Magazine

Learning French: when and why do we say mettre la main à la pâte?

This French phrase has little to do with pâte or dough and is useful when you need to ‘get stuck into' a task

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 Spring

Learning French: what does top départ mean and when should it be used?

A handy phrase to indicate that an event is underway

practical

Comment: French restaurants struggle with the idea of serving vegetables

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

Learning French: five short talk radio shows to improve your language skills

Improve your French comprehension with these quick, insightful broadcasts that can also be listened to as podcasts

The basics of French wine labelling

Why are French wines labelled as Bordeaux or Burgundies, and not Cabernet or Malbec? Jonathan Hesford explains

Why English and French breakfasts are so unalike

A traditional hearty English breakfast may have been in response to France's lack of a morning meal

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

Connexion reader says it cost €530 in total

Learning French: when and why do we say être bien dans ses baskets?

Watch out for false friends in this saying about self-confidence

Learning French: the origins and meaning of faire fissa

Chop-chop, hurry up, get a move on…

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: Monks in the red

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

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

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

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

Learning French: when and why do we say avoir la boule au ventre?

A phrase for when you are feeling stressed or nervous

Martel: the medieval French town home to a 'truffle' train and lavender festival

The small town in the Lot offered refuge to an English throne heir until his death

Learning French: the meaning of tiret du six versus tiret du huit

Plus, how to tell someone your email address in French

Learning French: the origins and meaning of piger

A slang word for measuring comprehension… that has nothing to do with pigs

Cherry blossoms galore: Europe's largest Japanese garden is in France

Picnic beneath pink trees and celebrate the tradition of Hanami at the Parc Oriental de Maulévrier

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: Green tourism

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

'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

How France looks after its historical treasures

Emmanuel Pénicaut, director of collections at Mobilier national, explains the organisation’s vital role

English-language poets in France showcased in new anthology

29 poets from a stanza group worked together on the collection

Experiences: Why I love where I live in Brittany

Connexion reader recounts how she found her haven in Saint-Servan, Ille-et-Vilaine

Learning French: what does être costaud mean and when should it be used?

This article features strong language

Perpète-les-Oies and Petaouchnouk: origins of these bizarre French expressions

Being familiar with such idioms can help to elevate your French to the next level

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

Columnist Samantha David is irked but the birds enjoy protected status

Did you know? France invented the strawberry

As strawberry season gets underway, you might be surprised to hear that garden strawberries originated in France and can be used in many ways

Learning French: the origins and meaning of arrête ton char

Say this when someone starts talking nonsense

Il est or c’est: how to remember when to use the right expression in French

Some key grammar rules can help with this sometimes-tricky French phrase

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

Learning French: when and why do we say arriver à bon port?

A phrase to use upon reaching your destination, safe and sound

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

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

Letters: French vegetarian burgers are still a work in progress

Reader bemoans the lack of meat alternatives available in restaurants

Learning French: the meaning of râler and more moaning synonyms

Which city in France is home to the biggest whiners?

Meet the volunteers vital to the growth of Open Gardens, and find out how you can join too

The association, which raised €22,000 for children’s charities last year, is seeking help with various roles

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: Riverside fortress

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

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

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: I'm tired of second-home owners complaining about life in France

Connexion reader questions people's problem with higher taxes and the 90/180 day rule

Letters: Our names always raise a smile in France

Readers share their anecdotes about adapting their names to French

Letters: Free banking is so hard to find in France

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

French films and TV shows to watch in March

The second season of a cult classic released at the end of February, joining critically-acclaimed French films on streaming services

Letters: France has problems but following America is not the answer

Connexion reader says a veer to the right would make France lose the kindness that sets its culture apart

Profile: French overseas minister Manuel Valls

The former prime minister and so-called ‘Sarkozy of the Left’, whose shifting allegiances never fail to attract controversy

I volunteered as a firefighter in France - and you can too

Along with running a gîte in Charente, Chloe Elliston, 47, also helps out at her caserne

Learning French: the origins and meaning of madeleine de Proust

This nostalgic expression mixes references to baking and literature

Learning French: what does dommage mean and when should it be used?

An essential term for unfortunate situations

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: A devilish project

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

Career change in France: Lawyer to musician

Connexion reader Martine Soukal, 54, tells how she returned to her first love of music while juggling her family and settling into life France

Learning French: what does ça te dit mean and when should it be used?

This quick, informal question cannot be translated literally

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

Strangers’ amazing solidarity to scam victim in France

72-year-old Bernard Martin-Mourey lost €37,000 to a property scam

Learning French: beware of bilingual instructions

Language notes from a lecturer on the pitfalls of translation

'We live in France but really miss our grandchild in the UK'

Columnist Cynthia Spillman looks at ways to deal with the feeling of missing out on life's milestones

Learning French: unravelling popular shortcuts and contractions

From ado to télé, which words are commonly shortened in everyday French?

Moving to France saved my life, says British mum

Shorter waiting times for healthcare and more thorough check-ups made it possible for her to build a new life in France after cancer diagnosis

Photos: Paris exhibition explores what people do alone at home

Behind the curtain: L’Intime Expo takes a fascinating look at people's private lives

Learning French: decoding alphabet expressions

We explore the nuances of letter usage in acronyms and idioms

Letters: France's energy audit system does not work for stone properties

Readers say the diagnostic de performance énergétique system heavily favours recent properties

Letters: €24,000 is how much we need for a comfortable life in France

Connexion reader has kept a careful record of income and expenditure

Letters: France needs immigration to sustain its tax revenue

Reader argues that the country's aging population creates an unbalanced economy

Learning French: what does paumé mean and when should it be used?

An informal way of saying you are literally or figuratively lost

Letters: Age should not be an obstacle for adopting a pet dog in France

Reader says over-70s need to be given the chance to take care of dogs who have no home

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: Get into the neo-Gothic spirit

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

French visas and residency card applications: Connexion readers share their experiences

The complex process is a challenge for many - including Britons, Americans and second-home owners

Comment: Uproar over Indian journalist reveals French approach to power

Prominent news anchor Palki Sharma Upadhyay 'dared' tell the president his video on AI was 'not funny'

Comment: France's far-left leader is an increasingly pointless political dinosaur

Columnist Simon Heffer looks at how the veteran leftist Jean-Luc Mélenchon has split his own party

'We're fed up of visitors staying too long at our home in France'

Columnist Cynthia Spillman gives her advice on setting boundaries for guests

Learning French: what does c'est pas la peine mean and when should it be used?

A useful phrase to describe useless actions

Comment: The last thing France needs is a debate on national identity

Columnist Nabila Ramdani notes the right-wing turn of Prime Minister François Bayrou's government

Learning French: what is the difference between voir and voire?

These words both sound exactly the same but have different meanings

Magazine

Learning French: when and why do we say mettre la main à la pâte?

Letters: BBC downsizing will hurt listeners in France

Learning French: what does top départ mean and when should it be used?

Comment: French restaurants struggle with the idea of serving vegetables

Trending

French motorway that has been free for 40 years to reintroduce tolls

April date announced for opening of 2025 income tax declarations in France

Facial recognition set to replace passports for Britons travelling from France

Why this widely-used gardening tool can land you a large fine in France

Is it correct that a new London-Lyon Eurostar link is planned?

Can non-French retirees obtain an Ehic card?

Learning French: five short talk radio shows to improve your language skills

Learning French: five short talk radio shows to improve your language skills

The basics of French wine labelling

Why English and French breakfasts are so unalike

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

Learning French: when and why do we say être bien dans ses baskets?

Learning French: the origins and meaning of faire fissa

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: Monks in the red

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

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

Learning French: when and why do we say avoir la boule au ventre?

French herbs: How to grow your own and use them correctly

'How we are reviving our Belle Epoque property on the edge of Lyon'

Learning French: what does que dalle mean and when should it be used?

Martel: the medieval French town home to a 'truffle' train and lavender festival

Learning French: the origins and meaning of boire la tasse

Gardening in France: get set to be dazzled by dahlias

Letters: Waste collection in France needs a rethink

Brittany lighthouse lens removal leads to public outcry

Why Madeleines have enduring appeal in France

Learning French: the meaning of tiret du six versus tiret du huit

Learning French: the origins and meaning of piger

Cherry blossoms galore: Europe's largest Japanese garden is in France

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: Green tourism

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

How France looks after its historical treasures

English-language poets in France showcased in new anthology

Experiences: Why I love where I live in Brittany

Learning French: what does être costaud mean and when should it be used?

Perpète-les-Oies and Petaouchnouk: origins of these bizarre French expressions

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

Did you know? France invented the strawberry

Learning French: the origins and meaning of arrête ton char

Il est or c’est: how to remember when to use the right expression in French

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

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

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

Learning French: when and why do we say arriver à bon port?

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

Letters: French vegetarian burgers are still a work in progress

Learning French: the meaning of râler and more moaning synonyms

Meet the volunteers vital to the growth of Open Gardens, and find out how you can join too

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: Riverside fortress

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

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

Letters: I'm tired of second-home owners complaining about life in France

Letters: Our names always raise a smile in France

Letters: Free banking is so hard to find in France

French films and TV shows to watch in March

Letters: France has problems but following America is not the answer

Profile: French overseas minister Manuel Valls

I volunteered as a firefighter in France - and you can too

Learning French: the origins and meaning of madeleine de Proust

Learning French: what does dommage mean and when should it be used?

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: A devilish project

Career change in France: Lawyer to musician

Learning French: what does ça te dit mean and when should it be used?

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Strangers’ amazing solidarity to scam victim in France

Learning French: beware of bilingual instructions

'We live in France but really miss our grandchild in the UK'

Learning French: unravelling popular shortcuts and contractions

Moving to France saved my life, says British mum

Photos: Paris exhibition explores what people do alone at home

Learning French: decoding alphabet expressions

Letters: France's energy audit system does not work for stone properties

Letters: €24,000 is how much we need for a comfortable life in France