Mais oui! French business does too speak English

SYDNEY, March 23, 2006 (AFP) - France may be committed to protecting its culture from English and American intrusions but a senior trade official Thursday conceded the Gallic tongue had been overtaken in global business.
"Of course English is the international business language," the head of France's international investment body, Clara Gaymard, told reporters in Sydney.
Gaymard, who is seeking to attract greater foreign investment from China, India, Australia and ASEAN nations, said that investors coming to France did not need to learn another language to do business.
Many French companies such as car manufacturer Renault and gas company Total already held their board meetings in English, she said.
"It's a new reality; we have to make it known," she said.