French quiz - June 2018

1    A staple of British pantomime, how is the fairy tale figure characterised in the 17th century by Charles Perrault as ‘Le Chat Botté’, known in the English speaking world?

2    Which city in the south of France is dominated by a Roman arena used today for bullfights and concerts, built nearly 2000 years ago when the place was called Colonia Nemausus?

3    What communications marvel was once designated ‘le courriel’ by the Académie Française, even though the average Frenchman is still as likely to refer to it by its English name?

4    Aquaculturist Tony Berthelot installed a refrigerated vending machine in his shop on the Atlantic Ile de Ré in 2017, to dispense what fresh local delicacy 24 hours a day?

5    What is the name of the famous lighthouse with a French name on the southern tip of Jersey, which might bring to mind a popular 1980s winner of the Grand National steeplechase?

6    Which French soldier who gave the ‘Fire!’ command to the firing squad at his own execution in December 1815, was called by Napoleon ‘Le Brave des Braves’?

7    What general name for sweet or savoury appetizers comes from the fact that they were originally made in small adjacent ovens as a by-product of the cookery of the main meal?

8    To a typist, what is the French language equivalent of the QWERTY keyboard layout, so called because of the first six keys on the top row of letters?

9    Which future Oscar-winning actress starred opposite Russell Crowe as irresistible Provençale café owner Fanny Chenal, in the 2006 film version of Peter Mayle’s novel A Good Year?

10    In July 2017, the EU supported a French government ban on the ride-hailing service software app of which often controversial San Francisco-based company?

11    What was the title of the UK No.2 dance hit single from March 1997, which began with the spoken words, “Mesdames, Messieurs, le disk-jockey Sash! est de retour…”?

12    Which French national sporting hero was known as ‘Le Blaireau’ (‘The Badger’) as he often wore a headband which made him look like a (badger-hair) shaving brush?

13    Created in the early 1600s, a 56-acre public park on the Boulevard St.Michel in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, shares its name with which of France’s neighbouring countries?

14    The product of which independent Champagne house is often fondly referred to in the UK by an abbreviated name, and has played brief cameos in James Bond films since 1973?

15    Which major French river rises in the Vosges mountains and flows south through Mâcon before gently merging with the Rhône at Lyon?

16    What French word meaning a roadblock or ‘dead end’ is often used in English to describe a deadlocked bargaining situation?

17    Named in honour of an 18th century French physicist and symbolised by the letter C, what is the derived SI unit of electrical charge?

18    Dr. René Emile Belloq is the charming but villainous French rival of the main character in which all-time favourite 1981 Hollywood adventure movie?

19    The French construction company GTM Entrepose (now VINCI) was a major partner in which Anglo Welsh engineering project, completed in June 1996 after four years of work?

20    Born in 1972 in Montreal, Canada, who was the last French player to win the French Open women’s singles title, defeating Conchita Martinez in the final in 2000?

Take the first letter from the answers to the questions indicated below and rearrange the letters to spell out the name of a town in southeastern France. When a person is the answer, use the first letter of their surname.
Questions 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 14, 16, 18