Dancing at the crossroads: From Bordeaux, here's the charming electro-folk-pop of a comely maiden whose surname will sound familiar to Irish people. Check out le video de (Mélanie) Valera for 'How Many'.

Je t'aime (moi non plus): The legendary rock writer has released a new edition of his collected articles, now including the story of his sole encounter with France's greatest pop star. Brimming with le stuff noir, check out the video for Serge's 'Requiem Pour Un Con' (with apologies to any offended French readers).

The long and winding road: Good luck to those of you running in this year's Dublin Marathon - we have a few tips to help you get round the course with a smile on your face (okay, at least with less of a pained grimace).

RSVP*:The Downpatrick hard rockers who are currently in the French capital, playing an acoustic show at - where else? - the Hard Rock Café. Check out the video for their single 'Under The Sky'. (*rock, s'il vous plaît)

The shortlist for this year's Prix Constantin includes Justice and Keren Ann; the prize will be presented on 15 November. Check out a video from the 2005 winner, Camille.

Paris is gripped by a transport strike today. Dublin's French club night also seems to be stopping activity - but only temporarily, we hope.

Hell for leather: The excellent Quebec band eventually stood the heat in one of the best live venues in Paris. Watch them in cooler times, playing 'Montreal -40°C' by the river at Rouen the day before.

France's biggest rock star, currently serving a jail sentence for having killed his girlfriend, has been given conditional early release from prison.

Strike up the band: This week's French transport stoppage recalls for us a French-language radio hit from recent years. But what's all this got to do with RTE's football commentator?

Unconfirmed reports of U2 Ltd's annual Christmas stocking-filler, 2007 version: a 20th anniversary edition of the album that made them superstars, along with a DVD of their 1987 Paris concert. You can sample the merchandise here.

Elvis is live: The American singer-songer, maker of one of 2007's finest albums, is the latest star in the excellent series of live sessions from the streets of Paris. Watch him performing 'While You Were Sleeping' in the swanky Place Vendome.

Parisian feather-boa'd helium-voiced glam rock/hard rock: life is good. Here's the Gossip-esque Fancy and the video for their single '17'.

We know our readers. They shrug at rugby, say 'ça m'est égal' to new Radiohead albums. What they really want is Paris fashion - and acoustic pop ballads by former supermodels.

The globetrotting world music maverick will be in the tent in the park on Sunday 4 November.

The legendary '80s French pop pair are visiting Dublin: 17 October at Whelan's. The venue will probably be too small for all the French and Francophiles in Ireland, but when did that ever stop gigs in Eire? Watch the colourful duo's video for 'Andy'.

More Take Away Show goodness, this time featuring the splendid indie-folk-pop of Beirut. Watch the band perform two tracks from their new album, live on the streets of Paris.

The worst of times: Honorary Parisian Neil Hannon ventures bravely to Marseille for this weekend's Marsatac festival. Meanwhile, back in Paris, the Irish are under the repressive gloating of French rugby fans. Time to stand up and fight, then: here's the video for 'The Frog Princess'.

Song-set boulevard: French music blog La Blogotheque features the Take Away Shows, where the hippest alternative acts play in unusual Paris locations. For instance, watch Arcade Fire playing in a freight elevator.

This year's best French dance duo will be in the famous tent in the Phoenix Park on 1 December.

Turn on, tune in, 22 drop-out: Dublin's regular French club night this Friday coincides with the France-Ireland match in the Rugby World Cup. By 10pm on Friday, Thomas House will probably be the only singing pub in Ireland.

Every morning, Dubliners can tune into a community station, NEAR FM, to listen to the news in French. Croissants are optional. Meanwhile, on Thursday evenings you can hear the best new local indie acts on The NEAR FM Sessions.

Sells like teen spirit: The awful ironic cover version topping the French charts at the moment reminds us of the original song, 'Moi Lolita' by Alizée - a glittering jewel of sophisticated disco-pop. Even seedy lyrics and a pretentious video can't ruin it.

Going underground: The Paris metro has a vibrant community of buskers and musicians.

The King and I: A classic French indie album from a band currently making a record with a certain iconic French footballer...

Tonight (Thursday 13 September) at 7:00, RTE 1's 'Capital D' features the French people who've made Dublin their home.