Magazine

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

magazine

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

I'm worried my dogs will be terrified by French neighbour's fireworks

Columnist Cynthia Spillman recommends some strategies to manage the situation

Hydroelectric conversions boost demand for historic French watermills

Laws on restoring rivers mean many are now threatened with removal

Interiors: Jacques Grange's thoroughly modern classicism

In his new book, Pierre Passebon reveals thirty of master designer Jacques Grange's latest projects across Europe and the United States, showcasing his wide-ranging inspirations and his natural elegance

How to identify lounging lizards in France

Learn about the habitats and behaviours of diverse lizard species, from the common wall lizard to the elusive Western three-toed skink

Why French women are suddenly the internet’s sleep gurus

We look at the trend — and whether French bedtime habits really outshine Britain’s.

MaPrimeRénov and local grants: how to get financial help for home renovations in France

Applications for the scheme reopened in October

Five iconic French dishes from different regions

Explore the rich culinary heritage of France with these traditional dishes, from cassoulet in Occitanie to cari poule in La Réunion, showcasing the country's geographic and cultural diversity

Cela ne vaut pas un coup de cidre is a topical expression in France

A useful saying for the festive season when hot cider is served in markets

Kouign-amann: a classic Breton pastry recipe

James Campbell reinvents classic pâtisserie creations with a contemporary Japanese twist, all made achievable to the home cook

The origins and long history of France’s unique wildlife officers

Connexion talks to Julien Nicolas, who fulfils a role created by Charlemagne in the year 803, tackling wildlife posing a danger to the public

One of the most notorious meals in the history of French gastronomy

How hard times inspired an outrageous festive feast in 1870

I became a professional upholsterer after moving to France

Jo MacDonald, 59, describes how she monetised her hobby in Gers

How to survive driving while senior and nervous on French roads

Columnist Cynthia Spillman provides some useful advice on getting behind the wheel

How we set up a seniors' club in the south-west of France

Richard and Patricia Romain, both 76, moved from Kent, UK, in 2013 and now live near Carcassonne in Aude

France leads efforts to save critically endangered European mink from extinction

A reintroduction plan is in place to save the species, which is more threatened than the Giant Panda

Politics needs courtesy, not petty point-scoring

Columnist Nick Inman argues for a return to more sober political discourse

Back to the future in France with hip auberges de jeunesse

‘Posh’ hostels are springing up to cater for today’s tourists

All wrapped up for Christmas: how to protect your plants in France this winter

Discover effective methods to shield your garden plants from winter frost and cold, ensuring their survival and health through the chilly months

5 French films and TV series to watch in December

From comforting comedies to powerful documentaries, there is something for everyone this winter

Preparing your French garden for the festive season and the year ahead

Christmas veg harvest, sustainable Christmas tree options and great deals on outdoor furniture for next summer

Open Gardens: celebrating success in 2025 and welcoming new volunteers for 2026

Discover the gardens charity's triumphs this past year and learn how you can offer support by joining the community

France is short-sighted rejecting citizenship requests

Reader says that recent developments 'feel like a camouflaged form of racism'

French gardens to delight visitors in the bright, cold days of winter

Where to see frosty topiary, magical light shows and festive castles this December

Handy vocabulary for Christmas markets in France

A French-learner’s guide to navigating des marchés de noël

French sailing ship will take goods across the Atlantic and other eco-updates

The Néoliner Origin, the world's longest sailing cargo ship, reduces emissions by 80% on transatlantic routes, promoting eco-friendly maritime transport

Pièce: a popular French word with some English parallels

This handy word has multiple uses in everyday language

December events in France: art, fashion and the Titanic

Explore Gustave Courbet's masterpiece at Musée d’Orsay, 1920s fashion at La Piscine, Picasso Museum's expansion, and the Titanic exhibition in Lyon

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

Heating oil is cheap in France - and we will not stop using it

Columnist Samantha David charts the ups and downs of sticking to one form of energy

How many of these French swear words do you know?

Learning expletives can be useful for a variety of reasons

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: in the market for a trip to church?

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

Brouage: inland fortified French village was once a major European salt port

Some 400,000 tourists visit every year - many of whom are Canadian

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: Look unfamiliar? Don’t worry, it’s not the end of the world

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

City hire bicycles are too dangerous to carry children

Columnist Nabila Ramdani questions why Paris authorities encourage the practice despite the dangers

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: a royal refuge

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

The origins and meaning of faire son beurre

Say this to describe benefiting from something... often financially

ChatGPT told me to move to a small town in southern France to cure burnout - so I did

44-year-old American had never previously set foot in Uzès

Dismay at death charges from French banks

A reader writes of his shock at high costs following a bereavement

WA card renewals: Prefecture asked for four years of tax returns

Connexion reader had expected the process to be straightforward

Corrèze village was the last independent fiefdom in France

Turenne is known for its powerful history, hilltop views, and charming chateau

Historic Jacques Cousteau vessel to be restored by Florida non-profit

‘Cousteau showed the beauty of the ocean… now it’s our turn to protect it’

New carte Vitale app setup is frustrating

Connexion reader recommends waiting for future improvements if proving identity with a titre de sejour

A comprehensive guide to living in Montpellier

A guide to transport, property and lifestyle in the popular Southern city

Eat like a local in France – Macaronade sétoise

Explore the rich history and unique recipe of the traditional pasta dish from Sète that stands apart from spaghetti bolognese

‘The first baby hedgehog we rescued was love-at-first-sight’

We speak to an expert about her hedgehog health centre and how to make your garden more hedgehog-friendly

A democratic crisis is undermining France's political confidence

Connexion reader notes that the country wants and needs change

À tire-larigot and more tire phrases to use when in France

From every verb comes a plethora of words in French

Vibrant Montpellier's festivals, beaches and year-round events

From Coeur de Ville en Lumières to Montpellier Danse, plus fabulous beaches, the city is a perfect getaway

Montpellier, a cultural hub with historic universities and diverse museums

Experience the city's diverse heritage and artistic offerings, featuring top museums like Musée Fabre

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

Why magical Montpellier is one of France’s most appealing cities

Discover the sun-filled southern city that boasts medieval architecture, a laid-back, creative vibe, along with a packed cultural calendar

Recycle old cashmere: Sustainable fashion and eco-friendly practices

Discover the initiatives in France promoting cashmere recycling

Cabrerets: ancient troglodyte caves and rich architectural heritage

Explore Cabrerets in Lot, a charming French village on the Santiago de Compostela trail

Fast, free and effective: France’s eye care system is excellent

A serious condition left this Connexion reader needing emergency treatment

How one man built his dream cottage on a Brittany clifftop

Ambroise L’Hénoret tells the story of La Maison d’Ambroise, situated on a coastal path between Le Loc’h beach and Pors Loubous

Join the club: the American Club of Lyon

Connect with fellow US expatriates, celebrate American traditions, and integrate into French society – explore membership benefits and activities

Roadside sculptures: France's motorway art

Explore the history of the 1% artistique scheme that publicly funds artworks

Understanding enantiosemes: words with two, opposite, meanings

Un hôte, un crépuscule, un écran and more

Property watch: see what €50,000, €250,000 and over €1m buys in Savoie

With ski slopes and lakes, this area is an idyllic spot

Bidding, fees – and candles: property auctions in France explained

We look at the two main types utilised by buyers

Eye care in France: more hassle than it is worth

A visit to an ophthalmologist is required for prescription lenses

Three reading recommendations: books about France in English

Discover captivating French culture through books on cooking, history, and floral art

I became a published psychic medium after moving to France

Reader Claudia Amendola Alzraa, 37, explains how she found her calling

The origins and meaning of mettre la charrue avant les bœufs

A phrase for when someone gets ahead of themselves

Florent Pagny returns with new album and tour after cancer remission

Singer and The Voice star is back with 22nd album 'Grandeur Nature', following his lung cancer remission and vocal recovery

Film review: My Best Friend’s Girl

Discover the charm of Bertrand Blier's delightful romcom set in Courchevel – perfect for winter skiing holiday vibes

Which UK Celebrity Traitors star loves Nice and has a flat there?

An apartment overlooking the sea is a home-from-home for one popular contestant

Magazine

Burglary attempt at my French home left me terrified

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

Becoming a cashless society would not solve France's problems

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

Trending

Travellers returning to UK from France warned over taking sandwiches, dairy, and meat

Ferry prices: summer 2026 France-UK crossings

France impacted by EU approval for €3 tax on small parcels from outside the union

More French towns put bans and taxes on new second homes

French MPs vote in favour of automatic renewal of long-term residency cards

Thinking of taking gifts from France this Christmas? Check the rules first

Does registered mail in France come with insurance? La Poste lost €1,000 package

Is it ever right to blend red and white wine?

Join the club: International Players, English language theatre group

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

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

I'm worried my dogs will be terrified by French neighbour's fireworks

Hydroelectric conversions boost demand for historic French watermills

Interiors: Jacques Grange's thoroughly modern classicism

How to identify lounging lizards in France

Why French women are suddenly the internet’s sleep gurus

MaPrimeRénov and local grants: how to get financial help for home renovations in France

Meet the traditional choucroute makers of Alsace

What does à tes souhaits mean and when should it be used?

Christmas gift ideas for French wine lovers

Five iconic French dishes from different regions

Discover artisan Auvergne blue cheese plus Christmas jam

When and why do we say ne pas avoir la lumière à tous les étages?

Fire-hit bakery finds lifeline through unique partnership with butcher

See inside our french gîte - it is 'a little corner of paradise'

My experience on Brittany Ferries' new boat was lacklustre

Cela ne vaut pas un coup de cidre is a topical expression in France

Kouign-amann: a classic Breton pastry recipe

The origins and long history of France’s unique wildlife officers

One of the most notorious meals in the history of French gastronomy

I became a professional upholsterer after moving to France

How to survive driving while senior and nervous on French roads

How we set up a seniors' club in the south-west of France

France leads efforts to save critically endangered European mink from extinction

Politics needs courtesy, not petty point-scoring

Back to the future in France with hip auberges de jeunesse

All wrapped up for Christmas: how to protect your plants in France this winter

5 French films and TV series to watch in December

Preparing your French garden for the festive season and the year ahead

Open Gardens: celebrating success in 2025 and welcoming new volunteers for 2026

France is short-sighted rejecting citizenship requests

French gardens to delight visitors in the bright, cold days of winter

Handy vocabulary for Christmas markets in France

French sailing ship will take goods across the Atlantic and other eco-updates

Pièce: a popular French word with some English parallels

December events in France: art, fashion and the Titanic

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Heating oil is cheap in France - and we will not stop using it

How many of these French swear words do you know?

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: in the market for a trip to church?

Brouage: inland fortified French village was once a major European salt port

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: Look unfamiliar? Don’t worry, it’s not the end of the world

City hire bicycles are too dangerous to carry children

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: a royal refuge

The origins and meaning of faire son beurre

ChatGPT told me to move to a small town in southern France to cure burnout - so I did

Dismay at death charges from French banks

WA card renewals: Prefecture asked for four years of tax returns

Corrèze village was the last independent fiefdom in France

Historic Jacques Cousteau vessel to be restored by Florida non-profit

New carte Vitale app setup is frustrating

A comprehensive guide to living in Montpellier

Eat like a local in France – Macaronade sétoise

‘The first baby hedgehog we rescued was love-at-first-sight’

A democratic crisis is undermining France's political confidence

À tire-larigot and more tire phrases to use when in France

Vibrant Montpellier's festivals, beaches and year-round events

Montpellier, a cultural hub with historic universities and diverse museums

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Why magical Montpellier is one of France’s most appealing cities

Recycle old cashmere: Sustainable fashion and eco-friendly practices

Cabrerets: ancient troglodyte caves and rich architectural heritage

Fast, free and effective: France’s eye care system is excellent

How one man built his dream cottage on a Brittany clifftop