French civil servants 'pen Bond storyline'

[dutchman]

French civil servants have reportedly written a storyline for a future James Bond film in a bid to get some scenes filmed at the Palace of Versailles

According to The Times, some scenes in the treatment have been set in the famous 17th-century château where the World War I-ending treaty was signed in 1919.

Deputy director of the Paris region film commission Stéphane Martinet told the newspaper: "We want to give the producers some ideas, because it would be great to have James in the magnificent decor of the château.

"Producers tend to think of it as a setting for period movies, but these are not the most profitable films these days. We would like to get across the message that Versailles could be a location for all sorts of different movies."

However, local artist Bernard Hasquenoph said: "I thought it was an April Fool when I first heard about it. I wouldn't have anything against filming a Bond movie. What I don't like is the way that Versailles is being turned from an historic site into a tourist site."

English director Sam Mendes has been rumoured to helm the 23rd official Bond movie.