Profiles

Connexion journalists profile the people making the news or doing interesting things in France.

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Simone Veil: a force for good, for women, for France, for all

We reveal how this formidable woman used her political career to fight for the underdog

The man behind the French film classic ‘Jean de Florette’

Jean de Florette poster; Aubagne countryside

Marcel Pagnol told extraordinary stories about ordinary people against the backdrop of his beloved Provençal countryside

Did you know? Football fans have French to thank for World Cup

Jules Rimet and World Cup trophy

How two Frenchmen founded one of the most popular sports competitions in the world

How a French watchmaker became the father of modern stage magic

Magicians Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin and Zatanna

France is seen as the birthplace of conjuring thanks to a 19th century watchmaker from Blois

High kicks and tragedy – the Irish woman behind Paris’ Bluebell Girls

Margaret Kelly; Bluebell Girls

Margaret Kelly was a talented dancer who established one of the capital’s most glamorous dance troupes. Her dazzling life is filled with success and heartbreak

Profile: the daredevil French aviator who started a political party

Jean Mermoz

We reveal the highs and lows of Jean Mermoz, the charismatic pilot who lived his short life to the full

Archive photo of Anna Guérin and cover of Heather Johnson's book

Poppy Lady of France recognised with a new biography in English

Anna Guérin, the Frenchwoman behind the Poppy Appeal, is largely unknown but a new book aims to redress that and show why the campaigner was such a trailblazer

The female French spy who saved more than a thousand British soldiers

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In WW1, Louise de Bettignies worked undercover for the British secret service. We look at her heroic life

Profile: The American who was a ‘Schindler in France’

Archives Pierre UNGEMACH – Droits réservés (All photos in this article)

Varian Fry helped save the lives of some 2,500 people at risk from the Nazis by smuggling them out of France to safer countries, including the US

Jules Verne: the hidden story of France’s first science fiction writer

Jules Verne

Family turmoil, ill health and hurtful rejection by literary peers plagued a life that was still full of travel and adventure

Meet Eugénie Brazier - France’s first six Michelin star chef

Eugénie Brazier

From working on the family farm, ‘Mère Brazier’ went on to make simple, Lyonnais cooking world class. We discover her life, recipes and legacy

Where life imitates art: France’s literary love affair with Molière

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Jean-Baptiste Poquelin – the performer, playwright and lascivious lover, better known as Molière – celebrates his 400th birthday this year

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