Magazine

From English teacher to TikTok star in France: 'The way to help students learn is to believe in them'

Toulouse-based Monsieur Prof's educational videos on learning English are a social media sensation

Recipe: taste this chocolate trompe l’œil salami

Melt any leftover Easter eggs and add shortbread, nuts, cranberries and marshmallows to make this fun treat

'I found my voice when I joined a French choir'

Hannah Pickup from Vendôme (Loir-et-Cher) got involved in 2013 and is now its secretary and treasurer

magazine

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

Plus, can you guess the meaning behind more simple slang terms ending in -oche

Letters: France's language requirements for residency are simply unrealistic

Reader says it takes a minimum of three years study to prepare for France's DALF C2 diploma

Learning French: when and why do we say montrer patte blanche?

A French fairytale phrase for trustworthiness

Letters: Climate change becomes clear over past 1,000 years in France

Connexion reader says that it takes centuries of climatological data to grasp the full impact

How to pick and cook asparagus in France

Columnist Sue Adams explains how to make the most of the vegetable's short season

Learning French: what does pile-poil mean and when should it be used?

Plus, find out how to pronounce this precise phrase

Faudra Tif Hair: Understand the punny names behind French hair salons

Can you guess the slang meaning of the word tif?

Letters: The clash of 'America First' with French allies is a nightmare

Connexion reader notes with dismay the growing isolation of USA under President Trump

Recipe: rich lamb shanks with vegetable tian

This dish would make the perfect centerpiece for Easter lunch

‘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

Experiences: Why I love living in Paris

Karen Bussen tells how she moved from New York to the French capital and found love

Why Strasbourg is a great destination all year round, not just for Christmas

Restaurant recommendations, historic wine cellars and beer bars to try

Gardens in France: stylish rainwater collection and April vegetable patch plans

Tips and tricks for your jardin from sunloungers to swimming pool inspiration

Learning French: four expressions featuring fil

The word is used in a springtime saying that comes with a weather warning

My life-changing French Erasmus exchange: From pro rugby player to lawyer

A former University of Edinburgh student shares how his year abroad led from playing rugby in Toulon to building a legal career in France

Learning French: understanding 'backwards' abbreviations

The penchant for shortening long terms makes the language even harder for foreigners to understand

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

'We moved from the US to France to restore a château'

Mark Goff and Phillip Engel swapped the California wine country of Napa Valley for a new life at Château d’Avensac

'Our French neighbours never invite us over to their house'

Columnist Cynthia Spillman offers some advice on returning hospitality

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: Swede dreams are made of this

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

Follow your nose on a scent-sational tour of France’s spring flowers

Explore the national and regional floral specialities of France, and sniff out the best flower festivals and horticultural events taking place around the country this spring

Comment: Weeds can make a garden cheaper and more manageable in France

Columnist Samantha David tells how embracing nature has hidden benefits

Chauvet cave in south of France is slowly revealing its secrets

3D technology is revolutionising our understanding of 36,000-year-old paintings in the Chauvet Cave in Ardèche

Learning French: the origins and meaning of gratin

Understand the etymological roots of this beloved dish with a crispy, cheesy topping

Exclusive interview: New two-star Michelin chef Philippe Etchebest

Revisit our exclusive 2023 interview with the man behind Maison Nouvelle as he is rewarded in the 2025 Michelin Guide France

Recipe: fresh fava bean and asparagus salad

Source seasonal produce and garnish with mint, goats cheese and lemon

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

It is in schools where we see a real French peculiarity

Five famous April Fools' pranks played on the French public

The French media have pulled some classic ‘poissons d’Avril’ - here are five of the best

Comment: Le Tour de France does not export the best of French values

Columnist Nabila Ramdani notes that the fabled race is to start in the UK in 2027, bringing with it a questionable legacy

How I became a beautician after moving to France

When Teri Fox, 55, relocated in 2007, she mastered lots of new skills including fitness and aesthetics courses, as well as managing beauty salons – before going on to open her own

Is a carte de famille useful for mixed French-British couples?

These cards are aimed at people who have moved to France permanently on a first visa

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

Ten top science museums to visit in France

Explore interactive exhibits and workshops offering engaging experiences and fun for all ages

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

Profile: Dorothée - France's beloved TV icon and screen mum

Profile of the singer, actress and TV presenter who captivated millions of schoolchildren

Learning French: what does comme par hasard mean and when should it be used?

A sarcastic saying to describe something unsurprising or coincidental

Do you have the right personality to move to France?

Certain types of people will thrive as expats while others will struggle, say experts

Exploring Vulcania: France's volcanic adventure theme park

Discover the thrilling and unique blend of science and entertainment in Puy-de-Dôme

Can you master these 10 French tongue twisters?

As well as being a fun party trick, these can help you master pronunciation of difficult sounds

Letters: France needs a new strategy to stop spam calls

Connexion reader says the new legislation will not work just as previous rules failed

Learning French: what is the difference between tout compris and tout inclus?

How to avoid costly ‘all-inclusive’ surprises

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: Strings to its bow

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

Three fun fromage phrases for France’s national cheese day

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

Letters: VAT threshold reduction would hurt small businesses in France

Connexion reader notes that the additional tax burden would bring more bureaucracy with it

‘Our €8,000 barge in France gives us an off-grid retirement’

A British couple talk through their DIY conversion of an old working boat into a cosy floating home on the Canal du Midi

Learning French: the origins and meaning of ça me fait une belle jambe

A sarcastic saying to suggest something is unimportant or irrelevant

Gardening in France: how to overcome daffodil dilemmas

Expert solutions for daffodil 'blindness' and 'lively' composting techniques to try

Comment: How France should respond to ‘bully’ Trump's tariffs

Columnist Simon Heffer looks at the effect the brewing trade war may have on France

'I fear France may not welcome Americans due to anti-Trump sentiment'

Columnist Cynthia Spillman offers advice on testing the waters before a big move

Learning French: when and why do we say racler les fonds de tiroir?

An expression for when funds are running desperately low

Learning French: when and why do we say de fil en aiguille?

An expression to reflect a gradual progression

Learning French: the origins and meaning of tenir au jus

A juicy saying for when you want to be kept in the loop

Learning French: helpful vocabulary for finding an artisan in France

Hiring artisans can be costly... use these essential terms to navigate the process effectively

‘Devastated!’ Listeners in France respond to loss of BBC Sounds

Many readers have shared their frustration at the loss of the app

Learning French: when and why do we say mettre la main à la pâte?

This French phrase has little to do with pâte or dough and is useful when you need to ‘get stuck into' a task

Letters: BBC downsizing will hurt listeners in France

Reader says little information is available about the broadcaster's plans to shut down its Sounds app and website in the Spring

Learning French: what does top départ mean and when should it be used?

A handy phrase to indicate that an event is underway

Comment: French restaurants still do not get the idea of serving vegetables

Columnist and vegetarian Sarah Beattie looks at the slow progress of non-meat options

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: Keep sake

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

Learning French: five short talk radio shows to improve your language skills

Improve your French comprehension with these quick, insightful broadcasts that can also be listened to as podcasts

Understand the basics of French wine labelling

Why are French wines labelled as Bordeaux or Burgundies, and not Cabernet or Malbec? Jonathan Hesford explains

France's Loire Valley arboretum puts heather and magnolias in the spring spotlight

‘The forest is coming awake from its winter sleep... Life is coming back again in colour, scent and sound’

Why English and French breakfasts are so unalike

A traditional hearty English breakfast may have been in response to France's lack of a morning meal

Letters: I took French driving test at 63 rather than swap my UK licence

Connexion reader says it cost €530 in total

Learning French: when and why do we say être bien dans ses baskets?

Watch out for false friends in this saying about self-confidence

Learning French: the origins and meaning of faire fissa

Chop-chop, hurry up, get a move on…

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: Monks in the red

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

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

Letters: French driving theory tests are too hard for older drivers

Connexion reader says they are designed as a hurdle for younger drivers

Learning French: when and why do we say avoir la boule au ventre?

A phrase for when you are feeling stressed or nervous

French herbs: How to grow your own and use them correctly

Columnist Sue Adams explains the history and tradition of herbes de Provence and fines herbes

Magazine

From English teacher to TikTok star in France: 'The way to help students learn is to believe in them'

Recipe: taste this chocolate trompe l’œil salami

'I found my voice when I joined a French choir'

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

Trending

Top French court clarifies rules on foreign language wills

Why more than half of French households do not pay income tax

Glasses, dentistry, hearing aids: Major changes to reimbursement rules proposed

Which French departments are most popular with retirees?

Why microphones are installed in hundreds of trees across France

The Pyrenees village where Napoléon III and Victor Hugo went to bathe

French interior minister wants to toughen rules for gaining citizenship

Letters: France's language requirements for residency are simply unrealistic

Learning French: when and why do we say montrer patte blanche?

Letters: Climate change becomes clear over past 1,000 years in France

How to pick and cook asparagus in France

Learning French: what does pile-poil mean and when should it be used?

Faudra Tif Hair: Understand the punny names behind French hair salons

Letters: The clash of 'America First' with French allies is a nightmare

Recipe: rich lamb shanks with vegetable tian

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

Experiences: Why I love living in Paris

Comment: I live in France and voted for Brexit - I regret it

Festivals, workshops and gardens to visit in Strasbourg this spring

Strasbourg: An EU capital that offers history, culture and international flavour

Why Strasbourg is a great destination all year round, not just for Christmas

Six quirky things to do in Strasbourg

What you need to know before visiting the European Parliament in Strasbourg

'Our teenage daughters are angry with us for moving to France'

Ballet lessons bring health benefits to over-55s in France

French crafts in focus: Traditional dry-stone walling

Gardens in France: stylish rainwater collection and April vegetable patch plans

Learning French: four expressions featuring fil

My life-changing French Erasmus exchange: From pro rugby player to lawyer

Learning French: understanding 'backwards' abbreviations

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

'We moved from the US to France to restore a château'

'Our French neighbours never invite us over to their house'

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: Swede dreams are made of this

Follow your nose on a scent-sational tour of France’s spring flowers

Comment: Weeds can make a garden cheaper and more manageable in France

Chauvet cave in south of France is slowly revealing its secrets

Learning French: the origins and meaning of gratin

Exclusive interview: New two-star Michelin chef Philippe Etchebest

Recipe: fresh fava bean and asparagus salad

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

Five famous April Fools' pranks played on the French public

Comment: Le Tour de France does not export the best of French values

How I became a beautician after moving to France

Is a carte de famille useful for mixed French-British couples?

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Ten top science museums to visit in France

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

Profile: Dorothée - France's beloved TV icon and screen mum

Learning French: what does comme par hasard mean and when should it be used?

Do you have the right personality to move to France?

Exploring Vulcania: France's volcanic adventure theme park

Can you master these 10 French tongue twisters?

Letters: France needs a new strategy to stop spam calls

Learning French: what is the difference between tout compris and tout inclus?

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: Strings to its bow

Three fun fromage phrases for France’s national cheese day

Letters: VAT threshold reduction would hurt small businesses in France

‘Our €8,000 barge in France gives us an off-grid retirement’

Learning French: the origins and meaning of ça me fait une belle jambe

Gardening in France: how to overcome daffodil dilemmas

Comment: How France should respond to ‘bully’ Trump's tariffs

'I fear France may not welcome Americans due to anti-Trump sentiment'

Learning French: when and why do we say racler les fonds de tiroir?

Learning French: when and why do we say de fil en aiguille?

Learning French: the origins and meaning of tenir au jus

Learning French: helpful vocabulary for finding an artisan in France

‘Devastated!’ Listeners in France respond to loss of BBC Sounds

Learning French: when and why do we say mettre la main à la pâte?

Letters: BBC downsizing will hurt listeners in France

Learning French: what does top départ mean and when should it be used?

Comment: French restaurants still do not get the idea of serving vegetables

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: Keep sake