Letters and comment

Why does produce taste so much better in France?

Behind this oft-repeated observation lies differing food production, higher standards and even a few outdated stereotypes

It is intolerable that some people in France side with Russia

Readers respond to Simon Heffer's opinion piece

France players celebrate around the FIFA World Cup trophy on a confetti-covered pitch in Moscow.

World Cup failure is so much worse for England than France

Sporting success provides a rare chance for genuine unity

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EU lost in the ‘art of the deal’ over Brexit

Keeping the UK as a member was in the EU's interests

Barnier deserves better than Brexit insults

Reader believes EU negotiator was dealt tough hand and lacks so-called 'arrogance'

Lack of mobile phone makes banking in France too difficult

Reader queries why banks send SMS codes instead of using other alternatives

Michel Barnier speaking at a European Parliament committee meeting in Brussels, with an EU flag in the background.

Michel Barnier was too arrogant like all at EU

Reader says EU chief scuppered last chance for UK to remain in bloc

French paperwork is at times worthy of a Kafka novel

Reader is struggling to update address on residency card

France street lighting debate: safety concerns vs light pollution

Many communes turn their street lights off at night

Readers reveal what worked to stop ants invading their homes

Practical suggestions from readers after this summer's surge in household ant invasions

Three-panel image with two portrait headshots and two people holding an American flag outdoors.

Americans in France on being asked 'are you for Trump?'

Democrats and Republicans tell of conversations ranging from rewarding to challenging

Why does France's July 14 military parade split public opinion?

We look at how France reconciles republicanism with a seemingly authoritarian tradition

A view of the Olympic flag against a snowy backdrop

Can France repeat Paris 2024 success at the Winter Olympics in 2030?

Sports lecturer Dr Stuart Whigham looks ahead and unpicks lessons learned from Paris 2024

Crowded narrow street in Mont-Saint-Michel with tourists, shops and a Creperie Du Chapeau Rouge sign.

France’s unsung sights are better than tourist traps

Columnist Nick Inman says visitors should aim for the unknown

France’s heatwaves light up transatlantic debate on AC

This year has seen temperatures rising over 40C

Stone gate in front of a traditional house with a garden and blue sky.

What do French buyers actually want in an old farmhouse?

Columnist Samantha David prepares to sell her home

Crowds of travellers queue inside a Paris airport passport control area beneath overhead signs.

Lack of e-gates adds to EES ‘shambles’ in France

Readers ask why new system has been so challenging to deliver

Young,Stylish,Woman,In,Red,Beret,Having,A,French,Breakfast

Do France's traditions get more admiration than they deserve?

Columnist Cynthia Spillman questions the value of café culture, intellectualism and... bureaucracy

A view of an Urgences hospital sign in France

France’s healthcare paradox: too few doctors, too many treatments

Columnist Sarah Henshaw tries to manage a medical problem without a GP

France should not fall for Kremlin propaganda

Political commentator Simon Heffer examines reasons for growing sympathy toward aggressor

Protester in Paris holds a purple sign reading 'Pas d'excuse pour les prédateurs' at a demonstration.

France's reckoning over child protection is long overdue

The case of 11-year-old Lyhanna is becoming a watershed moment

Updated: your experiences of Brexit card renewal by prefecture

Périgueux and Limoges offer ‘faultless service’

Close-up of a four-nozzle petrol pump at a service station that dispenses B10 Diesel (yellow), B7 Diesel (orange), E85 'super ethanol' (blue) and E10 petrol (green).

Ethanol swap was great for me in France

Reader is 'chuffed to bits with the conversion'

Why the French phrase ‘je vous écoute’ opens doors

President Macron recently called on a disruptive audience to listen better while attending a conference in Kenya

Two people laughing and holding a drink on a sofa in France.

How slowing down makes you love life in France

Columnist Cynthia Spillman examines the surprising benefits of taking it easy

A view of Macron (left), Bardella (centre) and Mélenchon (right)

The battle between old and new France is now impossible to ignore

Columnist Nabila Ramdani argues that the colonial mindset is still very strong in a country looking to the past

France’s speed cameras are infuriating – and that’s why they keep getting vandalised

Columnist Samantha David says the devices seem designed to catch drivers out

Painted portrait of a royal figure in elaborate dress holding a sword in an ornate interior.

Reinstating the French monarchy makes no sense at all

Columnist Nick Inman argues against a right-wing delusion

Large crowd dancing in Paris with rainbow flags and a decorated float in the background.

France falls short on LGBTQ+ inclusion despite victories

France celebrates le Mois des fiertés (Pride Month) in June

Drivers' anger is a powder keg in France

Sociologist says drivers are being pushed too far

Crowds and photographers at the Cannes red carpet for 'Ismael's Ghosts' screening

France’s film industry cannot survive without the capitalist it despises

Columnist Simon Heffer considers the revolt against Vincent Bolloré

Passport being handed over an approved application with EU flag on desk

New rules are confusing for UK passport renewals in France

Reader describes excessive bureaucracy when it comes to travelling to UK as dual national

Spoken French is harder to understand than other languages

Reader notes that French has many peculiarities

Mbappé–Bardella clash highlights France's identity divide

Discussions risk becoming less political and more personal, says think tank leader

Orange office building next to close-up of glowing fibre optic cables

Orange does not take France's fibre network seriously

Reader is not impressed with the company's service

Pellet stoves in France: are they worth it? Real user experiences compared

The stoves can prove surprisingly complex

Updated: We should all be able to vote in France

Readers argue that their contribution to society justifies their right to take part

Updated: French passport queue rules not being applied consistently

French residency card holders share their passport queue experiences

Why French astronauts don’t get the same hero treatment as in the US or UK

The first female French astronaut was met with a rather muted reception at home

The problem of neighbours feeding your cat in France – and why it happens

Spoiling someone else’s pet is better than abandoning their own, says columnist Samantha David

Jordan Bardella smiling in a suit at an indoor launch event

Princess photoshoot does not guarantee French far right a fairytale ending

Columnist Nabila Ramdani examines the cynicism of spin doctors

Running a gîte in France: why being on site matters for success

A reader argues that having a presence brings better feedback and satisfaction

Motorway with lorries entering tunnels by a rocky hillside near the France border sign.

Why driving in France can cost more than in the UK

A reader writes about his driving experiences in both UK and France

Centre-right's candidate is a poor copy of French far-right leader

Columnist Simon Heffer is not impressed by Bruno Retailleau - the candidate of Les Républicains for next year’s presidential election

France's concrete road barriers are safer than metal ones

Concrete barriers are thought to be more durable in the event of an impact

Learn to love the complexities of the French language

Reader argues that weird spellings and homophones are part of the soul of a living language

Dordogne bin collection: non-recyclable waste limits need a rethink

Reader says that the limits should not be on frequency but rather on volume

Manvieux;,France,-,July,18,2017,:,The,City,Hall

France's mairies are both a help and a hindrance

Two readers express their views on local government

Can you help? Mairie in Normandy is looking for missing British couple

Owners of French property have not been seen for a decade

France,,1,July,2024:,Red,Car,Driving,On,A,Countryside

My car broke down - and the reality of life in rural France hit me hard

Columnist Samantha David laments a lack of understanding about travel challenges in rural France

Readers’ feedback on Orange two-step authentication issues

Reader Peter Cracknell recently wrote to The Connexion sharing his frustration with accessing his orange.fr emails while visiting the UK. A wave of readers quickly came to his aid

Moving to France – what we wish we had known

Readers who have already made the move share their experiences

Woman,Relaxing,At,Home,In,Evening,And,Watching,Tv

European TV is a necessary cultural corrective

Columnist Nick Inman argues for a more open-minded approach to viewing

Close up image of hands holding mobile phones

France moves to limit screens for children – but are schools going the other way?

Screentime is limited in French schools - but the battle is far from over

Charles,De,Gaulle,Airport,,Paris,,France,-,December,11,2024

EU’s 90/180 days rule: Readers challenge common views on France visits

Some find the number of days permitted to be sufficient for their needs

Guns, healthcare, culture: why my children are better off in France

Novelist and former professional skateboarder Scott Bourne, 53, from North Carolina, fell in love with Europe – and Paris in particular

Local elections underline deep divisions in France

Columnist Simon Heffer looks for the winners and losers of the March vote

Fibre installation in Alsace: delays, errors and billing issues

Connexion reader is still struggling to get high speed internet after 18 months

My experience with a pellet stove in France: breakdowns, costs and hard work

Reader notes the 'significant drawbacks' of the system

Prepare for questions if calling UK over life certificate issues from France

Reader highlights information needed to ensure pension payments resumed during phone conversation following missing letter issues

Is email from French electricity supplier Enedis a scam?

Connexion reader receives unsolicited email about their online account

Pellet stoves in France: after-sales support is costly and unclear

Connexion reader reports lack of transparency and the protectionist practices within the sector

Safety,Ski,Mom,Putting,A,Helmet,Areches,,Savoie,,France

Helmets are not the answer to bad habits on French ski slopes

A reader expresses their thoughts on the debate

French,Falling,Birth,Rates.,Demographics,And,Pregnancy,In,France,Concept.

France’s baby push: Why government efforts to boost births backfire

Columnist Nabila Ramdani argues against state involvement in birth rates and fertility

Cassis,,France,,Sept,3rd,2025,,View,Of,Some,People,In

Happy holidays or harsh realities? The truth about living in rural France

Columnist Samantha David examines the contrast between holiday and day-to-day life

Should cats really have the 'right to roam' in France?

More readers write in with their views on feline transgressions

Votes for foreigners: why is topic so controversial in France?

Two academics talk to The Connexion about the issues at stake and what is done in neighbouring countries

The electorate is to blame for France's political mess

Connexion reader argues that criticism of President Macron is unfair

Tired,And,Bored,Boy,Sitting,At,Desk,In,Classroom

Creativity is the key to fixing France's education system

Classes are too often characterised by rote learning and rigidity, says Céline Haller - named one of the world's best teachers

French wood pellet stoves are far more expensive than they first appear

Reader says the machines are complex and require costly maintenance

A,Town,Hall,And,The,French,Flag,With,The,Mayor

France is lucky to have its dedicated mayors

Columnist Nick Inman stands up for local officials

How Lyon death is reshaping French politics ahead of 2027 elections

Columnist Simon Heffer says the killing of far-right student activist Quentin Deranque will have reverberations around Europe

Tipping in France: Are card machine tip requests going too far?

Payment terminals increasingly ask if customers want to pay an extra amount

Father teaching his young daughter to ski

The chaos on France's ski slopes is so sad, says retired instructor

Reader says she refused to teach children not wearing safety gear

Indian,Naan,Bread,With,Herbs,And,Garlic,Seasoning,On,Plate

Where to find good Indian food and curry ingredients in rural France

Connexion readers share their tips on finding spices that hit the spot