You may or may not agree with Tom Cahill's position on the European Constitution, but for a very intimate portrayal of French politics on the folksy local scale, you can't beat his series of chronicles called Saturday Morning in Bédarieux.
Also check out his blog, "Politics and Cycling in the South of France"
APJ members Bob and Sharon Winn also have a blog, "Journeys of Discovery," where they record their experiences (in words and photos) getting to know life in the south of France.