Hollande has turbulent first day

Francois Hollande had quite a first day as French president: swearing in, Champs Elysees parade in torrential rain, then a lightning strike to his plane en route to meet the world's most powerful woman. READ »

Hope for family who want to keep fox as pet

A decision to let an 83-year-old man keep his wild boar at home has given hope to another French family who have been separated from the wild fox they adopted two years ago. READ »

Wrong woman cremated in mortuary mix-up

An inquiry has been opened after confusion in a hospital mortuary led to the wrong woman being cremated. READ »

Strauss-Kahn seeks at least $1 million from maid

Disgraced ex-IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn is seeking more than $1 million in a countersuit against the New York hotel maid whose accusation of sexual assault last year brought down his glittering political career. READ »

Hollande names new prime minister

French President Francois Hollande named Jean-Marc Ayrault, the head of the Socialist bloc in parliament and mayor of Nantes, as his prime minister on Tuesday. READ »

Boy missing after river jump to flee police

A 13-year-old boy is still missing after he jumped into the river Loire while trying to escape police after a dramatic crash in a stolen car with a road block. READ »

Rich French head for the exits

On the day Socialist president Francois Hollande takes power, there are signs that wealthy French citizens are thinking about moving abroad to escape tough new tax rules. READ (2 comments) »

Hollande to take over French presidency

Socialist Francois Hollande will be sworn in as France's president on Tuesday before naming a prime minister and dashing to Germany to battle with Berlin over how to tackle Europe's debt crisis. READ »

iPads for kids? Experts warn of risks

Is it OK for children as young as one or two to start using iPad apps, or might they put toddlers' development at risk? READ »

Ten great reasons to travel this summer

2012 is gearing up to be a fantastic year to travel. With all the exciting festivals, and celebrations planned, what better reason to cross another wish off your 'must visit' list?  READ »

Austerity tax could 'kill off' French bookstores

France's small bookstores have survived the rise of big chains, Amazon and digital books, but many fear a sales tax rise, part of the debt-saddled government's austerity plans, could push them out of business. READ »

• Founder of famed Paris English bookshop dies »
• Footballers 'should be let off' 75 percent tax »
• Author sets up residence in bookstore window »