Opinion

Portrait of Marine Le Pen wearing a dark jacket in Ollioules, France.

Marine Le Pen should have had the dignity to stand down

Columnist Nick Inman argues that leading political figures need to take more responsibility for their brazen actions

Former French president François Hollande pictured during a visit to Greece, 2022

No one wants François Hollande to return as president of France

The Socialist is reportedly considering a running in 2027

Protestors on gilets jaunes demonstration

Eight years of Macron and France is back where it started

Movement that arose in 2018 set to return in October

opinion

France’s Nutri-Score makes a farce of healthy eating

The system was introduced in 2017 to help shoppers improve their diets

Female representation in France needs to progress quicker

Columnist Nick Inman argues that it is time to rectify the imbalance

In times of crisis France always turns to de Gaulle

Columnist Simon Heffer considers the success of a new film on the wartime figurehead

A person holds a sign reading 'Brexit reality: We’ve lost control' during a protest in London.

Brexit did not help Britain or France - despite what 'leavers' say

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the referendum

Marine Le Pen speaking with raised hands during an interview in an office at the French National Assembly in Paris.

The money’s now on Marine Le Pen in France's 2027 race

Columnist Simon Heffer looks ahead to next year's presidential election

Stone gate in front of a traditional house with a garden and blue sky.

What do French buyers actually want in an old farmhouse?

Columnist Samantha David prepares to sell her home

France should not fall for Kremlin propaganda

Political commentator Simon Heffer examines reasons for growing sympathy toward aggressor

Painted portrait of a royal figure in elaborate dress holding a sword in an ornate interior.

Reinstating the French monarchy makes no sense at all

Columnist Nick Inman argues against a right-wing delusion

Crowds and photographers at the Cannes red carpet for 'Ismael's Ghosts' screening

France’s film industry cannot survive without the capitalist it despises

Columnist Simon Heffer considers the revolt against Vincent Bolloré

Jordan Bardella raises his arm at a rally, amid supporters in tricolour sashes

Jordan Bardella is too young to be President of France

Columnist Nick Inman argues for the benefits of experience and age in French politics

Here,Is,My,Card.,Closeup,First,Person,View,Of,Beautiful

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

Columnist Nabila Ramdani deplores the new aggressive gratuity tendency sweeping the country

Do you agree? Paris politicians ignore rural France at their peril

Rural voters are looking for leaders outside the Paris bubble who will protect village life, says columnist Nick Inman

Are theatre audiences in France better behaved than the UK or US?

Columnist Peter Wyeth notices a genuine appreciation for performers and no reports of anti-social behaviour at shows

‘Unlike English there is a right and wrong way to speak French’

It is wonderfully Gallic that the Académie française exists to keep the language pure and elegant, admits columnist Nick Inman

Your views on American tourist’s claim that France is ‘isolating’

We asked for feedback after her video about a negative experience in Lyon went viral

Talking point: Is France really a meritocracy?

Equality is a pillar of French culture - columnist Nick Inman explores whether the brightest talent can always rise to the top

‘No happy new year for French president chasing a place in history’

President Macron’s problems are stacking up at home and abroad, says columnist Simon Heffer

‘Our kind French neighbours have made us feel so welcome’

The French are often portrayed as ‘stand-offish’ but columnist Peter Wyeth has had nothing but generosity - especially with surplus vegetables

Do you agree? Flawed trickle-down economics at odds with French values

Columnist Nick Inman digs into why many French people are sceptical that tax breaks for the wealthy will benefit society

‘Vous? Tu? French people are more worried about mistakes than I am’

The French word for ‘you’ comes with a social dance that columnist Nick Inman refuses to join

‘No fussy eating, strict bedtimes - my French parenting rules’

‘Adopt what you like and leave the rest’, says Columnist Cynthia Spillman as she points out some differences of bringing up children in France

‘I will never rely on an app to translate my thoughts into French’

Online translators are useful tools but people still need to understand the nuance of language, says columnist Nick Inman

Do you agree? American Dream overrated when compared to France

Columnist Nick Inman explores the existence of the French Dream and how it differs to its American counterpart

Ways to cope with bereavement when living in France, away from family

Columnist Cynthia Spillman draws on personal experience to give five suggestions on handling the loss of a loved one abroad

‘The torturous tale of my missing carte Vitale and French bureaucracy’

French administration systems are always right and never make mistakes, jokes columnist Peter Wyeth

‘Mairie to rescue when no engineers found for my dodgy French boiler’

Writer Samantha David left with problem when her regular repair man was off sick

‘Do not correct me everytime I murder the French language’

There is a time and place, argues Nick Inman, and constant corrections can do more harm than good

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

Do you agree? French cuisine is not superior to other foods

Put stereotypes to one side, there are some foods Britain and US do better than France, says Nick Inman

‘A weekend camping 12 minutes away from our French home - why not?’

After a relaxing stay at the local lake, writer Samantha David realises tourist facilities on her doorstep are for locals too

Talking point: Is it really offensive to say ‘the French’?

Columnist Nick Inman mulls over the arguments for and against using this general term

‘Calling French grammar sexy takes the love of this language too far’

It is infuriating to learn yet thrilling to get right, admits Nick Inman

‘Solid metal fences hiding French gardens are a mystery to me’

Attitudes to fencing might highlight a difference in French and American culture, ponders Peter Wyeth

‘Ten recycling bins in Belgium was easy compared to French system’

‘Why is it so difficult to recycle in my village?’ wondered writer Samantha David, so she rang the council to ask them

‘Tax on France’s vegetable gardens would be another Macron scandal’

If rumours of a ‘potager’ tax are true it would strike at the heart of French life, says journalist Nabila Ramdani

Stress-busting tips for when friends come to stay with you in France

Living in France can mean acquiring ‘new best friends’ who invite themselves to stay, columnist Cynthia Spillman helps navigate this with grace

‘Bringing back monarchy to France may not be a ridiculous idea’

A monarch and a President may bring balance - but which aristocrat would sit on the French throne? Journalist Simon Heffer explores

‘Paris proves people will happily pay for great art’

Columnist Nabila Ramdani believes other countries could learn a thing or two from the success of the French capital’s museums

‘Forget raising retirement age in France, AI will lead to job losses’

It makes no sense for France to raise the pension age, with AI set to replace many jobs, says scientist Simon Thorpe

Charles III coronation: What do the French think of the UK’s new king?

The strong memory of Lady Diana plus Charles III’s recently postponed visit to France have not helped his popularity

‘Superb’, ‘nonsense’: Your views on making French mairies fly EU flag

MPs from Emmanuel Macron’s party want to make displaying the flag mandatory

‘Macron is right about pensions – but being right is rarely enough’

Reforming the retirement system is good for France, but Macron must watch out for the political backlash, warns commentator Simon Heffer

‘Stark health warnings on every wine bottle in France is absurd’

Winemaker Jonathan Hesford examines the impact of health labelling on small wine producers and the Mediterranean diet

Why we are on the side of French pension reform strikers

Connexion readers explain what motivated them to join local demonstrations against President Emmanuel Macron’s plan to raise the retirement by two years to 64

Secondhand uniforms can still create equality in French schools

As the debate around school uniforms continues, we hear how a British thrift shop idea could be transferred to France with no stigma attached for students

Talking point: Do not believe everything you read about ‘the French’

Nick Inman goes the extra mile to fact check a report that one in 10 French people believe the earth may be flat

‘King’s visit to France chance to rebuild fractured relationship’

Commentator Simon Heffer takes a look at reports King Charles will make a state visit to France in June

Gilles Kepel: ‘Atmospheric Jihadism’ is latest threat to France

Middle East specialist Gilles Kepel speaks to Théophile Larcher about how the terrorist threat in France has evolved in recent years

‘France’s new repair grant for appliances is great – in theory’

Getting her pink kettle fixed through the government’s ecological repair scheme proves easier said than done for writer Samantha David

France, a nation of complainers? Yes, but it’s a good thing

We French are known for grumbling (and studies prove it to be true) but, argues Théophile Larcher, this belies the country’s high expectations and resilience

Updated: more of your feedback on French banks

Readers give their views after surprisingly positive poll shows almost nine in 10 French people surveyed have a good opinion of their bank - and particularly their local branch

Do you agree? DIY machines in France’s La Poste are hindrance not help

Nick Inman just wanted to send a parcel to Britain but when staff are replaced by disobedient computers things get tricky

‘France and Germany are like a couple who argue but always make up’

Columnist Richard Ogier looks at how the countries manage to ‘get along’ on the global stage and in everyday life

Why Americans are choosing Air France flights over US airlines

Tamara Thiessen talks to passengers crossing the Atlantic about customer service, ethics and, of course, food

‘Non, Madame Macron, school uniforms do not mean social equality’

Commentator Nabila Ramdani gives her view on France’s relationship with school uniforms and prejudice in the ‘uniform bill’

Why we drive rather than take the train to ski in the French Alps

A reader from the UK who has been travelling for 40 years to ski defends his choice

Why I am in favour of tighter licence controls for drivers in France

A reader gives feedback on how the UK and France’s driving licence controls differ

French politics: Why the hung parliament could be a big opportunity

Politicians are going to have to find a way forward and, in so doing, they might be able to reinvigorate democracy, argues writer Nick Inman

‘French restaurant 'no children' sign was wrong - use common courtesy’

Commentator Nabila Ramdani gives her view on an Alsace restaurant’s communication policy

‘Bono’s praise for Macron reminds French they could do worse’

Commentator Richard Ogier explores the value of a foreigner’s view of France

‘Macron’s nuclear power push is high-risk and high-reward for France’

Columnist Richard Ogier takes a look at the president’s ‘herculean’ commitment to nuclear energy

‘Hunting in France has changed over the years – not for the better’

Bigger, more aggressive groups and breaches of no-hunting zones are among the main concerns for our reader

Macron should look to history to get a better handle on Putin

If the horrors of two world wars have taught us anything, it is that sometimes leaders cannot be talked down, argues Samantha David

Hunting in France has its place – as long as it is done responsibly

Nick Inman argues that compromise is everything if hunters want their divisive tradition to continue

‘Is French President Macron right or left-wing? It depends’

Columnist Richard Ogier explores Macron’s career, policies and behaviours to conclude perspective is everything in politics

‘Genuine reverence for the Queen from Macron the modern French king’

Columnist Nabila Ramdani gives her take on why Macron is obsessed with constitutional monarchy

‘UK and France must work together now more than ever’

Columnist Simon Heffer explores how Truss and Macron are moving on from the UK PM’s ‘friend or foe’ comment

‘French towns should ditch hanging baskets and learn to love weeds’

Local authorities are losing the battle against weeds following the glyphosate ban but Samantha David thinks we should embrace the dandelion

‘French train travel is a joy compared to Germany’s awful rail system’

Columnist Richard Ogier compares travelling by train in the two countries and why they are so different

‘This is the calm before a stormy winter in French politics’

President Macron must tackle inflation, an energy crisis and the war in Ukraine with an unstable Assemblée nationale - Simon Heffer gives his view

Fascinating France: Absence makes the heart grow fonder

Richard Ogier, an Australian journalist based in Strasbourg, launches a new regular Connexion column by reflecting on France’s future political challenges

Indifference from French shop assistants is not the same as rudeness

Journalist Samantha David explains their polite apathy and does not want it to change