Nicolas Sarkozy

Until last Thursday, when a nude photograph of Carla Bruni, the 40-year-old model-turned-pop-star-turned-first lady of France, sold at Christie’s for $91,000, more than 20 times its expected price, Ms. Bruni hadn’t been the subject of much conversation among New Yorkers. But over the last week, her name popped out of pursed lips at cocktail lounges and long lunches across the city, as men and women started to catch on that a new icon of fashion, sex and sensibility—a 21st-century amalgam of Jackie O, Lady Di and J-Lo—was emerging across the Atlantic.  read more »

The future Mrs. Sarkozy may no longer have anything “future” about her. Carla Bruni, the 40-year-old former supermodel who has been dating recently-divorced French President Nicolas Sarkozy, reportedly married the politico last week. A French newspaper, L’Est Republicain, apparently “had good reason” to publish reports today that the doting duo have already tied the knot during a small ceremony at the Élysée Palace in Paris.

An unnamed “source close to a witness who attended the ceremony” reportedly contacted the media outlet to say that the wedding, a “small, very private” affair, was held in the presidential residence last Thursday. Mr. Sarkozy’s spokesman, David Martinon, declined to offer a comment on the, er, hearsay.

Recently, Mr. Sarkozy, 52, commented publicly on rumors of his forthcoming nuptials, saying, “There is a strong chance that you will learn about it once it's already been done.”

French President Nicolas Sarkozy wiggled out of answering questions about his reported new flame, a singer and former model named Carla Bruni. While visiting a museum in the south of France today, Mr. Sarkozy, 52, who divorced his second wife last October, spoke to journalists about the area’s natural environs. In a move both bold and clever, a reporter jumped on the topical opportunity to squeeze fresh news from the imposing politico. “Speaking of the environment, I understand yours has changed,” they said to the figurehead. Upon hearing this, Mr. Sarkozy reportedly became tangled in the branches of a nearby tree, using the snag to end the Q&A session early.

His supposed romance with the 38-year-old heiress to a tire fortune has gripped the nation for the last two days, sparked when they were photographed together at Euro Disney over the weekend. At a press conference sometime later today, another reporter asked him if the media maelstrom surrounding the relationship irked him. “You want me to comment on the media?” Mr. Sarkozy asked in return. When he was pressed further, the president shot back: “No, I'm not bothered.” He was then rushed out of the room by his team of bodyguards.  read more »

Rumors of a return to trans-Atlantic harmony are premature for the moment.  read more »

Nicholas W. F-R. Dungan is president of the French-American Foundation. We're not sure what Mr. Dungan's impressive middle initials stand for, but his first name formed a sub-plot at the French-American Association's 30th Anniversary Gala at the Four Seasons restaurant. It kept popping up in conversation. There was a photographer from Agence France Presse also by the name of Nicholas. "I'm from Missourah," the photographer said. His middle name is David. "I was named after Nicholas from 'Eight is Enough.'" That television series, about the motherless Bradford clan, ran from 1977 to '81. Nick - he prefers the nickname ("I'm 'Nicholas' on paper.") - was born in 1979. He doesn't speak French. But he's learning German, just in case his girlfriend of six years, the lovely Jana, surname Meier ("Her last name is the equivalent of our" - our - "Smith."), originally from Germany, insists on returning there once her U.S. visa runs out.

Marie-Noëlle Pierce, a self-assured Franco-American (French father, American mother - she carries both passports) who is a director at the Foundation, ascended the stairs in a scorching red gown with a dramatic train. Her associate from the French office, clad in sensible shoes, stepped on it. "I heard a pop in the back," Ms. Pierce said moments later between sips of Pellegrino. She was steely yet jovial, an uncommon mix of emotions. "I hope it's going to hold up and I don't have a malfunction."

Something set her off on the topic of French Minister of the Interior, Nicolas Sarkozy. "He's going to split the vote on the right," she said. But even more alarming is the story that recently ran in the Guardian, the British newspaper, in which Mr. Sarkozy's first name was Anglicized; an "h" was added where there should be none! Oh, never mind. The name Nicolas was the 21st most popular male name in France for the 20th century (Jean was the most popular). At the beginning of 2006, Nicolas' accounted for 376,946 registered French males. By contrast, or rather, au contraire, the choice of Nicholas as a name for American-born males has been spotty. In 1994, after placing outside the Top 10 for several years, it reentered at number six and held on there, some years slipping to seven, until getting knocked out again in 2003. (Note to AFP photographer Nick: in 1991, the names David and Nicholas tied for eighth place. You were a trailblazer!)

The Transom (check the name on our byline) ran into a couple of reporters from Source Media/Thomson Financial. And, by George, didn't one of them know our buddy, Nicholas Chesla, managing editor of The Bond Buyer, a Thomson newspaper. Nicholas is Australian, with a Polish father and English mother. "But have you met the boyfriend?" his curious cubicle-mate enquired.

Julian Niccolini, co-owner of the Four Seasons, engaged the two female reporters in conversation. The cocktail hour was drawing to a close and guests were being ushered into the dining room. Mr. Niccolini took leave of them to oversee the transition, but one of the women trailed behind him. She placed a hand on his pinstriped shoulder. "Wait, who are you?" she demanded. "What's your name and who are you?"

-- Nicholas Boston

Politicians have, by now, all figured out Google Ads. The traditional thing, as Mike has done, is to purchase the ad next to your name and your opponents name.

But over in France, the ambitious interior minister Nicolas Sarkozy has taken this to a near, er, level in response to the riots that have spread across the country.  read more »

Parisist follows some French blogs in noting: Try "Voitures brûlées" (Burned cars), "Racaille" (slang for youngsters from the suburbs) or "emeutes" (riots) in google and you will be confronted with a single ad: "Riots in the Suburbs: Help Nicolas Sarkozy Fight Crime" followed by a link to Sarkozy's political group. And there will be a special prize for whoever finds a rough translation of chutzpah into French.