FRANCE-SOIR

(French: Evening France), daily newspaper published in Paris, one of the city's greatest independent dailies. It was founded as an underground paper during the German occupation of France in World War II, and after the war it emerged as a journal of mass appeal. France-Soir has ranked among the country'sand the European continent'sleaders in circulation since its start. The paper has generally attracted readers by stressing sensational news rather than analysis in depth or editorial commentary on political developments. That approach gave it appeal among its basically working-class audience. Aggressive and imaginative in gathering and reporting news, France-Soir features lively, eye-catching headlines and numerous pictures. An illustration of its aggressive approach is its acquisition in 1969 of the exclusive right to publish the stories of the U.S. astronauts who were the first to walk on the moon. Like many other French newspapers, France-Soir brought members of its editorial staff into a form of partnership after World War II.