German Chancellor Angela Merkel enjoyed close relations with former French President Nicolas Sarkozy but not with successor Francois Hollande. Differences over austerity are part of the problem.

Francois Hollande gives his first speech to the European Parliament as head of state.

The high court in France has rejected President Francois Hollande's controversial 75 percent tax on millionaires.

The euro's second-largest economy (and the man who leads it) has been in the spotlight recently. France finds itself in a similar bind as Greece, Italy and Spain — how do you balance the state budget without crippling economic growth?

The new numbers out on the eurozone weren't as abysmal as expected, but they're not good either.

Tomorrow is Bastille Day in France, the French will be celebrating despite the rainy weather and eurozone turmoil. This week French carmaker, Peugot, announced major layoffs, signaling the tough economic climate facing the country.

Looking ahead at what's to come for other eurozone countries and what's happening at the G20 summit.

Voters in France this weekend gave President Francois Hollande's Socialists a solid majority in the lower house of parliament, complementing their majority in the upper house and thus, complete legislative power in the government.

What might an American audience appreciate about the news in Paris right now, and what's on everybody's mind in France?

Francois Hollande was sworn in today and promptly headed for Berlin to meet German Leader Angela Merkel for the first time. The two power players in European politics have very different ideas about how to tackle the European financial mess.