Foreignfilm production in France for 2005 brought in $243m (Euros 200m) last year, accordingto Film France.

RonHoward's Cannes opener The Da Vinci Codeand Sofia Coppola's Marie-Antoinettewere among major contributors to the figures.

FilmFrance also announced that France's Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur region (PACA) wasthe prime shooting location for foreign and local productions.

In 2005,the area welcomed 39% of all films and TV programmes made in the country.

The PACAregion boasts not only the Alps but the Riviera seafront.

RidleyScott's A Good Year starringRussell Crowe recently shot in the area for 12 weeks.

The Ile deFrance region - Paris and its environs - meanwhile, welcomed 30% of allfilms and TV programmes. It hosted major features including The Da Vinci Code.

Finally,the Rhone-Alpes region enjoyed 5% of all shooting days with outfits such asJapan's NHK and Asahi TV shot documentary footage in the area while the BBCcame over for some episodes of Eastenders.

Overall in2005, 215 foreign films and TV programs constituted 240 weeks of shooting inFrance. Of those, 26% were documentary works, 23% features, 17% adverts, TV 15%and 12% miscellaneous.

With themost number of shooting days, the Americans were on top at 34% followed by theUK with 20% and Germany with 8%.