Magazine

Bavarde, commérages: how to describe having a chat or gossip in French

One phrase has its origins in the 16th century and could easily be mistranslated

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

Discover the French names for common stationery and musical items

An embarrassing guitar shop incident leads to a tough language lesson

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American diner and British café offer a taste of home in France

From big cities to tiny villages eateries are challenging preconceived ideas of Anglo-American cuisine

February events in France: Art, agriculture, and festivals

Discover the reopening of Bonnat-Helleu Museum, Paris International Agricultural Show, Menton's Citrus Festival, and Matisse exhibition in Bordeaux

Why we bought horses after moving to France – and what it taught us

When reader Sam Barcham, 48, moved from England to the south of France, she never anticipated that riding lessons would lead to buying three horses of her own

Is President Macron the problem with France?

Readers write in with their perspectives on the president

Films and shows to watch in February to improve your French

From understanding l’accent du midi to scenarios that have divided critics

When and why do we say tenir la dragée haute?

A handy phrase for when someone is standing their ground

Why France’s small rural communes still matter

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

My French cleaner is too familiar with me

Columnist Cynthia Spillman advises a reader on setting boundaries

Tati, toutou, toc-toc: French and its love of doubled-up words

We look at common phrases and words using repetition and Connexion readers share their examples

Recipe: Poulet Basquaise

London-based chef, Alex Jackson, shares a simple, tasty stew of chicken, ham, peppers and tomatoes flavoured with piment d’espelette

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

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

My health journey: I had emergency op for appendix tumour in France

Vivion Gibbs, 73, who moved to Brittany from the UK in 2011, describes how lower back pain quickly escalated into something far more serious

French recipe: pork chop with braised butter beans

London-based chef Matthew Ryle shares a quick and easy winter recipe, ready in just 30 minutes

Sleep in a 100-year-old railway carriage at a former Brittany station

Refurbished railway compartment can sleep up to 11 people at a time

Our French gîte: ‘stunning’ views from idyllic four-star riverside getaway

Beryl Evans explains how she and her husband ended up buying Moulin Toucan after a personal battle

How joining a choir in rural France helped me build a new life after retirement

Connexion reader Abigail Gammie explains how singing offered a fun way to make friends – and learn the language

Why I love where I live... in Bordeaux

Briton Tim Pike, 55, loves the dynamic city in south-west France, setting up a history blog, a band – and even a one-man show

Black history in Paris: the story behind Maison Noire Américaine

An American non-profit is illuminating the legacy and vibrant presence of African-Americans and the African diaspora in France

I became manager of a dog kennel in the countryside after moving to France

Connexion reader Anita Rhoden shares her experiences after leaving a high-flying job in the UK

Should we join in with our French neighbours' social activities?

Columnist Cynthia Spillman advises a reader on joining in with friends and neighbours

Grieving while in France: personal ways to honour those we have lost

Columnist Cynthia Spillman shares her advice for commemorating loved ones

Helpful vocabulary for making medical appointments

Make sure you are ready to fill any 'créneau' that becomes available

How I acquired a purebred puppy in France

Columnist Sue Adams looks forward to years of companionship with a new Jack Russell terrier

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

The origins and meaning of passer du coq à l'âne

It literally translates as: to pass from the rooster to the donkey

Eating alone at work in France: are attitudes changing?

Why the social taboo is being reconsidered in the modern workplace

French teenager wins top wildlife photography awards for Alpine ibex photos

The Connexion talks to award-winning wildlife 14-year-old photographer Lubin Godin about his process and future plans

Bergerac, Sarlat-la-Canéda and more picture-postcard Dordogne gems

Enjoy wine tastings, historic tours, and the vibrant Fest'Oie Goose Fair in these charming towns

The five other capitals of France before Paris

Several other cities have held the honour for various reasons

January events in France: Le Havre museum, Martin Parr and the Orient Express

Experience culture and history in France this month

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

How to order wine in a French restaurant

Our columnist looks at how to ensure a stress-free dining experience by understanding wine lists and navigating sommelier advice

The origins and meaning of rire jaune

A colourful expression for forced laughter

Is the French language in decline?

Newspaper headlines often focus on a supposed ‘decline’ of the French language - we look at whether it is true

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

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’

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

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

Films and series to watch in January 2026 to improve your French

France is a hub of talent when it comes to film and TV, and watching in French can greatly improve your language skills

French eye care system: readers’ experiences

Two readers have a differing opinion of the system

Duck Cold! Four French phrases to use when it is freezing outside

We remind you of French expressions to use to describe the drop in temperature

January flowers in your French garden with scented viburnum

Our gardening columnist explores a pretty pink shrub that gives long-lasting winter displays

When and why do we say le moral dans les chaussettes?

We explore this useful expression that describes low spirits

Lavaudieu: a picture-perfect village dripping with Medieval history

One hour south of Clermont-Ferrand, this serene riverside village is surrounded by rolling hills while its streets and famous abbey seem to be frozen in time

'I stopped going to the hairdresser for 12 years to save for my dream house in France'

La Maison de Wakefield is an 18th-Century stone house with four bedrooms and four bathrooms in Lot

Dragon's Pen: a creative haven for writers in central France

The vibrant community for writers and artists in Creuse and Indre fosters creativity through workshops and anthologies

Restoring a 400-year-old French property: an Englishman's award-winning journey

Ron Alldridge transformed a derelict house in Var into a masterpiece, blending history with craftsmanship

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: an Irish connection

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

Should France follow Italy and make ski helmets mandatory?

Mountain rescue services report an increase in interventions in recent seasons, attributing accidents to faster skiing, crowded pistes, and risky behaviour

Tips for improving your French in 2026

Whether you live in France or not, there are lots of (often free) ways to bosse ton francais cette année !

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: Pilgrims’ progress

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

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

The president should stay put, argues columnist Nick Inman

When and why do we say blanc bonnet et bonnet blanc?

A phrase to use when two things are very similar

Photos: Dordogne home recreated as a gingerbread house

Tasty model includes architectural features taken from the real property

Podcasts to improve your French in 2026

Podcasts are a great free way to improve both your language and knowledge of French culture

Readers report high customs charges on gifts sent to France

The cost of receiving gifts is sometimes higher than their value

Gardening in 2026: the year of being organised

Manage seeds and maintain tools effectively for a productive year ahead

Chut! When French sounds become words

Learn when to use these common onomatopoeiac words in France

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

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

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: Enjoy the view from a flat-bottomed boat

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

French words and sayings for celebrating New Year

A vocab guide for welcoming the new year in France

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

Mince: a handy French word with several meanings

Use it when expressing frustration and learn how it relates to health habits in January

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

French villages become living Advent calendars with different doors opening each day to give out treats

Local residents each choose a date in December, decorate their door or window and then on the day, open up and hand out hot drinks and edible treats to everyone outside