Letters and comment

Letters: Le Tour de France is more about big business than national identity

A reader takes issue with our columnist's view that the Tour De France reflects 'the state of France itself and its illusions of grandeur'

Letters: Brexit voters in France cannot blame the Remain campaign

Connexion readers argue that those who regretted voting Leave should take responsibility for their choices

Letters: Visas are so much trouble that we will not visit our second home in France

Connexion readers share frustrating visa challenges to access their French properties

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'My French property is overwhelming me and I may leave'

Columnist Cynthia Spillman advises a reader whose French dream has turned sour

Letters: People in France must stand up to Trump's tariffs

Connexion readers say boycotting US-made goods is the best way to respond

Comment: French rugby offers a community like no other

Columnist Sarah Henshaw tells how her small-town club in rural Nièvre welcomes newcomers and with an unmistakable sense of belonging

Comment: French solidarity is the antidote we need against ‘Thumpism’

Columnist Nick Inman argues that community cohesion is now more important than ever

Letters: End of BBC Sounds is too cruel for listeners in France

Connexion readers say putting the service behind a paywall would be a better option

Comment: How caring for my cats taught me neighbourly etiquette in France

Columnist Samantha David discovers the delicate balance of gratitude and friendship when asking for help from neighbours

'I don't want my sister to move to my French town'

Columnist Cynthia Spillman offers advice to a reader who is worried her sister may disrupt her dream life in France

Comment: France needs to rethink Le Pen's ban from political office

Columnist Simon Heffer says the court decision looks too much like a political hit job

Comment: Anti-French bravado is an embarrassing British anachronism

Columnist Nabila Ramdani notes that the xenophobic jibes now only appear to go one way

'My language skills mean I am just not funny in French'

Columnist Cynthia Spillman gives advice on how to convey your humour while learning French

Letters: France's wasteful healthcare system needs a rethink

Reader says it would not be fair to ask people to pay more based on their age

Letters: France's language requirements for residency are simply unrealistic

Reader says it takes a minimum of three years study to prepare for France's DALF C2 diploma

Comment: Le Tour de France does not export the best of French values

Columnist Nabila Ramdani notes that the fabled race is to start in the UK in 2027, bringing with it a questionable legacy

Letters: France needs a new strategy to stop spam calls

Connexion reader says the new legislation will not work just as previous rules failed

Letters: VAT threshold reduction would hurt small businesses in France

Connexion reader notes that the additional tax burden would bring more bureaucracy with it

Comment: How France should respond to ‘bully’ Trump's tariffs

Columnist Simon Heffer looks at the effect the brewing trade war may have on France

'I fear France may not welcome Americans due to anti-Trump sentiment'

Columnist Cynthia Spillman offers advice on testing the waters before a big move

‘Devastated!’ Listeners in France respond to loss of BBC Sounds

Many readers have shared their frustration at the loss of the app

Letters: BBC downsizing will hurt listeners in France

Reader says little information is available about the broadcaster's plans to shut down its Sounds app and website in the Spring

Comment: French restaurants still do not get the idea of serving vegetables

Columnist and vegetarian Sarah Beattie looks at the slow progress of non-meat options

Letters: I took French driving test at 63 rather than swap my UK licence

Connexion reader says it cost €530 in total

Letters: French driving theory tests are too hard for older drivers

Connexion reader says they are designed as a hurdle for younger drivers

Letters: Waste collection in France needs a rethink

Connexion reader says the complex system means rubbish builds up and dogs attack the bins

'I am too afraid to drive in France - it feels like the wrong side of the road'

Columnist Cynthia Spillman gives her advice on acclimatising to French roads and motorways

Comment: Nesting swallows have become a pest at my French home

Columnist Samantha David is irked but the birds enjoy protected status

Letters: ETA online link for people transiting through UK to or from France

It is recommended to use the app to get an electronic travel authorisation - but this reader managed to apply without it

Comment: France's rural entertainment is real, raw and - usually - outstanding

Local theatre is still the beating heart of the community in many French towns

Letters: Postal delays meant Christmas cards took five weeks to reach France

Readers complain of gifts arriving well into the new year

Letters: French is a hard language - even for native speakers

Reader recounts his struggle to find access to more modern teaching methods

Letters: French vegetarian burgers are still a work in progress

Reader bemoans the lack of meat alternatives available in restaurants

Comment: Signs of climate change are all around us in France

Columnist Nick Inman says the complex overall picture may be beyond us but the clues are within the reach of all

Letters: I'm tired of second-home owners complaining about life in France

Connexion reader questions people's problem with higher taxes and the 90/180 day rule

Letters: Our names always raise a smile in France

Readers share their anecdotes about adapting their names to French

Letters: Free banking is so hard to find in France

Reader notes with displeasure that he must now pay regular charges on his account

Letters: France has problems but following America is not the answer

Connexion reader says a veer to the right would make France lose the kindness that sets its culture apart

'We live in France but really miss our grandchild in the UK'

Columnist Cynthia Spillman looks at ways to deal with the feeling of missing out on life's milestones

Letters: France's energy audit system does not work for stone properties

Readers say the diagnostic de performance énergétique system heavily favours recent properties

Letters: €24,000 is how much we need for a comfortable life in France

Connexion reader has kept a careful record of income and expenditure

Letters: France needs immigration to sustain its tax revenue

Reader argues that the country's aging population creates an unbalanced economy

Letters: Age should not be an obstacle for adopting a pet dog in France

Reader says over-70s need to be given the chance to take care of dogs who have no home

French visas and residency card applications: Connexion readers share their experiences

The complex process is a challenge for many - including Britons, Americans and second-home owners

Comment: Uproar over Indian journalist reveals French approach to power

Prominent news anchor Palki Sharma Upadhyay 'dared' tell the president his video on AI was 'not funny'

Comment: France's far-left leader is an increasingly pointless political dinosaur

Columnist Simon Heffer looks at how the veteran leftist Jean-Luc Mélenchon has split his own party

'We're fed up of visitors staying too long at our home in France'

Columnist Cynthia Spillman gives her advice on setting boundaries for guests

Comment: The last thing France needs is a debate on national identity

Columnist Nabila Ramdani notes the right-wing turn of Prime Minister François Bayrou's government

Has skiing in France become more dangerous? Connexion readers respond

Many wrote in after a recent article and letter about problem skiers

Letters: French food is unseasoned and bland, bland, bland

Connexion reader says it is one of the few disappointing things about living in France

Letters: French authorities do nothing about dangerous dogs

Connexion reader says the response by gendarmes was disappointing

Letters: France should ban harmful oils to curb obesity

Connexion reader says working people do not have the time to cook healthy food

'I feel sorry for all the stray cats in my French village'

Columnist Cynthia Spillman gives her advice on what to do with abandoned - or feral - felines

Letters: Out-of-control youths are ruining French ski slopes

Connexion reader says the issue of dangerous skiers is becoming more and more serious on the piste

Letters: French food is fine but lacks spice

Connexion readers say they struggle to find decent salsa in France

Letters: 'We cannot treat an injured fox due to French wildlife rules’, claims vet

Connexion reader says the vet refused to treat the animal 'to prevent the spread of diseases'

Letters: The French advice to wear the same t-shirt for days is quite right

Connexion reader says people should wash clothes less often to help save water

Comment: The word bacon comes from Old French - so why is it so hard to find?

For columnist Sarah Henshaw the pork product represents a profound cultural divide

Help! We are surrounded by English people in France

Columnist Cynthia Spillman gives her advice on how to feel more 'French'

Letters: French translation apps are ridiculous, but AI can do the job… sometimes

Readers share their disappointment with automatic translation

Letters: French sliced bread is clearly inferior for sandwiches

Readers spar over France's sugary sliced bread being too sweet and whether the UK version is superior

Letters: Here is a cheap way for second-home owners to get internet in France

Connexion reader suggests a flexible and cost-effective alternative to a fixed contract

Letters: I was a victim of number plate fraud in France - twice

A Connexion reader gives advice on how to appeal against unjustified fines

Letters: A bande dessinée helped me understand a serious issue in France

Reader shows how the French culture of graphic novels is useful as well as enjoyable

Comment: Forget the sales - get your bargains elsewhere in France

Columnist Samantha David notes that savings can continue even though the January sales are ending

Letters: Ski resorts disfigure France's breathtaking mountains

Connexion readers share contrasting views on the winter sports industry

Letters: French people struggle to say my name - or translate it

Connexion readers share their anecdotes of cross-cultural confusion

Letters: French recycling rules just lead to more waste

Connexion readers say the system pollutes communes and attracts vermin

Letters: A tontine clause may ease inheritance fears in France

Connexion reader suggests a way of avoiding complications over the transfer of an estate

Letters: We can live comfortably in France on €15,000 a year- in a city with no car

Connexion readers share the annual budget they need to enjoy their retirement

Comment: Spat between France and Algeria opens old wounds

Columnist Nabila Ramdani tells how tempers between the countries flared after the arrest of a TikTok influencer

Letters: France needs more immigration to help its ageing population

Connexion reader disagrees with Simon Heffer calling it a problem

Comment: Jean-Marie Le Pen’s death will further detoxify Marine’s politics – but not completely

Columnist Simon Heffer looks at how the former leader's party has changed since 2007

Letters: France is getting better at providing vegetarian options

Connexion readers say that a cultural shift is underway - but progress takes time

Letters: Delivery fees make it uneconomical to receive packages in France

Connexion reader says that it is not realistic to declare the value of gifts received from the UK