In an effort to distance itself from accusations of being elitist, this year’s Michelin Guide France 2011 has revamped itself to cater to the mainstream diner.

This year’s edition, to be released March 3, has expanded its “Bib Gourmand” section with a listing of 601 restaurants offering a complete prix fixe (fixed price) menu for less than 35 euros in France –the largest selection in its history.

Bib listings are considered restaurants that offer “good food at moderate prices.”

If you’re planning on whisking a loved one away this Valentine’s Day (February 14), Italy is the place to go according a new poll.

The survey, conducted by Skyscanner, revealed that a full third of the 1000 respondents questioned believed Italy was the world’s most romantic destination.

France, the more traditional getaway for the world’s romantics, took second place with 19 percent of the votes and the Caribbean took third place with nine percent.

MINI has announced plans to offer in France a limited edition Cooper Hatch, called the Mat Edition.

The car features a matt black exterior wrap, checked mirror covers, unique side vents, and an individually-numbered key ring.

Production will be limited to 250 units. The €2800 package will be available to order as a MINI Cooper, Cooper D, Cooper S and John Cooper Works.

International Living has just published its annual Quality of Life Index for 2011. Topping the Index this year is the United States of America.

In the influential publication’s 2011 Quality of Life index, last year’s winner France slipped to fourth place out of the 192 countries surveyed.

It is the first time in five years that France, described last year as a place where “life is savored,” hasn’t held top spot.

The Palace of Versailles is to transform one of its satellite buildings into a luxury hotel, paving the way for a series of French projects aimed at exploiting the economic potential of listed buildings while securing their renovation.

The Hotel du Grand Controle is to be converted into a “luxury hotel,” Jean-Jacques Aillagon, president of the Chateau de Versailles, said Tuesday.

The opening of the 23-bedroom establishment, in which some rooms will look out onto the “Orangerie”, the chateau’s elaborate greenhouse, is planned for late 2011.

Hundreds of unknown Pablo Picasso works worth tens of millions of euros have surfaced in France in the hands of a 71-year-old retired electrician who says they were gifts from the master.

Dating from the first third of the 20th century — considered Picasso’s most fertile period — the 271 pieces are valued by experts at more than 60 million euros.

And the new-found drawings, paintings and studies are now at the heart of a legal tug-of-war between the electrician, Pierre Le Guennec, and the artist’s heirs who believe they must have been stolen and have filed for charges.