Magazine culture

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

Photos: Paris exhibition explores what people do alone at home

Behind the curtain: L’Intime Expo takes a fascinating look at people's private lives

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Comment: French plan to upgrade Louvre is long overdue

A €900million revamp of the the museum has been announced by President Macron

'Montpellier is an international city, so it should have an international opera house'

This American in France is the youngest ever music director of the Opéra Orchestre national Montpellier

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

Exploring the unique blend of courtesy and obstinacy behind French counters

PHOTOS: French villagers had no idea their neighbour was an acclaimed American artist

Frances Butler exhibited in some of the world’s leading museums, including the Victoria & Albert and British Museum in London

Photos: These are France’s top five most visited national monuments in 2024

How many have you been to?

Experts share top five recommendations for discovering French comics as an adult

First-time readers of bandes dessinées might want to start with this list of suggestions

British illustrator is a star in the Franco-Belgian world of comics

We speak to Posy Simmonds MBE, winner of one of the most prestigious awards for graphic novelists

Discover the capital of comics books in the west of France

We hear from the advisers of Angoulême's museum ahead of the festival which runs from January 29 to February 2

Photos: Magical images as Lyon launches its 25th Fête des Lumières

Stunning light shows take place in the evenings at 32 different venues

Ancient Gaulish village unearthed in south-west France

Discoveries by local farmers spark significant archaeological excavations, revealing a fortified settlement

Learning French: the origins and meaning of impossible n’est pas français

This patriotic proverb was also a presidential campaign slogan

Explore the idyllic Normandy village that inspired a tragic literary masterpiece

Shortlisted as one of France’s favourite villages, Ry was also the setting for Flaubert’s Madame Bovary

Blacksmith’s historic and unusual home for sale in Rouen

The Maison Marrou, an iconic feature of the city of Rouen, is being sold by online auction

Francophonie: countries with the most French speakers apart from France

France is one of the top five most-spoken languages worldwide

Creative workshops boom in France as people flock to write

Millions are finding inspiration and community in affordable, diverse courses across French cities

Van Gogh’s final years exhibition extended for another year

It will be closed from September 30 to October 18 for additional works to be hung

Foires et fêtes d'automne: get ready for feasting, fun and French food at its finest

Mellow fruitfulness awaits as French towns and cities play host to celebrations of local produce and funfairs

French illusionist explores the magical spirit of the City of Light

Fabrice Ferra shares why ‘the essence of illusionism goes way beyond language and culture’

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

Paris zinc roof workers explain what makes their work so special

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

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

Why one Normandy beach has German deckchairs

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

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

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

Pointers from courses to socially acceptable drinks

National heritage guardian helps to make history come alive for millions

The Centre des monuments nationaux has prepared its historic sites for the global spotlight

French crafts in focus: The art of leatherwork

Atelier Chabert in Nice transforms simple leather into exquisite creations

Five things they do not tell you about summertime in France

Another important insight on French life and culture, this time on how the French make the most of the hottest season

Rocketing sales lead to new English bookshop in Nice

Increasing demand leads to new off-shoot of Librairie Masséna

August 2024: Catch up with French history: 10, 50 and 100 years ago

From Macron becoming the fresh face in government, to a tricky balancing act and the first 'Deaflympics'

Profile: Rémi Gaillard, master prankster and the French 'Dom Joly'

The internet trickster has had French audiences howling with laughter for more than two decades

France's Fête de la Rosière embraces modern values

This traditional festival now celebrates civic engagement, moving beyond its historical focus on virtue

Five things they don’t tell you about… school kermesses in France

We look at how fundraisers for the local church turned into annual school parties that are a huge part of French village life

Films and series to watch to improve your French in July

Work on your language skills and celebrate the annual Fête du cinéma

Fête du cinéma to open with new adaptation of classic French novel

The 2024 event will feature 44 films including a mix of local and international releases

French heavy metal music festival launches kids spin-off

Organisers hope special event at Hellfest will inspire interest in the genre for 'the younger generation'

Did you know: A Frenchman may have composed God Save The King

We speak to a researcher who explains the conflicting theories linking the British national anthem to Louis XIV

June 2024: Catch up with French history: 10, 50 and 100 years ago

From the presidency of François Hollande to that of Gaston Doumergue with an erotic film between them

Fête de la musique 2024: France’s giant June 21 street party

Musical performances up and down the country will celebrate the nation’s rich musical heritage

How France's Cluny abbey shone before its downfall

Do you know the story behind this majestic abbey's decadence and subsequent demise?

Iconic 'French liberty' painting returns to the Louvre

Symbol of France returns to museum after six months of repair work

Watch: the UK and US celebrities that speak excellent French

From Johnny Depp to Serena Williams, listen to these English-speaking celebrities who have impressive level of French

5 films and series to watch to improve your French in June

From gruelling documentaries to heartwarming comedies, there is something for everyone on our list

D-Day commemorations: What events are happening around France?

In France, do you know your porcherie from your pigeonnier?

These traditional structures have helped small-scale farmers source protein for hundreds of years

How to give one hour a month to your local community in France

Volunteers can help with activities ranging from gardening for a neighbour to helping out at a care home

French idea lets you read social media family news in print format

Printed compilation of online activity keeps older generation in touch

Chance to discover France’s opera houses - and music - for free

Opera weekend provides all-ages access to a different cultural world and the different workers behind performances

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

Adding milk can be more than just a spur of the moment choice in a French café

TV and films to improve your French in May

Star-studded comedies and Olympic Documentary are recent highlights

Opinion: Another week off – how I love living in France

One of the many things I adore about the French is their attitude to time off.

How to deal with small French village mentality

What can be done when that warm welcome from the locals begins to turn frosty?

Influence of war’s Vichy regime still present in France

Legislation introduced by the Vichy regime in World War Two is still being applied in France today according to an expert historian

One of France’s main music festivals at risk of closure

‘If nothing changes the 2024 edition could be the last’ say organisers of Les Vieilles Charrues

What is the #PasDeVague movement in France?

A new film starring François Civil in cinemas focuses on viral social media movement, but what is it actually about?

‘Beautiful’ Benjamin Franklin letter from France for sale in US

The founding father was in France to garner support for the American revolution

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

From ignoring fellow guests to hogging the cheese board, we take a look at the ultimate no-nos when dining in France.

Why you won’t be hearing church bells much in France for a few days

A trip to Rome, a visit to the Vatican, and lots of chocolate eggs: Where the bells go at Easter

La politesse: what habits can make you seem rude to French people?

Sometimes it can be all too easy to commit a cultural faux pas without even realising it. We look at some of the most common

French photographer who captured US history gets retrospective in Nice

The exhibition details how Henri Dauman made a name for himself without expensive equipment or even press accreditation

What would you include if compiling a quiz about France?

Columnist Nick Inman prepares a syllabus to help you become a French quiz whizz

6 films and series for February to improve your French

Dramas, thrillers, and cult comedies all make this month’s list

Oscar-nominated Anatomy of a Fall is masterclass in multilingual life

The film’s memorable scenes show how speaking multiple languages can be a symbol of compromise, challenges, and power dynamics

Five things they do not tell you about the bourgeoisie in France

From fashion to holidays, we take a humorous look at the bourgeois life

Golden Globes awards for French film Anatomy of a Fall

The multilingual drama picked up two awards at the glittering ceremony

2023 was a good year for French cinemas: The top ten films

French-made films also did well during a bumper year for post-Covid cinema seat sales

French Palaeolithic cave art shows deep human connection with animals

Nature watcher Jonathan Kemp goes underground to marvel at the bison, deer and aurochs drawn 14,000 years ago

President opens 'first-ever’ centre dedicated to French language

The chateau where François I ruled that French, not Latin, should be used has been renovated to celebrate the fun and vitality of the language

7 places to visit in France for free with this weekend’s Heritage Days

We list some sites that are not yet full for reservations - but be quick

Paris’s ‘Love Lock Bridge’ closed for repairs but won’t deter couples

Pont des Arts, which once partially collapsed under the weight of padlocks, is to have rotten planks replaced in the latest chapter of its fascinating history

Centre yourself in the wine-making, historical heart of France

We explore the central department of Cher, where visitors can step back in time in the medieval city of Bourges, mess about in boats, or sample some world-famous wine

Where some of world’s best-known artists found inspiration in France

From Nice to Rouen via Arles, we look at the French locations that fired artists’ imaginations

From bagpipes to bicycles: up and coming arts and culture in France

We look at some of the events and happenings coming up this summer