Magazine

Learning French: what does sécher les cours mean and when should it be used?

Finding the link between ink and bunking off school

British couple on why they moved to Alsace for more space and quality of life

Moving from Basel in Switzerland also meant their money would go further

British cider maker in southern France wins international prizes

Stuart Cook on his experience moving to France and starting a pure fruit cidrerie

magazine

Understanding French vide greniers, braderies and brocantes

A brief guide to France’s take on the good old jumble sale ahead of the famous Braderie de Lille

D-Day beach: turbines 'forever change nature and atmosphere'

Site significantly impacted by the installation of a large commercial wind farm, says reader

Back on the table: why tinned sardines are booming in France

TikTok trends, health benefits and low prices revive demand for brands including La Belle-Iloise

Why two Americans joined the French Foreign Legion and stayed in France

Soldiers explain the gruelling selection and French-language training, and their path to French citizenship

Bikes on trains can be a hard slog in France

A reader writes of their mixed experiences

Tac, euh, bah: French language tics you hear every day

Discover five words that French people use but that have no real meaning

What is the difference between sortir, partir, quitter and aller?

When to use each of these similar ‘leaving’ verbs

How to grow irises in France: planting and care guide

Advice on varieties for sun, shade, pots and ponds for year-round colour

September gardening tips: lawn care and which winter vegetables to sow

How to scarify a lawn, sow winter carrots, turnips and salads, and choose durable boots for autumn work

Hand drawing a red line between the UK and EU

Brexit was about sovereignty, not economic gain

Readers debate the legacy of the split

Five films and series to watch in September to improve your French

Sports documentary, comedies, and France’s most anticipated flick of the year included in busy month

English-French crossword (intermediate): August 29, 2026

All answers are in French. Bonne Chance!

Attacks on Macron's jet-skiing holiday are utterly absurd

Photos of the president in his trunks cause media storm

What does deux salles, deux ambiances mean and when should it be used?

The origin of this 'two rooms' phrase are linked to nightclub adverts

How Queen Elizabeth II's love of France won over the French

Royal biographer recalls the late Queen's lifelong francophilia

Runners at a Paris race aid station drinking water and being handed refills.

Why nowhere does water quite like France

From fountains to spas, water shapes everyday French life

Canadian library takes a leaf out of French craft book

Bookbinders Christophe and Nathalie Legrand tell Théophile Larcher why their skills are so sought after abroad – and what France can learn in turn about valuing conservation

Test your knowledge: fun French facts

Try our fun quiz featuring UFOs and patron saints

English-French crossword (intermediate): August 22, 2026

Most clues are in English but the answers are in French. Bonne Chance!

School pupils in red clothing walking together outdoors on an excursion tour.

What to expect from the school enrolment process when moving to France

A family's first steps into the French school system

Recipe: Mackerel in white wine

In his new book, legendary bistrotier Stéphane Reynaud shares 250 classic bistrot recipes for every occasion. Here is a delicious mackerel recipe to try at home

How volunteers are keeping France's steam train heritage alive

Association has preserved Provence steam trains since 1975

Easy Crossword August 19, 2026: French foods and snacking

Test your knowledge of some common French words around food and snacking

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

Hand signing a legal document, another hand pointing to where person needs to sign

Readers respond to France's inheritance law update

One reader warns that officials may still find loopholes

Here's why I gave up eating French beef

Reader weighs in on debate over meat's toughness

Is Mont Blanc in France or does it belong to Italy?

Discover the history of the 160-year border dispute over western Europe’s highest mountain and why the summit remains contested

Join the club: Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, Lyon Branch

Discover why Scottish country dancing is thriving in Lyon, where this club attracts mostly French members with its mix of rhythm, community and weekly classes

What are the French words for sneaky?

A quick language guide inspired by the small print in supermarket promotional deals

Learning French: How animals talk differently depending on language

French cats do ron-ron, can you guess for other animals?

Why France’s water towers are gaining heritage status and new life

"Châteaux d'eau" are being reappraised as industrial heritage, with some gaining protected status and others converted into homes, gîtes and tourist attractions

You bet! The stories behind some of France’s most historic casinos

Explore Belle Epoque architecture, seaside glamour and the cultural stories behind iconic destinations including Annecy and Deauville

Sardines on toast: one of life’s simple pleasures

Choose the best canned fish you can to enjoy an easy, high-quality summer supper

English-French crossword (intermediate): August 15, 2026

The clues are in English but the answers are in French. Bonne Chance!

Assorted raw beef cuts on a tray with a label for bourguignon stew.

French meat is often too tough

Readers say supermarket beef is particularly disappointing

Recipe: delicious summer berry tart

Stéphane Reynaud's tart features strawberries, raspberries and blueberries in a sweet shortcrust pastry case with mascarpone cream

The origins and meaning of ne pas perdre le nord

A reminder to keep your head screwed on

Can you taste the difference between a €5 and €8 wine?

Discover the factors that dictate the price of a bottle of French wine, plus the importance of diversity

Artisan cheese of the month Tome des Bauges, plus regional speciality brandade

This artisan AOP cheese is made in Savoie and Haute-Savoie from raw cow’s milk

Three people pose for a selfie at a busy outdoor dining venue.

‘I was ready to leave America’: this couple chose Southern France and early retirement over corporate life

While the family is one of the many American households choosing to relocate to France, their story looks different from what one might expect.

Meet the Aude producer behind artisan balsamic vinegar Granhota

Laurent Faure also produces flavoured vinegars at Granhota in Coursan. Visitors can tour the vinaigrerie, taste the products and buy direct

Mangetout: from chill-out soup to hot bananas

Beat the August heat with this chilled cucumber vichyssoise recipe, plus easy banana cocktails including the Slippery Monkey and Banana Bliss

Easy crossword August 12, 2026: French cheeses and cheese vocabulary

Test your knowledge of cheeses - and share how long it to you to complete and any comments with us via feedback@connexionfrance.com

Curious about France’s growing reputation as a startup hub? Here is what Americans need to know

Paris briefly overtook London as Europe’s top startup hub in 2025

Reading up on rules will improve your driving in France

Reader says studying the Code de la route will also improve language levels

Why planchas are becoming France’s favourite outdoor cooking choice

Fast, smoke-free outdoor cooking: we reveal the best foods, marinades and buying tips for grilling

Why veterinary fees are so much cheaper in France

Animal Health Certificates make travel more expensive

Close-up of a France Schengen visa sticker in a passport.

Ups and downs of visa applications in France

Readers share their experiences and advice

Best British nature writing: nightingales, peregrines and other bird books to read

Explore classic bird literature and why it still inspires readers and birders today

Solar car parks now mandatory but ‘only 10-15%’ are complying

Large supermarket and shopping centre car parks over 10,000m² risk annual fines of €40,000

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: a record-breaking bridge

In which of France's 13 regions was this photo taken?

Metal tap dripping water with a blurred background.

French plumbing fittings are more expensive

They can cost twice as much as UK equivalents, reader says

The origins and meaning of madame est servie

A phrase that changes depending on tone of voice and context

Why people in France live longer: Eating habits explained

A nutritionist explains France's approach to healthy eating

Film review: Parallel Tales – Paris-set drama with Isabelle Huppert

Asghar Farhadi’s film boasts a high quality cast also featuring Virginie Efira, Vincent Cassel and Pierre Niney

Toulouse mairie fined over shops leaving lights on at night

City becomes the first local authority in France to be fined for failing to enforce night-time lighting rules

Glass-fronted building in Montpellier with a large pink TECH sign and trees in the foreground.

How easy is it for Americans to launch a business in France?

If the American dream is fading, does France have what it takes to nurture new founders?

Should the EU copy New Zealand for an easier EES?

Reader says the New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority works better

Why understanding spoken French is harder than speaking it

How to train your ear to understand spoken French better

Marseille expands ride options with 500 new electric bikes

Voi and Pony replace Lime bikes to bringing total to 1,500 electric vélos. The city has also added 150 new stations as it pushes greener transport options

Family in the French Alps has lived in the same valley for 700 years

Meet the Suiffet family of Val-Cenis and their remarkable alpine history

Don't try to fit British plumbing parts in French homes

Reader says our columnist got it wrong on DIY – he disagrees

Un chips: when French adopts English words it gets confusing

Often words taken from English are employed in their plural form, even when it does not seem to make sense

Plan to merge Paris with suburbs sparks fresh political row

Regional officials say the plan to reform Paris governance is unrealistic and would be difficult to implement

Aix-en-Provence creates France’s first parking spaces for small, no-licence cars

Orange bays are for vehicles under three metres long and the scheme also includes free electric charging and discounted parking in the city centre

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Think spoken French is hard? Try understanding English

Reader says we should remember few people anywhere talk slowly and with perfect grammar

How raising children in France differs from the US and what to expect

From stricter grading to two-hour lunches, French childhood follows a different playbook

Four portrait images show people outdoors, beside a horse and in an ornate interior.

‘All the doors are open’-- How France is attracting America’s brightest graduates

Thirty American graduates have won places on France's new Lafayette Fellowship, a fully funded program designed to strengthen academic and diplomatic ties between the two countries