Letters and comment

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

magazine

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: Professionally installed solar panels are not worth it in France

Connexion reader outlines the economic pitfalls when it comes to solar panels, such as the rate of return when it comes to feeding back to the grid

Comment: Cutting bank holidays will not save France's finances

Columnist Nabila Ramdani says the prime minister's proposals are typically melodramatic and pure political manoeuvering

Comment: A tough budget is needed to keep France afloat

Columnist Simon Heffer contrasts Prime Minister François Bayrou's proposals to cut the deficit with the vague plans floated in the UK

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

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

Letters: essential checks before renting a car in France and abroad

Connexion reader says to ensure vehicle and documents match to avoid legal issues and extra charges

Letters: France should give Range Rover and SUV drivers a break

Connexion reader says he is fed up of the mounting regulations

Letters: France's hunting season puts the public at risk

Connexion reader voices fears over unchecked hunting activities threatening public safety in rural areas

Comment: Get cats sterilised early - even in rural France

Columnist Samantha David notes that under the new guidelines you can spay kittens from just eight weeks

France's July 14 military parade: 'a national communion' or out of touch?

We look at how France reconciles republicanism with a seemingly authoritarian tradition

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

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

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

Letters: Waste collection in France needs a rethink

Connexion reader says the complex system means rubbish builds up and dogs attack the bins

'I am too afraid to drive in France - it feels like the wrong side of the road'

Columnist Cynthia Spillman gives her advice on acclimatising to French roads and motorways

Comment: Nesting swallows have become a pest at my French home

Columnist Samantha David is irked but the birds enjoy protected status

Letters: ETA online link for people transiting through UK to or from France

It is recommended to use the app to get an electronic travel authorisation - but this reader managed to apply without it

Comment: France's rural entertainment is real, raw and - usually - outstanding

Local theatre is still the beating heart of the community in many French towns

Letters: Postal delays meant Christmas cards took five weeks to reach France

Readers complain of gifts arriving well into the new year

Letters: French vegetarian burgers are still a work in progress

Reader bemoans the lack of meat alternatives available in restaurants

Letters: French is a hard language - even for native speakers

Reader recounts his struggle to find access to more modern teaching methods

Comment: Signs of climate change are all around us in France

Columnist Nick Inman says the complex overall picture may be beyond us but the clues are within the reach of all

Letters: Free banking is so hard to find in France

Reader notes with displeasure that he must now pay regular charges on his account