We reflect on ten years of 'Le French Touch' and all that - and we pick our favourite albums and songs of 2000-09.

Our annual school sports day for the French indie scene - but all will not have prizes. Who will have the honour of their French music being liked by an Irish blog? Funnily enough, our big winner has an Irish connection...

The London quartet trio's near-eponymous debut record has found consensus across France's indie music community, who still look to the UK sooner than the US. But no Irish albums made any impact in France this year, it seems.

An impressive solo E.P. and album of laidback electronica by a Breton indie-rocker.

France's leading music magazine gives a glowing review to 'Season Of The Sparks'. Read the translation here.

More from the file marked 'Good French Bands With Awful English Names' - a Toulon duo and their catchy, charming lo-fi indie pop.

It's alright. In other news: a new CLUAS blog, a reminder of our end-of-year list and pop stars turning on Christmas lights in Paris.

Born to Rennes: this weekend the Breton capital hosts France's long-running winter music festival, featuring Fever Ray, Major Lazer, The Very Best... and The Japanese Popstars.

Hooked: the cracking Clermont-Ferrand trio named after a children's classic and who play smart, catchy guitar pop. With line dancing!

With an acoustic show from Evan Dando, the renowned Paris indie music venue re-opens after a change in ownership and six months of renovation work. Your correspondent was there.

...apart from Imelda May storming the Bastille, a phenomenal live performance by Hey Rosetta! (to only a dozen fans); a troubled Grizzly Bear/St Vincent show - and World Cup-related rioting! Plus, watch Grizzly Bear and special guest Feist performing 'Two Weeks' from Saturday night's Paris concert.

Coming to France for the game? Looking for a good place to go out? Here are a few areas of Paris where you'll find fine food and drink, lively bars and a good time whatever the result.

'Pays Sauvage' does what her far superior 'L'Autre Bout Du Monde' couldn't - bring home France's top album prize. Just like we told you. But what a strange choice of new single - a cover of an '80s hit.

 The Olympia on 23 and 24 February 2010, for those who wanna snooze.

Co. Down and out in Paris and Lille and Nantes and Toulouse: the promising Bangor/Donaghdee trio pop up on the bill of a high profile show here this weekend - the first of a wave of Irish acts visiting the French capital in November.

This year's Prix Constantin field is dominated by safe-hands French male folk-pop - with a bit of variety coming from three Englishmen and a misogynistic rapper. Groan. But we still reckon that on 9 November the prize will go to one of the two ladies on the list.

Winsome, lose some: second album syndrome strikes the photogenic Paris punk-poppers. 'About Love' has all the signs of a band writing for the sake of it - tired, personality-free tracks that could have come from any guitar band with access to a photocopier.

A first glimpse at Joann Sfar's 'Gainsbourg (Vie Heroique)', the forthcoming screen version of the life of France's greatest ever pop star. However, the film has been touched by tragedy.

Just as Phoenix were rocking the east coast of America last month, over on the west coast a new festival showcased even more French artists. 'Ooh La L.A.' featured Cocoon, Sebastien Tellier, The Dø - and adopted Frenchman Gonzales.

Our reigning Best French Album champ won't give up his title easily - 'Mary Lee Doo' takes the '80s electro-pop of its predecessor and adds a dreamy, romantic vibe. 

Using a high-tech decoding machine, your War Correspondent (Paris) has deciphered our footballing enemy's terrace songs. Love and jumping and counting to three, mostly. All together for Ireland: shinnafeenafall!

Revolution in the head: A brain scan provides the inspiration for the Beatles-y title track of the award-winning actress's new album, made with Beck. However, it's a poor song.

Somebody loves Raymond: The unpopular coach of France's national football team has found an unlikely supporter - the singer from a much-loved '80s French pop band. Here's Catherine Ringer with her song of love for the hapless trainer, "Je Kiffe Raymond".

The French alt-folk duo on the bill of the CLUAS Gig of the Fortnight as support to Thinguma*jigsaw. (Make sure you catch Peter Delaney at the very start of the night.) From Arlt, here's 'De Haut En Bas'.

A rather special Franco-Irish duet from two guys who seem to pop up on this blog quite regularly, courtesy of our favourite French radio show.