Mag

Inspiring articles on French life, nature, food and drink, and culture. You can also find bilingual crosswords, quizzes, book and film reviews – plus lifestyle and travel ideas. Articles are organised by subject – read the latest below or browse sections via the blue tabs. The Cx symbol denotes subscriber-only articles.

French Life

Doctors in France can prescribe a thermal spa break

GPs in France can prescribe 18 days at a thermal treatment centre for patients with a wide range of complaints

Hollywood hero's support phone message for Corsica

Leader of local business association gets action star Chuck Norris to deliver a New Year greeting

Musical sister act raises funds for French convent

Nuns film short musical comedy to help raise money for wheelchair facilities

Environmental news in France for January 2021

Dordogne hunting federation to help preserve a wetland, eco-responsible children’s clothing brand launched in Vienne and more

Language

10 tips for speaking better French

Nick Inman asked three French friends for their tips on speaking French more fluently

Law bans accent discrimination in France

MPs have approved a law in France banning discrimination based on a regional accent

How to learn French online: Five YouTube videos to watch

Watching free online videos can be an enjoyable way to improve your French. Here is our selection of YouTube channels to help you master la langue de Molière.

Sound like a French native - use this word instead of 'rien'

Even those with the most basic of French language skills are likely to have the word ‘rien’ at their disposal.

Food and Drink

Pastry chef Will Torrent: Sweet success made easy

Half of the baking battle when it comes to mastering the techniques of French pâtisserie is confidence, says chef Will Torrent

Doing Dry January? Treat yourself to better wine afterwards

Jonathan Hesford on alcohol abstention and a great way to reward yourself afterwards

Camembert ruling ends 20-year cheese war - for now

Big-name producers banned from selling cheeses using 'Made in Normandy' label

Whisky production in France is picking up pace

Connexion's Jane Hanks speaks to a producer whose first whisky has just been launched

Culture

Dans le passé: 10, 50 and 100 years ago this month in France

France's first saviour sibling and the passing of Coco Channel included in memorable January dates from up to 100 years ago

Condé nest’s magical chateau interiors

The private apartments and library at Château de Chantilly provide a fascinating insight into the piety and learning of its former residents

The true history of star astrologer Nostradamus

The works of the world’s favourite astrologer, Nostradamus, are more popular than ever. What has he got to tell us and why should we believe him?

Winston Churchill’s passion for painting in France

Samantha David talks to author Paul Rafferty on his new book about Winston Churchill's lesser-known passion for painting

Nature

Nick Bonzey from Corvallis / CC BY-SA 2.0

Firefighters rescue ray stranded on French beach

It is highly unusual for a ray to beach itself

French animal lovers crowd fund purchase of bat cave

Cave is one of several that is home to two endangered species of bat

How to cultivate your winter garden in France

Cathy Thompson's tips on how to create a sweet-smelling French winter garden

Les Jardins d’Etretat: The garden of seven wonders

Connexion's Jane Hanks is in Normandy, where Monet and modern art vie for attention with stunning box tree configurations

French Facts

Tour de truth: bicycles with pedals were invented in France

Did you know? Bicycles with pedals were invented in France. We explore the history in advance of this year's Tour de France.

Disfigured French soldiers denied pensions set up Loto

France’s national lottery has a long history.

10, 50 and 100 years ago in France – March 2020

What happened in March 10, 50, and 100 years ago? Académie place for Veil, turbo boost for trains, German rehab plan agreed

Explore France

A brief tour of France’s seasonal crèches and markets

Even though Christmas 2020 in France will be an unusual one, seasonal specialities will still continue where possible

The Paris church visited by royals and even John Lennon

The ‘hidden’ church of St Michael’s in Paris has been welcoming visitors since 1834, among them ambassadors, members of the British Royal Family and musicians

A window to heaven: 800 years of Metz cathedral

In her series on the cultural history of France, art historian Julia Faiers explores Metz cathedral’s turbulent and illuminating past

Big Picture

Airships: French company boosts innovation in aviation

This French firm are hoping to fly high in the airborne transport industry... and they are recruiting!

Renaissance of Noisy’s iconic edifices near Paris

The Connexion visits the Paris suburb where extraordinarily original architecture is alive once more

French cathedral’s colour show for Christmas

The Connexion previews Amiens Cathedral’s astonishing, vivid light show, which runs until December 29

Quiz

Test your knowledge of France with our Connexion quiz

What is the name of the transatlantic single-handed yacht race from Saint Malo to Guadeloupe?
Which French comic book series was turned into a film starring Oscar winning Jean Dujardin?
How do you spell “choir” and “heart” in French?
Who is the French singer known as “Cloclo”?
Which salad, with multiple variations mostly include boiled eggs, tuna, and green beans is named after a town on the Riviera?
Which nightly soap opera set in Marseille has aired over 3000 episodes since 2004?
How many French films had over 1 million admissions in cinemas in 2017?
With over 300 fashion shows in Paris every year and 1,000,000 jobs in the industry, what percentage of French GDP is generated by the fashion industry?
The Le Pliage handbag is lightweight, practical, and synonymous with French style with over 32 million bags sold to date; which brand created this line of bags?
Who designed the Stravinsky fountain outside the Centre George Pompidou in Paris and was known for her voluptuous and colourful sculptures?