Magazine

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.

Moving to France – what we wish we had known

Readers who have already made the move share their experiences

magazine

‘We have 100-plus rooms to restore in our French chateau’

Felicity Selkirk fell in love with the listed French mansion while searching for a heritage property

European TV is a necessary cultural corrective

Columnist Nick Inman argues for a more open-minded approach to viewing

Dog waste DNA helps to catch errant pet owners

French town sees 85% reduction in dog waste using DNA tracing technology

Amateur astronomers in Antibes discover new comet

The MAPS research programme found comet C/2026 A1 MAPS, gaining international recognition

Books to help you practise your French skills

French books to improve your language skills, from easy-read romances to literary prize winners

France moves to limit screens for children – but are schools going the other way?

Screentime is limited in French schools - but the battle is far from over

Five things they don't tell you about… grandparents in France

French family elders have their own lives to live, albeit with much tolerance

EU’s 90/180 days rule: Readers challenge common views on France visits

Some find the number of days permitted to be sufficient for their needs

‘Dare to try’: a creative’s tips for monetising your talents in France

Reader Synthia Bléomelen explains how she makes money by creating and selling jewellery

Reverse culture shock is another challenge of trips away from France

Returning to the UK from living in France can bring some hurdles

Why simple and eco-friendly swimming pools are on trend for 2026

Plus rainwater transfer tips and potager advice

How to describe cheapskates in French

A village meeting feast showcased the radin tendencies of one family

How does France’s April Fools’ Day differ from the UK or US?

Explore the origins of the day and its traditions

Interview: Stéphane Bern, the face of French heritage with royal connections

Discover the historian's influence on French culture and heritage, his thoughts on the British royal family, and his impact on tourism

Five famous April Fools' pranks played on the French public

French media outlets and transport companies have pulled some classic ‘poissons d’Avril’ - here are five of the best

Learning French: eight Easter-themed expressions

Se taper la cloche and other phrases to use if celebrating Easter in France

Local elections underline deep divisions in France

Columnist Simon Heffer looks for the winners and losers of the March vote

Fibre installation in Alsace: delays, errors and billing issues

Connexion reader is still struggling to get high speed internet after 18 months

Feel the rhythm if you want to understand the language

Notes from a lecturer on how noticing the natural beats of verbal expression is essential to getting it right

Three fun fromage phrases for France’s national cheese day

Today (Friday, March 27) is la journée nationale du fromage

My experience with a pellet stove in France: breakdowns, costs and hard work

Reader notes the 'significant drawbacks' of the system

Learning French: when and why do we say vouloir le beurre et l’argent du beurre?

A handy phrase to say that someone wants the best of both worlds

The origins and meaning of rester bouche bée

Plus, more expressions for extreme surprise

Is email from French electricity supplier Enedis a scam?

Connexion reader receives unsolicited email about their online account

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: get to the church on time

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?

Pellet stoves in France: after-sales support is costly and unclear

Connexion reader reports lack of transparency and the protectionist practices within the sector

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

Deciphering language used in French news bulletins

Columnist Nick Inman provides an overview of common media terms

Medals for going to work or raising good children in France

Recipients do not need to be French nationals to qualify

Why France attracts so many campervans and motorhomes

Campervan travel is booming in the country as new British registrations soar

Helmets are not the answer to bad habits on French ski slopes

A reader expresses their thoughts on the debate

Test your knowledge: fun French facts

Explore intriguing French trivia, from the toughest dictation in history to the vibrant culture of Limoges and the unique lifestyle on Ile de Ré

Royal seal of approval for group connecting veterans in France

Reader Claire La Roche, 52, explains how she and her husband Mike, 55, founded the Aquitaine Breakfast Club

Keep off the grass, shut the door... medieval origins and modern-day usage of prière

You may hear this formal word in everyday requests

France’s baby push: Why government efforts to boost births backfire

Columnist Nabila Ramdani argues against state involvement in birth rates and fertility

Saint Patrick's Day: French expressions featuring the colour green

How many green French phrases do you know?

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

Happy holidays or harsh realities? The truth about living in rural France

Columnist Samantha David examines the contrast between holiday and day-to-day life

Three reading recommendations: books about France in English

Lovers of French history will enjoy these historical and romantic works

Pompette and more French words for being tipsy

Discover linguistic nuances and cultural insights into France's respect for alcohol

The growing appeal of France’s green cemeteries

Participating cemeteries follow a strict set of eco-friendly rules

French election terms to know ahead of les municipales

It is useful to understand political vocabulary, even if you cannot vote

Should cats really have the 'right to roam' in France?

More readers write in with their views on feline transgressions

Learning French: what does manger sur le pouce mean and when should it be used?

Use this expression to describe eating something quick and easy while on the move

Saint-Emilion: home to Europe’s largest underground place of worship

Explore the monolithic church of Saint-Emilion, carved from limestone and steeped in history and spirituality

Five exotic crops thriving in France's changing climate

French farmers are adapting by cultivating exotic crops like sugar cane, ginger, and pomegranates, reducing reliance on imports

Orne: the ‘Cotswolds of France’ that remains a hidden gem

Often overlooked by tourists and second-homers, this department in north-west France has so much to offer

La politesse: what habits can make you seem rude to French people?

Sometimes it can be all too easy to commit a cultural faux pas

Votes for foreigners: why is topic so controversial in France?

Two academics talk to The Connexion about the issues at stake and what is done in neighbouring countries

Recipe: chocolate meringue Gâteau Concorde

A foolproof cake recipe from an award–winning American food writer

French recipe: trout gravlax with beetroot

A step-by-step guide to preparing this delicious recipe from the Ferrandi School of Culinary Arts

Five French phrases with same English meaning - just swap the animal

Do not try to translate these expressions word-for-word

'We produce edible flowers and organic black garlic in Vendée'

More than 3,000 different varieties of plants grow in Le Jardin de Pauline 85

Dry January vs French January: how France’s wine culture is adapting to drinking less

Vigneron columnist Jonathan Hesford gives his advice on enjoying l'art de vivre without overindulging

Discover the French tradition of Easter roast lamb: gigot d’agneau

We salute slow-cooked roast lamb, and learn about its cultural significance and cooking methods

Wartime barracks inspire themed B&B in Normandy

Guests can book the air force structures for a fully immersive 1940s experience

The electorate is to blame for France's political mess

Connexion reader argues that criticism of President Macron is unfair

Envoyer quelqu'un sur les roses and more French flower expressions

Romance or a secret? Learn five French expressions related to flowers

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: it’ll be all white on the night

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

Creativity is the key to fixing France's education system

Classes are too often characterised by rote learning and rigidity, says Céline Haller - named one of the world's best teachers

'I moved to France and became a photographer with a great work-life balance'

Reader Anna Leak shares her experiences setting up a business in the creative industries

Nantes unveils first Dutch-style roundabout enhancing cyclist and pedestrian safety

New roundabout is part of a €500,000 urban renovation project

‘My dream of earning a living through art is coming true’

Planning new projects for spring? Perhaps this artistic Connexion reader will inspire you

Two homes: one in Provence, one in the Rockies

Carolyne Kauser-Abbott and her husband split their time between France and Canada

Dorine Bourneton: the French pilot who flew again after a plane crash left her paralysed

French Légion d’honneur winner tells how her struggles led to her success as an author, campaigner and actress

French wood pellet stoves are far more expensive than they first appear

Reader says the machines are complex and require costly maintenance

Five French films and series to watch in March

Improve your French language skills and culture knowledge with this month’s films and series

When and why do we say avoir des tablettes de chocolat?

A chocolate-themed saying to describe someone who has a six-pack

Merlin Holland: 'misconceptions about my grandfather Oscar Wilde - and what I love about France'

Merlin Holland delves into the myths and rumours surrounding his famous family connection

Dealing with a difficult – or even abusive – French landlord

We all know that the law is there to supposedly protect us, but what happens when you are new to a foreign country and your rented accommodation turns into a nightmare?

I’m an estate agent and these are the five errors that newcomers make in France

'Many overestimate their DIY talents – and underestimate renovation costs'

Magazine

Readers’ feedback on Orange two-step authentication issues

Three reading recommendations: books about France in English

Moving to France – what we wish we had known

‘We have 100-plus rooms to restore in our French chateau’

Trending

Cat owner in France must pay neighbour €100 after pet enters garden

Licence issue leaves Briton unable to drive in France

UK caravan owners warned over new number plate rules for travel in France

Driver checks intensify in south-west France: Hundreds of licences removed

Retiree in France shoots down mairie drone, mistaking it for burglars

Income tax declarations open in France: what's new in 2026?

Why an increasing number of drivers in France are using dashcams

European TV is a necessary cultural corrective

Dog waste DNA helps to catch errant pet owners

Amateur astronomers in Antibes discover new comet

Books to help you practise your French skills

France moves to limit screens for children – but are schools going the other way?

Five things they don't tell you about… grandparents in France

EU’s 90/180 days rule: Readers challenge common views on France visits

‘Dare to try’: a creative’s tips for monetising your talents in France

Reverse culture shock is another challenge of trips away from France

Why simple and eco-friendly swimming pools are on trend for 2026

Phrases used by young people in France in 2026

I moved to France and became an online art teacher with more than 44,000 students

Learning French: the origins and meaning of tuer la poule aux œufs d'or

How to describe cheapskates in French

Guns, healthcare, culture: why my children are better off in France

The story behind Les Lacs du Connemara: the surprising French hit

Films and TV shows to improve your French this spring

Long-distance runner's inspiring fitness journey in France

US-style tipping is destroying France’s famous café culture

How does France’s April Fools’ Day differ from the UK or US?

Interview: Stéphane Bern, the face of French heritage with royal connections

Five famous April Fools' pranks played on the French public

Learning French: eight Easter-themed expressions

Local elections underline deep divisions in France

Fibre installation in Alsace: delays, errors and billing issues

Feel the rhythm if you want to understand the language

Three fun fromage phrases for France’s national cheese day

My experience with a pellet stove in France: breakdowns, costs and hard work

Learning French: when and why do we say vouloir le beurre et l’argent du beurre?

The origins and meaning of rester bouche bée

Is email from French electricity supplier Enedis a scam?

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: get to the church on time

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Pellet stoves in France: after-sales support is costly and unclear

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Deciphering language used in French news bulletins

Medals for going to work or raising good children in France

Why France attracts so many campervans and motorhomes

Helmets are not the answer to bad habits on French ski slopes

Test your knowledge: fun French facts

Royal seal of approval for group connecting veterans in France

Keep off the grass, shut the door... medieval origins and modern-day usage of prière

France’s baby push: Why government efforts to boost births backfire

Saint Patrick's Day: French expressions featuring the colour green

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Happy holidays or harsh realities? The truth about living in rural France

Three reading recommendations: books about France in English

Pompette and more French words for being tipsy

The growing appeal of France’s green cemeteries

French election terms to know ahead of les municipales

Should cats really have the 'right to roam' in France?

Learning French: what does manger sur le pouce mean and when should it be used?

Saint-Emilion: home to Europe’s largest underground place of worship

Five exotic crops thriving in France's changing climate

Orne: the ‘Cotswolds of France’ that remains a hidden gem

La politesse: what habits can make you seem rude to French people?

Votes for foreigners: why is topic so controversial in France?

Recipe: chocolate meringue Gâteau Concorde

French recipe: trout gravlax with beetroot

Five French phrases with same English meaning - just swap the animal

'We produce edible flowers and organic black garlic in Vendée'

Dry January vs French January: how France’s wine culture is adapting to drinking less

Discover the French tradition of Easter roast lamb: gigot d’agneau

Wartime barracks inspire themed B&B in Normandy

The electorate is to blame for France's political mess

Envoyer quelqu'un sur les roses and more French flower expressions

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: it’ll be all white on the night