Magazine

A tasty history of ravioles du Dauphiné plus an easy courgette gratin recipe

Discover these delicious pasta parcels and try a simple recipe using chilled supermarket packs

When and why do we say ne pas être fute-fute?

A handy phrase to use when describing someone who is not very intelligent

Spotting moths in France, in all their superb variety

Learn how to identify moths, from antennae and wing positions to the giant peacock moth, and why these night pollinators matter in nature

crossword

English-French crossword (intermediate): October 10, 2026

All answers are in French. Bonne chance!

Pornic in Brittany prepares to set limits on second-home usage

Plans to require new homes in designated areas to be main residences, using powers under the 2024 Le Meur law

How many of these lycée protest placards can you translate?

Pancarte slogans often feature rhymes, puns and play-on-words

'We sold up and moved to France as a family of three generations'

British family moved to France before Brexit, pooling funds to buy and renovate a Vienne estate into year-round gîtes and homes for three generations

UK artist puts mythical beasts into Mougins

Beth Carter displays 30 mythical bronze sculptures, plus drawings, at the Alpes-Maritimes village's Centre d’Art until November 1

Pink October: boating association sets sail with breast cancer patients

Patients and carers will sail on traditional boats from Six-Fours-les-Plages, Var, during France’s Pink October awareness month

How to get better at understanding French one-to-one

It can be intimidating at first but there are ways to make it easier

Fort Boyard to open to public for first time

Atlantic Coast fort will open in 2028 after restoration funded by donations and the French Heritage Lotto

Autumnal recipe: spiced poached pears

A delicious seasonal dessert from the latest culinary volume from the esteemed Ferrandi Paris cookery school

An American in France: from New Jersey to the Loire Valley

Entrepreneur shares her experience of moving to France, integrating near Angers and advice for US citizens planning a French life

Events offer fine food lovers unique venues

Dîners Insolites are gourmet meals in normally inaccessible Bouches-du-Rhône locations – see how to plan for 2027 events

English-French crossword (intermediate): October 3, 2026

All answers are in French. Bonne Chance!

Open Gardens: explore a forest garden in Allier

Discover Rudy Holierhoek’s ornamental and forest gardens in Hérisson, Allier, with guided autumn tours and edible plants

Smiling woman holding a small shaggy dog in a leafy garden

The Guardian's 'how to make the perfect' food writer talks to us about cycling, fiction and her favourite French eatery

Felicity Cloake will be speaking at a Franco-English literary festival this month

French films and series to watch in October

Diversify your vocabulary and boost your French this month

It is time for France to put its retirees to good use

François Bouchon of France Bénévolat explains the many benefits this would bring

SNCF takes long-term approach to cleaner railway sleeper recycling

SNCF Réseau is replacing toxic creosote with copper oil at its Lot factory, allowing wooden railway sleepers to be safely recycled in future

Things to do this month in Brittany, Rouen, Paris and Verdun

Discover October events in France, from Halloween at a Brittany château and Rouen's funfair to the Cézanne exhibition in Paris and the Verdun museum

Autumn recipes: peperonata and green tomato chutney

Try these easy autumn condiments, which are great for using up end-of-season produce

Do not dwell on individual words... learn through passive listening

Put on a French podcast or talk radio station while you are cooking, tidying or doing DIY

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: a lasting Impression

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

Mont-Saint-Éloi: a very French village that has a British mayor

Explore the fabulous views, cycle paths and twin towers of a spot once occupied by German troops

October reading recommendations: three books about France in English

Discover three books set in France, from a romance and a Paris mystery to Provence food memoirs

How a town in Provence is adapting to hotter summers

Town in Var has new plans to keep streets and public spaces cool

English-French crossword (intermediate): September 26, 2026

All answers are in French. Bonne Chance!

Protestors on gilets jaunes demonstration

Eight years of Macron and France is back where it started

Movement that arose in 2018 set to return in October

What French should you actually be learning before moving to France?

Time spent accumulating vocabulary you rarely use may leave you less prepared than time spent learning relevant words and practising real-life situations

Four people clinking glasses of rosé wine at a dinner table

Break bread, keep eye contact: dining dos and don’ts in France

An American in France highlights the correct way to eat cheese and bread during a meal

Learning French: the origins and meaning of ça roule, ma poule

A laidback phrase to show you approve of or agree with an idea

What is France’s new heritage pass and is it the same as the National Trust pass in UK

The pass offers access to a range of heritage sites

Angoulême: Back to old time car racing glamour

English-speaking volunteers are sought for Angoulême’s Circuit des Remparts, where rare Lorraine-Dietrich cars star this month

Mangetout: Coddled eggs, champagne and a marmalade martini

From luxurious Paris hotel breakfasts to simple French-style coddled eggs, discover alternative breakfast recipes and cocktail ideas

Test your knowledge: fun French facts

Try our fun quiz featuring Serge Gainsbourg and King Charlemagne

France had concentration and internment camps before and during the Second World War

We explain their purpose, the Vichy regime and the Natzweiler-Struthof camp

France’s Nutri-Score makes a farce of healthy eating

The system was introduced in 2017 to help shoppers improve their diets

Join the club: Bon Coeur charity shop in Lot-et-Garonne has raised €200,000

British-led charity shop in Beauville raising funds for animal rescue, health and local causes

Former military base inspired by US cities is preserved French curiosity

There is a corner of France that will be forever American, retaining museum cadillacs and US-style architecture: Cité de Brassioux

'We moved into an abandoned railway station in Alsace'

French couple who own the building aim to preserve its heritage while renovating

Mature,Woman,Organizes,Or,Chooses,Clothes,Outfit,And,Tries,On

Different ways of using de in French

Using de with an adjective feels strange to English-speakers

Five incredible French underground churches to explore

Visit these spectacular underground and rock-hewn churches, from Saint-Émilion’s vast monolithic church to a Provence cave sanctuary

How to choose fresh cut flowers and make them last longer

Learn how to condition stems, revive drooping blooms and select the right vase for longer-lasting displays at home

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

The UK's Brexit negotiators were arrogant - not Barnier

'The EU has become stronger as a result of the UK’s exit,' says reader

French wine vintages explained: how to choose a good year

A vigneron goes through the essential on how weather affects grape harvests and how some wines improve with age

Artisan cheese of the month: Comtesse de Vichy, plus an Auvergne speciality stew

Now is the time to enjoy Comtesse de Vichy, a spruce-wrapped French cow’s milk cheese

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

Laundry hangs from windows on a patterned apartment facade in Porto, Portugal.

French town's ban on drying laundry outside is nonsense

Drying outside saves energy - and avoids damp air inside

Learning French: when and why do we say avoir le melon?

Discover its origins and when to use it to describe someone with an inflated ego

Meet the producers: Bulldog Bacon and Bangers in the Gers

British-style bacon, sausages, pork pies and Scotch eggs, with delivery across mainland France

Recipe: French onion soup with Comté toasts

Make this classic French onion soup with rich beef stock, white wine, Madeira and golden Comté cheese toasts in this easy recipe for four

How to cook cheese: baked honey and thyme Camembert with crudités

From a new cookbook featuring gloriously gooey recipes, we present a French classic for you to try at home

The five films shortlisted to represent France at the Oscars

One of these will be chosen next week to be France’s representative

September is such a relief after France's hectic summer

The holidays and social engagements give way to peace and quiet

English-French crossword (intermediate): September 12, 2026

All answers are in French. Bonne Chance!

Smiling,Caucasian,Grandparents,Enjoy,Playful,Moments,With,Cheerful,Grandchildren,On

How to deal with badly behaved grandchildren in France

A reader asks how to set boundaries before family visits

Diverse students in school uniforms walking together across a school courtyard.

School uniforms would bring only limited benefits in France

History professor Christine Mussard explains why the idea of mandatory school uniforms is so divisive

Music choice: leading French rapper PLK's album Un grand garçon

Album by the Parisian rapper of Polish-Corsican heritage is one of France’s best-selling releases in 2026

Brittany Ferries 'shot itself in the foot' on French routes

Company should have been able to manage matters much better, says reader

Film review: The Time of Secrets, Pagnol’s Provence memoir

Christophe Barratier’s sunlit adaptation of Marcel Pagnol’s childhood memoir is now streaming

Discover terre et mer, France’s land-and-sea food pairing tradition

Explore 'disparate culinary bedfellows' plus how to make Camargue broufade, a slow-cooked beef stew with anchovies, garlic and capers

'Howling' like a dog is one way to express shock or surprise

Learn how to use the French word hurlement, meaning a howl or scream

Seine-Maritime launches drone defibrillator deliveries for cardiac arrests

Normandy department becomes the first place in France to dispatch defibrillators by drone, aiming to speed up cardiac arrest treatment and save lives

App helps English-speakers access emergency medical help in French

LifeLine Europe helps English-speakers call emergency services, share medical details in French and access offline safety tools while travelling

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

French meat is actually of superb quality

This reader is surprised by others' experiences

Help trace Amiens family to return lost First World War postcards

An Australian woman seeks descendants of Victor and Juliette Herbault in Amiens to return twelve love postcards

Support dog helps victims of crime speak up in Haut-Rhin

A judicial assistance dog in Mulhouse helps victims during police interviews, court hearings and medical appointments

Close-up of the Eiffel Tower’s iron lattice, arches, columns and lamps against a pale sky.

Female representation in France needs to progress quicker

Columnist Nick Inman argues that it is time to rectify the imbalance

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: forged in history

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

Cracking taste of autumn: in praise of the hazelnut

Discover how to buy, roast and use noisettes, plus a recipe for hazelnut strawberry tart and advice on French hazelnut oil

Recipe: courgette gratin with fresh herbs and goat’s cheese

Make this easy French-style gratin with fresh herbs and nutmeg, baked until golden and bubbling

A view of a French dictionary with a close up of the word ‘définition’

Nearly 29% of US dictionary terms have French origins

New survey highlights France’s enduring influence on English vocabulary

Young woman reading a book at a traditional Parisian outdoor café

September reading recommendations: books about France in English

Enjoy books about the Riviera during wartime, life in Provence and a practical guide to French slang

First scallop shell road opens in Calvados

Crushed scallop shells used to replace some cement, cutting carbon emissions from road construction

Magazine

A tasty history of ravioles du Dauphiné plus an easy courgette gratin recipe

When and why do we say ne pas être fute-fute?

Spotting moths in France, in all their superb variety

English-French crossword (intermediate): October 10, 2026

Trending

Covid-19 spreads across France before winter vaccination rollout

12 million French homes now at risk of clay-related cracks

Calendar: Dates of strikes and protests in France this October

Video surveillance of drivers spreads to over 500 French towns and cities

Does home insurance cover Asian hornet nest removal?

UK artist puts mythical beasts into Mougins

Can taxe foncière payments be reduced for people aged over 75?

Pornic in Brittany prepares to set limits on second-home usage

How many of these lycée protest placards can you translate?

'We sold up and moved to France as a family of three generations'

UK artist puts mythical beasts into Mougins

Pink October: boating association sets sail with breast cancer patients

How to get better at understanding French one-to-one

Fort Boyard to open to public for first time

Autumnal recipe: spiced poached pears

An American in France: from New Jersey to the Loire Valley

Events offer fine food lovers unique venues

Brittany campsite becomes first in France to recycle wastewater

French false friends: why the word 'office' can be so misleading

Music choice: Kavinsky, French electro icon behind Drive soundtrack

English-French crossword (intermediate): October 3, 2026

Film choice: De Gaulle, big-budget biopic of the Free French leader

October gardening tips, from leaf blowers to pocket-sized tools

Podcasts to improve your French this autumn

The origins and meaning of à plus dans le bus

How to use colour in the garden

Open Gardens: explore a forest garden in Allier

The Guardian's 'how to make the perfect' food writer talks to us about cycling, fiction and her favourite French eatery

French films and series to watch in October

It is time for France to put its retirees to good use

SNCF takes long-term approach to cleaner railway sleeper recycling

Things to do this month in Brittany, Rouen, Paris and Verdun

Autumn recipes: peperonata and green tomato chutney

Do not dwell on individual words... learn through passive listening

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: a lasting Impression

Mont-Saint-Éloi: a very French village that has a British mayor

October reading recommendations: three books about France in English

How a town in Provence is adapting to hotter summers

English-French crossword (intermediate): September 26, 2026

Eight years of Macron and France is back where it started

What French should you actually be learning before moving to France?

Break bread, keep eye contact: dining dos and don’ts in France

Learning French: the origins and meaning of ça roule, ma poule

What is France’s new heritage pass and is it the same as the National Trust pass in UK

Angoulême: Back to old time car racing glamour

Mangetout: Coddled eggs, champagne and a marmalade martini

Test your knowledge: fun French facts

France had concentration and internment camps before and during the Second World War

France’s Nutri-Score makes a farce of healthy eating

Join the club: Bon Coeur charity shop in Lot-et-Garonne has raised €200,000

Former military base inspired by US cities is preserved French curiosity

'We moved into an abandoned railway station in Alsace'

Different ways of using de in French

Five incredible French underground churches to explore

How to choose fresh cut flowers and make them last longer

The UK's Brexit negotiators were arrogant - not Barnier

French wine vintages explained: how to choose a good year

Artisan cheese of the month: Comtesse de Vichy, plus an Auvergne speciality stew

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

French town's ban on drying laundry outside is nonsense

Learning French: when and why do we say avoir le melon?

Meet the producers: Bulldog Bacon and Bangers in the Gers

Recipe: French onion soup with Comté toasts

How to cook cheese: baked honey and thyme Camembert with crudités

The five films shortlisted to represent France at the Oscars

September is such a relief after France's hectic summer

English-French crossword (intermediate): September 12, 2026

How to deal with badly behaved grandchildren in France

School uniforms would bring only limited benefits in France

Music choice: leading French rapper PLK's album Un grand garçon

Brittany Ferries 'shot itself in the foot' on French routes

Film review: The Time of Secrets, Pagnol’s Provence memoir

Discover terre et mer, France’s land-and-sea food pairing tradition

'Howling' like a dog is one way to express shock or surprise