Oscar-winning Jean Dujardin of "The Artist" fame, returned to Paris on Monday afternoon (February 28) to a crowd of media and photographers, after the film stole the limelight at the Academy Awards in Hollywood on Sunday night.

His co-star Berenice Bejo arrived a few hours before on an earlier flight.

Television stations played Dujardin's acceptance speech over and over, Le Monde's front page proclaimed "French triumph in Hollywood" over a photo of the actor raising his statuette in victory, while politicians on the campaign trail sought to capitalize on the excitement.

President Nicolas Sarkozy called Dujardin's performance "dazzling," while his Socialist rival for the presidency, Francois Hollande, said the five Oscars won by "The Artist" made the film a "legend of French cinema."

"The Artist," a French tribute to Hollywood's silent era, clinched the coveted Best Film award, grabbed a Best Director for Michel Hazanavicius and also won for musical score and costume design as well as Dujardin's Best Actor.