There was a slight increase in free circulation in France, in the 12 months from July 2007 to June 2008, compared to the entire year of 2007, according to the latest figures from auditing media circulation group OJD, Newspaper Innovation reported Thursday.

The six months through June 2008 does not include the months of July and August, when French dailies are only published for a few weeks. Therefore, the overall circulation during this time is a better indicator of circulation development.

Metro's circulation decreased to 733,000 in this time. Although its circulation is down 7,000, it is still 1,000 more copies than 20 Minutes, which increased circulation from 716,000 (in 2007) to 732,000 in 2007/2008, according to Newspaper Innovation.

DirectMatin, a free Paris daily, increased circulation from 407,000 to 436,000, whereas the DirectSoir, evening edition increased in distribution from 501,000 to 517,000.

Other Plus papers in Lille, Lyon, Montpellier, Bretagne, Marseille and Bordeaux did not change in circulation compared to 2007, according to Newspaper Innovation.

Total French free circulation increased with 50,000 copies to 2.7 million.