Magazine

Being active can help you better integrate into new life in France

Readers who took up new sporting pursuits after moving to France describe their experience

What was happening in France 10, 50 and 100 years ago

Events include the murder of a French hiker by terrorists, the birth of Maurice Jarre and mutiny on the SS France

UK Armed Forces secretary in France shocked at receiving British Honour

British Empire Medal, awarded for services to British veterans in France, comes as complete surprise for Lesley Blake

magazine

C'est pas le pingouin qui glisse le plus loin sur la banquise: Fun French expression no. 6

This expression comes from chilly Quebec

Interview: Guillaume Musso, the top-selling French author inspired by Agatha Christie

Bestselling author talks about genre-defying page turners and what makes his readers keep coming back for more

Letters: French roofers' tiling error made it rain in my home

Connexion reader shares a hard lesson on making sure your canal tiles are are correctly positioned

Can you pronounce this French word that means ‘fear of Friday the 13th’?

The day has long been associated with bad luck with a small group of people even have a phobia of it

Millions of insects migrate over France from northern Europe to southern Spain

These insects travel from as far as Sweden or the UK on an instinctual, genetic basis

Why speaking French is good for your brain

Learning a new language can improve brain health and even delay the onset of dementia

Letters: France’s toll-free motorways: a ‘nightmare’ or ‘no trouble at all’

Readers spar over their vastly different experiences with the new system

Mettre les pieds dans le plat: Fun French expression no. 5

A similar expression exists in English, can you work out what it is?

Online translation tools: Funny results between French and English

Some expressions can give amusing results when put through an online service, such as Google Translate or DeepL

Popular Mont d’Or cheese 'season' begins in France and runs until May 2025

The cheese is a staple of autumn and winter tables

Ca ne casse pas trois pattes à un canard: Fun French expression no. 4

Can you guess what this expression means in English?

PHOTOS: See inside our quirky French home, a 13th-Century watermill

Giles and Fi Stonor restored the ancient Moulin De Latreille to create an idyllic retreat in rural France

Public saves French horse sanctuary from closure

Un Souvenir pour Gribouille has raised more than €5,000 through donations, enabling it to continue its vital work, although regular donors are needed

Which iconic French brands are the most beloved?

It is likely you have products from at least some of these marques in your home, even if you do not live in France

Everyday French phrases with the verb ‘passer’

Many of these expressions can be used in daily conversation, boosting your fluency

Letters: Bin collection fees have soared in France - for fewer pick-ups

Readers say the fees mean putting the rubbish out only once every six weeks

I moved to France and became a mountain guide

What inspired one British woman to settle in the Alps change careers

The French marathon where runners eat cheese and drink wine along the route

The Olympics put the focus on serious sport, but the Marathon des Châteaux du Médoc in the south of the country is offering a little light relief

On va pas chercher midi à quatorze heures : Fun French expression no. 1

Find out what this amusing French expression means so you can start to use it in your conversations

'Real French treasures are now hard to find at flea markets'

Columnist Peter Wyeth laments that traditional vide-greniers are increasingly filled with flimsy plastic objects

France's community kitchens expand nationwide

Not-for-profit Les Petites Cantines fosters social cohesion through shared meals and local engagement

'French healthcare is baffling and complex... but it works'

Columnist Nick Inman recently had the misfortune to be ill, but the fortune, as he sees it, for this to happen in France

‘Soaked like soup’: 7 French expressions to use for wet weather

From cows and dogs to soup, ropes and buckets - use these phrases when it is raining to sound like a native

Paris zinc roof workers explain what makes their work so special

Roofers help maintain Paris’ unique skyline and may soon be on Unesco list

French chef bakes innovation with 3D biscuit printer

Engineer-turned-pastry chef Marine Coré-Baillais's invention is elevating the art of pastry-making and even includes edible plates and cups

Guinguettes back in business as French seek the simple pleasures of life

The waterside restaurants, sometimes with dance floors and made famous in Impressionist paintings from the late 19th century, are flourishing again

France boosts electric boat conversion budget

River authority doubles funding to electrify tourist boats, aiming for a greener future in the industry

'Paris Olympics were magnificent - but our visit was disappointing'

Reader says her family were surprised to see that the Olympic flame was not real - and that there were no more Phryge toys available

Films, series, sports: What to watch in September to help improve your French

The new season of a Netflix 'love-to-hate' classic is available this month, alongside films at the cinema and the end of France's summer sporting extravaganza

French atelier restores objects through ancient art of lacquer renovation

Atelier Morganti in Nice transforms ancient artefacts and furniture using traditional and modern lacquering techniques

Letters: Readers spar over French 'obsession' with meat

Vegetarians argue that it is 'bad for our health and the planet' rather than the 'epitome of dining'

La Grande-Motte: How France's 'New Florida' is proving critics wrong

Once derided as an eyesore, this resort in southern France is now celebrated for its unique architecture

How trail running has boomed in popularity in France

More than a million people are now thought to take part in the organised off-road runs each year - but some say the rise is damaging the sport

Crafting light: The art of stained glass in France

Vitrailliste Adélie Payen merges French and Scottish techniques in her unique stained-glass creations

Historic racing yacht seeks new captain in France

Built in 1890, the restored English cutter is now on sale in Brittany for €35,000

Seven English words that you may not realise are French

As well as déjà vu and hors d’oeuvre, you may be surprised to learn how many words crossed the Channel

'How I moved from the US to France alone aged 70'

Janice Deerwester, 72, explains why she moved from France from Georgia in 2022 and how she is inspiring others through YouTube videos

What are French rules for children’s car seats?

There are strict regulations on booster seat manufacturing

'Get your cat treated for fleas before it goes wandering in France'

Columnist Samantha David explains how her pet was picked up by an association only to return riddled with the pests

Comment: Olympics were all about cash but will leave positive legacy

The funds generated by the Games have been well spent and optimism has replaced the usual glumness, writes columnist Nabila Ramdani

Nine reasons to learn French

Studying the language makes French culture more accessible and could improve your brain function

Bordeaux, Marseille, Nice, Brittany; Calls for ban on cruise ships grow in France

Ecologists say the massive ships are an ‘absurdity’ and argue their economic windfalls are overstated

Why one Normandy beach has German deckchairs

These ‘strandkorbs’ are popular and often fully booked - and have history dating back to 1880s

Our village fête is sadly now more hipster Hackney than paysan Périgord

Columnist Nick Jenkins says that the gala events feel increasingly sanitised and less traditional since Covid

Rare images show how newspapers reported Liberation of Paris in August 1944

One shows food arriving at the starving city from Yorkshire in the UK with a truck marked ‘Churchill’s grub’

Learning French: be careful with the many words for a meeting

A 'réunion' and a 'rendez-vous' could translate to the same thing but do not have the meaning

The Liberation of Paris: 'History fluctuates with the changing times'

Historian Christian Chevandier tells The Connexion how the victory is perceived in France

Learning French: 8 handy French phrases using the word pouce

From gardening to less-than-gourmand meals, pouce appears more often than you may expect in French conversation

Family's belongings lost when relocating to France from Ireland

Move to France turned into a nightmare as possessions never got delivered, leaving family in a sparsely furnished home

Is it possible to sell a second-hand right-hand drive car in France?

An imported car will need to be registered for use in France

French team build faithful replica of William the Conqueror’s warship

Visitors to the Normandy site can experience a voyage on La Mora in virtual reality

France builds its first traditional Hindu temple

It is hailed as a “bridge” between French and Indian cultures, while a Buddhist pagoda in Allier also celebrates religious diversity and receives more than 25,000 visitors per year

Letters: French emergency care is fast and effective - unlike in the UK

Connexion reader says people forget how long the wait for ambulances and treatment can be in Britain and Ireland

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

Pointers from courses to socially acceptable drinks

In praise of the wonderful variety of tomatoes found at French markets

Seasonal, succulent, sunset-hued – our writer describes some of her favourite

Are French estate agents’ property valuations reliable?

There are a variety of options to get a realistic idea of a home’s value

Can my children have a British passport if born in France?

The supporting documents required can vary from case to case

Six French expressions around cats to use in everyday conversations

A bon chat bon rat, avoir un chat dans la gorge - how many of these do you know?

Letters: France wrong to stop some people working after retirement age

Connexion reader says training schemes are unavailable at age 67

French charity makes terminally ill people's dreams come true

Ambulance Des Rêves has helped with many projects including organising a private screening of the Mona Lisa

French communes share studies of local flora and fauna with residents

Town in Brittany is the latest to publish its communal biodiversity atlas

French government shines spotlight on autism

An awareness campaign launched earlier this year aims to enhance understanding and support

French plums are source of pride and celebrated in Agen in late August

Sue Adams looks at the many uses of this ancient fruit – and why harvest time is a wonderful sight

My story: I moved to France and became a botanical artist

Kate Churchwell explains quitting the ‘rat race’ in the City to pursue her passion for plants and art

Normandy enjoys wine renaissance

Once overshadowed by cider, Normandy's historic vineyards are now producing quality wine

Property: see what €50,000 to €700,000 buys you in Nièvre in rural France

Popular with Parisians looking for second homes, a drive to boost tourism in the department means there are bargains to be had in the rural gem

Comment: The French can't get enough of British grub

Columnist Samantha David says that British restaurants near her could not be more popular despite low rankings by French people for the UK in a global cuisine survey