French Life

The Connexion discovers the ups and downs of looking after someone else’s home while they are away, from a pair of ‘working retirees’

A large house in a French village hides a surprising business: hand-made Scottish kilts.

Modern-day careers in the age-old art of bookbinding

Historian retraces the route of 16th-century French king's troops

The classic holiday choice for the French involves lying on a beach in August – and this year Corsica is favourite destination

The water ‘sport’ of longe-côte is gaining popularity in many coastal areas of France. But just what is it?

There is no shortage of festivals in France, from music to celebrations of history, sport or food, but some are a little more unusual than others...

Some of the bicycles in this month’s Tour de France are likely to have been hand-built by a frame-builder, a cadreur in French.

The Connexion examines the reasons for the rising popularity of second-hand clothing in France – where personal jumble sale parties are the next big thing... and can sell-out in minutes

Life and loves of an ‘accidental’ glass blower

Classic French bar game is enjoying an unlikely renaissance

She represents the values of Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité and Marianne is the symbolic figure of the French Republic. But she also gives her name to a little-known civil service guide, Le Référentiel Marianne.  

Spring heralds the return of warm weather, longer days and lighter nights – and the start of the vide grenier season. This is France’s take on the good old jumble or car boot sale.

After tourism and food, France’s cosmetics industry is the latest to take the ‘slow’ lane to success

In her new book, Henrietta Heald looks at the elegant art of living in the French style. Here she explains her creative inspiration and presents one of the featured homes, located in the Luberon