Instrument last played in France in 300BC comes to life again Musical archaeologists recreate sound of ancient percussion lance found in a Celtic musician’s tomb in Seine-Saint-Denis
US producer Quincy Jones dies age 91: His long love affair with France The legendary musician lived and studied in France and maintained links with French artists and producers throughout this life
I joined a rock band in France Alan Kennedy-Bolam, 75, credits joining a ‘Franglais’-speaking group with helping him integrate and stay fit
news ‘Like losing a limb’: French musician’s appeal for stolen cello The instrument is worth €1.3m, but the cellist has said her appeal is not about the ‘commercial value’
World’s largest Celtic festival is in full swing in Brittany Plus, discover some Breton words in celebration of France’s huge ‘Interceltic’ festival
French conductor Zahia Ziouani fights inequality with classical music The award-winning conductor talks about beating ‘boys club’ attitudes and film about her life. She recently headed the orchestra which performed at the closing ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Singer Goldman composes new song for a school play in France French pop legend responds to teacher's request for a song for play about importance of Republican values in World War Two in Vénissieux (Rhône)
French heavy metal music festival launches kids spin-off Organisers hope special event at Hellfest will inspire interest in the genre for 'the younger generation'
Paul McCartney announces two concerts in France at end of 2024 The events will form part of the Got Back tour which began in 2022
French music legend Françoise Hardy dies at age of 80 The sixties singer was named as one of the best 200 singers of all-time by US magazine Rolling Stone
Historic ‘The Who’ bass guitar on auction in Lyon today John Entwistle’s bass, which is estimated to fetch around €15,000, was named following a heavy drinking session
One of France’s main music festivals at risk of closure ‘If nothing changes the 2024 edition could be the last’ say organisers of Les Vieilles Charrues
6 songs to capture the rhythms of the French language Work on your French ear by singing along if you can!
Paris to have street named after David Bowie (even though UK does not) The iconic name will be formally unveiled next week New Paris metro stop ‘Serge Gainsbourg’ must be renamed, says petition Jean-Michel Jarre to perform for 400 years of Palace of Versailles Musical festivals in France in 2024: who is playing and when
French pianist who brought out an album aged 109 dies Colette Maze had been perfecting her skills for over a century Video: Frenchwoman and world’s oldest pianist to release her 7th album Frédéric Chopin: the short life of a musical genius French dance group through to final of US TV’s America’s Got Talent Interview: French arts support schemes help launch pop career Whistling folk singer Roger Whittaker dies at French home
Interview with Ibrahim Maalouf: ‘I compose what comes from my heart’ The Lebanese-born French trumpeter tells us of his influences, collaborations and why he preaches the message of love
10 French songs that have sparked debate over the years As one of France’s all-time hits is criticised for its right-wing tone, we look at other contested songs
Beethoven's ‘skull parts’, found in France, returned to Austria The bone fragments will now be studied in a bid to shed light on the composer’s multiple health conditions
French choral revival hits all the right notes The coronation of King Charles III highlighted the rich choral music tradition in the UK
Meet British singer-songwriter Terry Scott Jr, based in Normandy He got his big break in 1970 playing in front of 600,000 people at the Isle of Wight festival
‘I played bad classical music because the male composer was famous’ We speak to a French cellist about her lifelong quest to put a spotlight on forgotten female musicians
Tina Turner had several links with France: here are five Her connections with France included owning a villa near Nice
These 10 songs can help you improve your French Listening to music is a good way to work on your French without even trying
‘Volunteering at French jazz festival was exhausting and exhilarating’ A behind the scenes look at the ups and downs of being an event volunteer in France
Drought measures, fuel prices, FIFA awards: The week ahead in France This week (February 27-March 5) also sees the start of the Paris-Nice cycling race and the 40th anniversary of the death of iconic Tintin creator Hergé
Why Paris metro busking can be a career springboard for musicians We talk to two buskers about why they do it – and how much they earn
Deaf people in France enjoy music concerts thanks to vibrating vests The goal is for those who are hearing-impaired to join in with everybody else, says an association which supplies the vests for events
French website allows you to split the cost of subscriptions You can share the cost of Spotify, Disney+, Canal+ and many more platforms between friends thanks to the service offered by this French start-up
Visionary rock opera Starmania is back and on tour around France The hit show – which is full of popular tunes – was loved in the 1980s to 90s but its themes are still very relevant today
Four albums recorded in France and one song that should have been We look at which bands used French recording studios and the most French sounding song recorded in London
‘Se mettre au diapason’: Our French expression of the week We look at a musical expression related to the idea of being in tune with another person or a certain situation
August 15: What’s coming up this week ahead in France? A public holiday, increased funding for electric bikes, a surfing competition, a classical music festival and more
What’s coming up this week in France (July 11)? Temperatures of up to 40C, celebrations for the Fête Nationale, two top music festivals and more
VIDEO: Pianist delayed by train strike puts on fun concert in Nice Mario Galli plays with his feet and knees as well as his hands on the station’s free-to-use piano
La Fête de la musique turns 40: events planned around France Over the years, the festival has grown increasingly popular. We look at how to find concerts near you
Bowie bassist’s chance collaboration with French music star next door When Gail Ann Dorsey moved to Paris to be near her partner as Covid hit she had no idea her flat hunt would lead to French rock royalty’s doorstep
Oscar-winning legendary Greek composer Vangelis dies in France The global artist whose creations include the iconic music for the films Chariots of Fire and Blade Runner had an apartment in Paris
'The end of Oasis' smashed guitar sells for six figures in France The Gibson ES-355 was broken during a fight between brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher minutes before a concert. The fight led to Oasis' break up
Rolling Stones tease European tour with French dates to be announced The British rock band is celebrating 60 years together and will come to France this summer, with Paris and/or Lyon the most likely destinations
Paris classed ‘world’s third most musical city’ in new ranking Study looked at the influence of famous musicians, the number of music schools, record labels, music shops, and frequency of world tours
Elton John, Bowie, Queen: many A-list stars have recorded in France Hits such as (in part) Pink Floyd’s The Wall and the Bee Gees’ Saturday Night Fever were born at the iconic music studios Le Château d’Hérouville or Super Bear
From poverty to glory: Life of legendary French singer Edith Piaf With little education and no music tuition, she became an international star and the sound of a post-war generation
Brad Pitt to revive legendary music studio based in his French chateau Big names such as AC/DC and Sting have recorded at Miraval Studios in the past. Damien Quintard, who Pitt has asked to manage the studio, tells us about the project
Meet the shamanic (spiritual) drum maker in Dorodgne Only five percussion makers exist in the entire country, according to the Institut National des Métiers d’Art, and Louisa Vinciarelli thinks she is the only one who makes her instruments from scratch
French tetraplegic DJ creates Paralympics closing music with eyes only DJ, rapper and music composer Pone said he ‘couldn’t say no’ when he was invited to create the dance-style mix for the Tokyo closing ceremony
US-born French icon Josephine Baker to enter France’s Pantheon The legendary performer will become the first black woman to enter the mausoleum, in recognition of her historic role as a singer, dancer, activist, and World War Two Resistance agent
Woodkid to perform special song at Olympic handover ceremony in Paris Yoann Lemoine, who also goes by the name ‘Woodkid’, has previously worked on videos for the Paris 2024 Olympic bid and collaborated with Katy Perry and Taylor Swift
Vibrating vests let hearing-impaired feel music at concerts in France Devices designed to enhance sensation for gamers now being used to allow the hard of hearing to enjoy music by feeling the rhythm instead
Orchestra’s touring hassles only start for UK musicians after Brexit The London Symphony Orchestra has made it to the Aix-en-Provence festival. It is a rare glimmer of hope in the otherwise grim post-Brexit world British musicians face if they want to play in Europe
Pianos to return to French train stations with 50-player concert The instruments have been silent in SNCF stations since the pandemic but their reinstatement will be heralded with a nationwide event on Thursday July 1
Tetraplegic French rapper releases new album composed with his eyes The new ‘mini-album’ record by Pone will raise money to help people like him – who require tracheotomy operations to survive – to receive care at home
Fête de la musique: What you can and cannot do this year The national music festival, which started in 1982, takes place today with thousands of concerts planned. We look at the rules in place due to the Covid-19 pandemic
I was one of the 5,000 at France’s first indoor concert since Covid The Indochine concert in Paris was a medical trial to test whether large-scale indoor events can be held safely. Joanna York was among the 5,000 attendees to experience the historical event
Charity replaces French retiree's loved piano destroyed by Storm Alex Joy as new instrument is delivered to village hit by severe weather in October
Fans celebrate France’s highest-ever score at Eurovision Barbara Pravi’s performance saw the country come second overall, with its best result in 30 years, prompting fans - including President Macron - to celebrate the almost-victory
Masks and 23:00 curfew for France’s June 21 Fête de la musique The annual event sees musicians take to the streets to offer free and often spontaneous concerts
French astronaut Thomas Pesquet launches new Coldplay song from space The band watched on a live video link as the zero-gravity Frenchman floated in the space station, showed them a view of Earth - and hit play on the new single
Instrument played by Leonardo da Vinci returns to his French chateau The arm lyre is known to have been played and loved by the Italian polymath, and is one of the instruments played in a new concert at his former Clos Lucé home
Meet the organ maker whose projects contain up to 500,000 parts Etienne Fouss built his first organ at 24 and is one of around 40 makers in France who make instruments from start to finish
Covid France: Musicians perform for public via open windows Musicians in a town in southwest France took part in a concert from neighbouring buildings this weekend, with residents saying the event gave them ‘hope’
Musicians beat venue ban with mini-gigs at homes in Toulouse Book a private concert and the musician will come to your home or garden and play for you or a small group while respecting Covid-19 health measures
Opinion: Brexit will make musicians’ lives harder Reader Irene Babinet, 84, from La Rochelle whose pacs partner Tony Bell has been a bass player for many years, writes for Connexion about how Brexit is set to create complications for musicians.
‘British music will die’ as touring difficult after Brexit The end of EU free movement for British citizens post-Brexit means that British artists face visas, work permits and more for EU touring
Serge Gainsbourg dominates airwaves 30 years after his death The French singer-songwriter died 30 years ago today, leaving behind a controversial but impactful legacy… and the ashes of a Ff500 note
Daft Punk, French dance music duo, splits after 28 years The two friends from Paris - now global icons of house and electronic music - announced their split via video
First music from prehistoric French shell in 17,000 years A prehistoric conch shell found in southwest France had been deliberately crafted into a horn-like instrument - and it still works
Aveyron is home to the world’s biggest bagpipe collection Maison de la Cabrette in the French village of Cantoin has over one hundred instruments on display, each with its own story to tell
British violinist’s concerts a thanks for French cancer care A former first violinist for the London Symphony Orchestra is holding free nightly concerts in the French village where he lives in the run up to Christmas as a tribute to the country’s medical services
Meet the maker of the 'world’s smallest accordion' When professional accordionist Stéphane Bonifassi could not find an instrument on the market that suited him 23 years ago, he started making his own
French bells entertain town in coronavirus lockdown Respecting social distancing guidelines is definitely not a problem for musician Jacques Martel
Events in France this month: art, nature and music festivals Discover the events not to miss in France this September.
Hang phone cable from window to help the homeless People in towns and cities with windows facing the street have been asked to leave a plug extension lead dangling from a window – ground or first floor only – to help homeless people recharge their mobiles.
What's on(line): films, music, gallery tours & more A round up of the arts and culture stories creating a buzz in France.
A beginner's guide to popular French music for 2020 Brave a maligned music scene with our guide. It's better than you think...
Life in lockdown France for a music legend Rolling Stone puts on quite a performance for a humorous video with a serious message