france
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Road to recovery
Big-name French pharma was conspicuously absent at this year’s annual Pharmagora fair. But far from fading into obscurity, the Paris show has been looking to Francophone African markets and the lucrative bio-organic sector.
Island hopper
The North Atlantic French overseas territory may have only a few thousand inhabitants but it can count on regular flights to Canada thanks to local air carrier Air Saint-Pierre.
Politics Forecast
A look ahead at the year in politics, including the challenges facing Nicholas Sarkozy, some potential new EU members and the run-up to the US election.
Burning bright
Following a successful rescue reinvention by entrepreneur Ramdane Touhami, historic candle maker Cire Trudon has kept its flame alive and grown to become an industry leader.
The new soft sell
Which countries get their way without resorting to military might? We name the top 25 nations in the inaugural Monocle and Institute for Government Soft Power Survey.
The crème de la crème
A family-run company, Clarins’s business strategy is to improve products rather than discontinue them. This has won it a loyal following and set it apart from other cosmetics giants.
‘Human spider’ Alain Robert on his perfect last meal
Skyscraper climber Alain Robert, aka the ‘Real Spiderman’, would like to live a life of uncertainty right up until his dying breath, with a surprise menu at his local restaurant.
French revision
Napoleon sold off Louisiana in 1803 but the French government is promoting Gallic culture in the former colonial state, funding a new school and getting Paris headlines on local radio stations.
Word champion
Talk-show host Bernard Pivot made serious literature popular in France. When he liked a book, the nation bought it. A uniquely French hero, he even made a televised spelling test into appointment viewing.
