Magazine

Tested for you: flower arranging workshop at Château de Chenonceau

Learn how to make flower arrangements at Chenonceau, the only chateau in Europe with a full-time florist

Sam Sauvage: the rising French pop star making a name in the UK

Explore the irresistible charm and catchy tunes of the French artist making waves with his breakout single and new EP

Bordeaux's hidden stories revealed by hand-drawn maps

Architect Nicolas Coury captures Bordeaux's essence through a community-driven, memory-filled map.

magazine

Dark Hearts: a French espionage drama features military daring and hi-tech thrills

Thierry Godard and Marie Dompnier star in the military espionage thriller

Three reading recommendations: books about France in English

Perfect reads for history buffs, mystery lovers, and design enthusiasts

Why I love where I live... in Biarritz

Reader Alex Gaines, 42, from North Carolina, moved to the south of France in 2013 for studies and surfing, and has never looked back

Learning French: how native speakers really talk to each other

Nick Inman explores the intriguing divide between formal and informal French, and how mastering both can enhance your cultural fluency

Learning French: can you pronounce these 12 challenging words?

From squirrel to kettle, these are words you might use on a daily basis

I hate it when the French get my name wrong

Columnist Cynthia Spillman offers advice to a reader who is frustrated by mispronunciation

Test your knowledge: 3 fun French invention facts

Explore the intriguing stories behind three French innovations: the first camera phone photo, Napoleon's canned food solution, and the evolution of the pencil

Gardening tips: How to save money on essential end of summer tasks in France

Landscape architect is full of ideas for tidying up the garden before winter

'We bought one of the oldest chateaux in the Loire Valley'

The beautiful 13th-Century Château de la Preuille is now a charming gîte and wedding venue

Letters: I get more cold calls since signing up to Bloctel system

A reader discusses her frustrations with Bloctel not fielding cold calls adequately

French architecture: the church that is not a church

Explore the intriguing story of Sainte-Thérèse-de-l'Enfant-Jésus, the unfinished church in Léojac

French interiors: the Parisian art of stylish living

A sumptuous new book offers an exclusive peek inside some of the capital’s most voguish homes

Discover the best French potato varieties and when to use them

How terroir influences their unique flavours and culinary uses

Discover the unique Chasselas grapes of Moissac

Why this glorious AOP grape is September's must-have fruit

Vingt Dieux: authentic cinema devoid of dreamy sentimentality about rural French life

A César-nominated French film recommendation

French recipe: Winemaker's steak

Serve with a simple Pan Sauce, made using the drippings from the bottom of the pan

French cooking at heart: Endive salad recipe

From their new cookbook Marjorie Taylor and Kendall Smith Franchini, of The Cook’s Atelier in Beaune, present some French culinary encouragement and offer a classic recipe to try at home

Comment: It is about time France put social media in its place

Columnist Nick Inman eyes President Macron's bold promise to ban the platforms' use by children if not done by EU

The French school where children learn and study outside

We visit a ‘forest school’ where the focus is on an alternative education model

Why are so many places in Normandy named -ville?

Unique history of region sees many settlements with same name ending

New climate school for Paris

First European school to offer a degree dedicated to the ecological transition

Toulouse data centre's excess heat to warm 27 buildings

Project embraces a virtuous circular economy with sustainable energy use

Property watch: See what €50,000, €150,000 and over €1.5m buys in Saône-et-Loire

This department is known for its famous food and drink

Learning French: the origins and meaning of il n'y a pas le feu au lac

Say this to someone who needs to slow down and relax (maybe by a lake)

British woman in France sends rare Poitou donkey to US for conservation

Sending a rare foal to the US marks a significant step in global preservation efforts

Nature in France: discover the fascinating world of insects

Explore the wonders of French nature with the extraordinary dung beetle, gazés and butterflies

Our French gîte: The peace of Landes is perfect escape from tourist traps

Nigel Bond explains how he deliberately chose somewhere for his gite away from the tourist hotspots

Six films and TV shows to improve your French this rentrée

From cultural references to new vocabulary, watching films in French is essential for your progress

Why this peaceful medieval village in Corrèze makes for a dramatic film location

Saint-Robert is one of ‘The Most Beautiful Villages in France’ with its fortified church and grand residences

HPI final season: the end of a French TV phenomenon

Comedy-thriller starring Audrey Fleurot that gripped France airs final episodes

'People thought we were crazy': producing sustainable French wine using draft horses

Domaine Deprad have gone back to age-old viniculture techniques, employing a small equine army to help produce outstanding wines

Letters: Readers share their own remedies against mosquitoes in France

Solutions range from burning coffee grounds to White Tiger Balm

Do not miss the French le bourru wine season

Columnist Sue Adams discovers a short-lived treat at her local café - and savours the moment

An opportunity for my partner means embracing change in my life in France

Cynthia Spillman confronts a fresh world, as her husband has a chance to get back in the game

French garden notes for September

Jobs in the potager, hedge trimming and French gardening boots to buy

Discover chocolate and coffee coloured plants for a unique French garden aesthetic

From chocolate-scented cosmos to coffee-hued dahlias, find the perfect plants for your French garden

Letters: I fear losing my cheap flights in France

Ryanair has already stopped flying from Bordeaux

Learning French: when to capitalise 'Français' and other nationalities

The rule is easier to understand than it may at first seem

Lyon, the birthplace of cinema and home to vibrant film festivals

Explore Lyon's rich cinematic history at the Musée Lumière and enjoy world-class film festivals like Festival Lumière

RIP Thierry Ardisson, late-night language lover

Explore the legacy of Thierry Ardisson, the iconic French talk show host known for his wit and eloquence

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

Comment: Air con clashes with French culture

Columnist Nabila Ramdani reacts to Marine Le Pen's call for a 'major air-conditioning equipment plan'

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: Totally tropical

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

Discover the inspiring journey of a stunning French garden transformation

British couple in Limousin overcame personal challenges to create a sanctuary now open to the public

Unmissable September events in France: antiques, art and cinema

Explore top attractions this month, including Lille's antiques fair and Le Havre's art festival

Learning French: on ne va pas se mentir has become a linguistic tic

Filler phrases have been likened to 'window dressing'

A quick guide to the perfect French press coffee

Learn about the history, technique, and places to shop for a rich, full-bodied brew

Comment: Aggression in French schools must be stopped

Teacher Clara Villanueva describes the current climate in classrooms and some solutions to the problem

Interview: French forensic pathologist on groundbreaking Paris Catacombs study

Philippe Charlier talks about leading the first scientific study into the millions of skeletons buried there and ponders why the Western world is both fascinated and terrified by death

Why rap artists are the new French poets

Julien Barret - an author with a particular interest in rap music and the French language - tells columnist Théophile Larcher how the meaning of words is shaped by culture

The Silver Spoon: discovering the culinary roots of frog soup

Featuring more than 2,000 recipes, this is one of Italy's most influential cookbooks

Discover France's summer cheese and a sweet teatime delight

Explore the refreshing Cantal jeune cheese and buttery La Fouace bread, perfect for warm days

Comment: France lags behind on local swimming pools despite headlines

Columnist Sarah Henshaw misses the 'comprehensive coverage' for local pools she enjoyed in the UK

Five things they don't tell you about… la rentrée

The official end of the summer holidays in France brings a mixture of relaxation and return to work

Learning French: 'Le Grand Large' and more grand expressions

English-speaking visitors to France assume this intriguing coastal name translates as 'The Big Big'

Discover the aesthetic joys of a super ‘dry’ French Occitanie garden

Cathy Thompson visits a stunning garden in the Aude where layering, minimal watering and constant evolution are wonderfully combined

Comment: The time is ripe for another widespread protest in France

Columnist Simon Heffer looks at the burgeoning Bloquons tout movement and the failure of the government to take decisive action

Buying a French chateau: 'I was only half-serious, then I fell in love!'

The castle, tucked in the Vallee d’Ossau, was up for sale at €599,000 when Ms Jasinski bought it

Learning French: charbonner and more phrases to describe hard work

Our columnist Justin Postlethwaite highlights the many ways of describing 'serious graft' when in France

Podcasts and exhibitions: four French cultural ideas

Find inspiration for outings and a way to deepen your knowledge of France

How do I get my expat friend to learn French?

Cynthia Spillman offers advice to a reader who feels monopolised by her English-speaking neighbour

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

French wine fraud: understanding labelling rules and how to avoid scams

A look at how a wine fraud scheme deceived consumers and shook the French wine industry

Erbalunga: France’s hotspot for the earliest summer sunrise

Visit this Corsican fishing village in September for an unforgettable experience... just remember to set the alarm

Letters: Professionally fitted solar panels are uneconomical in France

Reader has €1,600 installation that saves him €30 per month

Open Gardens plot in Mayenne has 'something for everyone'

This lovely Pays de la Loire garden, part of the charity scheme Open Gardens, can be visited in September

Letters: France needs to protect its heritage from DPE certificates

Connexion reader says the energy certificates force unsuitable technology into old homes

Learning French: seven phrases that feature dogs (and some cats)

We take a look at expressions featuring our four-legged friends in celebration of National Dog Day

Shark sightings in France: No need to panic

Increased sightings spark concern, but an expert urges focus on conservation over fear

Neighbourhood group aims to help Americans acclimatise to life in south of France

The American Club of the Riviera has nearing 400 members

Album review: Tiens, voilà mon best-of by Louane

The singer's new limited edition collection features France's 2025 Eurovision Song Contest entry, Maman

Letters: French translations – some good...some hilarious

Perhaps people, not machines, are best at languages, Connexion readers argue

Magazine

Tested for you: flower arranging workshop at Château de Chenonceau

Sam Sauvage: the rising French pop star making a name in the UK

Bordeaux's hidden stories revealed by hand-drawn maps

Dark Hearts: a French espionage drama features military daring and hi-tech thrills

Trending

Drivers in France should be aware of new road signs this month

Latest: Flights, rail, road…how September 18 strikes in France may affect you

Understanding the S1 Form: Healthcare Access for UK Pensioners in France

Learning French: can you pronounce these 12 challenging words?

Partner article: Does a property need to be cleared out before being sold in France?

Make sure you sell before buying a new French property, say notaires

Free Health Check-Up in France: Comprehensive Guide for Residents

Three reading recommendations: books about France in English

Why I love where I live... in Biarritz

Learning French: how native speakers really talk to each other

Learning French: can you pronounce these 12 challenging words?

I hate it when the French get my name wrong

Test your knowledge: 3 fun French invention facts

Gardening tips: How to save money on essential end of summer tasks in France

'We bought one of the oldest chateaux in the Loire Valley'

Letters: I get more cold calls since signing up to Bloctel system

French architecture: the church that is not a church

Five curious facts about Napoleon Bonaparte

Letters: There are only poor replacements for BBC Sounds in France

Learning French: tohu-bohu and more ways of expressing chaos

French interiors: the Parisian art of stylish living

French artisan cheese of the month, plus a creamy regional speciality

How ceramics saved one of the most beautiful places in France

Siblings make sustainable vinegar from Champagne's leftover grapes

Mangetout: dining in Calais, plus oysters for beginners

Learning French: when and why do we say copains comme cochons?

Discover the best French potato varieties and when to use them

Discover the unique Chasselas grapes of Moissac

Vingt Dieux: authentic cinema devoid of dreamy sentimentality about rural French life

French recipe: Winemaker's steak

French cooking at heart: Endive salad recipe

Comment: It is about time France put social media in its place

The French school where children learn and study outside

Why are so many places in Normandy named -ville?

New climate school for Paris

Toulouse data centre's excess heat to warm 27 buildings

Property watch: See what €50,000, €150,000 and over €1.5m buys in Saône-et-Loire

Learning French: the origins and meaning of il n'y a pas le feu au lac

British woman in France sends rare Poitou donkey to US for conservation

Nature in France: discover the fascinating world of insects

Our French gîte: The peace of Landes is perfect escape from tourist traps

Six films and TV shows to improve your French this rentrée

Why this peaceful medieval village in Corrèze makes for a dramatic film location

HPI final season: the end of a French TV phenomenon

'People thought we were crazy': producing sustainable French wine using draft horses

Letters: Readers share their own remedies against mosquitoes in France

Do not miss the French le bourru wine season

An opportunity for my partner means embracing change in my life in France

French garden notes for September

Discover chocolate and coffee coloured plants for a unique French garden aesthetic

Letters: I fear losing my cheap flights in France

Learning French: when to capitalise 'Français' and other nationalities

Lyon, the birthplace of cinema and home to vibrant film festivals

RIP Thierry Ardisson, late-night language lover

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Comment: Air con clashes with French culture

Guess the French region with the help of this clue: Totally tropical

Discover the inspiring journey of a stunning French garden transformation

Unmissable September events in France: antiques, art and cinema

Learning French: on ne va pas se mentir has become a linguistic tic

A quick guide to the perfect French press coffee

Comment: Aggression in French schools must be stopped

Interview: French forensic pathologist on groundbreaking Paris Catacombs study

Why rap artists are the new French poets

The Silver Spoon: discovering the culinary roots of frog soup

Discover France's summer cheese and a sweet teatime delight

Comment: France lags behind on local swimming pools despite headlines

Five things they don't tell you about… la rentrée

Learning French: 'Le Grand Large' and more grand expressions

Discover the aesthetic joys of a super ‘dry’ French Occitanie garden

Comment: The time is ripe for another widespread protest in France

Buying a French chateau: 'I was only half-serious, then I fell in love!'

Learning French: charbonner and more phrases to describe hard work

Podcasts and exhibitions: four French cultural ideas