Movies, Museums, Driving, Cannes Film Festival & Sarkozy

French movie theaters scored record attendance during 2010. Approximately 206 million people stood in lines in 2010, up 2.7 percent from the previous year. This was the highest figure in more than 40 years. Five French films attracted three million viewers each: Les Petits Mouchoirs (5.2 million), Camping 2 (3.9 million), L’Arnacœur (3.7 million), Des hommes et des dieux (3.1 million) and Arthur 3 (3 million). Of the 15 films showcased in 2010 that attracted more than three million viewers, nine movies were American: US films drew 98 million viewers in France, a reduction of 1.6 percent from 2009. Museums: The Louvre had a record year in 2010 with 8.5 million visitors. The museum’s temporary exhibitions, including Russian art from the time of Peter the Great and the archaeology and history of Saudi Arabia, attracted 420,000 people. The numbers for the Monet Exhibit aren’t in yet, but if you’ve tried to buy a ticket, it’s been nearly impossible. It’s just been announced that Robert De Niro will be President of the Jury of the 64th Cannes Film Festival that will take place from May 11th to 22nd, 2011. Good news for drivers: road deaths in France have fallen below 4,000 fatalities. This is the ninth consecutive year the number of highway fatalities has decreased. So un-French: The Socialist Mayor of Evry has called for an end to the 35-hour work week. Manuel Valls, 47 years old, is younger than other potential Socialist candidates for the 2012 presidential election. He’s become a recognized figure on the political scene because of his media savvy. His advocating that people work a longer week has established him as a candidate in his party’s primaries later this year. Valls told RTL radio: “The world is changing fast, and it’s the responsibility of the left to reconcile the French with this need for change. The 35-hour rule affects the country’s competitiveness.” There’s more than a rumor that French President Nicolas Sarkozy is going to suggest the dollar assume a less prominent role in the global economy. President Obama and he will be meeting in Washington, D.C. on Monday. France has the rotating presidency of the Group of 20 industrialized and emerging nations this year. Sarkozy has used the platform to urge a rethinking of the international monetary system. To be continued…. (c) Paris New Media, LLC [email protected] Readers are constantly asking me for authentic and out-of-the-ordinary experiences when they come to Paris. Experience Paris – our newest travel partner – can arrange unique experiences in Paris and throughout France. When you contact Larry, please say, “Karen sent you” and use the code BJ001.