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More than two centuries ago, Xavier de Maistre was placed under house arrest for 42 days - and wrote Voyage autour de ma chambre, a six-week 'voyage of discovery' around his room. Some 230 years later, we challenged our coronavirus confined readers to write their own Voyage round my Room. Here is one of the three winners...

More than two centuries ago, Xavier de Maistre was placed under house arrest for 42 days - and wrote Voyage autour de ma chambre, a six-week 'voyage of discovery' around his room. Some 230 years later, we challenged our coronavirus confined readers to write their own Voyage round my Room. Here is one of the three winners...

Jolly nice day for a quoi, what what?

For centuries, purists of the French language have tried to root out alien English words and phrases. Michael Delahaye charts some of the milestones – or pierres de kilométrage…

When is it, like, ok to use ‘genre’?

Farmers urge householders to still mark religious festivities during confinement even though family gatherings won't be happening

Childhood stays in France left an indelible mark on Héloïse Brion, who turned her back on fashion to concentrate on food adventures. Here she reveals her journey and chooses three favourite recipes.

In our series providing a sideways glance at French food, we ask why the French accept mediocre Asian cooking

A round up of the arts and culture stories creating a buzz in France

Olympe de Gouges regularly courted controversy with her politically aware writing – and she eventually went to the guillotine for calling for the re-establishment of the French monarchy

A rare Vénus statue is to be showcased at the Musée de Picardie, just reopened after a €26million refit

Environmental associations are asking people with gardens not to trim any hedges or prune trees until the end of July in order to protect birds.

A young naturalist working in the north of the Charente department saw and photographed a very rare Imperial Eagle.

An initiative to give Lily of the Valley flowers to staff and residents of retirement homes in France and at the same time support flower producers who cannot sell the traditional May 1 gift due to home confinement has been launched.

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

Did you know?

Charles-Edouard Jeanneret – better known as Le Corbusier (1887-1965) – was a pioneering Swiss-French architect who can be said to have invented the concept of modern architecture, including the use of reinforced concrete and the provision of open-plan living spaces.

Several works by British sculptor Andy Goldsworthy, famous for his outdoor art installations, can now be found along a 150km hiking trail in southeast France

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

Hurry to see a different side of the Spanish master at a museum near Lille

We read recent releases with a link to France. To be fair, each gets 20 minutes’ reading time. This month, we will look at The Killing of the Iron Twelve, The Private World of Edouard Vuillard, and City of Dark

New products, designs and gift ideas from around France. This month: pop-up landmarks, shoes for little feet, natural skincare, and nice stacks

New products, designs and gift ideas from around France: Valentine's gift ideas