Pools of water separate offices from archives at a new building for the National Archives of France by Italian architects Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas (+ slideshow). More about New National Archives of France by Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas
A gigantic yellow giraffe pokes its heads out from the roof of this nursery and childcare centre in Paris by French studio Hondelatte Laporte Architectes (+ slideshow). More about Giraffe Childcare Centre by Hondelatte Laporte Architectes
French architect Emmanuelle Weiss has added a contrasting dark brick extension to a red brick house outside Lille (+ slideshow). More about Maison D by Emmanuelle Weiss
News: Here are the latest images of architect Jean Nouvel's Philharmonie de Paris, set to become the world's most expensive concert hall after surviving the French government's recent cull of major cultural projects (+ slideshow). More about Jean Nouvel's Paris concert hall spared the axe
French architecture practice Tetrarc has applied a camouflage print onto the walls of this social housing complex in Saint-Gilles Croix de Vie to create the impression of shadows cast by trees (+ slideshow). More about Mervau housing by Tetrarc
Slideshow feature: these images by French photographer Julien Lanoo document the opening week of the Louvre Lens, the Musée du Louvre's new sister gallery designed by Japanese architects SANAA and New York studio Imrey Culbert. More about Louvre Lens by SANAA and Imrey Culbert photographed by Julien Lanoo
French architects JKA and design studio FUGA have converted a nineteenth century Alpine farmhouse in France into a holiday villa with chunky wooden cladding and cut-outs based on the shadows of other buildings (+ slideshow). More about Villa Solaire by JKA and FUGA
French studio Avenier & Cornejo Architectes has used strips of cedar cladding to wrap every surface of this house in Orsay, France (+ slideshow). More about Maison 2G by Avenier & Cornejo Architectes
Gabled bungalows are scattered over the rooftops of bulky apartment blocks that are perched above rows of narrow townhouses in this social housing development outside Paris by French studio Maison Edouard François (+ slideshow). More about Urban Collage by Maison Edouard François
Bleachers climb over the roof of this timber-clad community centre in France by Ateliers O-S Architectes (+ slideshow). More about Cultural Centre in Nevers by Ateliers O-S Architectes
The residential buildings of Paris appear to be sailing through the sky like kites in these dream-like images created by French photographer Laurent Chéhère (+ slideshow). More about Flying Houses by Laurent Chéhère
This university library in Paris by French practice Beckmann-N’Thépé Architectes has a knobbly concrete facade that looks like blocks of earth. More about Marne-la-Vallée Central University Library by Beckmann-N'Thépé Architectes
News: French practice bureau faceB has won a competition to design a bridge across the Seine in Paris with plans for a wobbling crossing of stretched steel cables. More about Quivering wire crossing by bureau faceB wins Paris bridge competition
The deep-framed windows of this office building by French studio Chartier-Corbasson Architectes burst through mossy walls and piles of stone beside a 100-year old mansion in Amiens. More about Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry by Chartier-Corbasson Architectes
This student housing building in Paris by Slovenian studio OFIS Arhitekti was designed to resembled a stack of wooden baskets. More about Basket Apartments by OFIS Arhitekti
Freelance writers and journalists can work for as long as they want without being pestered by waiting staff at this black and white Parisian cafe by local design studio POOL. More about Cafe Craft by POOL
OMA has won a competition to design a new campus for the École Centrale school of engineering in France by proposing a 'superblock' of separate buildings within a single gridded structure (+ slideshow). More about École Centrale Engineering School by OMA
World Architecture Festival 2012: architects Arcau won the civic and community category at the World Architecture Festival this week for a community building in the French town of Pornic that references traditional local storehouses for salt. More about Slideshow: Solarge Town and Community Building by Arcau
British designer Ross Lovegrove has installed a silver spaceship in the rafters of a railway station in Lille, France. More about UFO by Ross Lovegrove
Glass bottles rest on rows of hand-made iron nails along the walls of this Aesop skin and haircare shop in Paris by French designers Ciguë (+ slideshow). More about Aesop Tiquetonne by Ciguë