Oh, the humanity: The curtain-closer of the Paris summer season, on the weekend of 14-16 September, is a music and arts festival organised by France’s left-wing community and headlined by Razorlight and Iggy and the Stooges. No news of any surprise comeback appearance by The Communards, though. Watch a video from French headliner Olivia Ruiz.

Rai of the rovers: The Algerian trad-punk star appearing at the Festival of World Cultures in Dún Laoghaire, and the famous 1981 Paris encounter when he and The Clash inspired each other. Watch the legacy of that meeting – Rachid Taha and Mick Jones performing ‘Rock The Casbah’.

I’m like a bird: Tonight in Belfast, Ireland’s best pop songwriter performs with France’s - it’s an excellent opportunity for Irish music lovers to discover the wonderful Emily Loizeau, Anglo-French piano-playing cabaret-pop chanteuse.

In Dublin and other Irish towns you can find a vibrant French community alongside our other new neighbours. Meanwhile, your blogger’s home town starts its annual festival today – without live bands, but with le French touch.

Down on the French Riviera this summer, big name Paris DJs like Laurent Garnier, David Guetta, Martin Solveig and Bob Sinclar are entertaining the wealthy clubbers.

Go continental this Saturday with Dublin's free music and street performance festival, featuring Fight Like Apes, Hybrasil and Lauren Guillery.

The impressive new film by the original of the French-electronica-duo species - no dialogue or Daft Punk music, but still 75 minutes of stunning visuals and a coherent, emotionally-involving storyline. Go see.

No summer vacation for Dublin's regular French club night, back for the third Friday of the month as usual.

Lovely Rita: In the 1980s, Les Rita Mitsouko made music the way that Jean Paul Gaultier makes clothes – flamboyantly kitsch and playfully eclectic. They also had a famous TV run-in with Serge Gainsbourg – and they’re still starring on the French summer festival circuit. Watch their biggest hit, ‘Marcia Baila’.

Rock the boat: the French capital's most distinctive and unusual gigspots are converted barges bobbing up and down on the Seine. Could this be a solution to Dublin's current venue shortage?

Just our type: The excellent Grenoble trio who play the English-style indie-pop so unfairly derided by many French music fans. Check out their new single 'Hey Darling'.

A brilliant Paris exhibition traces the history of rock n' roll and revitalises a sound we think we know (but really don't). As a taster, watch Elvis singing 'That's All Right', one of the first rock n'roll singles.

Trad musicians from Ireland and elsewhere converge on Brittany this weekend for Lorient's annual Interceltique festival. Watch some new-style trad-reggae from one of the festival's headliners, Sinead O'Connor.

A sort of homecoming: your blogger is back in Ireland - and en route we were reminded of U2's Paris Airport video for 'Beautiful Day'.

The Neil Hannon connection sparks some curiosity about Thomas Walsh's band in the French music press.

Every summer Parisians can enjoy their own temporary beach along the Seine. No surfing, though. Still, listen to Serge Gainsbourg's advice on how to make the most of the beach.

Sick of having your number one single going on and on about rain and umbrellas? Check out what the French have popped on top of their charts - a fantastic bit of sunny disco-pop by a TV talent show winner. The weather's better here too. Coincidence?

Meet the French singer who's making a name for herself on the Dublin indie-rock scene. Watch her perform her song 'Rude'. Just don't ask her where she's from, okay?

The excellent Tel-Aviv band Izabo have pitched their tent in Paris for the summer. Watch the video for their single 'Morning Hero'.

Blitzkrieg (teeny-)bop: France's current adolescent idols are Tokio Hotel - a German teen metal band singing in German.

The new public bike scheme introduced in Paris this week has already been a huge success.

B'jaysus! Bjork, Jarvis, CSS, Amy Winehouse, Kings Of Leon, Bat For Lashes, JMC, Dinosaur Jr, The Shins, Mogwai, The Fratellis, the now-obligatory Arcade Fire and loads more - all just a short metro hop out of the centre of the French capital at the end of August. Watch a video from one of the home-grown headliners, the brilliant Emilie Simon.

If you fancy a French touch to your night out, head for 'French Friday' at Thomas House in Dublin on 20 July and the third Friday of every month. There'll be the best of French indie, electronica and Celtic music, and entry is free.

Party like it's 14 July and celebrate France's national holiday this Saturday with our party playlist. Best of all, because you've been good, you can watch the legend that is Johnny Hallyday. Allumer le feu!!!

I'll be your mirror: three Paris-based female singers and their love for Lou. Watch the best of them - Vanessa And The O's singing 'Bagatelle'.