So refreshing

What a sensible and refreshing view on speaking French in Nick Inman’s article (Make life easy on yourself when learning, May)!

Published Wednesday 24 May 2017 - 15:00 Modified Wednesday 24 May 2017 - 15:00

The burden of guilt of not being fluent after 26 years has been lifted and I can now sally forth and converse with confidence in ‘my’ French.
Mary ELEY

Saône-et-Loire

letters and comment

The ultra-rich should pay more tax in France

Connexion reader says it is not fair that ordinary people should face hardship
My French is not so good - but that is fine

Connexion reader notes that life is fine with only rudimentary language skills
Reports of France’s death are greatly exaggerated

Columnist Nick Inman takes issue with the naysayers

MPs vote to replace France’s property wealth tax with ‘unproductive wealth’ levy

France’s proposed ‘unproductive wealth’ tax - part of ongoing 2026 budget talks - would cover assets such as art, coin collections and some assurance vie policies

The ultra-rich should pay more tax in France

Connexion reader says it is not fair that ordinary people should face hardship

Ryanair to appeal EU order to repay €1.8m to Carcassonne airport

Airline 'convinced' appeal court will recognise the independence of the 2001–2011 agreements

Key practical and cultural dates for your diary in France for November 2025

Including the start of more Entry/Exit System checks, Armistice Day and changes for Ryanair passengers

French artisans lose exports as US tariffs bite

British couple with cookware business have seen their sales collapse

Unmissable November events in France: art, history, and early festive magic

Explore the best cultural events, from John Singer Sargent's exhibition in Paris to festive celebrations at Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte

List: how to apply for Brexit card renewals in different areas of France

An increasing number of prefectures have online procedures, but some are yet to provide information

All Saints’ Day: American war cemetery in north-east France hosts grave sponsorship event

Members of the public can discover the story of their service member, in exchange for flowers

Far-right win ‘historic’ first vote in French parliament over French-Algerian treaty

Vote may signal end of blanket ban by other groups against far-right proposals

Interview: Gabriel Zucman on France’s ‘Zucman tax’

Economist says idea is not to make the rich pay more than the rest of the population but rather to ensure they cannot pay less

Virgin Trains given boost to provide rival service to Eurostar

Company set to launch its own international rail routes by 2030

The spooky story behind on n'est pas sorti de l'auberge

There are two possible etymologies for this expression - and one involves an alleged mass murder and cannibalism

My French is not so good - but that is fine

Connexion reader notes that life is fine with only rudimentary language skills

French ‘Memory garden’ commits couple’s love and travels to stone

The project celebrates the boundless imagination of an extraordinary pair

What changes in France for residents in November 2025?

EES checks rollout, energy bills, taxes, and winter rules: See what is changing in France next month

French magician tells of €400,000 bank scam

Rino Baldi discovered his money had been sent to the wrong account number

Two people reported missing in floods in south-east France

The departments of Drôme and Vaucluse are on orange alert for flooding today (October 30)

France redefines rape law to centre on consent

MPs and senators back new definitions following landmark case of Gisèle Pelicot

Walker finds python in south of France

Pet snake had been missing for three months and was suffering from hypothermia

How to buy a 2025 remembrance poppy in France

The Royal British Legion has several branches in the country. You can also buy a French bleuet

French farmers cancel plans to block A10 and A71 motorways

Planned protest over water usage study called off after authorities pledge to pause decision over water use and possible restrictions

Strikes in France in November 2025 and how you may be impacted

Anger over the budget could see widespread action called

Interview: Director of Gîtes de France evokes 'rediscovery' of rural dream

As web platforms muscle in on the market, director Solange Escure argues that its mission is more important than ever

Photos: tens of thousands of migrating cranes fly across France

The birds can be seen passing from the north-east to the south-west of the country

So refreshing

What a sensible and refreshing view on speaking French in Nick Inman’s article (Make life easy on yourself when learning, May)!

The ultra-rich should pay more tax in France

My French is not so good - but that is fine

Reports of France’s death are greatly exaggerated

MPs vote to replace France’s property wealth tax with ‘unproductive wealth’ levy

The ultra-rich should pay more tax in France

Essential French gardening tips for November: bird feeders, potager tasks, and sustainable gifts

Find out how to be polite – and where to party: tours offer enhanced travel experiences in France

Dordogne electricity broker claims 8% savings for most clients

Ryanair to appeal EU order to repay €1.8m to Carcassonne airport

Key practical and cultural dates for your diary in France for November 2025

French artisans lose exports as US tariffs bite

Unmissable November events in France: art, history, and early festive magic

List: how to apply for Brexit card renewals in different areas of France

All Saints’ Day: American war cemetery in north-east France hosts grave sponsorship event

Far-right win ‘historic’ first vote in French parliament over French-Algerian treaty

Interview: Gabriel Zucman on France’s ‘Zucman tax’

Virgin Trains given boost to provide rival service to Eurostar

Briton in critical condition after being stabbed in Paris

French GDP growth higher than expected despite political upheaval

French weekend weather forecast November 1 - 2: rain and some snow

The spooky story behind on n'est pas sorti de l'auberge

My French is not so good - but that is fine

French ‘Memory garden’ commits couple’s love and travels to stone

What changes in France for residents in November 2025?

French magician tells of €400,000 bank scam

Five more arrests but jewels still missing in Louvre raid

Photos: €4 million French chateau has €1 million auction start price

Woman to receive medal after scaring off suspected attacker on French train

Two people reported missing in floods in south-east France

France redefines rape law to centre on consent

Walker finds python in south of France

How to buy a 2025 remembrance poppy in France

French farmers cancel plans to block A10 and A71 motorways

Strikes in France in November 2025 and how you may be impacted

Interview: Director of Gîtes de France evokes 'rediscovery' of rural dream

Photos: tens of thousands of migrating cranes fly across France