Magazine

Learning French: what does la galère mean and when should it be used?

A slang saying for when the going gets tough

Do French people celebrate their ‘main’ Christmas on December 24 or 25?

The Connexion undertook a brief survey to find out

Letters: Retirement in France costs more than €15,000 a year

Connexion reader says she spends €50,000 for a modest lifestyle

magazine

Learning French: the origins and meaning of sur le plancher des vaches

Sailors invented this phrase when dreaming of walking on solid ground

Real ‘Little Bill’ doll to join the D-Day woolly soldiers

The display is currently travelling across the UK and the US and will return to its village in 2026

Learning French: when and why do we say le jour J?

A military term to refer to a big day

Drone light shows see rapid growth in France

Companies that offer the events are fully booked as many communes see the advantages over firework displays

How to create the perfect French Christmas cheese platter

A couple who recently won an award for their cheese business in the south of France give their tips to The Connexion

Comment: The trial of Brigitte Macron's French internet trolls just encourages them

Columnist Nabila Ramdani says France's First Lady should not take them so seriously

Learning French: c’est cadeau and other gift-themed expressions

An easy-peasy freebie phrase for the giving season

Je m’appelle Gemma Pell.. confusing English names in French

Discover the challenges some English people face when translating or pronouncing their names

Learning French: what does avoir des doigts de fée mean and when should it be used?

A fairy phrase for when you are charmed by someone’s skilled handiwork

Camper vans on the road in France boost local economy

Happy campers are bringing new life and wealth to French towns

Are France’s other republics megalomania or fun?

Did you know that there are a variety of mini-states within France?

Learning French: the different meanings behind guirlande

A handy guide to distinguish fairy lights from tinsel

Learning French: when and why do we say s’emballer?

Say this to describe getting carried away or overly invested in a situation

Luthiers in Nice repair five- or six-figure violins and cellos

In a Nice workshop, two trained luthiers are busy helping musicians produce their best performances

Festive French phrases and words for the Christmas period

Joyeux Noël tout le monde - your vocabulary guide to get you through the festive season

Letters: Readers give their solutions to the problem of hybrid cars and spare wheels in France

Many vehicles do not carry a spare in case of a blowout

Letters: This photo tip makes it easier to renew UK passports in France

A Connexion reader shares how to make renewing a UK passport more straightforward

Letters: Sliced bread is simply too sweet in France

Connexion reader says that UK bread is far ahead of its French equivalent

Properties you can buy for under €50,000, €150,000 and €1 million in Pas-de-Calais

One of France's most densely populated departments is reinventing itself to appeal to tourists

Bees protected from Asian hornet attacks by award-winning French device

Frédérique Ripet has won a top business award for creating a device that protects hives from deadly attacks

Letters: Are French disabled badges not valid in UK?

One reader has issues when visiting a UK airport, while another has had no such problems

What was happening in France 10, 50 and 100 years ago in December

A look back at events from the final month of the year 1924, 1974 and 2014

Discover French magical Christmas châteaux in the Loire valley

Chateaux in the Pays de la Loire work together to provide festive cheer and local towns join in the festive fun

Few French newspapers were founded before 1945

Many newspapers were deemed to have collaborated during World War Two

Try out this Chartreuse and walnut macaron recipe

This tasty treat combines the liquer from Isère with a nutty flavour to create one France's favourite confectioneries

Interview: French cheesemonger on what it takes to become the best in the world

Vincent Philippe describes the effort that it took him to achieve the title of World's Best Cheesemonger, some of his favourite cheeses and France's biggest strengths involving cheese

Letters: French rail fines are so severe even for honest mistakes

Connexion reader says his relatives have been put off visiting France

Learning French: what does j’avoue mean and when should it be used?

A French language tic which can indicate you are actively listening to and agree with what is being said

Letters: How are hybrid cars supposed to carry a spare tyre in France?

Connexion reader says electric vehicles simply do not have enough space

Legendary British cookery writer was inspired by Antibes - and its market

Sarah Hyde, who now lives in the town, explores Elizabeth David’s connection with its marché provençal. We also share one of her recipes

Letters: French ski resorts always struggle outside of ski season

Readers spar over the apparent demise of winter resorts in France

The basics of French cheese and wine pairing

Columnist Jonathan Hesford looks at the types of cheese and styles of wine that match

Photos: ‘How we prepare our garden in south-west France for winter’

Part-time paysanne Sue Adams on protecting your precious plants

Language: Beware ‘false friends’ but take heart - the French struggle with them too

A teacher recounts the struggles of his Francophone colleague with English

Why bon is always a good word to use in France

Columnist Nick Inman notes the many polite ways people wish you well for all activities

Watch out for the rules about French verb 'tomber'

'To fall' can be used to describe being in love, to drop a certain subject, or even to pass out (in apples)

Mentor migrants to success in France

Over-50s are using their expertise to help job-seekers secure jobs through the Duo for a Job programme

Learning French: être dans le vent and other wind expressions

A cool phrase to describe someone who keeps up with with the latest trends

How to build a support network when you move to France

Columnist Cynthia Spillman says you must step out of your comfort zone to create a new community

New trend serves companionship up on a plate in France

Dining with five strangers on a Wednesday night is becoming very popular in a number of countries - but how does it work?

Notre-Dame Cathedral reopens - to the great joy of this fervent fan from Canada

Emily MacKinnon, 29, moved to France to found a Notre-Dame dedicated tour-guide company. She collects everything she can about the cathedral - and even has six Notre-Dame related tattoos

Fencing helps breast cancer recovery in France

French association Solution Riposte uses fencing to improve physical and mental health post-surgery.

Photos: Magical images as Lyon launches its 25th Fête des Lumières

Stunning light shows take place in the evenings at 32 different venues

Letters: The number of cold calls to French phone is maddening

Connexion readers say that measures to prevent them are not effective

What is Saint Nicholas Day celebrated in France on December 6?

Areas of France dedicate a day to the saint who inspired Santa Claus

Letters: France must not tolerate political corruption

Connexion reader says it is right that Marine Le Pen should be prevented from holding office if found guilty

Letters: Men’s cancers are too often ignored in France

Connexion reader says more should be done to raise awareness of prostate cancer in particular

What are the longest words in the French language?

Impress native speakers with your extensive vocabulary

Tips for getting a (French) word in edgeways

Want to practise your French in France? These are the places to avoid

Profile: French scientist Didier Raoult banned from practising medicine

The self-declared 'maverick' microbiologist who promoted a discredited Covid drug, faces a two-year professional suspension

Learning French: what does casse-croûte mean and when should it be used?

A colloquial term for when your tummy is rumbling

Interview: American chef Jane Bertch on living out her food dreams in France

Jane Bertch was sent to Paris for her banking career but ended up starting a successful cookery school

Les Cévennes: Escape the daily hustle and bustle with the beauty of untouched French mountains

Explore the timeless allure and hidden gems of the secluded Cévennes mountains

How to bake traditional French bread

Discover artisanal baker Issa Niemeiier-Brown's 'simple and pure' recipe for a perfect baguette

Frogs’ legs was a British dish long before it became French delicacy

Ancient Britons enjoyed the food 8,000 years ago, archaeologist claims

Knitted D-Day soldiers draw crowds - and admiration - in UK

The woollen army organised by Normandy resident Tansy Forster has been a success on both sides of the Channel

Learning French: the origins and meaning of casser du sucre sur le dos

This sugary phrase will leave you with a bitter aftertaste

PHOTOS: Vintage French roadside signs restored for free by fan

Enthusiast restores and preserves historic Michelin stone signs around his region

Learning French: tout est bon dans le cochon and other pig expressions

An informal rhyme for when something is saved from going to waste

Love note reunites vintage chair with French muse

A furniture designer tracked down the girl whose boyfriend carved a note about her into a chair in 1994

Letters: New French visa plan may remove the worry of overstaying

Connexion readers share how their lives have changed since Brexit

Letters: France's private speed camera cars just add to pollution

Connexion reader questions the logic of mobile enforcers

Learning French: the origins and meaning of bon gré mal gré

A useful phrase to describe doing something against your will

US WWI soldier found in France finally buried after 20 years of research

Forensic breakthroughs and dedicated research identified Charles McAllister, who disappeared in 1918

Interview: Cancer specialist Ines Vaz-Luis on changing attitudes in France

The director of the Cancer Survivorship program at Gustave Roussy hospital, talks about her pioneering post-treatment care for breast cancer patients, and changing nature of 'survivorship'