Letters and comment

Letters: French translations – some good...some hilarious

Perhaps people, not machines, are best at languages, Connexion readers argue

Letters: I have no sympathy for heatwave whingers in France

Reader says you just have to adapt your lifestyle and carry on

Letters: France should not look to the US for a way forward

Reader warns against France following the Trump playbook

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Letters: This tip makes it very easy to set up a French phone number

Connexion reader reports on the advantage of using an eSIM while in France

Comment: Visitors battle to open shutters but I know better

Columnist Samantha David notes that unlike her sun-searching relatives she has embraced the use of shutters to keep her home cool

Comment: Why France is leading the secondhand fashion boom

Columnist Sarah Henshaw notes how French fashion is embracing preloved clothes

Letters: France's new GP video consultation service is really effective

Connexion reader says others living in ‘medical deserts’ could also benefit

Letters: Reader experiences of organising a funeral in France

Connexion readers share their advice to ensure the process goes smoothly

Letters: Readers share their Brexit reset wishlists

Including re-entry into the customs union and restored EU rights

Letters: French import duties on medication are unfair

Connexion reader has to import their treatment from the UK as it is unavailable in France

Comment: France must tread carefully in the age of trial by allegation

The old maxim that you are innocent until proven guilty applies

Your feedback on anti-mosquito products in France and tips

Connexion readers share their advice for keeping the pests at bay and to stop bites itching

Homemade wins but which is the best mayonnaise brand in France?

Consumer magazine tests 15 brands to determine their winner from those available in shops

Letters: Income rules for French nationality makes no sense

Connexion reader argues that a lack of French-derived income should not be an indicator of a resident's attachment to France

Letters: Your feedback on ‘no children venues’ in France

A new label promoting spaces as ‘child friendly’ is set to be launched soon

Letters: My French neighbours amazed me with their love and support

Connexion reader shares her positive experience of being embraced by her community in France

Letters: These tips can help you access your Orange email outside France

Readers share their differing experiences with their orange.fr email accounts

Letters: It would be wrong for the EU to impose its inheritance rules on France

Reader says proposal to exempt foreign nationals from France's forced heirship rules is problematic

Letters: UK banks are failing customers who live in France

Connexion readers share their experiences of delayed and cancelled cards

Letters: France's confusing postcode system is the bane of our lives

Connexion reader uses parcel drop-off points to receive and take parcel deliveries

Comment: Brexit 'reset' cannot repair the damage it did to people with links to France

Columnist Nick Inman urges Brexit advocates to own their past promises and address the consequences of their actions

Comment: Jogging is no longer a joke in France

Columnist Sarah Henshaw notes how the once-maligned activity has become a passion in the country

Letters: British residents of France spar over residency rights

Connexion readers reveal how visa rules affect visits to their French properties post-Brexit

Comment: Cheap dining is hurting French restaurants

Eating habits are changing as people's disposable income decreases

Comment: France must abandon dream of retirement at 62

Columnist Simon Heffer says it is high time for the country to face economic reality

Letters: French funerals are surprisingly well-organised

Connexion reader shares her experience of the procedures and paperwork involved

Letters: Gluten-free diets are a challenge living in France

Connexion readers share their challenges and hidden gems for gluten-free dining and shopping

Comment: Taste cheese before you buy it - they expect you to in France

Columnist Samantha David explains the best way to discover your favourite French delicacies lies at the supermarket counter

Letters: The French are not always above petty xenophobic jibes

Connexion readers argue that British 'insults' towards the French are made in goodwill

Letters: We have been without a GP or dentist for years in France

Connexion readers share their experiences of living in a 'medical desert'

Letters: Walking in France is impossible due to hunters

Connexion reader says he has given up as it is 'just not worth the risk'

Comment: French passengers applaud the pilot for more than just relief

The tradition persists in France much to the bemusement of travellers from the UK and US

Comment: US-style hen parties are one import Paris can do without

Columnist Nabila Ramdani is sceptical of a decadent new trend among American influencers

Comment: Leaders of France and Britain start to talk tough on immigration

Columnist Simon Heffer notes that public opinion appears to have shifted on both sides of the Channel

Letters: French vehicle hire is a minefield

Readers share their mixed experiences with rental cars in France

Letters: Our French neighbours feel standoffish

Reader says despite exchanging friendly greetings and Christmas gifts they have never shared an invite

Letters: French driving tests are old fashioned and need updating

Reader notes that Canadian tests are strict in comparison

Letters: Readers share their tips on what to do with old baguettes

Including, baking, toasting, freezing and feeding to pigs

Letters: Readers share their experiences of taking the French driving test

Residents call the process 'time consuming', 'expensive' and 'stressful'

Letters: French abbreviations are not always what they seem

A reader recalls making an embarrassing mistake due to a mistranslation

Letters: Rural residents in France face long waits for letters from La Poste

A reader tells The Connexion that some deliveries are taking up to 10 days

Letters: Our French neighbours seem too distant

Connexion reader explains that despite going to lengths to get to know their new neighbours, most do not return the effort

Letters: Readers trade DIY tips for restoring French properties

Special innovations are often required for older buildings

Letters: Le Tour de France is more about big business than national identity

A reader takes issue with our columnist's view that the Tour De France reflects 'the state of France itself and its illusions of grandeur'

Letters: Brexit voters in France cannot blame the Remain campaign

Connexion readers argue that those who regretted voting Leave should take responsibility for their choices

Letters: Visas are so much trouble that we will not visit our second home in France

Connexion readers share frustrating visa challenges to access their French properties

'My French property is overwhelming me and I may leave'

Columnist Cynthia Spillman advises a reader whose French dream has turned sour

Letters: People in France must stand up to Trump's tariffs

Connexion readers say boycotting US-made goods is the best way to respond

Comment: French solidarity is the antidote we need against ‘Thumpism’

Columnist Nick Inman argues that community cohesion is now more important than ever

Comment: French rugby offers a community like no other

Columnist Sarah Henshaw tells how her small-town club in rural Nièvre welcomes newcomers and with an unmistakable sense of belonging

Letters: End of BBC Sounds is too cruel for listeners in France

Connexion readers say putting the service behind a paywall would be a better option

Comment: How caring for my cats taught me neighbourly etiquette in France

Columnist Samantha David discovers the delicate balance of gratitude and friendship when asking for help from neighbours

'I don't want my sister to move to my French town'

Columnist Cynthia Spillman offers advice to a reader who is worried her sister may disrupt her dream life in France

Comment: France needs to rethink Le Pen's ban from political office

Columnist Simon Heffer says the court decision looks too much like a political hit job

Comment: Anti-French bravado is an embarrassing British anachronism

Columnist Nabila Ramdani notes that the xenophobic jibes now only appear to go one way

'My language skills mean I am just not funny in French'

Columnist Cynthia Spillman gives advice on how to convey your humour while learning French

Letters: France's wasteful healthcare system needs a rethink

Reader says it would not be fair to ask people to pay more based on their age

Letters: The reality of finding a new doctor or dentist in France

Finding a replacement is nigh impossible, says Connexion reader in Lot-et-Garonne

Letters: Beware the financial cost of losing a spouse in France

Connexion reader faced unexpected expenses and legal hurdles after their partner's death, which added stress to an already difficult time

Letters: France's language requirements for residency are simply unrealistic

Reader says it takes a minimum of three years study to prepare for France's DALF C2 diploma

Letters: Climate change becomes clear over past 1,000 years in France

Connexion reader says that it takes centuries of climatological data to grasp the full impact

Letters: The clash of 'America First' with French allies is a nightmare

Connexion reader notes with dismay the growing isolation of USA under President Trump

Comment: I live in France and voted for Brexit - I regret it

Legal consultant and former Brexit supporter Richard Gibbs reflects on the unforeseen challenges of Brexit

'Our teenage daughters are angry with us for moving to France'

Columnist Cynthia Spillman offers advice on how to deal with homesick family members

'Our French neighbours never invite us over to their house'

Columnist Cynthia Spillman offers some advice on returning hospitality

Comment: Le Tour de France does not export the best of French values

Columnist Nabila Ramdani notes that the fabled race is to start in the UK in 2027, bringing with it a questionable legacy

Letters: France needs a new strategy to stop spam calls

Connexion reader says the new legislation will not work just as previous rules failed

Letters: VAT threshold reduction would hurt small businesses in France

Connexion reader notes that the additional tax burden would bring more bureaucracy with it

Comment: How France should respond to ‘bully’ Trump's tariffs

Columnist Simon Heffer looks at the effect the brewing trade war may have on France

'I fear France may not welcome Americans due to anti-Trump sentiment'

Columnist Cynthia Spillman offers advice on testing the waters before a big move

‘Devastated!’ Listeners in France respond to loss of BBC Sounds

Many readers have shared their frustration at the loss of the app

Letters: BBC downsizing will hurt listeners in France

Reader says little information is available about the broadcaster's plans to shut down its Sounds app and website in the Spring

Comment: French restaurants still do not get the idea of serving vegetables

Columnist and vegetarian Sarah Beattie looks at the slow progress of non-meat options

Letters: I took French driving test at 63 rather than swap my UK licence

Connexion reader says it cost €530 in total

Letters: French driving theory tests are too hard for older drivers

Connexion reader says they are designed as a hurdle for younger drivers