Magazine

I had a heart attack in France without realising it

An evening with friends took an unexpected turn for 74-year-old

What are the rules about splitting the bill in France?

Columnist Cynthia Spillman offers some advice on the sometimes awkward clash of food and money

Costume, music, floats: where to see France’s vibrant carnival parades

Celebrate the end of winter with feasting and fun at a carnival near you

magazine

More French podcasts to test your language skills

Podcasts are one of the best free tools for consistently developing your listening comprehension

Rugby vocabulary to know if watching the Six Nations in France

From un tampon to une cathédrale, understand the meaning of key French rugby terms

My tips for bird nesting season in south-west France

Some species begin building nests as early as February, including collared doves, mistle thrushes and song thrushes

Learning French: what does faire grise mine mean and when should it be used?

A phrase to use when someone is down in the dumps

Explore unique French homes that blend history and modern design

A new interiors book explores homes that defy convention and embrace uniqueness, styled with imagination and authenticity

What I miss about France after moving back to UK

Columnist Gillian Harvey, who returned to the UK in 2024, explains what she misses – and what she has gained in the process

Why making friends in France can take time – and how to succeed

Columnist Cynthia Spillman offers advice on forming lasting relationships

France must do more to protect citizens detained in Iran, says former hostage

French-Irish citizen Bernard Phelan tells Théophile Larcher how 221 days in an Iranian prison have changed him irrevocably

Auvergne region is neglected by government

Government agencies and the SNCF shun the area 'time and time again', says reader

À cloche-pied and six more French expressions featuring body parts

French phrases are full of unexpected words such as foot, head, nose and elbow

Discover La Routo, the historic 500km hiking trail from France to Italy

The hiking path from the Camargue to the Italian Alps, rich in history, culture, and stunning landscapes, is perfect for serious hikers and history enthusiasts

Trump’s rhetoric feeds France’s long tradition of national decline

Columnist Nabila Ramdani offers a view on the American president's impact on French culture

Is President Macron the problem with France?

Readers write in with their perspectives on the president

Films and shows to watch in February to improve your French

From understanding l’accent du midi to scenarios that have divided critics

When and why do we say tenir la dragée haute?

A handy phrase for when someone is standing their ground

Why France’s small rural communes still matter

Columnist Nick Inman makes the case against 'Doge-style cost-cutters'

My French cleaner is too familiar with me

Columnist Cynthia Spillman advises a reader on setting boundaries

Tati, toutou, toc-toc: French and its love of doubled-up words

We look at common phrases and words using repetition and Connexion readers share their examples

Recipe: Poulet Basquaise

London-based chef, Alex Jackson, shares a simple, tasty stew of chicken, ham, peppers and tomatoes flavoured with piment d’espelette

Macron, Trump and Davos: how Franco-American relations hit a new low

Renowned political commentator Simon Heffer examines the French president's dilemma

Exploring Pont-Croix: officially named as France’s best tourism village

A Breton gem boasting strong cultural heritage, charming architecture and vibrant local life

Which person's image must be displayed in French mairies?

The French flag, the motto “Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité” as well as a bust of Marianne are often seen

What does à la Saint-Glinglin mean and when should it be used?

This phrase is useful for people who tend to procrastinate or make empty promises

My health journey: I had emergency op for appendix tumour in France

Vivion Gibbs, 73, who moved to Brittany from the UK in 2011, describes how lower back pain quickly escalated into something far more serious

Readers share experiences adding their carte Vitale to the new app

Readers write of their experiences – good and bad

How to become just as chic as your French friends

Columnist Cynthia Spillman helps a reader to find sartorial inspiration

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

Reading recommendations: books about France in English

A frank Parisian memoir, a humorous language-hacks how-to guide, and a Champagne-themed historical novel

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

Dangerous liaisons: how to avoid misunderstandings in French speech

Know when to 'drop a vowel' or add an apostrophe to streamline your speech and improve pronunciation

See what €100,000, €500,000 and over €1m buys in Paris

The property market in the capital differs markedly from that of other French cities

French recipe: pork chop with braised butter beans

London-based chef Matthew Ryle shares a quick and easy winter recipe, ready in just 30 minutes

Sleep in a 100-year-old railway carriage at a former Brittany station

Refurbished railway compartment can sleep up to 11 people at a time

How joining a choir in rural France helped me build a new life after retirement

Connexion reader Abigail Gammie explains how singing offered a fun way to make friends – and learn the language

Discover the charm of Dordogne: a haven for expats and tourists

Explore Périgord's picturesque villages, historic chateaux, and vibrant international community

Why I love where I live... in Bordeaux

Briton Tim Pike, 55, loves the dynamic city in south-west France, setting up a history blog, a band – and even a one-man show

Black history in Paris: the story behind Maison Noire Américaine

An American non-profit is illuminating the legacy and vibrant presence of African-Americans and the African diaspora in France

'I moved to the French countryside and became manager of a dog kennel to save my soul'

Connexion reader Anita Rhoden shares her experiences after leaving a high-pressure banking job in the UK

Should we join in with our French neighbours' social activities?

Columnist Cynthia Spillman advises a reader on joining in with friends and neighbours

Grieving while in France: personal ways to honour those we have lost

Columnist Cynthia Spillman shares her advice for commemorating loved ones

Helpful vocabulary for making medical appointments

Make sure you are ready to fill any 'créneau' that becomes available

How I acquired a purebred puppy in France

Columnist Sue Adams looks forward to years of companionship with a new Jack Russell terrier

I moved to France for the cake – and then learned to love British baking

Columnist Sarah Henshaw rediscovers the British baking tradition of comfort, jam and just having a go

The origins and meaning of passer du coq à l'âne

It literally translates as: to pass from the rooster to the donkey

Eating alone at work in France: are attitudes changing?

Why the social taboo is being reconsidered in the modern workplace

French teenager wins top wildlife photography awards for Alpine ibex photos

The Connexion talks to award-winning wildlife 14-year-old photographer Lubin Godin about his process and future plans

Bergerac, Sarlat-la-Canéda and more picture-postcard Dordogne gems

Enjoy wine tastings, historic tours, and the vibrant Fest'Oie Goose Fair in these charming towns

The five other capitals of France before Paris

Several other cities have held the honour for various reasons

January events in France: Le Havre museum, Martin Parr and the Orient Express

Experience culture and history in France this month

Is it time to shorten France's school holidays?

Pascal Bressoux, professor of educational sciences at the University of Grenoble Alpes, explains why the school timetables need a rethink

How to order wine in a French restaurant

Our columnist looks at how to ensure a stress-free dining experience by understanding wine lists and navigating sommelier advice

The origins and meaning of rire jaune

A colourful expression for forced laughter

Discover the truffle traditions of France's Favourite Village, Saint-Antoine-l’Abbaye

Learn about its unique connection to Saint Anthony, truffle hunting and pigs

Is the French language in decline?

Newspaper headlines often focus on a supposed ‘decline’ of the French language - we look at whether it is true

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

Savoyards poke fun at Parisians over snow disruption

A few centimetres shut down capital but for those in Savoie ‘it’s time to clear the chalet steps so no one slips after an apero’

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

Lookalike La Poste site accused of misleading users in France

Reader says he was overcharged by poste-en-ligne.com and his letter did not even arrive

Films and series to watch in January 2026 to improve your French

France is a hub of talent when it comes to film and TV, and watching in French can greatly improve your language skills

French eye care system: readers’ experiences

Two readers have a differing opinion of the system

Duck Cold! Four French phrases to use when it is freezing outside

We remind you of French expressions to use to describe the drop in temperature

January flowers in your French garden with scented viburnum

Our gardening columnist explores a pretty pink shrub that gives long-lasting winter displays

When and why do we say le moral dans les chaussettes?

We explore this useful expression that describes low spirits

Lavaudieu: a picture-perfect village dripping with Medieval history

One hour south of Clermont-Ferrand, this serene riverside village is surrounded by rolling hills while its streets and famous abbey seem to be frozen in time

'I stopped going to the hairdresser for 12 years to save for my dream house in France'

La Maison de Wakefield is an 18th-Century stone house with four bedrooms and four bathrooms in Lot

Dragon's Pen: a creative haven for writers in central France

The vibrant community for writers and artists in Creuse and Indre fosters creativity through workshops and anthologies

Restoring a 400-year-old French property: an Englishman's award-winning journey

Ron Alldridge transformed a derelict house in Var into a masterpiece, blending history with craftsmanship

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: an Irish connection

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

Should France follow Italy and make ski helmets mandatory?

Mountain rescue services report an increase in interventions in recent seasons, attributing accidents to faster skiing, crowded pistes, and risky behaviour

Tips for improving your French in 2026

Whether you live in France or not, there are lots of (often free) ways to bosse ton francais cette année !

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: Pilgrims’ progress

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

Why calls for Emmanuel Macron to resign as president of France are misguided

The president should stay put, argues columnist Nick Inman

Magazine

I had a heart attack in France without realising it

What are the rules about splitting the bill in France?

Costume, music, floats: where to see France’s vibrant carnival parades

More French podcasts to test your language skills

Trending

‘Stay home’: Red weather alerts raised as Storm Nils sweeps France

Storm Nils set to cross France: 30 departments on heightened alert

British and French travellers to the US must soon provide more personal details

Paris airport to remove passenger drop-off zones near terminals

EES: Airports and airlines call for immediate review ahead of summer traffic

Ryanair brings back Brive-Stansted service for summer 2026

Traffic warnings in place this weekend as French school holidays continue

Rugby vocabulary to know if watching the Six Nations in France

My tips for bird nesting season in south-west France

Learning French: what does faire grise mine mean and when should it be used?

Explore unique French homes that blend history and modern design

What I miss about France after moving back to UK

Why making friends in France can take time – and how to succeed

France must do more to protect citizens detained in Iran, says former hostage

Auvergne region is neglected by government

À cloche-pied and six more French expressions featuring body parts

Discover La Routo, the historic 500km hiking trail from France to Italy

France’s 1970s roller disco craze is back – and we tried it

Exotic ‘lipsticked’ song bird spreads across south-west France

Bavarde, commérages: how to describe having a chat or gossip in French

Trump’s rhetoric feeds France’s long tradition of national decline

French recipe: duck Parmentier

Discover the French names for common stationery and musical items

American diner and British café offer a taste of home in France

February events in France: Art, agriculture, and festivals

Why we bought horses after moving to France – and what it taught us

Is President Macron the problem with France?

Films and shows to watch in February to improve your French

When and why do we say tenir la dragée haute?

Why France’s small rural communes still matter

My French cleaner is too familiar with me

Tati, toutou, toc-toc: French and its love of doubled-up words

Recipe: Poulet Basquaise

Macron, Trump and Davos: how Franco-American relations hit a new low

Exploring Pont-Croix: officially named as France’s best tourism village

Which person's image must be displayed in French mairies?

What does à la Saint-Glinglin mean and when should it be used?

My health journey: I had emergency op for appendix tumour in France

Readers share experiences adding their carte Vitale to the new app

How to become just as chic as your French friends

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Reading recommendations: books about France in English

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Dangerous liaisons: how to avoid misunderstandings in French speech

See what €100,000, €500,000 and over €1m buys in Paris

French recipe: pork chop with braised butter beans

Sleep in a 100-year-old railway carriage at a former Brittany station

How joining a choir in rural France helped me build a new life after retirement

Discover the charm of Dordogne: a haven for expats and tourists

Why I love where I live... in Bordeaux

Black history in Paris: the story behind Maison Noire Américaine

'I moved to the French countryside and became manager of a dog kennel to save my soul'

Should we join in with our French neighbours' social activities?

Grieving while in France: personal ways to honour those we have lost

Helpful vocabulary for making medical appointments

How I acquired a purebred puppy in France

I moved to France for the cake – and then learned to love British baking

The origins and meaning of passer du coq à l'âne

Eating alone at work in France: are attitudes changing?

French teenager wins top wildlife photography awards for Alpine ibex photos

Bergerac, Sarlat-la-Canéda and more picture-postcard Dordogne gems

The five other capitals of France before Paris

January events in France: Le Havre museum, Martin Parr and the Orient Express

Is it time to shorten France's school holidays?

How to order wine in a French restaurant

The origins and meaning of rire jaune

Discover the truffle traditions of France's Favourite Village, Saint-Antoine-l’Abbaye

Is the French language in decline?

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Savoyards poke fun at Parisians over snow disruption

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Lookalike La Poste site accused of misleading users in France

Films and series to watch in January 2026 to improve your French

French eye care system: readers’ experiences