Magazine

Why many newcomers understand French but struggle to speak it

French conversation coach gives her top tips for developing 'progressive fluency'

The origins and meaning of tomber des nues

This idiomatic expression has nothing to do with nudity

Explore the new ‘Tour de Haute-Garonne’ cycle route

The scenic 665km cycle route in Occitanie features 13 stages and stunning beauty hotspots like the Canal du Midi and the Pyrénéen foothills

magazine

Flowers and punctuality do not always pay off in France

A reader shares an embarrassing tale

We should all be able to vote in France

Readers argue that their contribution to society justifies their right to take part

Crowds and photographers at the Cannes red carpet for 'Ismael's Ghosts' screening

French cinema remains a global force – despite growing challenges

Film industry expert Mary Harrod explains why the world still has a lot to learn from French cinema

The double meaning of brassage

Hop to it with a brewing phrase used in a sporting context

Three reading recommendations: books about France in English

Enjoy these English books about France, from a cozy murder mystery to a unique French language guide, perfect for Francophiles and language learners

Why France still has millions of nightingales while UK numbers fall

The rossignol returns in spring - here is where to listen for it

Red vintage-style convertible car parked on a gravel roadside near pine trees

How France’s classic Citroën 2CV became a British-style retro sports car

The model is one of very few kit cars available in France, as regulations ban amateurs from building them

A clock on a businessman’s desk set to 2:00

When and why do we say on va pas chercher midi à quatorze heures?

Find out what this amusing French expression means so you can start to use it in your conversations

Jordan Bardella raises his arm at a rally, amid supporters in tricolour sashes

Jordan Bardella is too young to be President of France

Columnist Nick Inman argues for the benefits of experience and age in French politics

What exactly is a quality wine and do the experts know what consumers like?

Price has a very loose relationship with how good a wine tastes

Why French astronauts don’t get the same hero treatment as in the US or UK

The first female French astronaut was met with a rather muted reception at home

US woman moves to France and cuts annual asthma drug cost from $36,000 to $3,500

'The difference was immediate and life-changing,' says writer Hilary Hodge

Recipe: buckwheat-almond praliné chocolate tart

A delicious French dessert with a twist

Five French films and TV shows for May

From thrillers to comedies, make learning easy by incorporating French media into your everyday life

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

Woman standing under a 'Rue du Climat' sign on a Paris street

Lucie Basch: revolutionising food waste and consumption with Too Good To Go

The co-founder of Too Good To Go is transforming food waste management and promoting sustainable consumption across 20 countries, including the UK and Japan

Three French phrases inspired by other cultures

Explore the origins and meanings behind these French expressions related to foreign people and places

Running a gîte in France: why being on site matters for success

A reader argues that having a presence brings better feedback and satisfaction

How much should I pay for mowing at French home?

Costs vary depending on factors such as skill level and the exact service provided

Motorway with lorries entering tunnels by a rocky hillside near the France border sign.

Why driving in France can cost more than in the UK

A reader writes about his driving experiences in both UK and France

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: the Italian job

In which of France's 13 regions was this photo taken?

Centre-right's candidate is a poor copy of French far-right leader

Columnist Simon Heffer is not impressed by Bruno Retailleau - the candidate of Les Républicains for next year’s presidential election

France's concrete road barriers are safer than metal ones

Concrete barriers are thought to be more durable in the event of an impact

Saint-Malo: exploring Brittany’s city of corsairs

For a few centuries Malouin privateers were the bane of the English

Checkmate.,Hand,Of,An,Unrecognizable,Man,Playing,Chess,Defeating,His

Covid pandemic sparks a chess revival in France

Netflix TV series The Queen’s Gambit also brought the game to a new audience

Free building materials in France: how the Cycle Zéro app works

New app relies on unused materials discarded in skips at local construction sites

Cotton balls resting on a pile of folded clothes

Four French cotton-themed phrases

Explore French phrases inspired by a popular fabric

Four men with instruments pose around a classic white car outside an old stone building.

How joining a band can build your community in France

16% of citizens play an instrument ‘often’ or ‘from time to time’

Confused,And,Surprised,Young,Professional,Woman,In,A,Tense,Discussion

From quoi to voilà… verbal tics can puzzle language learners

There are some habits you should not acquire, says columnist Nick Inman

Learn to love the complexities of the French language

Reader argues that weird spellings and homophones are part of the soul of a living language

Lesser-known French abbreviations to listen out for: just add 'O'

Insights into informal language trends, featuring shortened versions of restaurant, ordonnance and more

Chamonix,,France,-,08.08.2024:,Happy,Hiker,On,The,Trekking,Mountain

French hikes have ‘something for everyone’

Walking holidays offer gentle strolls amid medieval villages to demanding high-altitude hikes

Dordogne bin collection: non-recyclable waste limits need a rethink

Reader says that the limits should not be on frequency but rather on volume

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: a chateau with a rule of four

In which of France's 13 regions was this photo taken?

A chef sings holding a spatula and a pot

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: Three Graces in the sun

In which of France's 13 regions was this photo taken?

Argeles-sur-Mer: camping hot-spot in the south of France

How this seaside town transformed from a refugee camp to Europe’s most popular area for campers

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

Tchin tchin, santé, eye contact: the words and rituals of French apéros

From a Mandarin phrase to mediaeval beliefs, we look back through the history of this evening tradition

Manvieux;,France,-,July,18,2017,:,The,City,Hall

France's mairies are both a help and a hindrance

Two readers express their views on local government

Paris,,France,,04.09.2025.,Tourists,At,The,Père,Lachaise,Cemetery,In

French graveyard ‘safari’ brings history to life

Père Lachaise tour guide Thierry Le Roi talks to Théophile Larcher about the privilege of sharing the cemetery’s stories

Learning French: the origins and meaning of ne pas avoir un poil sur le caillou

Use this saying to describe someone who is bald

Judy and Dave Kashoff, whose journey inspired her book Five, Ten, or Never

'I moved to France and wrote my first book'

These Connexion readers have put pen to paper since moving to France

Can you help? Mairie in Normandy is looking for missing British couple

Owners of French property have not been seen for a decade

What future for smaller French airports?

Vulnerability to the whims of low-cost airlines is becoming more evident

Visa,Application,Form,And,Flag,Of,France

I'm a relocation adviser and these are the five mistakes people make when applying for a French visa

Relocation adviser Louis Bouyala, co-founder of EasyStart, provides some useful guidance

France,,1,July,2024:,Red,Car,Driving,On,A,Countryside

My car broke down - and the reality of life in rural France hit me hard

Columnist Samantha David laments a lack of understanding about travel challenges in rural France

Châtelaudren: a Breton village once regarded as France’s ‘second fashion capital’

The picturesque spot in northern Brittany was home to weekly women’s magazine Le Petit Echo de la Mode

French film review: And God Created Woman - Brigitte Bardot's iconic role

Explore the captivating allure of the actress in the film that redefined cinematic sensuality and empowered women

Eating faux-pas: habits to avoid when dining in France

From ignoring fellow guests to taking too much cheese, we take a look at the no-nos when dining in France

'We produce exotic fruits and award-winning rum in Pyrénées-Orientales'

Visit the farm boutique or shop online for a taste of the innovative creations from Les Arts Verts near Perpignan

Why the French have fallen out of love with wine

Wine consumption is falling in France and globally, as lifestyle changes, economic factors, and cultural shifts impact the wine industry

Versailles,,France,-,July,22,,2010,:,The,Apollo,Fountain

See what €50,000, €500,000 and over €1m buys in Yvelines

Versailles is 16km from Paris and has very good but busy roads linking it to the capital

Paris,,France,-,March,16,,2019:,Tribunal,Correctionnel,,Criminal,Court.

French courtroom experience leaves us wanting more

Fraud victim Nick Inman describes what happens when a case goes to trial

Four,Friends,Making,A,Toast,During,A,Meal,At,A

Wife is jealous of my new male French friends

Columnist Cynthia Spillman advises a reader on his spouse's isolation

Why we love France’s long-distance cycle paths

Reader Kate Kirk, 71, moved to France from West Yorkshire in 2008 with her husband Allan

Senior,,Couple,And,Cooking,In,Kitchen,With,Tablet,For,Meal

My husband wants ‘French’ cooking

Columnist Cynthia Spillman helps a reader to encourage her spouse to take a more collaborative attitude

Michael Bettocchi running the Metz Euro Marathon in 2025

French man loses 40kg to run marathon after life-changing decision

Michael Bettocchi was morbidly obese when he signed up for his first run in Metz

Recipe: swiss chard and white bean parmentier

Versatile swiss chard can be used in sweet and savoury dishes

Recipe: make French fougasse bread at home

Baker Richard Bertinet shares a simple and impressive recipe for making authentic French fougasse bread with a crunchy crust and soft interior

Readers’ feedback on Orange two-step authentication issues

Reader Peter Cracknell recently wrote to The Connexion sharing his frustration with accessing his orange.fr emails while visiting the UK. A wave of readers quickly came to his aid

Three reading recommendations: books about France in English

Explore three books set in France, including a family saga in Burgundy, a wartime thriller in Paris, and a romantic journey in Hérault. Perfect reads for Francophiles.