Q&A: Are concerns about the French economy overblown?

France has strong assets, but can it avoid falling into the same problems as Greece and Ireland?

France was stripped of a gold-plated credit rating last week, days after a controversial Economist cover - showing a bundle of baguettes tied together with a lighted fuse to resemble a time bomb - sparked fury among officials.

France is in the spotlight amid fears it could become the next focus of the crisis in the eurozone following Greece, Portugal and Ireland.

Yet France is unlike her southern neighbours.

It is the second largest economy in the eurozone and has Fortune 500 companies ranging from cosmetics leader L'Oreal, energy group Total and luxury giant PPR, which boasts UK brands Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen.

What is so worrying about France?

Who is worried?

What's the French government's position?

How does France compare with other major economies?

So where is France headed?