Magazine

My life-changing French Erasmus exchange: From pro rugby player to lawyer

A former University of Edinburgh student shares how his year abroad led from playing rugby in Toulon to building a legal career in France

Learning French: understanding 'backwards' abbreviations

The penchant for shortening long terms makes the language even harder for foreigners to understand

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

magazine

'We moved from the US to France to restore a château'

Mark Goff and Phillip Engel swapped the California wine country of Napa Valley for a new life at Château d’Avensac

'Our French neighbours never invite us over to their house'

Columnist Cynthia Spillman offers some advice on returning hospitality

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: Swede dreams are made of this

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

Comment: Weeds can make a garden cheaper and more manageable in France

Columnist Samantha David tells how embracing nature has hidden benefits

Chauvet cave in south of France is slowly revealing its secrets

3D technology is revolutionising our understanding of 36,000-year-old paintings in the Chauvet Cave in Ardèche

Learning French: the origins and meaning of gratin

Understand the etymological roots of this beloved dish with a crispy, cheesy topping

Exclusive interview: New two-star Michelin chef Philippe Etchebest

Revisit our exclusive 2023 interview with the man behind Maison Nouvelle as he is rewarded in the 2025 Michelin Guide France

Recipe: fresh fava bean and asparagus salad

Source seasonal produce and garnish with mint, goats cheese and lemon

How does France’s April Fools’ Day differ from that in UK or US?

It is in schools where we see a real French peculiarity

Five famous April Fools' pranks played on the French public

The French media have pulled some classic ‘poissons d’Avril’ - here are five of the best

Comment: Le Tour de France does not export the best of French values

Columnist Nabila Ramdani notes that the fabled race is to start in the UK in 2027, bringing with it a questionable legacy

Comment: French children's parties are low key affairs - fortunately

Columnist Sarah Henshaw notes that smaller celebrations with home-baked treats are still the rule in France

Letters: France needs a new strategy to stop spam calls

Connexion reader says the new legislation will not work just as previous rules failed

Learning French: what is the difference between tout compris and tout inclus?

How to avoid costly ‘all-inclusive’ surprises

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: Strings to its bow

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

Three fun fromage phrases for France’s national cheese day

Today (Thursday, March 27) is la journée nationale du fromage

Letters: VAT threshold reduction would hurt small businesses in France

Connexion reader notes that the additional tax burden would bring more bureaucracy with it

Learning French: the origins and meaning of ça me fait une belle jambe

A sarcastic saying to suggest something is unimportant or irrelevant

Gardening in France: how to overcome daffodil dilemmas

Expert solutions for daffodil 'blindness' and 'lively' composting techniques to try

Comment: How France should respond to ‘bully’ Trump's tariffs

Columnist Simon Heffer looks at the effect the brewing trade war may have on France

'I fear France may not welcome Americans due to anti-Trump sentiment'

Columnist Cynthia Spillman offers advice on testing the waters before a big move

Learning French: when and why do we say racler les fonds de tiroir?

An expression for when funds are running desperately low

Learning French: when and why do we say de fil en aiguille?

An expression to reflect a gradual progression

Learning French: the origins and meaning of tenir au jus

A juicy saying for when you want to be kept in the loop

Learning French: helpful vocabulary for finding an artisan in France

Hiring artisans can be costly... use these essential terms to navigate the process effectively

‘Devastated!’ Listeners in France respond to loss of BBC Sounds

Many readers have shared their frustration at the loss of the app

Learning French: when and why do we say mettre la main à la pâte?

This French phrase has little to do with pâte or dough and is useful when you need to ‘get stuck into' a task

Letters: BBC downsizing will hurt listeners in France

Reader says little information is available about the broadcaster's plans to shut down its Sounds app and website in the Spring

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

A handy phrase to indicate that an event is underway

Comment: French restaurants still do not get the idea of serving vegetables

Columnist and vegetarian Sarah Beattie looks at the slow progress of non-meat options

Learning French: five short talk radio shows to improve your language skills

Improve your French comprehension with these quick, insightful broadcasts that can also be listened to as podcasts

Understand the basics of French wine labelling

Why are French wines labelled as Bordeaux or Burgundies, and not Cabernet or Malbec? Jonathan Hesford explains

France's Loire Valley arboretum puts heather and magnolias in the spring spotlight

‘The forest is coming awake from its winter sleep... Life is coming back again in colour, scent and sound’

Why English and French breakfasts are so unalike

A traditional hearty English breakfast may have been in response to France's lack of a morning meal

Letters: I took French driving test at 63 rather than swap my UK licence

Connexion reader says it cost €530 in total

Learning French: when and why do we say être bien dans ses baskets?

Watch out for false friends in this saying about self-confidence

Learning French: the origins and meaning of faire fissa

Chop-chop, hurry up, get a move on…

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: Monks in the red

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

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

Letters: French driving theory tests are too hard for older drivers

Connexion reader says they are designed as a hurdle for younger drivers

Learning French: when and why do we say avoir la boule au ventre?

A phrase for when you are feeling stressed or nervous

French herbs: How to grow your own and use them correctly

Columnist Sue Adams explains the history and tradition of herbes de Provence and fines herbes

'How we are reviving our Belle Epoque property on the edge of Lyon'

This period home from 1900 is a functioning hotel filled with antique furniture and artefacts

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

Level-up your casual French by using this term instead of rien

Martel: the medieval French town home to a 'truffle' train and lavender festival

The small town in the Lot offered refuge to an English throne heir until his death

Learning French: the origins and meaning of boire la tasse

A phrase for admitting defeat

Gardening in France: get set to be dazzled by dahlias

March is the perfect time to plant these sun-loving tubers

Letters: Waste collection in France needs a rethink

Connexion reader says the complex system means rubbish builds up and dogs attack the bins

Brittany lighthouse lens removal leads to public outcry

A petition gained over 20,000 signatures, highlighting the ongoing battle over the buildings' heritage in France

Why Madeleines have enduring appeal in France

The light, buttery, shell-shaped cakes that left their mark on French literature are traditional in many regions

Learning French: the meaning of tiret du six versus tiret du huit

Plus, how to tell someone your email address in French

Learning French: the origins and meaning of piger

A slang word for measuring comprehension… that has nothing to do with pigs

Cherry blossoms galore: Europe's largest Japanese garden is in France

Picnic beneath pink trees and celebrate the tradition of Hanami at the Parc Oriental de Maulévrier

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: Green tourism

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

'I am too afraid to drive in France - it feels like the wrong side of the road'

Columnist Cynthia Spillman gives her advice on acclimatising to French roads and motorways

How France looks after its historical treasures

Emmanuel Pénicaut, director of collections at Mobilier national, explains the organisation’s vital role

English-language poets in France showcased in new anthology

29 poets from a stanza group worked together on the collection

Experiences: Why I love where I live in Brittany

Connexion reader recounts how she found her haven in Saint-Servan, Ille-et-Vilaine

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

This article features strong language

Perpète-les-Oies and Petaouchnouk: origins of these bizarre French expressions

Being familiar with such idioms can help to elevate your French to the next level

Comment: Nesting swallows have become a pest at my French home

Columnist Samantha David is irked but the birds enjoy protected status

Did you know? France invented the strawberry

As strawberry season gets underway, you might be surprised to hear that garden strawberries originated in France and can be used in many ways

Learning French: the origins and meaning of arrête ton char

Say this when someone starts talking nonsense

Il est or c’est: how to remember when to use the right expression in French

Some key grammar rules can help with this sometimes-tricky French phrase

Letters: ETA online link for people transiting through UK to or from France

It is recommended to use the app to get an electronic travel authorisation - but this reader managed to apply without it

Comment: France's rural entertainment is real, raw and - usually - outstanding

Local theatre is still the beating heart of the community in many French towns

Letters: Postal delays meant Christmas cards took five weeks to reach France

Readers complain of gifts arriving well into the new year

Learning French: when and why do we say arriver à bon port?

A phrase to use upon reaching your destination, safe and sound

Letters: French is a hard language - even for native speakers

Reader recounts his struggle to find access to more modern teaching methods

Letters: French vegetarian burgers are still a work in progress

Reader bemoans the lack of meat alternatives available in restaurants

Magazine

My life-changing French Erasmus exchange: From pro rugby player to lawyer

Learning French: understanding 'backwards' abbreviations

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

'We moved from the US to France to restore a château'

Trending

Why are drivers in France increasingly getting speeding fines without being ‘flashed’?

New language tests for French residency cards: ways to prove your language level and advantages of each

High demand for relaunch of Ryanair’s London - France route

Burglaries: the French cities and towns most - and least - affected

Inheritance law change would put more homes on market in France

Three changes – and a potential new law – affecting drivers in France this April

Storm Nuria to hit France: Gales of up to 140 km/h forecast

'Our French neighbours never invite us over to their house'

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: Swede dreams are made of this

Comment: Weeds can make a garden cheaper and more manageable in France

Chauvet cave in south of France is slowly revealing its secrets

Learning French: the origins and meaning of gratin

Exclusive interview: New two-star Michelin chef Philippe Etchebest

Recipe: fresh fava bean and asparagus salad

How does France’s April Fools’ Day differ from that in UK or US?

Five famous April Fools' pranks played on the French public

Comment: Le Tour de France does not export the best of French values

Is a carte de famille useful for mixed French-British couples?

How I became a beautician after moving to France

Ten top science museums to visit in France

Comment: French children's parties are low key affairs - fortunately

Profile: Dorothée - France's beloved TV icon and screen mum

Learning French: what does comme par hasard mean and when should it be used?

Do you have the right personality to move to France?

Exploring Vulcania: France's volcanic adventure theme park

Can you master these 10 French tongue twisters?

Letters: France needs a new strategy to stop spam calls

Learning French: what is the difference between tout compris and tout inclus?

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: Strings to its bow

Three fun fromage phrases for France’s national cheese day

Letters: VAT threshold reduction would hurt small businesses in France

Learning French: the origins and meaning of ça me fait une belle jambe

Gardening in France: how to overcome daffodil dilemmas

Comment: How France should respond to ‘bully’ Trump's tariffs

'I fear France may not welcome Americans due to anti-Trump sentiment'

Learning French: when and why do we say racler les fonds de tiroir?

Learning French: when and why do we say de fil en aiguille?

Learning French: the origins and meaning of tenir au jus

Learning French: helpful vocabulary for finding an artisan in France

‘Devastated!’ Listeners in France respond to loss of BBC Sounds

Learning French: when and why do we say mettre la main à la pâte?

Letters: BBC downsizing will hurt listeners in France

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

Comment: French restaurants still do not get the idea of serving vegetables

Learning French: five short talk radio shows to improve your language skills

Understand the basics of French wine labelling

France's Loire Valley arboretum puts heather and magnolias in the spring spotlight

Why English and French breakfasts are so unalike

Letters: I took French driving test at 63 rather than swap my UK licence

Learning French: when and why do we say être bien dans ses baskets?

Learning French: the origins and meaning of faire fissa

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: Monks in the red

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Letters: French driving theory tests are too hard for older drivers

Learning French: when and why do we say avoir la boule au ventre?

French herbs: How to grow your own and use them correctly

'How we are reviving our Belle Epoque property on the edge of Lyon'

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

Martel: the medieval French town home to a 'truffle' train and lavender festival

Learning French: the origins and meaning of boire la tasse

Gardening in France: get set to be dazzled by dahlias

Letters: Waste collection in France needs a rethink

Brittany lighthouse lens removal leads to public outcry

Why Madeleines have enduring appeal in France

Learning French: the meaning of tiret du six versus tiret du huit

Learning French: the origins and meaning of piger

Cherry blossoms galore: Europe's largest Japanese garden is in France

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: Green tourism

'I am too afraid to drive in France - it feels like the wrong side of the road'

How France looks after its historical treasures

English-language poets in France showcased in new anthology

Experiences: Why I love where I live in Brittany