Magazine

Learning French: the origins and meaning of tuer la poule aux œufs d'or

An Easter-themed phrase to describe someone who is hungry for money

How to describe cheapskates in French

A village meeting feast showcased the radin tendencies of one family

Guns, healthcare, culture: why my children are better off in France

Novelist and former professional skateboarder Scott Bourne, 53, from North Carolina, fell in love with Europe – and Paris in particular

magazine

The story behind Les Lacs du Connemara: the surprising French hit

One of the best-known songs in France is rooted in a different country and culture

Films and TV shows to improve your French this spring

From miniseries to stand-up comedy, boost your language skills with our media recommendations

Long-distance runner's inspiring fitness journey in France

Sarah Cameron transformed her life through running in the French countryside, achieving remarkable success in marathons and ultra-marathons while representing Team GB

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

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

How does France’s April Fools’ Day differ from the UK or US?

Explore the origins of the day and its traditions

Five famous April Fools' pranks played on the French public

French media outlets and transport companies have pulled some classic ‘poissons d’Avril’ - here are five of the best

Learning French: eight Easter-themed expressions

Se taper la cloche and other phrases to use if celebrating Easter in France

Local elections underline deep divisions in France

Columnist Simon Heffer looks for the winners and losers of the March vote

Fibre installation in Alsace: delays, errors and billing issues

Connexion reader is still struggling to get high speed internet after 18 months

Feel the rhythm if you want to understand the language

Notes from a lecturer on how noticing the natural beats of verbal expression is essential to getting it right

Three fun fromage phrases for France’s national cheese day

Today (Friday, March 27) is la journée nationale du fromage

Is email from French electricity supplier Enedis a scam?

Connexion reader receives unsolicited email about their online account

Helmets are not the answer to bad habits on French ski slopes

A reader expresses their thoughts on the debate

Test your knowledge: fun French facts

Explore intriguing French trivia, from the toughest dictation in history to the vibrant culture of Limoges and the unique lifestyle on Ile de Ré

Royal seal of approval for group connecting veterans in France

Reader Claire La Roche, 52, explains how she and her husband Mike, 55, founded the Aquitaine Breakfast Club

Keep off the grass, shut the door... medieval origins and modern-day usage of prière

You may hear this formal word in everyday requests

France’s baby push: Why government efforts to boost births backfire

Columnist Nabila Ramdani argues against state involvement in birth rates and fertility

Saint Patrick's Day: French expressions featuring the colour green

How many green French phrases do you know?

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

Happy holidays or harsh realities? The truth about living in rural France

Columnist Samantha David examines the contrast between holiday and day-to-day life

Three reading recommendations: books about France in English

Lovers of French history will enjoy these historical and romantic works

Pompette and more French words for being tipsy

Discover linguistic nuances and cultural insights into France's respect for alcohol

The growing appeal of France’s green cemeteries

Participating cemeteries follow a strict set of eco-friendly rules

French election terms to know ahead of les municipales

It is useful to understand political vocabulary, even if you cannot vote

Should cats really have the 'right to roam' in France?

More readers write in with their views on feline transgressions

Learning French: what does manger sur le pouce mean and when should it be used?

Use this expression to describe eating something quick and easy while on the move

Saint-Emilion: home to Europe’s largest underground place of worship

Explore the monolithic church of Saint-Emilion, carved from limestone and steeped in history and spirituality

Five exotic crops thriving in France's changing climate

French farmers are adapting by cultivating exotic crops like sugar cane, ginger, and pomegranates, reducing reliance on imports

Orne: the ‘Cotswolds of France’ that remains a hidden gem

Often overlooked by tourists and second-homers, this department in north-west France has so much to offer

La politesse: what habits can make you seem rude to French people?

Sometimes it can be all too easy to commit a cultural faux pas

Votes for foreigners: why is topic so controversial in France?

Two academics talk to The Connexion about the issues at stake and what is done in neighbouring countries

Recipe: chocolate meringue Gâteau Concorde

A foolproof cake recipe from an award–winning American food writer

French recipe: trout gravlax with beetroot

A step-by-step guide to preparing this delicious recipe from the Ferrandi School of Culinary Arts

Five French phrases with same English meaning - just swap the animal

Do not try to translate these expressions word-for-word

Dry January vs French January: how France’s wine culture is adapting to drinking less

Vigneron columnist Jonathan Hesford gives his advice on enjoying l'art de vivre without overindulging

Discover the French tradition of Easter roast lamb: gigot d’agneau

We salute slow-cooked roast lamb, and learn about its cultural significance and cooking methods

Wartime barracks inspire themed B&B in Normandy

Guests can book the air force structures for a fully immersive 1940s experience

The electorate is to blame for France's political mess

Connexion reader argues that criticism of President Macron is unfair

Envoyer quelqu'un sur les roses and more French flower expressions

Romance or a secret? Learn five French expressions related to flowers

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: it’ll be all white on the night

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

Creativity is the key to fixing France's education system

Classes are too often characterised by rote learning and rigidity, says Céline Haller - named one of the world's best teachers

'I moved to France and became a photographer with a great work-life balance'

Reader Anna Leak shares her experiences setting up a business in the creative industries

Nantes unveils first Dutch-style roundabout enhancing cyclist and pedestrian safety

New roundabout is part of a €500,000 urban renovation project

‘My dream of earning a living through art is coming true’

Planning new projects for spring? Perhaps this artistic Connexion reader will inspire you

Two homes: one in Provence, one in the Rockies

Carolyne Kauser-Abbott and her husband split their time between France and Canada

Dorine Bourneton: the French pilot who flew again after a plane crash left her paralysed

French Légion d’honneur winner tells how her struggles led to her success as an author, campaigner and actress

French wood pellet stoves are far more expensive than they first appear

Reader says the machines are complex and require costly maintenance

Five French films and series to watch in March

Improve your French language skills and culture knowledge with this month’s films and series

When and why do we say avoir des tablettes de chocolat?

A chocolate-themed saying to describe someone who has a six-pack

Merlin Holland: 'misconceptions about my grandfather Oscar Wilde - and what I love about France'

Merlin Holland delves into the myths and rumours surrounding his famous family connection

Dealing with a difficult – or even abusive – French landlord

We all know that the law is there to supposedly protect us, but what happens when you are new to a foreign country and your rented accommodation turns into a nightmare?

I’m an estate agent and these are the five errors that newcomers make in France

'Many overestimate their DIY talents – and underestimate renovation costs'

France is lucky to have its dedicated mayors

Columnist Nick Inman stands up for local officials

Paris opens first integrated diabetes care centre in Europe

Diabet' hub is revolutionising diabetes care, simplifying treatment for patients

La fête des grand-mères: missing the feminine 'e'

We are taught that all adjectives have to agree with the gender of the noun in French – so why is there no 'e' at the end of grand?

When and why do we say c'est la sardine qui a bouché le port de Marseille?

Marseille, a ship, a very big sardine, and a stereotype

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

How Lyon death is reshaping French politics ahead of 2027 elections

Columnist Simon Heffer says the killing of far-right student activist Quentin Deranque will have reverberations around Europe

The origins and meaning of chat échaudé craint l'eau froide

This metaphoric French expression featuring a cat has no resemblance to its English equivalent

Taking a lead from the US: doggy daycare booming in France

Daycare facilities are catering for both busy pet owners and tourists

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: living the high life...

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

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: out on loan with reference to Diana

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

Tipping in France: Are card machine tip requests going too far?

Payment terminals increasingly ask if customers want to pay an extra amount

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

Hungry, peckish, stuffed: 11 French phrases to do with food and eating

These phrases help to talk about one of the most important subjects in France - food

Eat like a local: welsh from Nord and Pas-de-Calais

Explore the unique French twist on Welsh rarebit, a beloved dish with delicious local variations

Living in Lille: a young, lively city that is 'very accepting of foreigners'

Discover everything about living in Lille, from its cultural attractions and efficient transport links to affordable property prices and vibrant student life