

“It’s that simple,” she insists. “She’s not going to a party unless her friends are invited too and would rather die than be seen without her posse... She dresses in her eternal outfit of jeans and high heels and her hair down.” After beginning her career in fashion as an illustrator, Garance Doré gradually began to feel the job stifled her creativity. So she grabbed a camera, started blogging about her Parisian surroundings, and the rest is fashion history. “Party Dressing: New York vs. Paris” might at first seem like an ephemeral musing that could disappear as quickly as the trend she’s blogging about. But the post earned a whopping 237 comments, and if that’s anything to go by, Ms. Doré’s online voice in fashion—whether the trend is Parisian or New Yorker—should continue to make waves throughout the blogosphere.

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The Sweetest Job: Arnaud Herodet, Embassy Patissier

Alliance Française D.C. Inaugurates New Annex

Arnaud Herodet has one of the most delicious jobs in the world. As executive pastry chef at the Embassy of France, he prepares glistening fruit tarts, luscious chocolate cakes and flaky croissants for the on-site dining hall and gourmet restaurant as well as the lavish parties to which the Embassy often plays host. A native of the northern French city of Orléans, Mr. Herodet has worked at the Embassy for the past 16 years, serving his fellow expatriates a taste of home, and offering hungry American visitors a window to a gourmet European tradition. Among his most popular dishes is the gâteau de crêpes (literally, “crêpe cake,” a delicacy made of seven layers of delicate dough), and the Saint-Honoré aux fruits rouges, a confection of puff pastry, cream and berries. No matter what he’s cooking, Mr. Herodet said he enjoys being a chef because he is able to travel and make so many people happy. The ecstatic looks on the faces of Embassy visitors when they first behold a tray full of Mr. Herodet’s exquisite creations never fails to reward the patissier for his delicious efforts.

On December 3, the Alliance Française, whose goal is to promote French language learning and cultural dialogue, opened its second location in the Washington area. Located in in the heart of the city’s business district in Penn Quarter, the 10,700 square-foot facility boasts a modern design with updated equipment and spacious classrooms. In a ceremony attended by Alliance members, staff, and numerous invitees, the annex was inaugurated by French ambassador to the United States, François Delattre. In recent years, the Alliance has seen a surge of francophiles attending its events and classes. In order to better serve its growing number of students, the Alliance decided to open a more convenient location to offer grammar and conversation classes and serve as a new venue for events. Though classes and events will now be split up between the two sites, the old location will remain as headquarters of the D.C. chapter. For more information, please visit www.francedc.org.

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Mr. Herodet has been filling stomachs and inspiring smiles as the Embassy’s pastry chef since 1996.

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Ambassador Delattre attended celebrations for the new Alliance Française, its second location in D.C.