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THATCHER

Video: Thatcher tribute leaves Elysée red-faced

VIDEO: The Elysée Palace’s attempt to allow the visually impaired to hear its official tribute to Margaret Thatcher in English has ended in the president’s office becoming the butt of jokes across the web due to an artificial voice’s comical French accent.

Published: 19 April 2013 11:57 CEST
Video: Thatcher tribute leaves Elysée red-faced
Photo: AFP

Not since 1980's British comedy 'Allo 'Allo have we heard someone speak English with such a comical French accent. One web-user who put the video on YouTube joked that it would have France's English teachers in uproar.

When the the French President's office, the Elysée Palace, created an audio version of its official homage to Margaret Thatcher, which was written in English,  staff no doubt thought they were doing a good turn for the visually impaired.

However it soon became the subject of much hilarity across social media and news sites in France.

The problem was the robotic voice on the audio version clearly had trouble with her English accent, which made it virtually impossible to understand the tribute.

In the end it appeared more like a comedy sketch than an official homage to the former British PM from the president’s office.

After Twitter users brought the unfortunate recording to the attention of the Elysée, it was soon altered with the French robot being sacked and replaced by an English version.

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ELYSEE

From gilt to grey, Paris Elysee hall gets subdued makeover

The most prestigious room in France's grand presidential palace has toned down the gold in favour of a subtle palette of grey after a months-long renovation that was unveiled to the public Friday.

Published: 2 February 2019 09:24 CET
From gilt to grey, Paris Elysee hall gets subdued makeover
Photo: AFP

Out are the regal red carpets and elaborate tasselled tapestries which lined the walls of the Elysee Palace's main reception hall, some of which had hung there for the past 40 years.

In their place are subdued dove grey carpets and curtains embroidered with leaf motifs, against walls bearing the superimposed Rs and Fs of the French Republic.

President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, have made no secret of their desire to update the Elysee, bringing in modern artworks from Pierre Alechinsky, Robert Delauney and Nicolas de Stael to mirror their more progressive tastes.

The 1,000 square meter reception hall, called the Salle des Fetes, is where Macron hosts some 160 state dinners, receptions and other events each year.

The hall, which was inaugurated in 1889, had been closed since November as part of a renovation which cost 500,000 euros — a price tag likely to raise eyebrows at a time when Macron is facing virulent street protests over high cost of living.

The former investment banker has struggled to shake off the label of “president of the rich” coined by critics early on over his tax cuts for business and wealthy investors.

He famously told an unemployed gardener in September he only had to “cross the road” to find work.

The following month he told a retiree complaining about tax hikes on pensions that the French “did not realise the luck they have” and they should stop complaining.

The government argues the restoration work is necessary — the Elysee palace building dates from the early 18th century — after being put off for years, and points to its launch of a new collection of Elysee-branded memorabilia to help defray the costs.

“We take the responsibility of conserving these historic monuments very seriously… while also taking into account the limits on our public spending,” an Elysee official said.

The hall is intended to be “a showcase of French excellence and craftsmanship”, the official said.

READ ALSO: Act XII: What to expect from the 'Gilets Jaunes' in France this Saturday

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