Opinion: Another week off – how I love living in France One of the many things I adore about the French is their attitude to time off.
How to deal with small French village mentality What can be done when that warm welcome from the locals begins to turn frosty?
Vichy laws still endure in modern-day France Legislation introduced by the Vichy regime in World War Two is still being applied in France today, a historian who specialises in the period has pointed out Blades of Paris Moulin Rouge cabaret club mysteriously fall off One of France’s main music festivals at risk of closure What is the #PasDeVague movement in France?
Anniversary tributes for Jean de Florette and Manon des Sources author April 18 marks the fiftieth anniversary of Marcel Pagnol’s death. Commemorations celebrating his life and work are taking place around the country
‘Beautiful’ Benjamin Franklin letter from France for sale in US The founding father was in France to garner support for the American revolution
Eating faux-pas: habits to avoid when dining in France From ignoring fellow guests to hogging the cheese board, we take a look at the ultimate no-nos when dining in France.
Why you won’t be hearing church bells much in France for a few days A trip to Rome, a visit to the Vatican, and lots of chocolate eggs: Where the bells go at Easter
La politesse: what habits can make you seem rude to French people? Sometimes it can be all too easy to commit a cultural faux pas without even realising it. We look at some of the most common
French photographer who captured US history gets retrospective in Nice The exhibition details how Henri Dauman made a name for himself without expensive equipment or even press accreditation
American photographer Annie Leibovitz honoured in France The photographer is being inducted into the prestigious Académie des Beaux-Arts in Paris
Chalet from France’s Oscar favourite Anatomy of a Fall is on Airbnb Film fans can stay the night in the chalet, immortalised in one of the year’s biggest French films
What would you include if compiling a quiz about France? Columnist Nick Inman prepares a syllabus to help you become a French quiz whizz
6 films and series for February to improve your French Dramas, thrillers, and cult comedies all make this month’s list Must I take a course to become a tour guide in France? Oscar-nominated Anatomy of a Fall is masterclass in multilingual life Why being punctual is not always polite in France
Five things they do not tell you about the bourgeoisie in France From fashion to holidays, we take a humorous look at the bourgeois life Golden Globes awards for French film Anatomy of a Fall Five long weekends and more: see other 2024 changes in France 2023 was a good year for French cinemas: The top ten films Paris to have street named after David Bowie (even though UK does not) Key cultural and sporting events in France in 2024
Bourges is named European Capital of Culture 2028 The capital of Cher was chosen over Clermont-Ferrand, Montpellier and Rouen
French Palaeolithic cave art shows deep human connection with animals Nature watcher Jonathan Kemp goes underground to marvel at the bison, deer and aurochs drawn 14,000 years ago
Do I need to declare changes to shutters at my French house? Wooden shutters are a mainstay of many French houses, but the rules on changing their appearance (colour or material) are less obvious
Napoleon, an ‘irritable little tyrant’? Not to us French people The leader remains a central figure and unified France during one of its most fraught periods, say two experts, as a new blockbuster film about him divides critics
Grandson of war hero Charles de Gaulle wants Russian citizenship Grandson of war hero Charles de Gaulle wants Russian citizenship
What is French Prix Goncourt and who is the new winner? Prestigious literary award is often seen as equal in stature to Nobel Prize for Francophone authors
French sailors’ love letters in UK reveal messages 265 years on The letters, which were never read by their intended recipients, offer rare insights into ‘normal’ 18th century people in France
Why do films in France always open on a Wednesday? The opening day has changed several times but has been the same now for over 50 years
President opens 'first-ever’ centre dedicated to French language The chateau where François I ruled that French, not Latin, should be used has been renovated to celebrate the fun and vitality of the language
Paris waxwork of American actor remade as first was ‘too white’ A second version of the controversial waxwork is to be unveiled today. The US actor has reposted a video of a comedian complaining: ‘you turned The Rock into a pebble’
6 things to know about new Astérix album now on sale in France The iconic French cartoon character returns for a new adventure with a new writer, against an ‘ambiguous’ positive thinking Roman villain
7 places to visit in France for free with this weekend’s Heritage Days We list some sites that are not yet full for reservations - but be quick
Exhibition on Banksy continues to travel through France The show, which has donated more than €190,000 to charities since opening, is now on its eighth stop - in Chartres
Key dates in September to know about in France From film festivals to rugby, royal visits and strikes, here are some dates for your calendar
Five good news stories from France Read our pick of feelgood articles including an eagle's successful recovery from injury, an amazing artefacts find and a nice initative to help refugees
Do you agree? French cuisine is not superior to other foods Put stereotypes to one side, there are some foods Britain and US do better than France, says Nick Inman
Talking point: Is it really offensive to say ‘the French’? Columnist Nick Inman mulls over the arguments for and against using this general term
Beethoven's ‘skull parts’, found in France, returned to Austria The bone fragments will now be studied in a bid to shed light on the composer’s multiple health conditions
Paris’s ‘Love Lock Bridge’ closed for repairs but won’t deter couples Pont des Arts, which once partially collapsed under the weight of padlocks, is to have rotten planks replaced in the latest chapter of its fascinating history
Centre yourself in the wine-making, historical heart of France We explore the central department of Cher, where visitors can step back in time in the medieval city of Bourges, mess about in boats, or sample some world-famous wine
English puppeteer walks 1000km in footsteps of France’s first giraffe From Marseille to Paris - galloping through Lyon, battling the Mistral and beating the 90-day Schengen deadline
From bagpipes to bicycles: up and coming arts and culture in France We look at some of the events and happenings coming up this summer
The French boom in mantrailing, a great way to train distracted dogs Using their superior sense of smell, mantrailing helps focus dogs and ignore distractions
Scottish organisation dedicated to alliance with France We talk to the Head of the Scottish Government Office in France
Celebrate haggis, whisky, and the Auld Alliance in France Discover the ancient friendship between Scotland and France lives on through a host of festivals in the Hexagon, with traditional music, games, and men in kilts
French Highland dancer picked to perform at Coronation party The 18-year-old only took up lessons during lockdown but wowed guests at a British Embassy event in Paris
Tina Turner had several links with France: here are five Her connections with France included owning a villa near Nice
Readers' feedback on French publisher altering classic books Two Connexion readers agree that books are a snapshot of the time and should not be altered for a modern audience
Do you agree? France’s belief in laïcité (secularism) works Does religious freedom, as long as you keep your beliefs to yourself, create a harmonious society?
How to stay in touch with French culture when living in UK or US There are plenty of links to France all over the world - it is just knowing where to find them
Tous à l'Opéra: Free open days at France’s opera houses Rehearsals, concerts, workshops… venues around the country offer events for people to learn more about this art form
Homophobia still high a decade since France allowed same-sex marriage More than 70,000 same-sex couples have tied the knot since 2013. But campaigners say violence against the LGBT community remains high
‘Offensive’ parts of Agatha Christie novels in French to be changed Death on the Nile and La Mystérieuse Affaire de Styles are two of the books being revised
Make sense of French television’s role in social and cultural life Police shows, pornography and why there is no France 1 channel - a look at TV in France
Six things that show the French love for books and reading To mark France’s national day for independent bookshops on April 15, we take a look at what helps foster the country’s love of literature
Orient Express deluxe renovation is project of French national pride Discovered original carriages are being restored in France to their Art Deco splendour ready for passengers in 2025
Coffin of ancient Egypt’s ‘greatest king’ goes on display in Paris An exhibition featuring the sarcophagus of Ramses II opens in the French capital on Friday (April 7)
Why France is more resistant than many countries to wokeism The government launched a think tank to tackle ‘US-imported wokeism’ in 2022 - here sociologist Nathalie Heinich says France’s unique brand of universalism is the counterbalance we need
French gruyere-makers angry as court approves US version French and Swiss producers had tried to obtain exclusive use of the name gruyere, which is strictly defined in Europe, but not protected in the US
The French obsession with how long baguettes are baked for Whether ‘blanc’ or ‘bien cuite’, a baguette’s cooking time is an increasingly divisive topic for the French
How French chocolate bars inspired Willy Wonka One of the oldest chocolate brands in activity, Bonnat’s first factory opened in 1884
La dictée: How a spelling test took over France A simple dictation exercise for schoolchildren was central to the construction of the French nation
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’
France, a nation of complainers? Yes, but it’s a good thing We French are known for grumbling (and studies prove it to be true) but, argues Théophile Larcher, this belies the country’s high expectations and resilience
Poto, ami, le sang de la veine: How to say friends in French Fluent French speakers have countless words to express a friendship with each other. The Connexion helps you avoid a faux pas
Straight to the (needle) point in Alençon, France We unpick the history of the Queen of Lace and Lace of Queens in Alençon
Five French civil wars - from Charlemagne to the Paris Commune We look at five of the most important conflicts fought on French territory
We all know about the food but what else does France do really well? Here are some suggestions, including cultural schemes and banking advisors… tell us what you would add to the list
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
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
Louvre sister museum in old French mining city celebrates 10 years The Louvre-Lens celebrated its tenth birthday on December 4, having returned a sense of pride to one of France’s poorest towns
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
French baguette-making practices added to Unesco intangible heritage The artisanal techniques are joined on the list by the bear festivities of Pyrenean villages in France and Andorra
Visionary rock opera Starmania is back and on tour around France The hit show – which is full of popular tunes – was loved in the 1980s to 90s but its themes are still very relevant today
French baguette-baking considered for Unesco intangible heritage list The practice is one of 56 customs and traditions from around the world in the running. French and Belgian funfair culture is also being considered
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
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
Books with a link to France November 2022 - The 20 minute review We read recent releases with a link to France. To be fair, each gets 20 minutes’ reading time