‘Ponds in rural France are beautifully maintained but no longer used’ Columnist Peter Wyeth laments that these large, impressive sites, once the fresh-aired setting for family picnics, barbecues and fun, now fail to attract people
‘New French speeding rule encourages aggressive drivers’ The change has enabled reckless motorists to drive even more wildly without fear of losing points, argues columnist Samantha David
Do you agree? Paris politicians ignore rural France at their peril Rural voters are looking for leaders outside the Paris bubble who will protect village life, says columnist Nick Inman 'Targeting golfers in France as a threat in class war is ludicrous' ‘Farmer crisis is a pig for new French PM and a godsend for Le Pen’ To sub or to dub: the dilemma of film fans in France
Updated: How important is buying French produce to you? We share reader feedback after the farmer protests swept France
‘Macron wants higher birth rate - of the right kind of French babies’ The president’s latest bid for Le Pen votes is deeply unsavoury, warns commentator Nabila Ramdani
‘Why France’s ‘boy wonder’ PM may still end up as Macron’s scapegoat’ Prime Minister Gabriel Attal may have presidential aspirations but consider the fate of his predecessors, warns commentator Simon Heffer
My experience in France as a university English teacher Teaching English in France has taught me so much about the language learning process
‘French far-right fight over rural votes with village-idiot policies’ Political parties which promise to protect a mythic Gallic country life are living in a fantasy world, warns columnist Nabila Ramdani
French education minister did not lie - ‘reality proved her wrong’ Statement over her son’s schooling echoes the ‘alternative facts’ phrase from the US Trump administration
Why being punctual is not always polite in France Sometimes being late is good manners as columnist Annaliza Davis finds out
Are theatre audiences in France better behaved than the UK or US? Columnist Peter Wyeth notices a genuine appreciation for performers and no reports of anti-social behaviour at shows
The value of going to your mayor’s New Year party in France Cérémonies des vœux take place all over France, giving elected officials a chance to ‘talk shop’ – while everyone else socialises
Updated: readers share their French film and TV recommendations Dramas, thrillers, and a soap opera all make list of most-loved watches in France Your views on American tourist’s claim that France is ‘isolating’ Talking point: Is France really a meritocracy? ‘Speed bumps in France are dangerous for motorcyclists like me’
‘No happy new year for French president chasing a place in history’ President Macron’s problems are stacking up at home and abroad, says columnist Simon Heffer Christmas in France is so much better without Boxing Day ‘Our kind French neighbours have made us feel so welcome’ ‘British drinking habits come as a shock now we live in France’ ‘Anti-mosquito spraying must be allowed to resume in rural France’ ‘Amazon France have lost my custom and many of my deliveries’
Why do cheap UK-France ferry day-trips exist but France-UK do not? Popping over to Dover for British goods or fish and chips used to be a nice day out for one reader until recently - blame duty-free
‘I’m obsessed with Dutch peanut butter - it beats French or US brands’ Why a peanut spread from the Netherlands called ‘pindakaas’ is the best in the world according one reader
Do you agree? Flawed trickle-down economics at odds with French values Columnist Nick Inman digs into why many French people are sceptical that tax breaks for the wealthy will benefit society
‘Vous? Tu? French people are more worried about mistakes than I am’ The French word for ‘you’ comes with a social dance that columnist Nick Inman refuses to join
Napoleon, an ‘irritable little tyrant’? Not to us French people The leader remains a central figure and unified France during one of its most fraught periods, say two experts, as a new blockbuster film about him divides critics
‘No fussy eating, strict bedtimes - my French parenting rules’ ‘Adopt what you like and leave the rest’, says Columnist Cynthia Spillman as she points out some differences of bringing up children in France
‘I will never rely on an app to translate my thoughts into French’ Online translators are useful tools but people still need to understand the nuance of language, says columnist Nick Inman
Do you agree? American Dream overrated when compared to France Columnist Nick Inman explores the existence of the French Dream and how it differs to its American counterpart
‘The torturous tale of my missing carte Vitale and French bureaucracy’ French administration systems are always right and never make mistakes, jokes columnist Peter Wyeth
Rugby loss: ‘French are not bad losers, we just like skirting rules’ The Connexion reviews whether French are sore losers by nature following France’s defeat in the quarter-final of the Rugby World Cup or if the reaction is more emotional and part of the game itself
‘Mairie to rescue when no engineers found for my dodgy French boiler’ Writer Samantha David left with problem when her regular repair man was off sick
French rugby assault case puts spotlight on trial by social media Online platforms should protect the presumption of innocence of anyone appealing a conviction, says French lawyer
Ban on abaya dress in French schools divides opinion Religious experts share arguments for or against the long robes recently banned in secular state schools
Art historian’s guide to walking the Chemin de Compostela from France Medieval art historian Dr Julia Faiers walks in the shoes of a pilgrim to discover the sacred art and monuments along the Chemin de Compostelle
Restos du Coeur: Why issues at France’s biggest charity have hit hard News that the charity is struggling has been seen as tantamount to a ‘French institution in peril’, prompting outrage, disbelief, and high-profile donations
‘While the world mocks the British Royal Family, France remains loyal’ Regret over the guillotine or nostalgia? Journalist Nabila Ramdani explores why France loves The Royals
Is French cuisine really the best in the world? A Connexion reader challenges the country’s gastronomic credentials
Why footballer Kylian Mbappé could be France’s greatest soft power Sports star’s appeal for calm after the recent riots shows his huge influence off the pitch as well as on
France garden tips: try agapanthus, it is hardier than you think The evergreen types are ideal for a Mediterranean climate, coming as they do from the western and eastern cape in South Africa
Do you agree? French cuisine is not superior to other foods Put stereotypes to one side, there are some foods Britain and US do better than France, says Nick Inman
‘A weekend camping 12 minutes away from our French home - why not?’ After a relaxing stay at the local lake, writer Samantha David realises tourist facilities on her doorstep are for locals too
I agree French visa system is too difficult A Connexion reader says that troubles are not limited to online processes – face-to-face appointments can also be challenging
Talking point: Is it really offensive to say ‘the French’? Columnist Nick Inman mulls over the arguments for and against using this general term
‘I see no problem’: Readers divided over banning horse meat in France Some readers still enjoy horse meat, while others argue it should be outlawed immediately
‘Solid metal fences hiding French gardens are a mystery to me’ Attitudes to fencing might highlight a difference in French and American culture, ponders Peter Wyeth
Navigating electric car challenges in France A Connexion reader spells out some important considerations before trading in your car for a ‘cleaner’ vehicle
‘Ten recycling bins in Belgium was easy compared to French system’ ‘Why is it so difficult to recycle in my village?’ wondered writer Samantha David, so she rang the council to ask them
Higher taxes, 90/180 days rule… why we are selling up in France Connexion readers explain why they’ve decided to quit France due to Brexit changes
Beware of bulk-buy ‘deals’ in French supermarkets A Connexion reader advises that you should always check the price per kilogram
‘Tax on France’s vegetable gardens would be another Macron scandal’ If rumours of a ‘potager’ tax are true it would strike at the heart of French life, says journalist Nabila Ramdani
‘France’s rugby is a metaphor for its culture and art de vivre’ As France prepares to host the Rugby World Cup, journalist Richard Ogier looks at how the sport is revered here
Homemade garden fire protection system in France A Connexion reader shares their solution to the threat of wildfires to their garden this summer
Driving to France in an electric car: the case against A Connexion reader argues that EVs are not so great for the environment as they are said to be
Reader’s experience of France’s DPE energy rating: ‘nonsense’ They believe their low rating is inaccurate and devaluing their stone property
All in favour of EU flag-flying in France Connexion readers give their feedback on mairies being made to fly the EU flag
‘Therapy’ dogs long overdue in France A Connexion reader shares her experience of therapy dogs in the UK
Stress-busting tips for when friends come to stay with you in France Living in France can mean acquiring ‘new best friends’ who invite themselves to stay, columnist Cynthia Spillman helps navigate this with grace
Do you agree? Protests and polls undermine real democracy in France There are two parallel democracies in France - the ballot box vote and the protest in the street, says journalist Nick Inman
Stop picking on older drivers in France A Connexion reader believes older drivers are not the biggest risk on the roads of France
‘Bringing back monarchy to France may not be a ridiculous idea’ A monarch and a President may bring balance - but which aristocrat would sit on the French throne? Journalist Simon Heffer explores
How to access the British gov.uk website as a French resident A British Connexion reader shares how he was able to create a Government Gateway account
‘Enormous impact’: Readers on how EU rule has hit their France visits Connexion readers detail how the 90/180-day rule has slashed their holiday time and pushed them to sell their French homes
‘Hoisting EU flag as a compulsory sign of peace looks ridiculous’ With war raging in Ukraine, journalist Nabila Ramdani thinks Macron’s new flag policy is personal and trivial
‘Subsidised French cinema keeps art form alive despite Hollywood’ Film as art is protected and championed in French culture - long may it continue says columnist Richard Ogier
Far-right terrorism ‘is a real threat’ in France A recent march by far-right activists in Paris caused controversy, but political scientist Stéphane François says it is the less visible extremists we should be worrying about
‘Old French house bricks have a character that is unique’ Bricks tell a story and can help date parts of your property, says Nick Inman
‘The main reason to live in France’: Your views on French secularism Most readers agree with the principle - although with caveats
‘Paris proves people will happily pay for great art’ Columnist Nabila Ramdani believes other countries could learn a thing or two from the success of the French capital’s museums
‘We tried out driving from Yorkshire to Dordogne in an electric car’ Journalist Nick Jenkins reports on how charging stops worked out travelling to his second home in France
Readers' feedback on French publisher altering classic books Two Connexion readers agree that books are a snapshot of the time and should not be altered for a modern audience
Connexion reader gives his views on the Paris e-scooter ban Self-confessed ‘lifelong motorcyclist’ Chris Levings is in total agreement with the ban
Do you agree? France’s belief in laïcité (secularism) works Does religious freedom, as long as you keep your beliefs to yourself, create a harmonious society?
‘Forget raising retirement age in France, AI will lead to job losses’ It makes no sense for France to raise the pension age, with AI set to replace many jobs, says scientist Simon Thorpe
Charles III coronation: What do the French think of the UK’s new king? The strong memory of Lady Diana plus Charles III’s recently postponed visit to France have not helped his popularity
Connexion reader overcharged by TLS Contact for French visa Here they share their experience of getting a refund
‘Superb’, ‘nonsense’: Your views on making French mairies fly EU flag MPs from Emmanuel Macron’s party want to make displaying the flag mandatory
‘Macron is right about pensions – but being right is rarely enough’ Reforming the retirement system is good for France, but Macron must watch out for the political backlash, warns commentator Simon Heffer
‘Don’t let recent protests in France detract from the positives’ While recent protests have highlighted the challenges France faces, there are also reasons to be optimistic, says columnist Richard Ogier
Updated: Your tips on how best to improve French language skills From podcasts to children’s books, Connexion readers have been sharing their advice on how to improve your French