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Even coming in last place in the Tour de France has its benefits. The final finisher is known as the lanterne rouge — the "red lantern," like that found on the caboose of a train. This year's "winner" was 36-year-old Canadian Svein Tuft. He ended up in 169th place — but just finishing brings glory and lucrative appearances.
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Organizers feared this year's Tour wouldn't generate the excitement of previous years. Not so.
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With wine consumption in France plummeting, winemakers are breaking with tradition to cater to evolving tastes. One new product, Rouge Sucette, is made from 75 percent grapes, 25 percent water, sugar and cola flavoring.
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The Tour de France reaches its conclusion on Sunday. This year, angry competitors said they were sick of riding under the cloud of dopers from the 1990s and 2000s. The current race appears to be dope-free, but one can't be sure about that yet.
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Officials believe a loose rail is the cause of the accident, which is being described as the country's worst in 25 years.
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The intercity train was headed out of Paris on the way to Limoges. There are reports of deaths and serious injuries. Rescuers are looking for passengers who may be trapped in the wreckage.
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Citing the inclusion of women at the world's top marathons, the petition's authors say, "After a century, it is about time women are allowed to race the Tour de France, too."
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The 17th-century mansion was once home to the likes of Voltaire and Chopin. It lost part of its roof and a staircase, and notable artwork was damaged by smoke and water.
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French dining is world famous, but it has a dirty little secret: Many restaurants rely on microwavable, premade meals. A bill that's already cleared one big hurdle in the French National Assembly would force restaurants to label when their food is made in-house from scratch – and penalize those who lie about it.
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The 19th-century courtesan died at 23 of tuberculosis, but her legacy inspired a successful play, several movies and the great Italian opera La Traviata. In The Girl Who Loved Camellias, Julie Kavanagh tracks her journey from Normandy peasant girl to romantic heroine.