Entries By francecom

UK veterans awarded French honour

The medal, the country’s top military honour for bravery, recognises their courage during World War II.

The men risked their lives and were often wounded during the fight for liberation.

The veterans receiving the honour were Alexander Barron, Tom Bird, Dennis Cox, Gordon Fleming, Frank Jones, Charles Kennedy and Percy Redfern.

Established by Napoleon Bonaparte in May 1802, the Legion d’Honneur is awarded for gallantry in action or 25 years’ distinguished service in military or civilian life.

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Six Killed at Paris CDG Airport as Roof Collapses

May 23 (Bloomberg) — Six people died and at least three were injured when the roof of a passenger terminal at Paris’s main airport collapsed, shattering concrete, glass and steel onto walkways below, French Interior Ministry officials said.

Policemen spotted cracks in the roof at Charles de Gaulle airport’s 11-month-old terminal 2E building at around 7 a.m. Paris time, just before part of the roof gave way. Some of the passengers below had arrived or were leaving for New York, said a crisis management official on site.

“In total we’re talking about 10 dead or injured,” said Michel Sappin, the Seine-Saint-Denis department’s most senior civil servant. Three policemen and a Chinese national were among those hurt, he said.

Putting right accent on French culture

Anyone who feels uncomfortable in France (Franco-phobes excluded) ought to read Polly Platt. Her books, “French or Foe?” and “Savoir Flair! 211 Tips for Enjoying France and the French,” start with the premise that this is an excellent country, but it takes some getting used to.

"Fahrenheit 9/11" wins Cannes

U.S. director Michael Moore’s controversial anti-Bush documentary “Fahrenheit
9/11″ has won the Palme d’Or best film award at the Cannes film festival in an evening otherwise dominated by Asian films.

“What have you done? I’m completely overwhelmed by this,” an emotional Moore said in his acceptance speech on Saturday.

“The last time I was on an award stage in Hollywood, all hell broke loose,” he added with a laugh.

Moore won a special award in Cannes two years ago for his anti-gun documentary “Bowling for Columbine”, which went on to win an Oscar. Moore drew criticism for his extended acceptance speech in which he spoke out against President George W. Bush.

Cannes prepares for starry climax

Celebrities were expected to pour into Cannes on Saturday to mark the final
hours of this year’s film festival.

They were preparing for a glittering closing ceremony to honour one of 19
films vying for the Palme d’Or award.

Contenders for the Palme d’Or include 2046, by acclaimed Hong Kong director
Wong Kar-wai, French movie Look at Me, Emir Kusturica’s Life is a Miracle, and
The Motorcycle Diaries, a Brazilian film about Che Guevara.

Hollywood contenders include the animation Shrek 2 and The Ladykillers
starring Tom Hanks.

Eyewitnesses fewer as France marks D-day

LISIEUX, France – The remembrance evening started with a head count: How many in the hall experienced the 1944 liberation of France? Of 400 people, barely three dozen hands went up.

“There aren’t many of us, are there?” said a hushed voice in the crowd.

In Lisieux, as in other Normandy towns that took the brunt of the D-day invasion 60 years ago, the dwindling number of townspeople who experienced it are rushing to preserve their memories in a world transformed.

For some, a German leader for the first time joining the VIPs at June 6 commemorations in Normandy will be jarring. Others will find it heartening — a symbol of a peaceful, united Europe risen from the ashes of World War II.