Train strikes top search in 2014

‘Why is the SNCF on strike?’ is most searched question, while presidential mistress Julie Gayet tops newly-emerged list

‘WHY is the SNCF on strike?’ is France’s top Google question of 2014.

The search engine has put together its findings of what the world searched for in 2014, ignoring perennial favourites and looking for specific trends this year.

Topping the list of emerging personalities is Julie Gayet, who was flung into the spotlight at the start of the year when Closer revealed President François Hollande had been having an affair with her.

She even managed to beat searches based on the World Cup, the iPhone 6 and reality TV star Nabilla Benattia.

The second most asked question of the year was how to register a blank, protest, vote.

François Hollande topped the political list, in front of PM Manuel Valls. Other political names who have garnered interest in 2014 include Emmanuel Macron, Najat Vallaud-Belkacem et Dominique Baudis.

Black M’s Sur Ma Route, Pharrell’s Happy and Stromae’s Papaoutai were the most-searched songs.

The top three sport searches were “France - Honduras”, “France - Allemagne” and “PSG - Chelsea”.

The top general searches were Secret Story 8, the game 2048 and the lift sharing service Blablacar.

Visit Google’s year in search for France

Photo: wiki/Georges Biard