Magazine

The origins and meaning of rester bouche bée

Plus, more expressions for extreme surprise

Is email from French electricity supplier Enedis a scam?

Connexion reader receives unsolicited email about their online account

Pellet stoves in France: after-sales support is costly and unclear

Connexion reader reports lack of transparency and the protectionist practices within the sector

magazine

Deciphering language used in French news bulletins

Columnist Nick Inman provides an overview of common media terms

Medals for going to work or raising good children in France

Recipients do not need to be French nationals to qualify

Why France attracts so many campervans and motorhomes

Campervan travel is booming in the country as new British registrations soar

Helmets are not the answer to bad habits on French ski slopes

A reader expresses their thoughts on the debate

Royal seal of approval for group connecting veterans in France

Reader Claire La Roche, 52, explains how she and her husband Mike, 55, founded the Aquitaine Breakfast Club

Keep off the grass, shut the door... medieval origins and modern-day usage of prière

You may hear this formal word in everyday requests

France’s baby push: Why government efforts to boost births backfire

Columnist Nabila Ramdani argues against state involvement in birth rates and fertility

Saint Patrick's Day: French expressions featuring the colour green

How many green French phrases do you know?

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

Happy holidays or harsh realities? The truth about living in rural France

Columnist Samantha David examines the contrast between holiday and day-to-day life

Three reading recommendations: books about France in English

Lovers of French history will enjoy these historical and romantic works

Should cats really have the 'right to roam' in France?

More readers write in with their views on feline transgressions

Votes for foreigners: why is topic so controversial in France?

Two academics talk to The Connexion about the issues at stake and what is done in neighbouring countries

French recipe: trout gravlax with beetroot

A step-by-step guide to preparing this delicious recipe from the Ferrandi School of Culinary Arts

Five French phrases with same English meaning - just swap the animal

Do not try to translate these expressions word-for-word

Dry January vs French January: how France’s wine culture is adapting to drinking less

Vigneron columnist Jonathan Hesford gives his advice on enjoying l'art de vivre without overindulging

Discover the French tradition of Easter roast lamb: gigot d’agneau

We salute slow-cooked roast lamb, and learn about its cultural significance and cooking methods

Wartime barracks inspire themed B&B in Normandy

Guests can book the air force structures for a fully immersive 1940s experience

The electorate is to blame for France's political mess

Connexion reader argues that criticism of President Macron is unfair

Envoyer quelqu'un sur les roses and more French flower expressions

Romance or a secret? Learn five French expressions related to flowers

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: it’ll be all white on the night

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

Creativity is the key to fixing France's education system

Classes are too often characterised by rote learning and rigidity, says Céline Haller - named one of the world's best teachers

'I moved to France and became a photographer with a great work-life balance'

Connexion reader Anna Leak shares her experiences setting up a business in the creative industries

Nantes unveils first Dutch-style roundabout enhancing cyclist and pedestrian safety

New roundabout is part of a €500,000 urban renovation project

‘My dream of earning a living through art is coming true’

Planning new projects for spring? Perhaps this artistic Connexion reader will inspire you

Two homes: one in Provence, one in the Rockies

Carolyne Kauser-Abbott and her husband split their time between France and Canada

Dorine Bourneton: the French pilot who flew again after a plane crash left her paralysed

French Légion d’honneur winner tells how her struggles led to her success as an author, campaigner and actress

French wood pellet stoves are far more expensive than they first appear

Reader says the machines are complex and require costly maintenance

Five French films and series to watch in March

Improve your French language skills and culture knowledge with this month’s films and series

When and why do we say avoir des tablettes de chocolat?

A chocolate-themed saying to describe someone who has a six-pack

Merlin Holland: 'misconceptions about my grandfather Oscar Wilde - and what I love about France'

Merlin Holland delves into the myths and rumours surrounding his famous family connection

Dealing with a difficult – or even abusive – French landlord

We all know that the law is there to supposedly protect us, but what happens when you are new to a foreign country and your rented accommodation turns into a nightmare?

I’m an estate agent and these are the five errors that newcomers make in France

'Many overestimate their DIY talents – and underestimate renovation costs'

France is lucky to have its dedicated mayors

Columnist Nick Inman stands up for local officials

Paris opens first integrated diabetes care centre in Europe

Diabet' hub is revolutionising diabetes care, simplifying treatment for patients

La fête des grand-mères: missing the feminine 'e'

We are taught that all adjectives have to agree with the gender of the noun in French – so why is there no 'e' at the end of grand?

When and why do we say c'est la sardine qui a bouché le port de Marseille?

Marseille, a ship, a very big sardine, and a stereotype

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

How Lyon death is reshaping French politics ahead of 2027 elections

Columnist Simon Heffer says the killing of far-right student activist Quentin Deranque will have reverberations around Europe

The origins and meaning of chat échaudé craint l'eau froide

This metaphoric French expression featuring a cat has no resemblance to its English equivalent

Taking a lead from the US: doggy daycare booming in France

Daycare facilities are catering for both busy pet owners and tourists

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: out on loan with reference to Diana

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

Tipping in France: Are card machine tip requests going too far?

Payment terminals increasingly ask if customers want to pay an extra amount

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

Hungry, peckish, stuffed: 11 French phrases to do with food and eating

These phrases help to talk about one of the most important subjects in France - food

Eat like a local: welsh from Nord and Pas-de-Calais

Explore the unique French twist on Welsh rarebit, a beloved dish with delicious local variations

Living in Lille: a young, lively city that is 'very accepting of foreigners'

Discover everything about living in Lille, from its cultural attractions and efficient transport links to affordable property prices and vibrant student life

See inside rare Le Corbusier villa for sale in the Var

Villa l’Artaude blends modernist architecture with Mediterranean charm

Le Rozier: a village with dramatic scenery along the Gorges du Tarn

Explore the pretty village in the Lozère department, popular with lovers of hiking and outdoor activities

The chaos on France's ski slopes is so sad, says retired instructor

Reader says she refused to teach children not wearing safety gear

Can you guess the meaning of grincheux?

Read about a real-life example illustrating when to use this fun French adjective

Where to find good Indian food and curry ingredients in rural France

Connexion readers share their tips on finding spices that hit the spot

See what €50,000, €200,000 and over €500,000 buys in Seine-Maritime

Towns and villages have distinct Norman French architecture

Ski helmets should be compulsory in France

Two readers share their views on risk and danger on the slopes

When and why do we say c’est la goutte d'eau qui fait déborder le vase?

An expression to indicate that something has tipped you over the edge

Exploring France by canal boat: routes, prices and beginner advice

Slower pace lets holidaymakers enjoy the scenery

Paris group promises help to ‘live your best life’

WICE is a vibrant English-speaking community offering classes, workshops, and social events to help expats integrate and thrive

We went to a French curry house but it didn't hit the spot

Columnist Samantha David laments the lack of decent meals in the style of the subcontinent

Why I love where I live... in Nantes

Reader Sue Alouche, 66, and her French husband set up 'Knowing Nantes', a network for the anglophone community in the city

Was it a mistake to move to France?

Columnist Cynthia Spillman has some advice for a reader who is getting cold feet

From civil servant to vacataire, clinical psychologist and super mum

Reader Flavia Campos, 44, explains how a move to Lille brought the variety she craved

British women tackle challenges of renovations in France with podcast

Series explores bureaucracy, construction rules, planning permissions, diagnostics and everyday hurdles

From Oregon to Brittany: primrose nursery in France celebrates 90th anniversary

Barnhaven Primroses traces its history back to 1930s America

From 'romantic Paris' to dating apps: love is changing in France

Researcher Aziliz Kondracki explains the role that romance plays in modern France

I had a heart attack in France without realising it

An evening with friends took an unexpected turn for 74-year-old

What are the rules about splitting the bill in France?

Columnist Cynthia Spillman offers some advice on the sometimes awkward clash of food and money

Costume, music, floats: where to see France’s vibrant carnival parades

Celebrate the end of winter with feasting and fun at a carnival near you

More French podcasts to test your language skills

Podcasts are one of the best free tools for consistently developing your listening comprehension

Rugby vocabulary to know if watching the Six Nations in France

From un tampon to une cathédrale, understand the meaning of key French rugby terms

My tips for bird nesting season in south-west France

Some species begin building nests as early as February, including collared doves, mistle thrushes and song thrushes

A French film to watch: Auction by Pascal Bonitzer

Auction house drama explores the discovery of a lost Egon Schiele painting and its impact on those who would profit from its sale

Learning French: what does faire grise mine mean and when should it be used?

A phrase to use when someone is down in the dumps

Magazine

The origins and meaning of rester bouche bée

Is email from French electricity supplier Enedis a scam?

Pellet stoves in France: after-sales support is costly and unclear

Deciphering language used in French news bulletins

Trending

France braces for gales of 130 km/h as polar winds arrive

More homes in south of France must clear undergrowth or face fine

Find out who has been elected as mayor in your French commune

Why France attracts so many campervans and motorhomes

Britons in France impacted by new rise in UK passport fees

Hedge-trimming deadlines extended in France after winter rainfall

What we know about meningitis death in Normandy

Medals for going to work or raising good children in France

Why France attracts so many campervans and motorhomes

Helmets are not the answer to bad habits on French ski slopes

Royal seal of approval for group connecting veterans in France

Keep off the grass, shut the door... medieval origins and modern-day usage of prière

France’s baby push: Why government efforts to boost births backfire

Saint Patrick's Day: French expressions featuring the colour green

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Happy holidays or harsh realities? The truth about living in rural France

Three reading recommendations: books about France in English

Pompette and more French words for being tipsy

The growing appeal of France’s green cemeteries

French election terms to know ahead of les municipales

Should cats really have the 'right to roam' in France?

Learning French: what does manger sur le pouce mean and when should it be used?

Saint-Emilion: home to Europe’s largest underground place of worship

Five exotic crops thriving in France's changing climate

Orne: the ‘Cotswolds of France’ that remains a hidden gem

La politesse: what habits can make you seem rude to French people?

Votes for foreigners: why is topic so controversial in France?

French recipe: trout gravlax with beetroot

Five French phrases with same English meaning - just swap the animal

Dry January vs French January: how France’s wine culture is adapting to drinking less

Discover the French tradition of Easter roast lamb: gigot d’agneau

Wartime barracks inspire themed B&B in Normandy

The electorate is to blame for France's political mess

Envoyer quelqu'un sur les roses and more French flower expressions

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: it’ll be all white on the night

Creativity is the key to fixing France's education system

'I moved to France and became a photographer with a great work-life balance'

Nantes unveils first Dutch-style roundabout enhancing cyclist and pedestrian safety

‘My dream of earning a living through art is coming true’

Two homes: one in Provence, one in the Rockies

Dorine Bourneton: the French pilot who flew again after a plane crash left her paralysed

French wood pellet stoves are far more expensive than they first appear

Five French films and series to watch in March

When and why do we say avoir des tablettes de chocolat?

Merlin Holland: 'misconceptions about my grandfather Oscar Wilde - and what I love about France'

Dealing with a difficult – or even abusive – French landlord

I’m an estate agent and these are the five errors that newcomers make in France

France is lucky to have its dedicated mayors

Paris opens first integrated diabetes care centre in Europe

La fête des grand-mères: missing the feminine 'e'

When and why do we say c'est la sardine qui a bouché le port de Marseille?

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

How Lyon death is reshaping French politics ahead of 2027 elections

The origins and meaning of chat échaudé craint l'eau froide

Taking a lead from the US: doggy daycare booming in France

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: out on loan with reference to Diana

Tipping in France: Are card machine tip requests going too far?

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Hungry, peckish, stuffed: 11 French phrases to do with food and eating

Eat like a local: welsh from Nord and Pas-de-Calais

Living in Lille: a young, lively city that is 'very accepting of foreigners'

See inside rare Le Corbusier villa for sale in the Var

Le Rozier: a village with dramatic scenery along the Gorges du Tarn

The chaos on France's ski slopes is so sad, says retired instructor

Can you guess the meaning of grincheux?

Where to find good Indian food and curry ingredients in rural France

See what €50,000, €200,000 and over €500,000 buys in Seine-Maritime

Ski helmets should be compulsory in France

When and why do we say c’est la goutte d'eau qui fait déborder le vase?

Exploring France by canal boat: routes, prices and beginner advice

Paris group promises help to ‘live your best life’

We went to a French curry house but it didn't hit the spot

Why I love where I live... in Nantes

Was it a mistake to move to France?