Letters and comment

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

magazine

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

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

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

Ski helmets should be compulsory in France

Two readers share their views on risk and danger on the slopes

We went to a French curry house but it didn't hit the spot

Columnist Samantha David laments the lack of decent meals in the style of the subcontinent

Happy,Romantic,Couple,Hugging,Near,The,Eiffel,Tower,In,Paris,

From 'romantic Paris' to dating apps: love is changing in France

Researcher Aziliz Kondracki explains the role that romance plays in modern France

My tips for bird nesting season in south-west France

Some species begin building nests as early as February, including collared doves, mistle thrushes and song thrushes

What I miss about France after moving back to UK

Columnist Gillian Harvey, who returned to the UK in 2024, explains what she misses – and what she has gained in the process

Auvergne region is neglected by government

Government agencies and the SNCF shun the area 'time and time again', says reader

A,Retro,Vintage,Quad,Roller,Skate,At,A,Roller,Disco

France’s 1970s roller disco craze is back – and we tried it

Columnist Sarah Henshaw feels a yearning for a certain kind of retro fun

President,Donald,Trump,Speaks,During,Cabinet,Meeting,In,The,Cabinet

Trump’s rhetoric feeds France’s long tradition of national decline

Columnist Nabila Ramdani offers a view on the American president's impact on French culture

French,President,Emmanuel,Macron,Hosts,Gurbanguly,Berdymuhamedov,,

Is President Macron the problem with France?

Readers write in with their perspectives on the president

Why France’s small rural communes still matter

Columnist Nick Inman makes the case against 'Doge-style cost-cutters'

Paris,,France,-,November,10,,2018,:,The,French,President

Macron, Trump and Davos: how Franco-American relations hit a new low

Renowned political commentator Simon Heffer examines the French president's dilemma

A view of someone holding a green carte Vitale for the French state healthcare system

Readers share experiences adding their carte Vitale to the new app

Readers write of their experiences – good and bad

I moved to France for the cake – and then learned to love British baking

Columnist Sarah Henshaw rediscovers the British baking tradition of comfort, jam and just having a go

Teenager,,Group,And,Portrait,In,Park,,Girl,And,Diversity,On

Is it time to shorten France's school holidays?

Pascal Bressoux, professor of educational sciences at the University of Grenoble Alpes, explains why the school timetables need a rethink

Savoyards poke fun at Parisians over snow disruption

A few centimetres shut down capital but for those in Savoie ‘it’s time to clear the chalet steps so no one slips after an apero’

A view of a computer with an alert symbol on top to suggest a scam

Lookalike La Poste site accused of misleading users in France

Reader says he was overcharged by poste-en-ligne.com and his letter did not even arrive

French eye care system: readers’ experiences

Two readers have a differing opinion of the system

Why calls for Emmanuel Macron to resign as president of France are misguided

The president should stay put, argues columnist Nick Inman

Readers report high customs charges on gifts sent to France

The cost of receiving gifts is sometimes higher than their value

France’s proposed voluntary national service: military revival or costly misstep?

Concerns have emerged over scheme's potential overlap with the recently abandoned Service national universel

Old France is still here – if you know where to look

A reader responds to columnist Nick Inman's article on the changes in France

Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella of Rassemblement Nationale (RN) at a rally

Why Jordan Bardella is frontrunner for France’s 2027 presidency

Columnist Simon Heffer looks at the inexorable rise of the Rassemblement National's likely candidate

Happy,,Cheerful,Children,At,A,Children's,Party,Run,And,Catch

No crisps, no party games: the unwritten rules of French children’s birthdays

Columnist Samantha David describes the ups and downs of a French birthday party for children

The,Medieval,Château,De,Bazoches,In,Burgundy,,France,,09-16-2019

More amusing place names in France: from Anus and Chitry to Misery

Readers add to the collection

Vive le roi! All France needs for Christmas is its monarchy back

Columnist Simon Heffer examines the future of republicanism

Watch out for unregulated therapists in France

Reader who is an American clinical psychologist says those working without legal recognition can be dangerous

French bank made me wish I had put savings under the mattress

Current account charges meant reader was losing money despite interest

It’s not just Britons speaking English in France – so why the unfair criticism?

A reader writes on the complexities of adopting the language in different contexts

Spend,Money,By,Electronic,Mobile,Banking,Application,,Convenient,,Instant,Cashless

Becoming a cashless society would not solve France's problems

Economic historian Patrice Baubeau says the trend is accelerating

Is it ever right to blend red and white wine?

Readers contribute to French wine snobbery debate

My experience on Brittany Ferries' new boat was lacklustre

A reader writes of his experiences with the company

Saint-denis,,France,,24-06-2024,:,Emmanuel,Macron,,Nicolas,Sarkozy,,Amélie,Oudéa-castéra,

Politics needs courtesy, not petty point-scoring

Columnist Nick Inman argues for a return to more sober political discourse

France is short-sighted rejecting citizenship requests

Reader says that recent developments 'feel like a camouflaged form of racism'

Heating oil is cheap in France - and we will not stop using it

Columnist Samantha David charts the ups and downs of sticking to one form of energy

City hire bicycles are too dangerous to carry children

Columnist Nabila Ramdani questions why Paris authorities encourage the practice despite the dangers

Dismay at death charges from French banks

A reader writes of his shock at high costs following a bereavement

WA card renewals: Prefecture asked for four years of tax returns

Connexion reader had expected the process to be straightforward

New carte Vitale app setup is frustrating

Connexion reader recommends waiting for future improvements if proving identity with a titre de sejour

A democratic crisis is undermining France's political confidence

Connexion reader notes that the country wants and needs change

Row,Of,Glasses,At,An,Opticians.,Eyeglasses,Shop.,Stand,

Fast, free and effective: France’s eye care system is excellent

A serious condition left this Connexion reader needing emergency treatment

Eye care in France: more hassle than it is worth

A visit to an ophthalmologist is required for prescription lenses

Readers share their experiences of moving pets to France

Both took the difficult step of bringing their cats from the UK

Why embracing French culture means soup – and village apéros

Columnist Samantha David examines how the French put food at the heart of everything

Farmers and their tractors take part in a protest

French farmers need to adapt to the modern world - but we should too

Two Connexion readers eye the ongoing crisis in French agriculture

Contesting French speeding fines is a nightmare

Connexion reader describes his experiences with the courts

Letters and comment

French passport queue rules not being applied consistently

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

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

Princess photoshoot does not guarantee French far right a fairytale ending

Trending

EES checks paused? European Commission responds to media reports

French passport queue rules not being applied consistently

Which passport lane should French residency card holders use upon arrival?

French officials demand record €20billion be paid back after checks into tax and social security fraud

French court rules against easyJet after airline refused to board child with expired passport

Does 100% health coverage in France really cover everything?

What triggers a tax inspection in France? Warning signs explained

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

Why driving in France can cost more than in the UK

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

France's concrete road barriers are safer than metal ones

Learn to love the complexities of the French language

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

France's mairies are both a help and a hindrance

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

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

Readers’ feedback on Orange two-step authentication issues

Moving to France – what we wish we had known

European TV is a necessary cultural corrective

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

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

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

Local elections underline deep divisions in France

Fibre installation in Alsace: delays, errors and billing issues

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

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

Is email from French electricity supplier Enedis a scam?

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

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

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

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

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

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

The electorate is to blame for France's political mess

Creativity is the key to fixing France's education system

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

France is lucky to have its dedicated mayors

How Lyon death is reshaping French politics ahead of 2027 elections

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

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

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

Ski helmets should be compulsory in France

We went to a French curry house but it didn't hit the spot

From 'romantic Paris' to dating apps: love is changing in France

My tips for bird nesting season in south-west France

What I miss about France after moving back to UK

Auvergne region is neglected by government

France’s 1970s roller disco craze is back – and we tried it

Trump’s rhetoric feeds France’s long tradition of national decline

Is President Macron the problem with France?

Why France’s small rural communes still matter

Macron, Trump and Davos: how Franco-American relations hit a new low

Readers share experiences adding their carte Vitale to the new app

I moved to France for the cake – and then learned to love British baking

Is it time to shorten France's school holidays?

Savoyards poke fun at Parisians over snow disruption

Lookalike La Poste site accused of misleading users in France

French eye care system: readers’ experiences

Why calls for Emmanuel Macron to resign as president of France are misguided

Readers report high customs charges on gifts sent to France

France’s proposed voluntary national service: military revival or costly misstep?

Old France is still here – if you know where to look

Why Jordan Bardella is frontrunner for France’s 2027 presidency

No crisps, no party games: the unwritten rules of French children’s birthdays

More amusing place names in France: from Anus and Chitry to Misery

Vive le roi! All France needs for Christmas is its monarchy back

Watch out for unregulated therapists in France

French bank made me wish I had put savings under the mattress

It’s not just Britons speaking English in France – so why the unfair criticism?

Becoming a cashless society would not solve France's problems

Is it ever right to blend red and white wine?

My experience on Brittany Ferries' new boat was lacklustre

Politics needs courtesy, not petty point-scoring

France is short-sighted rejecting citizenship requests