Axel Springer, the German media conglomerate, is buying European woman’s portal auFeminin.com. It is doing so in two steps: it has bought a 41.4 percent stake, and after regulatory clearance in July, will submit a takeover offer for all remaining outstanding shares of auFeminin. The terms of the agreement value the company at a total of EUR 284 million (about $382 million).

The site/company is traded on Euronext Paris. Founded in 1999 and based in Paris, auFeminin.com has local sites in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Switzerland and UK. In 2006, auFeminin.com had revenues of EUR 13.4 million, and EBITDA of EUR 7.3 million. More details in the release

Update: In addition to its content, auFeminin also owns SmartAdServer, proprietary ad server technology with 50-plus customers; Axel Springer considers this to be “key technology with substantial international sales prospects.”

—In France, the company includes three major brands: interactive mag auFeminin, Teemix for girls and Marmiton for cooking. Other sites cover luxury, travel. health and parenting. Axel Springer sees “substantial potential” for growth in Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK.

—Anne-Sophie Pastel, the current CEO of auFeminin.com, will remain in that position at least until December 2007.