Magazine

Moving to France saved my life, says British mum

Shorter waiting times and more thorough checks made it possible for her to build a new life in France

Photos: Paris exhibition explores what people do alone at home

Behind the curtain: L’Intime Expo takes a fascinating look at people's private lives

Learning French: decoding alphabet expressions

We explore the nuances of letter usage in acronyms and idioms

magazine

Letters: France's energy audit system does not work for stone properties

Readers say the diagnostic de performance énergétique system heavily favours recent properties

Letters: €24,000 is how much we need for a comfortable life in France

Connexion reader has kept a careful record of income and expenditure

Letters: France needs immigration to sustain its tax revenue

Reader argues that the country's aging population creates an unbalanced economy

Learning French: what does paumé mean and when should it be used?

An informal way of saying you are literally or figuratively lost

Letters: Age should not be an obstacle for adopting a pet dog in France

Reader says over-70s need to be given the chance to take care of dogs who have no home

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: Get into the neo-Gothic spirit

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

French visas and residency card applications: Connexion readers share their experiences

The complex process is a challenge for many - including Britons, Americans and second-home owners

Comment: Uproar over Indian journalist reveals French approach to power

Prominent news anchor Palki Sharma Upadhyay 'dared' tell the president his video on AI was 'not funny'

Comment: France's far-left leader is an increasingly pointless political dinosaur

Columnist Simon Heffer looks at how the veteran leftist Jean-Luc Mélenchon has split his own party

Help! We're fed up of visitors staying too long at our home in France

Columnist Cynthia Spillman gives her advice on setting boundaries for guests

Has skiing in France become more dangerous? Connexion readers respond

Many wrote in after a recent article and letter about problem skiers

Nine idiomatic French expressions about your health

There are plenty of French phrases to describe your illness whatever it is

Letters: French authorities do nothing about dangerous dogs

Connexion reader says the response by gendarmes was disappointing

Letters: France should ban harmful oils to curb obesity

Connexion reader says working people do not have the time to cook healthy food

Help! I feel sorry for all the stray cats in my French village

Columnist Cynthia Spillman gives her advice on what to do with abandoned - or feral - felines

Learning French: the origins and meaning of déclarer sa flamme

A fiery statement for declarations of love

Learning French: the origins and meaning of avoir le cœur qui bat la chamade

An expression to send your heart racing

Letters: Out-of-control youths are ruining French ski slopes

Connexion reader says the issue of dangerous skiers is becoming more and more serious on the piste

Learning French: when and why do we say vivre d’amour et d’eau fraîche?

A handy phrase used to admire or criticise

Letters: French food is fine but lacks spice

Connexion readers say they struggle to find decent salsa in France

Letters: 'We cannot treat an injured fox due to French wildlife rules’, claims vet

Connexion reader says the vet refused to treat the animal 'to prevent the spread of diseases'

Letters: The French advice to wear the same t-shirt for days is quite right

Connexion reader says people should wash clothes less often to help save water

Learning French: what does franchement mean and when should it be used?

A multi-functional filler word for honest conversations

Why 'knowledge is power' and 'France (really) is bacon'

An amusing misheard phrase sparks the exploration of historical and cultural links between France and bacon

Learning French: the origins and meaning of avoir un cœur d'artichaut

A peculiar yet poetic phrase to describe hopeless romantics

Learning French: when and why do we say fais gaffe?

Understand the difference between 'fais gaffe,' 'faire une gaffe,' and 'gaffer'

How to navigate a culture clash with your French in-laws and partner

Columnist Cynthia Spillman gives her advice on improving communication and bridging cultural gaps

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

Learning French: helpful vocabulary around cheese

Key cheese words for navigating the fromagerie - and how many types exist in France?

Help! We are surrounded by English people in France

Columnist Cynthia Spillman gives her advice on how to feel more 'French'

Learning French: when and why do we say avoir un coup de cœur?

You will be obsessed with this heart-themed phrase

Letters: French translation apps are ridiculous, but AI can do the job… sometimes

Readers share their disappointment with automatic translation

Château de Monte-Cristo: Alexandre Dumas’ ‘paradise on earth’ in France

The author regularly entertained friends at the château in Yvelines near Paris

Learning French: what does grosso modo mean and when should it be used?

Say this when summarising

Comment: French plan to upgrade Louvre is long overdue

A €900million revamp of the the museum has been announced by President Macron

Letters: French sliced bread is clearly inferior for sandwiches

Readers spar over France's sugary sliced bread being too sweet and whether the UK version is superior

Learning French: when and why do we say c'est la cour des miracles

Few people today know the origins behind this expression that describes somewhere unwelcoming or chaotic

Which fruits, vegetables and fish are in season in France this February?

Winter vegetables and citruses remain staple foods as spring approaches

Learning French: the origins and meaning of se faire mener en bateau

A sailing metaphor for when you have been lied to or taken advantage of

'Montpellier is an international city, so it should have an international opera house'

This American in France is the youngest ever music director of the Opéra Orchestre national Montpellier

Five things they don't tell you about… guichets in France

Exploring the unique blend of courtesy and obstinacy behind French counters

Know your cheeses and their seasons: which to eat in France in February

Cow’s milk cheeses dominate as winter comes to an end

Learning French: why chouette does not always refer to owls

This cool word with a double meaning will make your head spin

Inspiring a nation: the oldest French athlete in the Paris Paralympics marathon

We meet the Paralympian who believes we should stop saying 'Oh…at my age'

Letters: Here is a cheap way for second-home owners to get internet in France

Connexion reader suggests a flexible and cost-effective alternative to a fixed contract

Letters: I was a victim of number plate fraud in France - twice

A Connexion reader gives advice on how to appeal against unjustified fines

Letters: A bande dessinée helped me understand a serious issue in France

Reader shows how the French culture of graphic novels is useful as well as enjoyable

Comment: Forget the sales - get your bargains elsewhere in France

Columnist Samantha David notes that savings can continue even though the January sales are ending

Letters: Ski resorts disfigure France's breathtaking mountains

Connexion readers share contrasting views on the winter sports industry

Learning French: what does tant pis mean and when should it be used?

We also look at how to pronounce this everyday reaction to something gone wrong

Films and series to watch in February to improve your French

Every month we outline good film and TV series to improve your language

Learning French: when and why do we say entendre le même son de cloche?

A handy saying for when two or more people have harmonising opinions

Learning French: the origins and meaning of c'est le pompon (sur la Garonne)

An amusing expression for when you have reached your limit

Five facts about Nouvelle France

The five colonies of New France still influence modern day America through language, culture and place names

Myths and facts about France's winemaking terroir

Expert vigneron shares the truth about how soil and locale affect wines

Learning French: when and why would we describe someone as un Bisounours?

This cute cultural reference is actually used to criticise

Tips for taking great wildlife photos in France

Columnist Jonathan Kemp takes advice from his photographer friend on the best practices

Unveiling hidden stories of World War One found in French home

After finding a shoebox of postcards sent to ‘Marie’ by soldiers, a British retiree hopes to curate them for posterity

Learning French: when and why do we say être habillé comme l'as de pique?

An expression to insult someone’s fashion choices

Why French inheritance law is causing stress: our stories

Connexion readers share their experience of living in France while legal uncertainty surrounds their wills

Experiences: Why I love living on the Côte d’Azur

Connexion reader highlights the community spirit of his home in Alpes-Maritimes and the surprising lack of crowds

Letters: French people struggle to say my name - or translate it

Connexion readers share their anecdotes of cross-cultural confusion

Letters: French recycling rules just lead to more waste

Connexion readers say the system pollutes communes and attracts vermin

Letters: A tontine clause may ease inheritance fears in France

Connexion reader suggests a way of avoiding complications over the transfer of an estate

Learning French: what does ça va aller mean and when should it be used?

A popular multipurpose phrase to use when offering reassurance and encouragement

Learning French: the origins and meaning of vendre la mèche

An explosive idiom for when someone exposes a secret

Learning French: ça m'est égal and other phrases for expressing indifference and indecision

‘Peu importe’, ‘je m’en fiche’, ‘tout me va’… how to get out of making a decision in French

PHOTOS: French villagers had no idea their neighbour was an acclaimed American artist

Frances Butler exhibited in some of the world’s leading museums, including the Victoria & Albert and British Museum in London

Letters: We can live comfortably in France on €15,000 a year- in a city with no car

Connexion readers share the annual budget they need to enjoy their retirement

Comment: Spat between France and Algeria opens old wounds

Columnist Nabila Ramdani tells how tempers between the countries flared after the arrest of a TikTok influencer

Letters: France needs more immigration to help its ageing population

Connexion reader disagrees with Simon Heffer calling it a problem