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Historic

How 32 elite architects protect France’s historic monuments

We speak to one of the architects about the gruelling recruitment process and the constant compromise between past and future

Silk workers weave a spell on Lyon’s shoppers and tourists

We talk to the current generation running one of Lyon’s oldest silk workshops

Hunt is on for American's family after WW2 bag found in French loft

The remarkable discovery was made during renovations at a woman's home in Normandy

news

It was not all bad: Five good news stories from France this week

From cave paintings to free rail cards, our overview of news with a positive angle

For sale: Two French Unesco heritage sites. Full history. Price €2m+

The prehistoric sites are both based in the Dordogne

The steam train in France which runs on coal – and olives

A steam train in the south of France, which has been running for more than 100 years, has begun experimenting with using olives as fuel

Fantastical French pebble palace among 10 most-Googled cultural sites

The building, which was built by hand from pebbles over 33 years, has taken on ‘an international dimension’ this year, and was listed alongside the Louvre and Buckingham Palace

French energy rating law ‘puts older houses at risk’

France’s new energy efficiency laws do not take into account the specific qualities of pre-1948 buildings, associations warn

French fortress set for auction again after €900,000 bid falls through

A new auction is now due to take place in March with a starting price of €892,000

Le Havre and Dunkirk to host 2025 Tall Ships Races

World’s most spectacular sailing event to start from Le Havre amidst a fanfare of nautical festivity

Paris’s Sacré-Cœur finally to be classed as a historic monument

The listing has long been at the centre of a political and historical controversy surrounding the site on which the basilica was built

Can you have solar panels on homes in historic areas of France?

We look into when planning permission can be refused, what you can do and an example of a successful appeal

Fondation du patrimoine saves 35,000 buildings in France in 25 years

The cultural conservation body works to restore and maintain historic buildings, often in rural areas, one quarter of which are in disrepair

Tarn: France’s ‘little Tuscany’ in demand among domestic holidaymakers

Three other Occitanie departments were also included in an Airbnb list of trending summer destinations, reflecting a growing preference for holidays in the countryside in favour of city breaks

France’s vanishing pigeon palaces

For the past 30 years, Michel Lucien has roamed the south west region of Occitanie, photographing its historic pigeonniers

The history and significance of wine and cheese in France

Discover how cheese and wine leave their mark on a landscape carved from volcanoes.

Giant dinosaur footprints found on cave roof

Giant fossilised dinosaur footprints – some of the largest yet found in the world – have been discovered on the roof of the Castelbouc cave in the south of France.

Crafts in focus: meet French weathervane-maker Thierry Soret

‘Every weathervane I make has a personal story to tell’ says weathervane-maker Thierry Soret.

Slavery to be remembered in French cities

The throwing of a statue of slave trader Edward Colston into Bristol harbour has raised questions on how French cities with slave-trade links are dealing with their past.

Architecture in France: the churches of the north east

Explore the fortified churches of La Thiérache.

Simon Heffer: Macron reignites ‘esprit de resistance’

Renowned political commentator, historian and Connexion columnist Simon Heffer comments on how Macron has invoked the greatness of de Gaulle to reinvent ‘esprit de resistance’.

Crowdfunding site helps save chateau

Historic 'first' as 6,200 people from 45 countries join to buy derelict site

Restoration of drama at French chateau

The Connexion reports on the recently completed restoration of Napoléon III’s Imperial Theatre in Fontainebleau

French Notre-Dame MP responds to restoration critics

The reconstruction of Notre-Dame after fire will be an “exemplary project” that will “not deviate from rules safeguarding heritage”, the MP in charge has said, responding to critics this week.

Airbnb offers ‘night with Mona Lisa’ at Paris Louvre

Property sharing company Airbnb has worked with the Louvre museum in Paris to offer “a night with the Mona Lisa” competition, as part of the 30 year celebrations of the museum’s famous pyramid.

Historic ship Hermione confirms more details for 2019

The 'Normandie Liberté' tour of the historic ship will begin in May 2019, after successful tours in the Americas and the Mediterranean in 2015 and 2018.

Hermione set to lure millions to Normandy in 2019

Replica 18th century frigate organises voyage to major Channel ports

Marie-Antoinette’s ‘farm’ house open

Ready for visitors

Sting joins Saint-Emilion brotherhood

Singer was guest of honour as Chinese owner of grand cru estate marked five years of improvements

Almost-forgotten skills live on in France

European artistic crafts days will feature 8,500 events across France

Historic barge that once housed Paris's homeless sinks

Owners hope vessel that was fitted out by Le Corbusier in 1929 can be refloated

Did you know the 2CV is 70 years old?

Citroën classic and Peugeot 203 both mark 70 years at Retromobile classic car show

Four cars in one as show celebrates French design

Classic exhibition will be as interesting for the cars parked outside as the ones on display inside the halls

Crowdfund chateau bid fails

Restaurateur outbids group of thousands who pledged €50 each

Memorial to wartime bomber crews unveiled

Mayor honours 11 air crew killed as British and American planes shot down

Historic ‘ghost’ wall mural painted over

Blogger who tries to protect ' publicités peints ' says loss of Dubonnet poster is a 'shame'

Grab a chance to see Napoleon’s Saint Helena uniform

Clothes that emperor wore in exile go on display – along with bicorne felt hat – for just a few days as they are very fragile

Ancient Aveyron house is a web celebrity

Dunkirk wreck is still visible after 77 years

Visitors can take guided trips to the site when tides are very low – as at the end of next month

Dig uncovers giant mosaic with animals

Discovery is first evidence of Roman town that gave its name to Uzès and it is open for visits this weekend

Gers historian could make crowd-funding history

A passion for art history is helping Gers woman Julia Faiers create history herself as she bids to become the first St Andrews University postgraduate student to crowd-fund an art history PhD.