Links

A French icon totters: country's biggest Gauloise plant may close

Link

French factory that makes Gauloises blondes - a lighter version of the original - earmarked for closure by British parent company Imperial Tobacco.

France backtracks in battle over EU deficit target

Link

Prime minister Manuel Valls pledges France will stick to 2015 target despite earlier suggestions from president that it would ask for more leeway.

France chops red tape to save firms billions of euros

Link

Unit set up to reduce bureaucracy proposes package of 50 changes to make life simpler for French businesses and employees.

Nazi memorabilia auction cancelled after French minister intervenes

Link

Culture minister Aurélie Filippetti said she did not want planned sale of objects that belonged to Adolf Hitler and Hermann Goering to go ahead.

French school to test DNA of male pupils and teachers to find rapist

Link

In a controversial move more than 500 male staff and pupils face genetic testing at Catholic school in La Rochelle after a 16-year-old girl was raped.

France's Hollande approval at record low, prime minister far ahead

Link

Just 18 percent are satisfied with French president's performance, while new premier Manuel Valls has an approval rating of 58 percent, says poll.

Three charged over Hollande affair actress photo

Link

Photographer and bosses at Closer magazine, which published photos of president visiting Julie Gayet, to appear in court for breach of privacy.

French foreign minister makes historic visit to Cuba

Link

Laurent Fabius has met Cuban leader Raul Castro in first visit by senior French figure to the communist-run Caribbean island in 31 years.

France's far right leader blames EU for new 'cold war'

Link

In visit to Moscow, Marine Le Pen says it is the European Union that declared 'cold war' on Russia by seeking closer ties with Ukraine.

Thousands march in Paris against austerity, economic reforms

Link

Demonstrators showed anger over President Holande's 'pro-business' measures with slogans such as 'When you are leftist you support employees'.