Culture

Read articles and news updates about art and museums, architecture, media, theatre, entertainment, cinema, music and more.

Saint Nicolas: Christmas comes early in eastern France

In eastern France on and around December 6 you may come across a figure in festive parades or school visits who looks at first glance much like Santa Claus – in fact it is the man who inspired his legend, Saint Nicolas, whose saint's day is today.

Medieval murder and turbulent history of Burgundy’s Semur-en-Auxois

Stone walls, towers and sculpture tell the tale of this monastic town if you know where to look

The only six women in history to be ‘reburied’ in the French Panthéon

We celebrate the women deemed worthy to lie in Paris’s special ‘hall of fame’

Metal detectorists in France reject ‘looter’ label in French crackdown

It is illegal to use a metal detector without permission from the prefecture or risk seven years in prison for pillaging heritage

Whacky waste of money or community voice - roundabout art in France

From a giant kiwi fruit to a huge face, ronds-points artwork continues to divide opinion unless it is the Arc de Triomphe

Fungus attack repairs on historic French ship need further €6.5million

Fundraising has started to save a replica of the 18th-century frigate L’Hermione that fought the British in the American War of Independence

Straight to the (needle) point in Alençon, France

We unpick the history of the Queen of Lace and Lace of Queens in Alençon

French art: Making an impression in the Hérault

We report on a superb exhibition in Lodève

Why Paris metro busking can be a career springboard for musicians

We talk to two buskers about why they do it – and how much they earn

Five French civil wars - from Charlemagne to the Paris Commune

We look at five of the most important conflicts fought on French territory

Olympics, carnival, Tour de France: Cultural events in France in 2023

We look at how to get Olympics tickets, the mascot controversy and other events to look forward to

Five French films remade in English – which version is better?

A dislike of subtitles or dubbing in the US and UK means some French films get recreated in English – for better or worse

France’s mediaeval ‘bear hunt’ festivals added to Unesco heritage list

The Fête de l’Ours now takes place in just three villages in south-west France each February, and celebrates the end of winter

Exhibition honours Paris suffragettes and women’s fight for equality

We look at the display celebrating brave Parisian women who fought for women’s rights in France

How the Revolution gave France a head for heritage conservation

Today, France leads the way in looking after old buildings and sites, but it is largely due to the country’s tumultuous past

Arts and culture France: singer tours aged 93, Marie-Antoinette series

A round-up of the stories creating a buzz in French art, literature and entertainment

This month in history – December 10, 50 and 100 years ago in France

We look back at important events that happened in December 2012, 1972 and 1922

Toulouse’s medieval myth, poet and muse, Clémence Isaure

We explore the fantastical story of the Floral Games and its legendary benefactor

Longest name, furthest from Paris – five facts about French communes

Your commune is an important part of living in France, we share some interesting commune-related trivia

Enter the world of the TV series Friends at immersive show in Paris

The show recreates iconic scenes from the smash 90s series. Paris is the first city in the event’s European tour

History of casinos in France: How Napoleon started a gambling boom

When Napoleon legalised spa town casinos in 1806, he paved the way for a thriving industry today

Arts and culture France: Rolling Stones plates, arthouse cinema threat

A round-up of the stories creating a buzz in French art, literature and entertainment