Magazine

Jordan Bardella smiling in a suit at an indoor launch event

Princess photoshoot does not guarantee French far right a fairytale ending

Columnist Nabila Ramdani examines the cynicism of spin doctors

Frustrating,Phone,Call,,Receptionist,Or,Business,Person

How to make polite requests in French

While English speakers start a request with ‘please’, French requests often begin with merci de

Five French films and TV shows for May

From thrillers to comedies, make learning easy by incorporating French media into your everyday life

magazine

Three French phrases inspired by other cultures

Explore the origins and meanings behind these French expressions related to foreign people and places

Running a gîte in France: why being on site matters for success

A reader argues that having a presence brings better feedback and satisfaction

How much should I pay for mowing at French home?

Costs vary depending on factors such as skill level and the exact service provided

Motorway with lorries entering tunnels by a rocky hillside near the France border sign.

Why driving in France can cost more than in the UK

A reader writes about his driving experiences in both UK and France

Centre-right's candidate is a poor copy of French far-right leader

Columnist Simon Heffer is not impressed by Bruno Retailleau - the candidate of Les Républicains for next year’s presidential election

France's concrete road barriers are safer than metal ones

Concrete barriers are thought to be more durable in the event of an impact

Checkmate.,Hand,Of,An,Unrecognizable,Man,Playing,Chess,Defeating,His

Covid pandemic sparks a chess revival in France

Netflix TV series The Queen’s Gambit also brought the game to a new audience

Free building materials in France: how the Cycle Zéro app works

New app relies on unused materials discarded in skips at local construction sites

Cotton balls resting on a pile of folded clothes

Four French cotton-themed phrases

Explore French phrases inspired by a popular fabric

Four men with instruments pose around a classic white car outside an old stone building.

How joining a band can build your community in France

16% of citizens play an instrument ‘often’ or ‘from time to time’

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

From quoi to voilà… verbal tics can puzzle language learners

There are some habits you should not acquire, says columnist Nick Inman

Dordogne bin collection: non-recyclable waste limits need a rethink

Reader says that the limits should not be on frequency but rather on volume

Learning French: the origins and meaning of ne pas avoir un poil sur le caillou

Use this saying to describe someone who is bald

Judy and Dave Kashoff, whose journey inspired her book Five, Ten, or Never

'I moved to France and wrote my first book'

These Connexion readers have put pen to paper since moving to France

Can you help? Mairie in Normandy is looking for missing British couple

Owners of French property have not been seen for a decade

What future for smaller French airports?

Vulnerability to the whims of low-cost airlines is becoming more evident

Visa,Application,Form,And,Flag,Of,France

I'm a relocation adviser and these are the five mistakes people make when applying for a French visa

Relocation adviser Louis Bouyala, co-founder of EasyStart, provides some useful guidance

France,,1,July,2024:,Red,Car,Driving,On,A,Countryside

My car broke down - and the reality of life in rural France hit me hard

Columnist Samantha David laments a lack of understanding about travel challenges in rural France

Châtelaudren: a Breton village once regarded as France’s ‘second fashion capital’

The picturesque spot in northern Brittany was home to weekly women’s magazine Le Petit Echo de la Mode

Eating faux-pas: habits to avoid when dining in France

From ignoring fellow guests to taking too much cheese, we take a look at the no-nos when dining in France

Why the French have fallen out of love with wine

Wine consumption is falling in France and globally, as lifestyle changes, economic factors, and cultural shifts impact the wine industry

Versailles,,France,-,July,22,,2010,:,The,Apollo,Fountain

See what €50,000, €500,000 and over €1m buys in Yvelines

Versailles is 16km from Paris and has very good but busy roads linking it to the capital

Paris,,France,-,March,16,,2019:,Tribunal,Correctionnel,,Criminal,Court.

French courtroom experience leaves us wanting more

Fraud victim Nick Inman describes what happens when a case goes to trial

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

Wife is jealous of my new male French friends

Columnist Cynthia Spillman advises a reader on his spouse's isolation

Why we love France’s long-distance cycle paths

Reader Kate Kirk, 71, moved to France from West Yorkshire in 2008 with her husband Allan

Senior,,Couple,And,Cooking,In,Kitchen,With,Tablet,For,Meal

My husband wants ‘French’ cooking

Columnist Cynthia Spillman helps a reader to encourage her spouse to take a more collaborative attitude

Michael Bettocchi running the Metz Euro Marathon in 2025

French man loses 40kg to run marathon after life-changing decision

Michael Bettocchi was morbidly obese when he signed up for his first run in Metz

Recipe: make French fougasse bread at home

Baker Richard Bertinet shares a simple and impressive recipe for making authentic French fougasse bread with a crunchy crust and soft interior

Readers’ feedback on Orange two-step authentication issues

Reader Peter Cracknell recently wrote to The Connexion sharing his frustration with accessing his orange.fr emails while visiting the UK. A wave of readers quickly came to his aid

Three reading recommendations: books about France in English

Explore three books set in France, including a family saga in Burgundy, a wartime thriller in Paris, and a romantic journey in Hérault. Perfect reads for Francophiles.

Moving to France – what we wish we had known

Readers who have already made the move share their experiences

How to create a garden paradise for butterflies

Jonathan Kemp offers tips on building a butterfly-friendly garden, even in areas with limited sunlight and challenging soil conditions

‘We have 100-plus rooms to restore in our French chateau’

Felicity Selkirk fell in love with the listed French mansion while searching for a heritage property

Woman,Relaxing,At,Home,In,Evening,And,Watching,Tv

European TV is a necessary cultural corrective

Columnist Nick Inman argues for a more open-minded approach to viewing

Dog waste DNA helps to catch errant pet owners

French town sees 85% reduction in dog waste using DNA tracing technology

Amateur astronomers in Antibes discover new comet

The MAPS research programme found comet C/2026 A1 MAPS, gaining international recognition

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: Beauty from the embers...

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

Books to help you practise your French skills

French books to improve your language skills, from easy-read romances to literary prize winners

Close up image of hands holding mobile phones

France moves to limit screens for children – but are schools going the other way?

Screentime is limited in French schools - but the battle is far from over

Smiling,Caucasian,Grandparents,Enjoy,Playful,Moments,With,Cheerful,Grandchildren,On

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

French family elders have their own lives to live, albeit with much tolerance

Charles,De,Gaulle,Airport,,Paris,,France,-,December,11,2024

EU’s 90/180 days rule: Readers challenge common views on France visits

Some find the number of days permitted to be sufficient for their needs

Synthia Bléomelenat work in her studio, sitting at desk, surrounded by jewellery resources, smiling at camera

‘Dare to try’: a creative’s tips for monetising your talents in France

Reader Synthia Bléomelen explains how she makes money by creating and selling jewellery

Reverse culture shock is another challenge of trips away from France

Returning to the UK from living in France can bring some hurdles

Why simple and eco-friendly swimming pools are on trend for 2026

Plus rainwater transfer tips and potager advice

Phrases used by young people in France in 2026

Have you heard any of these idioms?

I moved to France and became an online art teacher with more than 44,000 students

Reader Nicola Blakemore, 72, explains how online courses made web lessons viable

Learning French: the origins and meaning of tuer la poule aux œufs d'or

An Easter-themed phrase to describe someone who is hungry for money

How to describe cheapskates in French

A village meeting feast showcased the radin tendencies of one family

Guns, healthcare, culture: why my children are better off in France

Novelist and former professional skateboarder Scott Bourne, 53, from North Carolina, fell in love with Europe – and Paris in particular

The story behind Les Lacs du Connemara: the surprising French hit

One of the best-known songs in France is rooted in a different country and culture

Films and TV shows to improve your French this spring

From miniseries to stand-up comedy, boost your language skills with our media recommendations

A family's journey from San Francisco to France

Splitting time between the Ardèche countryside and city life in Lyon offers a balanced lifestyle, cultural enrichment, and social opportunities

Long-distance runner's inspiring fitness journey in France

Sarah Cameron transformed her life through running in the French countryside, achieving remarkable success in marathons and ultra-marathons while representing Team GB