Meteorological Office figures indicate that France has just experienced its wettest year since 1873. From April 2000 to March 2001, Paris was drenched with nearly twice its average annual rate of rainfall.
The French are the world’s leading wine drinkers, consuming 60 liters annually per person according to the Office internationale de la vigne et du vin. Americans drink 7.5 liters per year.
France goes mobile – with 52% of the population owning cell phones. As stated by the Autorité de Régulation des Télécommunications, French mobile subscriptions topped 31.3 million last month.
Henri Loyrette has been chosen by the French government to head the Louvre, one of the world’s oldest museums. Loyrette, formerly the director of the Musée d’Orsay, is considered a specialist on the painter, Edgar Degas.
French unemployment fell to 8,8% in February, the lowest since 1990. There are two million people unemployed in France.
Actress Fanny Ardant will star in Franco Zeffirelli’s new film “Callas Forever.” Shooting of the film based on the life of opera diva Maria Callas begins this July in Paris.
Will Paris host the 2008 Olympics? The city gave it a shot when games officials came to town last month to see the proposed St-Denis site, where French organizers hope to build an Olympic Village. The location is near the 75,000 seat Stade de France.
