Magazine

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

The origins and meaning of ne pas perdre le nord

A reminder to keep your head screwed on

magazine

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

The origins and meaning of madame est servie

A phrase that changes depending on tone of voice and context

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

Confused,And,Surprised,Young,Professional,Woman,In,A,Tense,Discussion

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

‘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

What is the French word for a know-all?

Learn the definition and origin of ultracrépidarianisme, meaning the habit of giving opinions beyond your expertise

Listen to this: who is Santa, the French singer behind hits Popcorn salé and Hyphen Hyphen?

Samanta Cotta from Nice also performed at the 2024 Paralympics ceremony in Paris

French company turns office into shelter for homeless man in Brittany

Les Bureaux du Coeur scheme is an innovative response to homelessness in France

Dordogne restaurant praised for historical-themed menus

Discover why critics, guests and an MP are praising this family-run restaurant

I watched the iconic Tour de France and cycled part of it myself

The Tour is an iconic part of French culture able to entrance fans of all ages – as well as first-time spectators

Dormillouse: discover France’s most isolated village in the Hautes-Alpes

Find out how to reach this remote mountain hamlet in the Écrins National Park, what to see and why it is one of southeast France’s most unusual destinations

Teacher and students revive historic ‘Gratitude Train’ project

A teacher and 250 students in Amiens have rebuilt a historic Merci Train carriage, reviving a symbol of Franco-American friendship

Recipe: traditional French cordon bleu

Follow this easy three-step recipe for a golden, crispy bistro-style meal

Get that tropical garden feel with some trompe l'oeil planting

Expert tips on the best hardy exotic plants, with big leaves and layered greenery for an exotic touch

Garden tips for August: a remote watering system and weed strimming

Plus key potager jobs such as planting and harvesting the last summer vegetables

Why many old French houses stay cool without air conditioning

Columnist Samantha David considers the advantages of traditional homes

UK and French hot air balloon championships come to Lot-et-Garonne

Find out about flights, spectator events, ticket prices and the solar eclipse balloon show

Turning a blank canvas into a garden for all seasons

Le Grand Bagnol in Haute-Vienne is a beautifully designed all-season garden with colourful borders, rare trees, hydrangeas and winter flowers

Things to see and do this month in Arles, Paris, Metz, Castelnaudary and more

Our pick of events, from the Arles photography festival and Paris museum events to the Mirabelle plum fair in Metz and the Castelnaudary cassoulet festival

'I competed on a French cooking show'

The Connexion talks to North Carolina native, TikToker and actress Celina Tolbert

Four French ‘air’ expressions

From brasser de l'air to changer d'air

Why licence-free boat holidays in France are booming in 2026

From the Canal du Midi to Arcachon Bay, discover why slow tourism, flexible rentals and fully equipped boats are driving demand

How Le Monde in English finally broke even with AI and subscriptions

We speak to its editor about French journalism, anglophone readers and why France still fascinates global audiences

My experience of getting a pacemaker in France

Andy Hughes, 63, moved to France in 2003

How moving to France led me to become an expat life coach

Reader Theresa Dilick moved to France in 2000

A person holds a sign reading 'Brexit reality: We’ve lost control' during a protest in London.

Brexit did not help Britain or France - despite what 'leavers' say

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the referendum

Pine marten standing on a mossy rock in a grassy Scottish landscape.

Our strange encounter with a French pine marten

A reader describes troubling antics of a garden visitor

Thick smoke and flames rise from a hillside fire with trees and power lines in the foreground.

Wanting to help French firefighters is laudable - but counterproductive

Reader says amateur firefighting can hinder rescue efforts

A man wearing a hat lies in a hammock in a leafy garden in Provence.

August reading recommendations: books about France in English

Paris food and wine inspiration, feel-good French fiction and a charming children’s language book

Which French words are resisting anglicisms in everyday language?

Language campaigners may worry about rising anglicisms, but some French words are holding firm

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

French farmhouse renovation in Provence: expert tips for success

We speak to designer Stephanie Bailey about a stunning renovation project in the Var

What it is really like for an American raising children and living in France

American expat Maya Dorsey shares her experiences raising children in France, from visas and bureaucracy to work, healthcare and family life

Learning French: what does faire les cent pas mean and when should it be used?

A handy phrase for when someone is pacing back and forth

Marine Le Pen speaking with raised hands during an interview in an office at the French National Assembly in Paris.

The money’s now on Marine Le Pen in France's 2027 race

Columnist Simon Heffer looks ahead to next year's presidential election

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

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

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

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

Angelic figure with wings flying through bright clouds towards the viewer

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: no longer royal

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

A view of someone looking at a dictionary with a magnifying glass

Why French words are not pronounced the way they are written

Many are different from what you might reasonably expect

French banks should send verification codes through email

Another reader highlights struggle of needing a smartphone to use their bank account

Barnier deserves better than Brexit insults

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

What does le mouton à cinq pattes mean and when should it be used?

A phrase to describe something unique or out of the ordinary

What does en flagrant délit mean in French?

Learn how this common phrase is used when someone is caught in the act

Lack of mobile phone makes banking in France too difficult

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

Four,Friends,Making,A,Toast,During,A,Meal,At,A

My friends in France are meeting without me – how do I handle feeling shut out?

Columnist Cynthia Spillman helps with a reader's dilemma

Construction workers spreading wet concrete beside a cement mixer and dump truck.

How we built a garage ourselves in France

Tania Solomons, 60, and Andrew Hamm, 58, to France in 2019

Doctor wearing a white coat with a stethoscope in a hospital.

Haemochromatosis in France: symptoms, diagnosis and one woman's experience

The genetic disorder causes the body to absorb too much iron

Test your knowledge: fun French facts

Try our fun quiz featuring France's largest town, widest avenue and longest river

Recipe: Pan-fried black bream with asparagus & spiced beurre blanc

Recipe from fish expert Nathan Outlaw's new cookbook

Recipe: orange and fennel pan-fried grey mullet

Try Michelin-star chef Nathan Outlaw's recipe from his new fish cookbook

New English art tours launch on France’s extraordinary 150km trail

The mountain trail in south-east France visits artwork by Andy Goldsworthy, Herman de Vries, Joan Fontcuberta, and Paul-Armand Gette

River running through Bar-le-Duc town centre with trees, grass and buildings on both banks.

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: an unexpected re-birth

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

Three-panel collage showing an outdoor lakeside scene and two indoor portraits of people at home.

My French is good — so why do I not understand when the French speak to one another?

There are a lot of differences between how the French talk to a non-native speaker compared to among themselves

Magazine

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

French meat is often too tough

The origins and meaning of ne pas perdre le nord

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

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British family who repeatedly defrauded motorway tolls handed €3,000 bill

40,000 people in France see water cut off: what to do if it happens to you

How many high-vis vests are you required to keep in your car in France?

Why planchas are becoming France’s favourite outdoor cooking choice

Could the EU 'pause' full EES rollout in September?

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

Can I reuse shower or washing-up water in my French garden during drought?

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

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

Meet the Aude producer behind artisan balsamic vinegar Granhota

Mangetout: from chill-out soup to hot bananas

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

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

Reading up on rules will improve your driving in France

Why planchas are becoming France’s favourite outdoor cooking choice

Why veterinary fees are so much cheaper in France

Ups and downs of visa applications in France

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

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

French plumbing fittings are more expensive

The origins and meaning of madame est servie

Why people in France live longer: Eating habits explained

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

Toulouse mairie fined over shops leaving lights on at night

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

Should the EU copy New Zealand for an easier EES?

Why understanding spoken French is harder than speaking it

Marseille expands ride options with 500 new electric bikes

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

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

Un chips: when French adopts English words it gets confusing

Plan to merge Paris with suburbs sparks fresh political row

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

Think spoken French is hard? Try understanding English

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

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

What is the French word for a know-all?

Listen to this: who is Santa, the French singer behind hits Popcorn salé and Hyphen Hyphen?

French company turns office into shelter for homeless man in Brittany

Dordogne restaurant praised for historical-themed menus

I watched the iconic Tour de France and cycled part of it myself

Dormillouse: discover France’s most isolated village in the Hautes-Alpes

Teacher and students revive historic ‘Gratitude Train’ project

Recipe: traditional French cordon bleu

Get that tropical garden feel with some trompe l'oeil planting

Garden tips for August: a remote watering system and weed strimming

Why many old French houses stay cool without air conditioning

UK and French hot air balloon championships come to Lot-et-Garonne

Turning a blank canvas into a garden for all seasons

Things to see and do this month in Arles, Paris, Metz, Castelnaudary and more

'I competed on a French cooking show'

Four French ‘air’ expressions

Why licence-free boat holidays in France are booming in 2026

How Le Monde in English finally broke even with AI and subscriptions

My experience of getting a pacemaker in France

How moving to France led me to become an expat life coach

Brexit did not help Britain or France - despite what 'leavers' say

Our strange encounter with a French pine marten

Wanting to help French firefighters is laudable - but counterproductive

August reading recommendations: books about France in English

Which French words are resisting anglicisms in everyday language?

Why does produce taste so much better in France?

It is intolerable that some people in France side with Russia

French farmhouse renovation in Provence: expert tips for success

What it is really like for an American raising children and living in France

Learning French: what does faire les cent pas mean and when should it be used?

The money’s now on Marine Le Pen in France's 2027 race

World Cup failure is so much worse for England than France

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

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: no longer royal

Why French words are not pronounced the way they are written

French banks should send verification codes through email

Barnier deserves better than Brexit insults