French Life

Cooking aid stirring up a French kitchen revolution

Ros Byam-Shaw visits a hotel in Le Perche where contemporary chic meets tradition 

The land of steak tartare and foie gras has long been regarded as a wasteland for vegetarians – but, in the words of the song, the times they are a-changin’.

Before gas, electricity, refrigeration or other modern conveniences people scraped a living from the land. 

Jessica Knipe has fallen in love with the island off the coast of La Rochelle. Here, she explains why

Known world-wide for its 7km Promenade des Anglais, Nice also has strong links with the US – dating from the 1780s when future president Thomas Jefferson paid many visits while ambassador here and advised Americans to “spend a few days here”.

This crowded room is perfect for Jean-Jacques Megel-Nuber who had been searching for a new adventure after a life working in the theatre and events – so he set up a tiny mobile library and bookshop and takes it round festivals.

The wi-fi and phone reception is not always great - but Jane Hanks discovers that's what some people want these days

Why having a Villes et Villages Fleuris de France label is so important to so many towns and villages

Introducing Ellen Brennan, a New York Yankee in the French court of extreme sports