Magazine

Reading recommendations: books about France in English

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

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

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

magazine

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

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 became manager of a dog kennel in the countryside after moving to France

Connexion reader Anita Rhoden shares her experiences after leaving a high-flying 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

The five other capitals of France before Paris

Several other cities have held the honour for various reasons

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’

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

Our French gîte: chandeliers, fireplaces and vegan-friendly products

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

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

When and why do we say blanc bonnet et bonnet blanc?

A phrase to use when two things are very similar

Photos: Dordogne home recreated as a gingerbread house

Tasty model includes architectural features taken from the real property

Podcasts to improve your French in 2026

Podcasts are a great free way to improve both your language and knowledge of French culture

Readers report high customs charges on gifts sent to France

The cost of receiving gifts is sometimes higher than their value

Gardening in 2026: the year of being organised

Manage seeds and maintain tools effectively for a productive year ahead

Chut! When French sounds become words

Learn when to use these common onomatopoeiac words in France

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

Old France is still here – if you know where to look

A reader responds to columnist Nick Inman's article on the changes in France

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: Enjoy the view from a flat-bottomed boat

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

French words and sayings for celebrating New Year

A vocab guide for welcoming the new year in France

Why Jordan Bardella is frontrunner for France’s 2027 presidency

Columnist Simon Heffer looks at the inexorable rise of the Rassemblement National's likely candidate

Mince: a handy French word with several meanings

Use it when expressing frustration and learn how it relates to health habits in January

No crisps, no party games: the unwritten rules of French children’s birthdays

Columnist Samantha David describes the ups and downs of a French birthday party for children

French villages become living Advent calendars with different doors opening each day to give out treats

Local residents each choose a date in December, decorate their door or window and then on the day, open up and hand out hot drinks and edible treats to everyone outside

The origins and meaning of tirer les marrons du feu

As Christmas approaches, we look at a phrase to describe someone who takes advantage of a situation

Saint-Aubin-des-Châteaux: rural French village with historical and natural charm

Step back in time to explore Neolithic, Roman, and Templar traces... but you will not find any châteaux

Recipe: Corsican fiadone cheesecake

This easy-to-make cake is a traditional crowd-pleasing dessert

More amusing place names in France: from Anus and Chitry to Misery

Readers add to the collection

Vive le roi! All France needs for Christmas is its monarchy back

Columnist Simon Heffer examines the future of republicanism

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

Owners of French mill seek help tracing history

'We are looking for old photographs from before it closed,' say couple who restored the building

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: Packed in like sardines

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

Watch out for unregulated therapists in France

Reader who is an American clinical psychologist says those working without legal recognition can be dangerous

Recipe: Flemish beef and beer stew

This hearty dish featuring French pain d’épice (spice bread) and gnocchi is sure to warm you up during the cold winter months

Stendhal syndrome: has art ever driven you to distraction?

Discover the condition where art induces intense emotions and even physical reactions

This charming Breton village is known for its thrilling rallycross events

The historic sites of Lohéac (Ille-et-Vilaine) blend culture and motorsport

French bank made me wish I had put savings under the mattress

Current account charges meant reader was losing money despite interest

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: not a presidential palace

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

When and why do we say c’est Noël avant l'heure?

A joyous phrase to use in the countdown to Christmas

It’s not just Britons speaking English in France – so why the unfair criticism?

A reader writes on the complexities of adopting the language in different contexts

'I left Chicago and now run a truffle farm in rural Provence'

Lisa Pepin enjoys the tranquility of the French countryside and appreciates a better work-life balance

Oldest English pub in Bordeaux bought by Franco-British couple

The Golden Apple now serves their locally brewed beers

Veggie burgers and plant-based sausages: French farmers and consumers react to name ruling delay

The EU failed to reach final agreement to draft rules governing plant-based naming

The origins and meaning of French expression être le ravi de la crèche

A nativity-themed phrase for those who find magic in everyday moments

Photos: our cosy and ecological home in the south of France

Reader Lucy Truscott, 49, describes how she and husband made a home for themselves in Hérault

Is ‘the good life’ still popular? What buyers of smallholdings in France look for

Self-sufficient living is still in demand

Burglary attempt at my French home left me terrified

Columnist Cynthia Spillman offers some advice on improving security

When and why do we say French expression mettre la puce à l'oreille?

This phrase will plant an idea in your head

Becoming a cashless society would not solve France's problems

Economic historian Patrice Baubeau says the trend is accelerating

See what €50,000, €150,000 and over €1m buys in Haute-Savoie

The mountainous department has international borders with Switzerland and Italy

Is it ever right to blend red and white wine?

Readers contribute to French wine snobbery debate

Join the club: International Players, English language theatre group

The Yvelines group is perfect for expat theatre enthusiasts

La Baule is a classic French case study in the evolution of the grand resort

The coastal town renowned for its Belle Epoque villas, Art Deco elegance, and modernist designs, attracts tourists and remote workers alike

Do you know this term - and cliché - for a French brother-in-law?

Some French words do not have an obvious equivalent in English

Magazine

Reading recommendations: books about France in English

Dangerous liaisons: how to avoid misunderstandings in French speech

French recipe: pork chop with braised butter beans

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

Trending

French law on snow tyres criticised as authorities unable to issue fines

Study ranks best - and worst - French airports for flight punctuality

Storm set to hit north-west France

Images: superb northern lights seen across France

Strike at Crédit Agricole sees many branches closed

Can I charge electric vehicle when parked outside my home?

New French 2026 budget plan – key points for residents

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

Why I love where I live... in Bordeaux

Black history in Paris: the story behind Maison Noire Américaine

I became manager of a dog kennel in the countryside after moving to France

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

Is the French language in decline?

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Savoyards poke fun at Parisians over snow disruption

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

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

January flowers in your French garden with scented viburnum

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

Lavaudieu: a picture-perfect village dripping with Medieval history

Our French gîte: chandeliers, fireplaces and vegan-friendly products

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

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

Should France follow Italy and make ski helmets mandatory?

Tips for improving your French in 2026

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

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

When and why do we say blanc bonnet et bonnet blanc?

Photos: Dordogne home recreated as a gingerbread house

Podcasts to improve your French in 2026

Readers report high customs charges on gifts sent to France

Gardening in 2026: the year of being organised

Chut! When French sounds become words

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Old France is still here – if you know where to look

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: Enjoy the view from a flat-bottomed boat

French words and sayings for celebrating New Year

Why Jordan Bardella is frontrunner for France’s 2027 presidency

Mince: a handy French word with several meanings

No crisps, no party games: the unwritten rules of French children’s birthdays

French villages become living Advent calendars with different doors opening each day to give out treats

The origins and meaning of tirer les marrons du feu

Saint-Aubin-des-Châteaux: rural French village with historical and natural charm

Recipe: Corsican fiadone cheesecake

More amusing place names in France: from Anus and Chitry to Misery

Vive le roi! All France needs for Christmas is its monarchy back

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Owners of French mill seek help tracing history

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: Packed in like sardines

Watch out for unregulated therapists in France

Recipe: Flemish beef and beer stew

Stendhal syndrome: has art ever driven you to distraction?

This charming Breton village is known for its thrilling rallycross events

French bank made me wish I had put savings under the mattress

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: not a presidential palace

When and why do we say c’est Noël avant l'heure?

It’s not just Britons speaking English in France – so why the unfair criticism?

'I left Chicago and now run a truffle farm in rural Provence'

Oldest English pub in Bordeaux bought by Franco-British couple