Big Picture

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

Striking a pose for changing fashions

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

Violette Szabo: British spy who fought Nazis to avenge French husband

She fearlessly worked as a special agent during World War Two, and is remembered today as a war hero in both the UK and France

Upgrade for Strasbourg zoo but the welfare debate continues

Zoo de l’Orangerie in Strasbourg has been given a new lease of life by Freaks Architecture, but the zoo is being increasingly criticised by animal rights groups

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

Picasso show illustrates many talents

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

Today’s fashions draw upon France's lacy past

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