A Paris exhibition shows how the art community can't comprehend the value of music videos. Still, there was food for thought and plenty of clips to enjoy.

More prix than kicks: Here's our annual league table of the top Gallic tunes of the year. Will Justice sweep the boards? Could an unknown French act steal the honours? And what about that Johnny Hallyday album with the Bono/Simon Carmody song on it? The winners are...

Records aimed at the pre-school market make up a huge part of record sales and charts in France. For the French music industry, it’s Christmas every day.

France's President is going out with model and singer Carla Bruni - now the latest French star to associate herself with the ruling conservative class. Sigh.

"Future butterfly...": Infused with the lovelorn melodies of Elliott Smith, an acoustic pop duo with their gorgeous single 'On My Way'.

 

Bleedin' rapid: From 1991 and the days when they were releasing records, watch Kevin Shields being interviewed by Anglo-French music show 'Rapido'.

The Paris dance style that's painfully hip - and slightly controversial due to its two symbols: an eagle and a trademark logo.

John Carney's busker-meets-flowerseller musical is doing very well on its low-key release in France. But what impressions of Dublin is it giving the French?

The Irish pop invasion of Paris continues: first there's the Blackrock Beach Boys tonight, followed by two helpings of idiosyncratic Cork-popping. We'll be at the latter; here's the video for the topical 'Happy Busman'.

Lust in translation: The randy French three-piece electro-poppers who are supporting Justice in the Phoenix Park on 1 December. Here's the video for their brilliant single 'Starlett Johansson'.

One half of cult pop duo Les Rita Mitsouko, Fred Chichin died of cancer yesterday at the age of 53. He is survived by his partner in music and life, Catherine Ringer, and by an outstanding body of eclectic and joyous music.

Talking to the taxman about poetry: France's greatest (i.e. longest-surviving) rock n'roller sings a song by Bono (and Simon Carmody!). Unsurprisingly, they share a concern for having to pay tax. Listen to 'I Am The Blues' while looking at the cover of Johnny's new album.

La Return-elle: The very hairy and slightly troubled Parisian has finally finished the follow-up to 2004's 'Politics': 'Sexuality (with production by half of Daft Punk) comes out next spring. First single 'Sexual Sportswear' is a bit dull, though. Never mind; here's the video for the marvellous 'La Ritournelle'.

Today's super-size transport + civil service strikes are disrupting French radio stations, as well as some TV and press. Out of solidarity with our comrades, here's some fab (and topical) French pop from Superbus, whose single 'Travel The World' reflects their global-domination potential.

69, année érotique: Dublin's current French Film Festival features an autographical movie by France's favourite Englishwoman, Jane Birkin. No better opportunity, then, to look at how she became a Gallic icon through Serge Gainsbourg and their notorious 1969 duet - with the video!

Another fine Paris concert from Ireland's favourite (i.e. only) astral-pop princess this weekend reminds us of her French-supermarket-inspired single 'Monoprix'; here's the video.

'New Soul' by Parisian singer-songer Yael Naim is just the type of feelgood acoustic pop ditty that could be the soundtrack to your commercial breaks. Forewarned being forearmed, here's the video. Terms and conditions apply.

... Daphné, whose second album 'Carmin' won for her the Prix Constantin ahead of Justice and Keren Ann.

Wine of the country: France celebrates the arrival of this year's Beaujolais Nouveau today. As for new music, here's the first album by the former singer of a cult French band. Country, indie, burlesque - all as fruity and intoxicating as a fine wine.

A taste of bohemian Paris at the former TBMC on 16 November.

France's latest transport strike will test the resolve of Paris concert-goers - not to mention smaller bands, venues and promoters.

Strange musical contraptions, odd little pop songs - welcome to the world of Thomas Truax, one of the most original and intriguing singers around. Watch his video for 'Prove It To My Daughter': then go take apart some kitchen utensils and make instruments of them.

If only every record featured both Eric Cantona and Emily Loizeau... on 'La Mécanique Du Coeur' the great man only speaks, though. Still, it's a fine album of dark, romantic cabaret-pop.

Duke Special, Nina Hynes, Sinead O'Connor, Dolores O'Riordan and Roisin Murphy are all playing in the French capital over the next few weeks. Check out the latest video from Wickla' woman Roisin.

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'.