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Letters

Michel Barnier speaking at a European Parliament committee meeting in Brussels, with an EU flag in the background.

The UK's Brexit negotiators were arrogant - not Barnier

'The EU has become stronger as a result of the UK’s exit,' says reader

Laundry hangs from windows on a patterned apartment facade in Porto, Portugal.

French town's ban on drying laundry outside is nonsense

Drying outside saves energy - and avoids damp air inside

September is such a relief after France's hectic summer

The holidays and social engagements give way to peace and quiet

letters

School uniforms would bring only limited benefits in France

History professor Christine Mussard explains why the idea of mandatory school uniforms is so divisive

Brittany Ferries 'shot itself in the foot' on French routes

Company should have been able to manage matters much better, says reader

A view of a Ryanair plane at Limoges airport

Ryanair does not owe customers going to and from France any favours

Company must take more than passenger wants into consideration

Assorted raw beef cuts on a tray with a label for bourguignon stew.

French meat is actually of superb quality

This reader is surprised by others' experiences

Navigating La Rentrée: My daughter’s first week of school in France

From stationery lists to school insurance, there is a lot to learn about the French school system

Waste management is great in some parts of France

Reader describes the ways their local authority helps citizens

Jordan Bardella smiling in a suit at an indoor launch event

The age of French far-right leader Jordan Bardella is not the point

Readers argue that it is wrong to focus on this aspect of the far-right politician

Comment: French children's parties are low key affairs - fortunately

Columnist Sarah Henshaw notes that smaller celebrations with home-baked treats are still the rule in France

Why are more than a million letters delayed in post in France - and where?

One Connexion reader told us Christmas cards sent in early December have only just arrived

How to send a registered letter online from home in France

The postal service can print and send them for you

Children in France can write to Father Christmas via La Poste

Letters can be sent up until December 20 and each will receive a response

Residency of young Britons in France ‘not considered’ during Brexit

It was only when one reader and his family left France that a border officer pointed out they needed a DCEM document for their son

Saint-Exupéry and ‘mystery American’ letters sold in Paris

Original letters between famous French writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and a "mystery" American woman - with whom he is suspected to have had an affair - have gone on sale in Paris.

Pilgrims could avoid French road to Spain

All post offices open in France this summer

France’s 7,700 post offices will stay open this summer, with an additional 200 seasonal service points, creating 2,000 seasonal jobs.

SNCF counter closures a backward step

French words on Brexit cherished

I appreciated the supportive comments of Alain Rousset (president of the Regional Council of Nouvelle-Aquitaine) that you ran online – and those of Emmanuel Macron televised on Brexit day, on what was a very sad day for us Brits who love our adopted country.

Upset, anger and confusion

We have received a lot of emails about Brexit. Here we run a selection

Camp trip was truly shocking

I read with interest the article on France’s only concentration camp ( Connexion, February issue ) as it awakened memories of an excursion to the Vosges mountains in 1956.

Michelin loses way

The whole Michelin guides system is out of date.

‘Dark Ages’ are really a step to a brighter future

How sad that your correspondent John Spinks ( Connexion, January issue ) spoils his argument about the failure of the UK voting system with an attack on Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party.

Beware who gets access to your TV

Here is a cautionary tale about using Orange’s services:

My body – my choice

I was pleased to see your article about Jacqueline Jencquel ( Connexion, February issue ) as the author mirrored my own beliefs.

Cooking up frustration

We moved to France three years ago and have had to overcome all sorts of adjustments to life. It’s the simple things that cause the most frustration.

‘They’ is plural

I cannot agree with the short article on page 11 of your January edition which states that “in English, ‘they’ can be used for one person...”

Break up UK to solve Brexit

In the recent British election, the Conservatives won more seats than Labour – but the majority of MPs in the House are opposed to Brexit.

Slow motion concerns

Is global warming affecting our toilet habits?

Markets offering a great food choice

While we agree with letter writer Irene Pope that French restaurant food leaves a lot to be desired and is too expensive, we disagree with her regarding the fresh produce in the supermarkets, or our local market in Chauvigny, Vienne department.

French second home rules change

On behalf of those who are UK-resident but may spend up to 180 consecutive days per year in their French homes, we bring to attention that, post-Brexit, we will only be allowed 90 days in any 180.

SOLVIT... not

I am writing with respect to SOLVIT (the European Commission mediation service for EU rights breached by public authorities in EU countries).

Vote for the stateless

I explained to a French friend that, after January 31, I will not have any voting rights in France and, since I’ve lived here for 18 years, I have no voting rights in the UK either.

We’re so lucky!

Many readers write about the problems and difficulties of life in France so we are highlighting a pleasant experience.

Housing is the major crisis

I fear those who are protesting against the pensions changes may be missing the point.

Compensate us

What compensation can we expect from the UK government to make up for our loss of human rights, not to mention the extra expenses and financial losses we have incurred since Brexit was announced?

Madame XXX

Re your article on “ tu versus vous ” and the important question of style when addressing a lover.

Right way and wrong way

I was surprised to read the remark in an article ( Connexion, December issue ) that “…telephone sales companies should be allowed to exercise their right to prospect for business. If it was outlawed, people who work in call centres would lose jobs”.

Sums do not add up for Brexit ‘losers’

Poor Mr and Mrs Carleton. What a sad story ( Pension drop brings worry, Connexion, January issue ) – “no holidays, no birthday treats, relying on charities”.

It’s high time to legalise drugs in France

The article about drug consumption ( Connexion, January issue ) prompts me to write.

A fair way to get the best value

I have read the letter Lloyds leave us standing (December issue) and was surprised to see that people were using standing orders when a currency exchange organisation is cheaper and allows you to choose the exchange rate

Pension drop brings worry

We chose to come and live in France long before our daughter came here in 2004, arriving in January 2005, which coincided with my 65th birthday (my wife was 62).

How to beat the unions

Four years ago I worked in Reims, a 20 minutes bus ride or an hour on foot from home.

Technology drives me batty

I agree with the debate in your October issue ( Should older drivers take a medical to keep motoring?).

Death penalty error

I wish to correct a popular misconception in your article ( December 1969: death penalty ends , December issue).

Sounding off over turbines

Wind turbines are in the news again ( Connexion, December issue )

No quick resolution to exit from the EU

The end is nigh – or is it? I, like most in the UK and expats, will be pleased to see the end of Brexit with the current Westminster soap opera

Are French food options really that bad?

I’m surprised at Irene Pope’s opinion of food around Poitiers ( Letters, December issue ).

French resort to demo riots

Bob Craske ( Letters, November issue ) paints a dystopian picture of Britain and refers to “political vandalism and viciousness” and “a violent and polarised country”.

Residents are on the take

Until we live in Utopia, where we are all world citizens with freedom of movement and residence, we have to accept that countries have borders and rules.

Pity the poor English voter

The result of the UK election shows how poor the political situation is in the UK

Brexit bigots wrecking UK

I write in support of Vic Norris’ letter ( Connexion, December issue ) regarding the bile directed at expatriates.

My health under fire from electro waves

I suffer from the side- effects of electromagnetic waves (EMW).

Speed is not the danger on French roads

I read with interest, and glee, that drivers who hog the middle and/or the outside autoroute lanes will be fined.

Help save French forests

In Corrèze, an association called Faîte et Racines ( tinyurl.com/vvdlno7 ) is trying to crowd-fund a project to save some hectares of local forest from what it calls “ coupes razes ”, where parcels of land are sold to companies who remove established woodland.