Biarritz flaunts its dark heart.(TELEVISION)

BIARRITZ, France Atasun-kissed Biarritz last week, tourists promenaded in shorts and T-shirts.

Meanwhile, at TV France Intl.'s videotheque overlooking the beach, execs at the Biarritz Rendez-Vous, France's biggest TV mart, watched a police officer stab a rape suspect in the face in the first scene of Oliver Marchal's "Braquo."

Bright sun and series noirs--that was just one of the contrasts at this year's confab, which ran Sept. 7-11 and attracted nearly 200 industryites. Another was the Rendez-Vous' context and content.

France's domestic TV market is challenged. TV advertising is plunging 17.3% in 2009, more than the U.K. (down 14%), Germany (minus 13.9%), …