‘Peach walls’ of Paris suburb offer glimpse of its horticultural past Montreuil may not be the obvious place to house orchards of Mediterranean fruit, but it has supported a booming industry and an unlikely man-made microclimate for nearly 400 years
Cordes-sur-Ciel: The pretty French village in the clouds A tour through time into the long history of one of southwest France’s earliest revolutionary Bastide villages
Meet the French farmers with a 24-hour self-service boutique The family farm near Chartres organises open days and offers guided tours
news How the Scouting movement took off in France French scouting and guiding grew steadily after crossing the Channel, with scouts playing an important role in the liberation
Food matches for French white wine Jonathan Hesford shares his top tips for selecting the perfect dry white wine to accompany your menu
Food for thought: asparagus tips and an Art Nouveau brasserie in France Peter Bear shares his experience of dining at The Excelsior in Nancy - a top spot for French foodies
Learning French: How to write a cheque in France Practise spelling-out numbers in this practical French lesson from the Little Language School
Learning French: understanding three words originating from Marseille Have you ever heard someone say tarpin, gâté or tanquer?
Letters: Readers share their experiences of taking the French driving test Residents call the process 'time consuming', 'expensive' and 'stressful'
Letters: French abbreviations are not always what they seem A reader recalls making an embarrassing mistake due to a mistranslation
Quiz: guess the 'names' of people who live in these French cities Test your knowledge of gentilés around France
Letters: Rural residents in France face long waits for letters from La Poste A reader tells The Connexion that some deliveries are taking up to 10 days
French history heroine: the bearded businesswoman of Vosges Historian Dr Julia Faiers discovers the remarkable story of Clémentine Delait - a trail-blazing woman who refused to conform
From lightsabers to hobby horses: five unusual sports in France Embrace new and creative ways to keep fit Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue... Letters: Our French neighbours seem too distant Learning French: nouns that even native speakers commonly misgender
Explore the Alpine village in France where winter is only just ending The picturesque village of Bonneval-sur-Arc near the Italian border endures eight winter months out of twelve Guess the French region with the help of this clue: No ordinary square 'I helped restore French cathedrals as a female American stone cutter - despite prejudice' Learning French: when and why do we say avoir le compas dans l'œil? Letters: Readers trade DIY tips for restoring French properties Visit a Yorkshireman's French garden this May and June
'I built my own natural pool in France for only €8,000' Alex Wells explains how she discovered the health benefits of water free from chemicals
Learning French: the origins and meaning of faire le mariole Acting the goat or fooling around, we explore the French phrase to describe the class clown
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'
Learning French: what does à fond mean and when should it be used? An enthusiastic and thorough adverb
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
Guess the French region with the help of this clue: Fabric of society In which of France's 13 regions was this photo taken?
Vernet-les-Bains: France's only flourishing 'Village d’Arboretum' Explore exotic trees, walking routes and local legends in this unique corner of the Pyrénees-Orientales
Recipe: chickpea salade niçoise Hearty potatoes, seasoned chickpeas, colourful vegetables, and crispy lettuce... a taste of the South of France
French property: See what €50,000, €150,000 and over €2m buys in Bas-Rhin This small department on the German border is home to the historic city of Strasbourg
Acronyms explained: What is France's RATP? We also look at other key French transport acronyms: SNCF, TER and TGV
Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue... Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?
Recipe: vanilla, rum, and orange zest cannelés Japanese pastry chef Mori Yoshida creates refined cakes and desserts, some in the classic French style, others with a unique flourish or twist
'I moved to France and became an estate agent for luxury homes' Former probation officier and mum-of-three Leila Bodross, 44, now sells premium properties on the Bretagne coast
Learning French: the origins and meaning of être dans la force de l’âge A saying to describe being in the prime of life
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
Career change in France: from plastics to creative recycling Bob Hope explains his decision to leave a job in the chemicals industry to breathe new life into everyday objects
Iconic Paris cinema restored to its Art Deco glory Architects set out to modernise Le Grand Rex while respecting its original design
Learning French: what does recevoir une note salée mean and when should it be used? A salty saying for inflated expenses
French strawberries: the best varieties and when to eat them Columnist Sue Adams gives her tips on how to get the best out of the long season in France
'My French property is overwhelming me and I may leave' Columnist Cynthia Spillman advises a reader whose French dream has turned sour
What does a maître cirier do in France? Exploring an ancient craft form at a company founded 120 years ago
Guess the French region with the help of this clue: Island life In which of France's 13 regions was this photo taken?
The war grave gardeners who became French Resistance heroes Many remained in France during the occupation
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
Spring reading recommendations: books about France in English A heartwarming autobiography, an intriguing war story, and a cookbook of delicious French recipes...
How to cope with a break-up while living in France Columnist Cynthia Spillman gives her advice on how to avoid feeling isolated and get on with your life
Learning French: when and why do we say qui se ressemble s’assemble? This rhyming expression is all about highlighting similarities between people
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
Spelling and pronunciation make odd bedfellows in English as in French Here are some tips to navigate common quirks
Quoi de neuf? Products, designs and ideas from around France Discover this month's new French products including urban shoes, eco-friendly bags and stylish trays
Five things you may not know about florists in France They still play a unique role in French village life and many act as parcel delivery hubs
'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
Curiosities of the French language: The jolly month of mai The French word for the fifth month of the year shares its pronunciation with several common words
Did you know? Marrying a dead person is possible in France Posthumous marriage is permitted in a unique legal arrangement
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
Guess the French region with the help of this clue: A grave situation In which of France's 13 regions was this photo taken?
Comment: Anti-French bravado is an embarrassing British anachronism Columnist Nabila Ramdani notes that the xenophobic jibes now only appear to go one way
Why your accent should not hold you back when speaking French Columnist Nick Inman notes that some French people are harsh judges of foreign speakers
'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 threatened birds must be treated with respect Reader says it is wrong to make light of swallows at a time when nature is under huge pressure
‘We have never been so close’: Why France may soon legalise assisted dying Anne Raynaud, from the Association for the Right to Die in Dignity, says that France is behind other countries - but change may be coming
Learning French: what does sacquer mean and when should it be used? You may be able to guess one of the meanings behind this informal term that sounds just like an English equivalent
An alternative to potatoes: 'My favourite aspect of salsify is its texture' Laura Washburn Hutton explains how to prepare this delicious seasonal plant
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
Flowers to flaunt: blooms for cutting from your French garden Learn about Cutting Patches and growing flowers to harvest solely for display
The culinary delights of dandelions in France Laura Washburn Hutton shares her top tips for using seasonal tender leaves in the kitchen
One British man's crusade against illegal billboards in France Tony Smith led a community effort to remove more than 1,000 illegal billboards from roadsides and parks
The price of France's Easter chocolate habit revealed Many French families prefer bunnies and bells to eggs
White storks make strong return in France via nest ‘platforms’ and clipped wings The Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux shares the conservation challenges in saving these birds from extinction
Grand crème, café crème, au lait: how to order coffee in France? We explain the subtle distinctions between the various terms used in cafés
How birdwatchers are helping bring the black vulture back to south-west France Plus, wildlife spotter, Jonathan Kemp, shares his experience of searching for bearded vultures around his home in Aude
Letters: The reality of finding a new doctor or dentist in France Finding a replacement is nigh impossible, says Connexion reader in Lot-et-Garonne
Letters: Ski instructors need to teach good etiquette on French slopes Connexion reader and long-time skier says he has been injured several times