Big Picture

Topical, tantalising... and caught on camera. When France is at her most-eye-catching, we reveal the story behind the stunning image.

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Striking a pose for changing fashions

1960s fashion snapper Peter Knapp changed fashion photography, as a new exhibition reveals

Today’s fashions draw upon France's lacy past

Photo: Thomas Deschamps and Julien Claessans

Thelong history of lacemaking in Calais and a new exhibition linking past and present

Restoration of drama at French chateau

The Connexion reports on the recently completed restoration of Napoléon III’s Imperial Theatre in Fontainebleau

Hugo home is anything but Misérable

Hauteville House, Victor Hugo’s home on Guernsey, has been reopened to the public after an extensive one-year restoration designed to return the house to the way it looked when the author wrote Les Misérables there.

The great jazz explosion... in Limoges

The Connexion talks to the author of a new book on jazz in France and the ‘Hot Clubs’ that hosted top US acts

Do battle and play your part in French history

Battle reenactment association seeks new players for the summer’s historic extravaganza

Ex-Police man’s life seen through a lens

Andy Summers first picked up a camera during the long down times when he was touring the world as lead guitarist with the 1970s rock band The Police.

Costumes make for a grand spectacle

Samantha David high kicks her way to a new exhibition showcasing musical theatre outfits

Heritage headquarters is 60 years old

Samantha David marks the 60th anniversary of Unesco’s distinctive Paris HQ by exploring the cultural organisation’s work

English hideaway fit for French Queen

The lovingly restored Queen’s House is now open to the public.

Lazy days of Doisneau in the Dordogne

Legendary lensman Robert Doisneau loved visiting the Dordogne on holiday, camera in hand. A new exhibition of images taken there impresses Jane Hanks

Exploring France's golfing roots

With Ryder Cup fever hitting France this month, Samantha David explores the country’s golfing roots... and the current state of play

Photographers to the rich and famous

Portraits from Paris’s fashionable Harcourt studios have been coveted for decades, as Samantha David finds

Vélocipédia dandies are still on a roll

A fun-loving cycling association keeps the tradition of dandy horses alive and well, writes Samantha David

French artist has passion for painting Brittany

Samantha David meets the artist who has brought his favourite corners of Brittany to the canvas

Stars aligned for Anglo-French liaison

Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg’s romance captivated France, says Samantha David

Tribute to Revolutionaries gets revamp

Jane Hanks looks at Place de la Bastille’s iconic homage to freedom fighters

The fine art of weaving a Tolkien tale

Drawings by beloved children’s author J.R.R.Tolkien are being recreated in tapestry form at the world famous Aubusson HQ. By Samantha David

The iconic photographer still in vogue

As a new book about Robert Doisneau comes out, Samantha David talks to the lensman’s daughter about his work

Big art – there’s a ghost on my house!

Dotted all around France you can spot oversized pieces of art. Samantha David on the work of CHD

Art restored with a time-travel flourish

Jane Hanks talks to the artist Blase about how he gives abandoned paintings a fresh twist

On the range with a Catalan cowboy

Saddle up with Perpignan’s Western rancher Nick Verges