Interview: Guillaume Musso, the top-selling French author inspired by Agatha Christie Bestselling author talks about genre-defying page turners and what makes his readers keep coming back for more
Learning French: the origins and meaning of dingue Did you know about the alleged connection between mosquito bites and this 'crazy' word?
Letters: Don’t forget that climate change hits French farmers too Connexion reader highlights the uphill struggle against drought, flooding and varying temperatures
magazine PHOTOS: See inside US designer's comfortable French chateau Esteemed US designer Timothy Corrigan traces his passion for France and the projects he has carried out there, including his own magnificent Loire chateau
La Grande-Motte: How France's 'New Florida' is proving critics wrong Once derided as an eyesore, this resort in southern France is now celebrated for its unique architecture
Learning French: what does bonne continuation mean and when should it be used? This is a handy everyday phrase to know and can be used in many situations, including at mealtimes
Letters: DPE energy efficiency reports for French homes are misleading Readers say the system makes many good homes appear unattractive and does not give a full picture
En faire tout un fromage: Fun French expression no. 9 This phrase unusually paints cheese in a non-flattering light - find out why
How to cope when the shine comes off your ‘perfect’ new life in France High expectations and a lack of support can soon lead to feelings of isolation – but don't suffer in silence
Make sense of playing sports in France We look at what is involved, from fees to join associations, to needing a doctor's certificate to declare you are physically fit
Lost in translation: Learning numbers in France Mastering them takes special effort – and numbers above 60 catch out many people learning French
European Heritage days: seven places to visit for free around France Thousands of sites are participating in the event this weekend. We look at some on offer out of Paris
Letters: Why is French wine getting stronger every year? Connexion reader notes that wines are frequently above 15% alcohol content
Il y a du monde au balcon: Fun French expression no. 8 Some link this to theatre imagery - can you guess what it might signify? 'French sheltered housing works for me and can be good option for foreign residents' European Heritage days: seven places to visit for free in Paris Properties you can buy in French Nord department for €200,000 and €1 million
'Many in my French village vote far right... but not due to immigration' Columnist Nick Inman addresses an unpalatable reality of rural life that is now a national phenomenon Faut pas pousser mémé dans les orties: Fun French expression no.7 French village rallies to renovate an old chapel for the community Being active can help you better integrate into new life in France What was happening in France 10, 50 and 100 years ago UK Armed Forces secretary in France shocked at receiving British Honour
C'est pas le pingouin qui glisse le plus loin sur la banquise: Fun French expression no. 6 This expression comes from chilly Quebec
Letters: French roofers' tiling error made it rain in my home Connexion reader shares a hard lesson on making sure your canal tiles are are correctly positioned
Can you pronounce this French word that means ‘fear of Friday the 13th’? The day has long been associated with bad luck with a small group of people even have a phobia of it
Millions of insects migrate over France from northern Europe to southern Spain These insects travel from as far as Sweden or the UK on an instinctual, genetic basis
Why speaking French is good for your brain Learning a new language can improve brain health and even delay the onset of dementia
Letters: France’s toll-free motorways: a ‘nightmare’ or ‘no trouble at all’ Readers spar over their vastly different experiences with the new system
Mettre les pieds dans le plat: Fun French expression no. 5 A similar expression exists in English, can you work out what it is?
Online translation tools: Funny results between French and English Some expressions can give amusing results when put through an online service, such as Google Translate or DeepL
Popular Mont d’Or cheese 'season' begins in France and runs until May 2025 The cheese is a staple of autumn and winter tables
Ca ne casse pas trois pattes à un canard: Fun French expression no. 4 Can you guess what this expression means in English?
Shepherd defends role of patou dogs after hiker calls for rescue Wolves are not the problem - tourists need to respect nature, says shepherd Raymond Riera
Letters: We too have seen a huge drop in biodiversity in French countryside Connexion reader says that the number of animals visiting her home has plummeted in recent years
I swapped muddy Britain for a wild ride in France Karen Lowell relocated to Saint-Michel in the Gers to fulfil her dream of breeding rare Black Arabian horses
PHOTOS: See inside our quirky French home, a 13th-Century watermill Giles and Fi Stonor restored the ancient Moulin De Latreille to create an idyllic retreat in rural France
Péter dans la soie: Fun French expression no. 3 This expression translates to ‘to fart in silk’ - we explain how to use it
Letters: Don't sign deals for fibre internet on your doorstep in France Connexion readers share their experiences signing up to the high-speed network in villages
Profile: Mazarine Pingeot, Mitterrand's love child - and where is she now? To avoid a national scandal, the identity of former French president François Mitterrand’s illegitimate child was a state secret until 1994 – and she was never publicly acknowledged by her father
Letters: Most French teachers did not know about ADHD Connexion readers tell of the struggles that their neurodiverse children went through to be accepted in France
Avoir le temps de tuer un âne à coup de figues molles: Fun French expression no. 2 This expression is often used in the south
Public saves French horse sanctuary from closure Un Souvenir pour Gribouille has raised more than €5,000 through donations, enabling it to continue its vital work, although regular donors are needed
Which iconic French brands are the most beloved? It is likely you have products from at least some of these marques in your home, even if you do not live in France
Everyday French phrases with the verb ‘passer’ Many of these expressions can be used in daily conversation, boosting your fluency
Letters: Bin collection fees have soared in France - for fewer pick-ups Readers say the fees mean putting the rubbish out only once every six weeks
I moved to France and became a mountain guide What inspired one British woman to settle in the Alps change careers
The French marathon where runners eat cheese and drink wine along the route The Olympics put the focus on serious sport, but the Marathon des Châteaux du Médoc in the south of the country is offering a little light relief
On va pas chercher midi à quatorze heures : Fun French expression no. 1 Find out what this amusing French expression means so you can start to use it in your conversations
'Real French treasures are now hard to find at flea markets' Columnist Peter Wyeth laments that traditional vide-greniers are increasingly filled with flimsy plastic objects
France's community kitchens expand nationwide Not-for-profit Les Petites Cantines fosters social cohesion through shared meals and local engagement
'French healthcare is baffling and complex... but it works' Columnist Nick Inman recently had the misfortune to be ill, but the fortune, as he sees it, for this to happen in France
‘Soaked like soup’: 7 French expressions to use for wet weather From cows and dogs to soup, ropes and buckets - use these phrases when it is raining to sound like a native
Paris zinc roof workers explain what makes their work so special Roofers help maintain Paris’ unique skyline and may soon be on Unesco list
French chef bakes innovation with 3D biscuit printer Engineer-turned-pastry chef Marine Coré-Baillais's invention is elevating the art of pastry-making and even includes edible plates and cups
Guinguettes back in business as French seek the simple pleasures of life The waterside restaurants, sometimes with dance floors and made famous in Impressionist paintings from the late 19th century, are flourishing again
France boosts electric boat conversion budget River authority doubles funding to electrify tourist boats, aiming for a greener future in the industry
'Paris Olympics were magnificent - but our visit was disappointing' Reader says her family were surprised to see that the Olympic flame was not real - and that there were no more Phryge toys available
Films, series, sports: What to watch in September to help improve your French The new season of a Netflix 'love-to-hate' classic is available this month, alongside films at the cinema and the end of France's summer sporting extravaganza
French atelier restores objects through ancient art of lacquer renovation Atelier Morganti in Nice transforms ancient artefacts and furniture using traditional and modern lacquering techniques
Letters: Readers spar over French 'obsession' with meat Vegetarians argue that it is 'bad for our health and the planet' rather than the 'epitome of dining'
How trail running has boomed in popularity in France More than a million people are now thought to take part in the organised off-road runs each year - but some say the rise is damaging the sport
Crafting light: The art of stained glass in France Vitrailliste Adélie Payen merges French and Scottish techniques in her unique stained-glass creations
Historic racing yacht seeks new captain in France Built in 1890, the restored English cutter is now on sale in Brittany for €35,000
Seven English words that you may not realise are French As well as déjà vu and hors d’oeuvre, you may be surprised to learn how many words crossed the Channel
'How I moved from the US to France alone aged 70' Janice Deerwester, 72, explains why she moved from France from Georgia in 2022 and how she is inspiring others through YouTube videos
What are French rules for children’s car seats? There are strict regulations on booster seat manufacturing
'Get your cat treated for fleas before it goes wandering in France' Columnist Samantha David explains how her pet was picked up by an association only to return riddled with the pests
Comment: Olympics were all about cash but will leave positive legacy The funds generated by the Games have been well spent and optimism has replaced the usual glumness, writes columnist Nabila Ramdani
Nine reasons to learn French Studying the language makes French culture more accessible and could improve your brain function
Bordeaux, Marseille, Nice, Brittany; Calls for ban on cruise ships grow in France Ecologists say the massive ships are an ‘absurdity’ and argue their economic windfalls are overstated
Why one Normandy beach has German deckchairs These ‘strandkorbs’ are popular and often fully booked - and have history dating back to 1880s
Our village fête is sadly now more hipster Hackney than paysan Périgord Columnist Nick Jenkins says that the gala events feel increasingly sanitised and less traditional since Covid
Rare images show how newspapers reported Liberation of Paris in August 1944 One shows food arriving at the starving city from Yorkshire in the UK with a truck marked ‘Churchill’s grub’
Learning French: be careful with the many words for a meeting A 'réunion' and a 'rendez-vous' could translate to the same thing but do not have the meaning
The Liberation of Paris: 'History fluctuates with the changing times' Historian Christian Chevandier tells The Connexion how the victory is perceived in France
Learning French: 8 handy French phrases using the word pouce From gardening to less-than-gourmand meals, pouce appears more often than you may expect in French conversation
Family's belongings lost when relocating to France from Ireland Move to France turned into a nightmare as possessions never got delivered, leaving family in a sparsely furnished home
Is it possible to sell a second-hand right-hand drive car in France? An imported car will need to be registered for use in France
French team build faithful replica of William the Conqueror’s warship Visitors to the Normandy site can experience a voyage on La Mora in virtual reality
France builds its first traditional Hindu temple It is hailed as a “bridge” between French and Indian cultures, while a Buddhist pagoda in Allier also celebrates religious diversity and receives more than 25,000 visitors per year
Letters: French emergency care is fast and effective - unlike in the UK Connexion reader says people forget how long the wait for ambulances and treatment can be in Britain and Ireland
Five things they don't tell you about… apéros in France Pointers from courses to socially acceptable drinks