The French constitutional court has upheld a ban on gay marriage, which was challenged by a lesbian couple with four children.The court ruled that the ban, challenged by Corinne Cestino and Sophie Hasslauer, was in keeping with the constitution.
Activists had hoped France would join states like Spain and Belgium in legalising same-sex marriage.
The idea that the court should rule at all on gay marriage was condemned by the leader of France's far-right National Front, Marine Le Pen.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12305858
Note: 28 January 2011 Last updated at 09:59 GMT