Magazine

What French should you actually be learning before moving to France?

Time spent accumulating vocabulary you rarely use may leave you less prepared than time spent learning relevant words and practising real-life situations

Four people clinking glasses of rosé wine at a dinner table

Break bread, keep eye contact: dining dos and don’ts in France

An American in France highlights the correct way to eat cheese and bread during a meal

Learning French: the origins and meaning of ça roule, ma poule

A laidback phrase to show you approve of or agree with an idea

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What is France’s new heritage pass and is it the same as the National Trust pass in UK

The pass offers access to a range of heritage sites

Angoulême: Back to old time car racing glamour

English-speaking volunteers are sought for Angoulême’s Circuit des Remparts, where rare Lorraine-Dietrich cars star this month

Mangetout: Coddled eggs, champagne and a marmalade martini

From luxurious Paris hotel breakfasts to simple French-style coddled eggs, discover alternative breakfast recipes and cocktail ideas

Test your knowledge: fun French facts

Try our fun quiz featuring Serge Gainsbourg and King Charlemagne

France had concentration and internment camps before and during the Second World War

We explain their purpose, the Vichy regime and the Natzweiler-Struthof camp

France’s Nutri-Score makes a farce of healthy eating

The system was introduced in 2017 to help shoppers improve their diets

Join the club: Bon Coeur charity shop in Lot-et-Garonne has raised €200,000

British-led charity shop in Beauville raising funds for animal rescue, health and local causes

Former military base inspired by US cities is preserved French curiosity

There is a corner of France that will be forever American, retaining museum cadillacs and US-style architecture: Cité de Brassioux

We moved into an abandoned railway station in Alsace

'Our aim is to preserve the building’s heritage in all the renovations that we undertake'

Mature,Woman,Organizes,Or,Chooses,Clothes,Outfit,And,Tries,On

Different ways of using de in French

Using de with an adjective feels strange to English-speakers

Five incredible French underground churches to explore

Visit these spectacular underground and rock-hewn churches, from Saint-Émilion’s vast monolithic church to a Provence cave sanctuary

Artisan cheese of the month: Comtesse de Vichy, plus an Auvergne speciality stew

Now is the time to enjoy Comtesse de Vichy, a spruce-wrapped French cow’s milk cheese

The five films shortlisted to represent France at the Oscars

One of these will be chosen next week to be France’s representative

September is such a relief after France's hectic summer

The holidays and social engagements give way to peace and quiet

English-French crossword (intermediate): September 12, 2026

All answers are in French. Bonne Chance!

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

How to deal with badly behaved grandchildren in France

A reader asks how to set boundaries before family visits

Diverse students in school uniforms walking together across a school courtyard.

School uniforms would bring only limited benefits in France

History professor Christine Mussard explains why the idea of mandatory school uniforms is so divisive

Music choice: leading French rapper PLK's album Un grand garçon

Album by the Parisian rapper of Polish-Corsican heritage is one of France’s best-selling releases in 2026

Brittany Ferries 'shot itself in the foot' on French routes

Company should have been able to manage matters much better, says reader

Film review: The Time of Secrets, Pagnol’s Provence memoir

Christophe Barratier’s sunlit adaptation of Marcel Pagnol’s childhood memoir is now streaming

Discover terre et mer, France’s land-and-sea food pairing tradition

Explore 'disparate culinary bedfellows' plus how to make Camargue broufade, a slow-cooked beef stew with anchovies, garlic and capers

'Howling' like a dog is one way to express shock or surprise

Learn how to use the French word hurlement, meaning a howl or scream

Seine-Maritime launches drone defibrillator deliveries for cardiac arrests

Normandy department becomes the first place in France to dispatch defibrillators by drone, aiming to speed up cardiac arrest treatment and save lives

App helps English-speakers access emergency medical help in French

LifeLine Europe helps English-speakers call emergency services, share medical details in French and access offline safety tools while travelling

Assorted raw beef cuts on a tray with a label for bourguignon stew.

French meat is actually of superb quality

This reader is surprised by others' experiences

Help trace Amiens family to return lost First World War postcards

An Australian woman seeks descendants of Victor and Juliette Herbault in Amiens to return twelve love postcards

Support dog helps victims of crime speak up in Haut-Rhin

A judicial assistance dog in Mulhouse helps victims during police interviews, court hearings and medical appointments

Close-up of the Eiffel Tower’s iron lattice, arches, columns and lamps against a pale sky.

Female representation in France needs to progress quicker

Columnist Nick Inman argues that it is time to rectify the imbalance

Cracking taste of autumn: in praise of the hazelnut

Discover how to buy, roast and use noisettes, plus a recipe for hazelnut strawberry tart and advice on French hazelnut oil

Recipe: courgette gratin with fresh herbs and goat’s cheese

Make this easy French-style gratin with fresh herbs and nutmeg, baked until golden and bubbling

A view of a French dictionary with a close up of the word ‘définition’

Nearly 29% of US dictionary terms have French origins

New survey highlights France’s enduring influence on English vocabulary

Young woman reading a book at a traditional Parisian outdoor café

September reading recommendations: books about France in English

Enjoy books about the Riviera during wartime, life in Provence and a practical guide to French slang

First scallop shell road opens in Calvados

Crushed scallop shells used to replace some cement, cutting carbon emissions from road construction

Lyon to include heat checks in home fitness tests

City plans to treat dangerously hot homes as unfit for habitation, giving tenants new protections against heatwave overheating

Britons jostle with Germans for Channel tourism

Tourists return 'in droves' this year, experts say

Father creates pram friendly app for walks

PramTrails offers parents in France pram-friendly walking routes, tailored to buggy models, terrain, gradients and nearby facilities

How to find pet care in France: British vet shares experience

Kindness and professionalism are always hallmarks of quality care

English-French crossword (intermediate): September 5, 2026

All answers are in French. Bonne Chance!

New life springs in Aude among 2025 wildfire carnage

A year after the devastating Ribaute wildfire, wildlife and plants are returning as experts study Corbières ecosystem recovery

Bay of Seine scallop catch reaches record levels

However, observers stress the importance of remaining vigilant in the face of natural population fluctuations and the effects of climate change

Learning French: what does sécher les cours mean and when should it be used?

Finding the link between ink and bunking off school

'We moved to Alsace for more space and better quality of life'

British couple moved from Basel in Switzerland so their money would go further

British cider maker in southern France wins international prizes

Stuart Cook on his experience moving to France and starting a pure fruit cidrerie

Understanding French vide greniers, braderies and brocantes

Similar to flea markets and car boot sales, the season for these events starts in September

Windmill,Park.,Offshore,Wind,Turbines,Farm,On,The,Ocean.,Sustainable

D-Day beach: turbines 'forever change nature and atmosphere'

Site significantly impacted by the installation of a large commercial wind farm, says reader

Back on the table: why tinned sardines are booming in France

TikTok trends, health benefits and low prices revive demand for brands including La Belle-Iloise

Why two Americans joined the French Foreign Legion and stayed in France

Soldiers explain the gruelling selection and French-language training, and their path to French citizenship

Bikes on trains can be a hard slog in France

A reader writes of their mixed experiences

Tac, euh, bah: French language tics you hear every day

Discover five words that French people use but that have no real meaning

What is the difference between sortir, partir, quitter and aller?

When to use each of these similar ‘leaving’ verbs

Test your knowledge: fun French facts

Try our fun quiz featuring Serge Gainsbourg and King Charlemagne

How to grow irises in France: planting and care guide

Advice on varieties for sun, shade, pots and ponds for year-round colour

September gardening tips: lawn care and which winter vegetables to sow

How to scarify a lawn, sow winter carrots, turnips and salads, and choose durable boots for autumn work

Hand drawing a red line between the UK and EU

Brexit was about sovereignty, not economic gain

Readers debate the legacy of the split

Five films and series to watch in September to improve your French

Sports documentary, comedies, and France’s most anticipated flick of the year included in busy month

Woman with folded arms sits apart as a man and mature woman stand behind her in a tense home setting.

Family conflict in France: should I cut off my cousin?

A reader considers ending a difficult family relationship

Small harbour in La Roche-Bernard, Brittany, with boats, stone buildings and calm water.

A visit to La Roche-Bernard: big bridges alongside the little people

Take a closer look at the charming, historic village on the south coast of Brittany with a scenic marina

Things to do this month in Lille, Deauville and many heritage sites around France

Enjoy European Heritage Days, Crémieu’s medieval festival, Lille’s Braderie and American films in Deauville

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: LUvely biscuit tower

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

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: da Vinci's final days

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

French faux pas: avoid 'condom bread' at all costs

Faux amis or ‘false friends’ can lead to embarrassing situations

English-French crossword (intermediate): August 29, 2026

All answers are in French. Bonne Chance!

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: a Frank exchange

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

In times of crisis France always turns to de Gaulle

Columnist Simon Heffer considers the success of a new film on the wartime figurehead

10 wildlife excursions to try in France

From the Alps to the Riviera, here is our pick of where to watch for wolves, birds, bears and other beasts

Visit an English-style Allier garden

Explore this colourful garden in Beaune d’Allier through Open Gardens/Jardins Ouverts this September

Woman standing in a classroom beside a blackboard and wooden desk.

'I am a French tutor and these are five tips that can benefit learners'

Many learners hit a plateau once they have learned the basics

A view of a beautiful old house in Brittany, France

I moved to France for a better life – so why do I feel like a failure?

Columnist Cynthia Spillman gives her tips to overcome house envy

Attacks on Macron's jet-skiing holiday are utterly absurd

Photos of the president in his trunks cause media storm

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

What does deux salles, deux ambiances mean and when should it be used?

The origin of this 'two rooms' phrase are linked to nightclub adverts

How Queen Elizabeth II's love of France won over the French

Royal biographer recalls the late Queen's lifelong francophilia

Magazine

What French should you actually be learning before moving to France?

Break bread, keep eye contact: dining dos and don’ts in France

Learning French: the origins and meaning of ça roule, ma poule

What is France’s new heritage pass and is it the same as the National Trust pass in UK

Trending

Are older drivers in France required to use an ‘S’ sticker?

France fuel crisis: one in nine service stations out of stock; Macron holds emergency meeting

British diver found dead in cave in south-west France

Best places to retire to in France ranked in new study

Concerns over France’s new Asian hornet plan - no help promised for beekeepers or residents

What are rules for sweeping chimney in France and is October good time to do it?

Five great French cycling routes to enjoy

Angoulême: Back to old time car racing glamour

Mangetout: Coddled eggs, champagne and a marmalade martini

Test your knowledge: fun French facts

France had concentration and internment camps before and during the Second World War

France’s Nutri-Score makes a farce of healthy eating

Join the club: Bon Coeur charity shop in Lot-et-Garonne has raised €200,000

Former military base inspired by US cities is preserved French curiosity

We moved into an abandoned railway station in Alsace

Different ways of using de in French

Five incredible French underground churches to explore

How to choose fresh cut flowers and make them last longer

The UK's Brexit negotiators were arrogant - not Barnier

French wine vintages explained: how to choose a good year

Artisan cheese of the month: Comtesse de Vichy, plus an Auvergne speciality stew

French town's ban on drying laundry outside is nonsense

Learning French: when and why do we say avoir le melon?

Meet the producers: Bulldog Bacon and Bangers in the Gers

Recipe: French onion soup with Comté toasts

How to cook cheese: baked honey and thyme Camembert with crudités

The five films shortlisted to represent France at the Oscars

September is such a relief after France's hectic summer

English-French crossword (intermediate): September 12, 2026

How to deal with badly behaved grandchildren in France

School uniforms would bring only limited benefits in France

Music choice: leading French rapper PLK's album Un grand garçon

Brittany Ferries 'shot itself in the foot' on French routes

Film review: The Time of Secrets, Pagnol’s Provence memoir

Discover terre et mer, France’s land-and-sea food pairing tradition

'Howling' like a dog is one way to express shock or surprise

Seine-Maritime launches drone defibrillator deliveries for cardiac arrests

App helps English-speakers access emergency medical help in French

French meat is actually of superb quality

Help trace Amiens family to return lost First World War postcards

Support dog helps victims of crime speak up in Haut-Rhin

Female representation in France needs to progress quicker

Cracking taste of autumn: in praise of the hazelnut

Recipe: courgette gratin with fresh herbs and goat’s cheese

Nearly 29% of US dictionary terms have French origins

September reading recommendations: books about France in English

First scallop shell road opens in Calvados

Lyon to include heat checks in home fitness tests

Britons jostle with Germans for Channel tourism

Father creates pram friendly app for walks

How to find pet care in France: British vet shares experience

English-French crossword (intermediate): September 5, 2026

New life springs in Aude among 2025 wildfire carnage

Bay of Seine scallop catch reaches record levels

Learning French: what does sécher les cours mean and when should it be used?

'We moved to Alsace for more space and better quality of life'

British cider maker in southern France wins international prizes

Understanding French vide greniers, braderies and brocantes

D-Day beach: turbines 'forever change nature and atmosphere'

Back on the table: why tinned sardines are booming in France

Why two Americans joined the French Foreign Legion and stayed in France

Bikes on trains can be a hard slog in France

Tac, euh, bah: French language tics you hear every day

What is the difference between sortir, partir, quitter and aller?

Test your knowledge: fun French facts

How to grow irises in France: planting and care guide

September gardening tips: lawn care and which winter vegetables to sow

Brexit was about sovereignty, not economic gain

Five films and series to watch in September to improve your French

Family conflict in France: should I cut off my cousin?

A visit to La Roche-Bernard: big bridges alongside the little people

Things to do this month in Lille, Deauville and many heritage sites around France

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: LUvely biscuit tower

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: da Vinci's final days