Magazine

Tarragon, basil, chervil: the 'Holy Trinity' of French herbs

How to buy, grow, store, and use these essential herbs in your cooking

What makes France so French?

We take a look at five French traditions on the UNESCO 'intangible cultural heritage' list

Centre Pompidou renovation: get to know this 'inside out' Paris site

Centre Pompidou is one of France’s most recognisable public buildings, but it will be temporarily closed to the public from September

magazine

Comment: Brexit 'reset' cannot repair the damage it did to people with links to France

Columnist Nick Inman urges Brexit advocates to own their past promises and address the consequences of their actions

Comment: Jogging is now a respectable French pastime

Columnist Sarah Henshaw notes how it has gone from being a joke to a passion in the country

Learning French: rouler en chasse-patate and more Tour de France expressions

The 100-year-old annual bicycle race has long-standing traditions and even its own vocabulary

Letters: British residents of France spar over residency rights

Connexion readers reveal how visa rules affect visits to their French properties post-Brexit

NFL boss dreams of lifting American football to 'the next level' in France

New COO of the Paris Musketeers, Sebastian Stolz, believes the sport can gain traction in France

How I became a calligrapher after moving to France

When engineer Cristina Urzicaru, 31, moved to Versailles for work, her improved work-life balance gave her more free time to take up the practice

Comment: Cheap dining is hurting French restaurants

Eating habits are changing as people's disposable income decreases

Valjouffrey: visiting France's lowest-ranked village for 'quality of life'

Residents are 'happy' to live in this village on the western side of the Écrins Massif, despite the stats

Comment: Low-emissions vote reveals long-standing divisions in France

Columnist Nabila Ramdani notes that the ongoing fight against pollution reflects class and politics

Bordeaux's iconic lamprey dish faces extinction

A court ban on lamprey fishing threatens the future of a historic French delicacy

Recipe: grilled wild garlic mussels

A rich, tasty way to serve mussels, this offers a great contrast of textures between the crunchy crumb crust and the juicy mussel flesh below

Comment: France must abandon dream of retirement at 62

Columnist Simon Heffer says it is high time for the country to face economic reality

Learning French: jouer à l’oreille and more musical phrases

Fine-tune your music-themed vocabulary for the fête de la musique on June 21

Inside Sir Ridley Scott's Provençal paradise

The acclaimed British film director talks exclusively to The Connexion about his Vaucluse home, the wine he makes there and how French history has inspired his work

Experiences: Why I love living in Lot-et-Garonne

Connexion reader Richard Hall explains why he and his wife Maria settled on the banks of the river Lot

French wine guide: choosing regional reds

Jonathan Hesford says correct pairing with food is the key to your vin rouge selection

A Jardin Ouvert to visit in the Loire Valley: ‘I want it to be a proper garden fête’

Musical performances, flower bouquets, a tombola, art exhibitions and donkeys... Sarah Beattie hears about how a chance twist of fate led to this lovely Beaugency hideaway being part of the Open Gardens charity

Learning French: vocabulary to use at the post office in France

Practise key post-office phrases and vocabulary in this practical French lesson from the Little Language School

Letters: French funerals are surprisingly well-organised

Connexion reader shares her experience of the procedures and paperwork involved

Learning French: Ça tape and nine other expressions for hot weather

From a 'lead sun' to 'swimming' in sweat, here are some phrases to use as the temperature soars across France

Meet the farming family who moved from Devon to France

‘We have a mix of French and British customers across the country’

Lynx in France are under threat from poaching and road collisions

Animal protection centres are encouraging the public to report poaching in a strive to boost conservation efforts

Recipe: sun-dried tomato, olive and basil bread

Try this tasty quiche-bread which can be packed as a picnic treat

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

An adjective to describe something ordinary or insignificant

Letters: Gluten-free diets are a challenge living in France

Connexion readers share their challenges and hidden gems for gluten-free dining and shopping

Comment: Taste cheese before you buy it - they expect you to in France

Columnist Samantha David explains the best way to discover your favourite French delicacies lies at the supermarket counter

Three reading recommendations: books about France in English

Tips for trying to make French friends, a gripping tale set in Paris, and romantic easy-reading set in Provence

Taf: what does this common little word mean (it is actually an acronym)

When to use the acronym for 'travail à faire', or 'work to do'

French translations can be delightful... when done wrong

Columnist Nick Inman looks at author Mark Twain's humorous take on French translation

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: Diving South

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

How to reclaim your health in later life while living in France

Columnist Cynthia Spillman explains how a recent health scare helped her make the right lifestyle changes – from utilising France's excellent healthcare and enjoying its picturesque countryside

‘We came to France for a 12-month sabbatical and decided to stay’

Texas couple fell in love with the culture and language

Comment: Bullfighting is ancient French art and will continue

Southern France’s bullfighting tradition is stronger than ever, according to the association that defends the practice

Recipe: add pâté de campagne to your charcuterie board

Tips for buying charcuterie in France and creating the best platters for guests

Rodez: a tale of two small pink-tinted cities

Art historian Julia Faiers marvels at the cathedral and medieval treasures of this city in Aveyron (Occitanie), once split in two

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

Learning French: how to tell the time in France

O’clock, half past, noon… Practise key time phrases and vocabulary in this practical French lesson from the Little Language School

French garden: choose drought tolerant daisies and echinacea

Cathy Thompson tells us why she is hooked on the grassland plants of the North American prairie

Bonfire of the vineyards gathers pace in Bordeaux

Columnist Sue Adams explains why acres of vines are being taken up and burned in a wine-growing region

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: Pilgrims in peril

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

Mid-season filler flowers for your French garden

Test these colourful tips for replacing victims of winter rot or frost

Learning French: Five fun ways to make a decision in France

From chifumi to chou-fleur... do you know the French equivalent to 'rock, paper, scissors'?

Five things they don’t tell you about... babies in France

From maternal diets to confusing names, there are many cultural differences to keep an eye out for...

Property watch: See what €50,000, €150,000 and over €1m buys in Haut-Rhin

The north-east department is known for its strong German influences

Letters: The French are not always above petty xenophobic jibes

Connexion readers argue that British 'insults' towards the French are made in goodwill

Photos: The secret wildlife hidden in French cities

Photographer Nicolas de Vaulx reveals the surprising urban habitats of France's diverse animal life

How a family embraced living on a bus and travelling around France

Kevin and Olivia Cadorne purchased an old bus, turned it into their home and set out to explore France with their three children

Letters: We have been without a GP or dentist for years in France

Connexion readers share their experiences of living in a 'medical desert'

Paris Nuit Blanche 2025: join in this weekend’s ‘all night’ free culture festival

Dozens of galleries, museums, and art spaces are holding events and tours

Letters: Walking in France is impossible due to hunters

Connexion reader says he has given up as it is 'just not worth the risk'

Tips on how to manage a French chateau - and how to get your own

Chateau owners Lionel and Claire Cherruault share their experience

How I became a ghostwriter after moving to France

Tracy Stewart, 58, a risk specialist, moved to France in 2014. Her life took an unexpected turn, leading her on a new career journey within the publishing industry

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: Purple reign

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

Learning French: can you guess the film behind these translated titles?

Paris' Nuit Blanche 2025 shines a spotlight on cinema – here we look at the some of the surprising choices for translations of film names

The best places to live in 2025 in France

According to the Ville de Rêve rankings – accounting for education, green spaces, living conditions and more

Interview: How we determine the right town for you in France

Ville de Rêve uses data to reveal the best places to live in France – its director Jérôme Devouge explains

Exploring Vienne's beautiful ancient towns: Chatellerault, Chauvigny and Montmorillon

Visit castles, admire medieval architecture, explore the local history, and uncover cultural gems

Vienne attracts tourists with theme parks, zoos and hot air balloons

There is no shortage of activities for adventure seekers, such as bungee jumping, rock climbing, and thrill rides

Learning French: tips for speaking to a mechanic in France

Practise key phrases and vocabulary for taking your car to the garage, in this practical French lesson from the Little Language School

From chicken-shaped cabins to alcoholic seafood soup: eight quirky facts about Vienne

This department, located in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, has some interesting, yet unexpected features

One of Europe's oldest churches is found in France's 'City of 100 Spires’

Poitiers (Vienne) has a unique blend of medieval charm and modern vibrancy, from ancient churches to bustling nightlife

Poitiers: a pocket guide to Vienne's capital city

From transport links to educational excellence, find out about this historic city in west-central France

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

Courtship or rivalry: experience avian mating season in France

Jonathan Kemp deciphers the flamboyant displays put on by birds

How to cope with financial stress after moving to France

Columnist Cynthia Spillman gives her advice on how to manage life abroad when faced with money problems

I am sick of having to justify my country’s politics to people in France

Columnist Cynthia Spillman offers advice on how to deal with troubling politics in your home country

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: North Pole

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

Magic of 800-year-old natural light display returns to historic French abbey

Art historian Dr Julia Faiers discovers how a medieval PR campaign about a saint’s holy relics determined the rags-to-riches story of Vézelay Abbey in Burgundy

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

How to prepare seasonal French globe artichokes

Peter Bear wonders who was the first to try eating this thistle-looking légume, and ponders other surprising French dishes

Learning French: why do we say le vent d’autan rend fou?

Plus, more ways to describe madness when in France

Magazine

Tarragon, basil, chervil: the 'Holy Trinity' of French herbs

What makes France so French?

Centre Pompidou renovation: get to know this 'inside out' Paris site

Comment: Brexit 'reset' cannot repair the damage it did to people with links to France

Comment: Jogging is now a respectable French pastime

Learning French: rouler en chasse-patate and more Tour de France expressions

Letters: British residents of France spar over residency rights

NFL boss dreams of lifting American football to 'the next level' in France

How I became a calligrapher after moving to France

Comment: Cheap dining is hurting French restaurants

Valjouffrey: visiting France's lowest-ranked village for 'quality of life'

Comment: Low-emissions vote reveals long-standing divisions in France

Bordeaux's iconic lamprey dish faces extinction

Recipe: grilled wild garlic mussels

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

Canicross: France's fastest-growing sport

What are the current rules for children using booster seats in France?

Comment: France must abandon dream of retirement at 62

Five exhibitions to see in France this summer

Did you know? France used to put animals in the dock

A guide to spicing up French cuisine

France's centuries-old craft group looks to more diverse future

Try these tips for learning French when you are in your fifties

Learning French: jouer à l’oreille and more musical phrases

Inside Sir Ridley Scott's Provençal paradise

Experiences: Why I love living in Lot-et-Garonne

French wine guide: choosing regional reds

A Jardin Ouvert to visit in the Loire Valley: ‘I want it to be a proper garden fête’

Learning French: vocabulary to use at the post office in France

Letters: French funerals are surprisingly well-organised

Learning French: Ça tape and nine other expressions for hot weather

Meet the farming family who moved from Devon to France

Lynx in France are under threat from poaching and road collisions

Recipe: sun-dried tomato, olive and basil bread

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

Letters: Gluten-free diets are a challenge living in France

Comment: Taste cheese before you buy it - they expect you to in France

Three reading recommendations: books about France in English

Taf: what does this common little word mean (it is actually an acronym)

French translations can be delightful... when done wrong

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: Diving South

How to reclaim your health in later life while living in France

‘We came to France for a 12-month sabbatical and decided to stay’

Comment: Bullfighting is ancient French art and will continue

Recipe: add pâté de campagne to your charcuterie board

Rodez: a tale of two small pink-tinted cities

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Learning French: how to tell the time in France

French garden: choose drought tolerant daisies and echinacea

Bonfire of the vineyards gathers pace in Bordeaux

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: Pilgrims in peril

Mid-season filler flowers for your French garden

Learning French: Five fun ways to make a decision in France

Five things they don’t tell you about... babies in France

Property watch: See what €50,000, €150,000 and over €1m buys in Haut-Rhin

Letters: The French are not always above petty xenophobic jibes

Photos: The secret wildlife hidden in French cities

How a family embraced living on a bus and travelling around France

Letters: We have been without a GP or dentist for years in France

Paris Nuit Blanche 2025: join in this weekend’s ‘all night’ free culture festival

Letters: Walking in France is impossible due to hunters

Tips on how to manage a French chateau - and how to get your own

How I became a ghostwriter after moving to France

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: Purple reign

Learning French: can you guess the film behind these translated titles?

The best places to live in 2025 in France

Interview: How we determine the right town for you in France

Exploring Vienne's beautiful ancient towns: Chatellerault, Chauvigny and Montmorillon

Vienne attracts tourists with theme parks, zoos and hot air balloons

Learning French: tips for speaking to a mechanic in France

From chicken-shaped cabins to alcoholic seafood soup: eight quirky facts about Vienne

One of Europe's oldest churches is found in France's 'City of 100 Spires’

Poitiers: a pocket guide to Vienne's capital city

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Courtship or rivalry: experience avian mating season in France

How to cope with financial stress after moving to France

I am sick of having to justify my country’s politics to people in France

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: North Pole