Magazine

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

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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

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

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

Wartime barracks inspire themed B&B in Normandy

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

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

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

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

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: 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

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

See inside rare Le Corbusier villa for sale in the Var

Villa l’Artaude blends modernist architecture with Mediterranean charm

Le Rozier: a village with dramatic scenery along the Gorges du Tarn

Explore the pretty village in the Lozère department, popular with lovers of hiking and outdoor activities

The chaos on France's ski slopes is so sad, says retired instructor

Reader says she refused to teach children not wearing safety gear

Can you guess the meaning of grincheux?

Read about a real-life example illustrating when to use this fun French adjective

Where to find good Indian food and curry ingredients in rural France

Connexion readers share their tips on finding spices that hit the spot

See what €50,000, €200,000 and over €500,000 buys in Seine-Maritime

Towns and villages have distinct Norman French architecture

Ski helmets should be compulsory in France

Two readers share their views on risk and danger on the slopes

When and why do we say c’est la goutte d'eau qui fait déborder le vase?

An expression to indicate that something has tipped you over the edge

Exploring France by canal boat: routes, prices and beginner advice

Slower pace lets holidaymakers enjoy the scenery

Paris group promises help to ‘live your best life’

WICE is a vibrant English-speaking community offering classes, workshops, and social events to help expats integrate and thrive

We went to a French curry house but it didn't hit the spot

Columnist Samantha David laments the lack of decent meals in the style of the subcontinent

Why I love where I live... in Nantes

Reader Sue Alouche, 66, and her French husband set up 'Knowing Nantes', a network for the anglophone community in the city

Was it a mistake to move to France?

Columnist Cynthia Spillman has some advice for a reader who is getting cold feet

From civil servant to vacataire, clinical psychologist and super mum

Reader Flavia Campos, 44, explains how a move to Lille brought the variety she craved

British women tackle challenges of renovations in France with podcast

Series explores bureaucracy, construction rules, planning permissions, diagnostics and everyday hurdles

From Oregon to Brittany: primrose nursery in France celebrates 90th anniversary

Barnhaven Primroses traces its history back to 1930s America

From 'romantic Paris' to dating apps: love is changing in France

Researcher Aziliz Kondracki explains the role that romance plays in modern France

I had a heart attack in France without realising it

An evening with friends took an unexpected turn for 74-year-old

What are the rules about splitting the bill in France?

Columnist Cynthia Spillman offers some advice on the sometimes awkward clash of food and money

Costume, music, floats: where to see France’s vibrant carnival parades

Celebrate the end of winter with feasting and fun at a carnival near you

More French podcasts to test your language skills

Podcasts are one of the best free tools for consistently developing your listening comprehension

Rugby vocabulary to know if watching the Six Nations in France

From un tampon to une cathédrale, understand the meaning of key French rugby terms

My tips for bird nesting season in south-west France

Some species begin building nests as early as February, including collared doves, mistle thrushes and song thrushes

A French film to watch: Auction by Pascal Bonitzer

Auction house drama explores the discovery of a lost Egon Schiele painting and its impact on those who would profit from its sale

Learning French: what does faire grise mine mean and when should it be used?

A phrase to use when someone is down in the dumps

Three reading recommendations: books about France in English

Explore three engaging books, offering unique perspectives on French culture, romance, and the art of living well

Explore unique French homes that blend history and modern design

A new interiors book explores homes that defy convention and embrace uniqueness, styled with imagination and authenticity

What I miss about France after moving back to UK

Columnist Gillian Harvey, who returned to the UK in 2024, explains what she misses – and what she has gained in the process

Why making friends in France can take time – and how to succeed

Columnist Cynthia Spillman offers advice on forming lasting relationships

France must do more to protect citizens detained in Iran, says former hostage

French-Irish citizen Bernard Phelan tells Théophile Larcher how 221 days in an Iranian prison have changed him irrevocably

Auvergne region is neglected by government

Government agencies and the SNCF shun the area 'time and time again', says reader

À cloche-pied and six more French expressions featuring body parts

French phrases are full of unexpected words such as foot, head, nose and elbow

'We transformed a historic Savoie chalet into a dream home'

Built in 1865 to keep animals and store cheese, the traditional house has been completely transformed

Discover La Routo, the historic 500km hiking trail from France to Italy

The hiking path from the Camargue to the Italian Alps, rich in history, culture, and stunning landscapes, is perfect for serious hikers and history enthusiasts

France’s 1970s roller disco craze is back – and we tried it

Columnist Sarah Henshaw feels a yearning for a certain kind of retro fun

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

Can you work out which idiomatic expression is depicted below?

Exotic ‘lipsticked’ song bird spreads across south-west France

Sightings and hearings of the Rossignol du Japon have caused a Facebook sensation, especially in and around the Pyrenees

Bavarde, commérages: how to describe having a chat or gossip in French

One phrase has its origins in the 16th century and could easily be mistranslated

Trump’s rhetoric feeds France’s long tradition of national decline

Columnist Nabila Ramdani offers a view on the American president's impact on French culture

Aude Biannic: trailblazing French cyclist and mother in the 2025 Tour de France Femmes

She made history as the first French cyclist to compete as a mother

French recipe: duck Parmentier

Chef Matthew Ryle's mouth-watering French classic elevates shepherd’s pie with confit duck legs, perfect for warming up in cold weather

Discover the French names for common stationery and musical items

An embarrassing guitar shop incident leads to a tough language lesson

American diner and British café offer a taste of home in France

From big cities to tiny villages eateries are challenging preconceived ideas of Anglo-American cuisine

February events in France: Art, agriculture, and festivals

Discover the reopening of Bonnat-Helleu Museum, Paris International Agricultural Show, Menton's Citrus Festival, and Matisse exhibition in Bordeaux

Why we bought horses after moving to France – and what it taught us

When reader Sam Barcham, 48, moved from England to the south of France, she never anticipated that riding lessons would lead to buying three horses of her own

Magazine

Guess the French phrase behind this photo clue...

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

Three reading recommendations: books about France in English

Pompette and more French words for being tipsy

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Ryanair plane takes off from France without all passengers due to EES hold-ups

‘If I lower the price I close’: fuel station manager in western France defends €2.97 diesel price

France faces technical delays in EU EES border rollout

Dual-UK citizens in France face issues with new passport rules

Now is the time to install Asian hornet traps across France

Cold set to return to France - and snow at low altitudes across Isère and Haute-Savoie

Chimney sweeping rules in France: Can you do this yourself - and how often is required by law?

The growing appeal of France’s green cemeteries

French election terms to know ahead of les municipales

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wartime barracks inspire themed B&B in Normandy

The electorate is to blame for France's political mess

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

Creativity is the key to fixing France's education system

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

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

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

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

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

Five French films and series to watch in March

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

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

Dealing with a difficult – or even abusive – French landlord

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

France is lucky to have its dedicated mayors

Paris opens first integrated diabetes care centre in Europe

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

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

How Lyon death is reshaping French politics ahead of 2027 elections

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

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

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

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

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

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

See inside rare Le Corbusier villa for sale in the Var

Le Rozier: a village with dramatic scenery along the Gorges du Tarn

The chaos on France's ski slopes is so sad, says retired instructor

Can you guess the meaning of grincheux?

Where to find good Indian food and curry ingredients in rural France

See what €50,000, €200,000 and over €500,000 buys in Seine-Maritime

Ski helmets should be compulsory in France

When and why do we say c’est la goutte d'eau qui fait déborder le vase?

Exploring France by canal boat: routes, prices and beginner advice

Paris group promises help to ‘live your best life’

We went to a French curry house but it didn't hit the spot

Why I love where I live... in Nantes

Was it a mistake to move to France?

From civil servant to vacataire, clinical psychologist and super mum

British women tackle challenges of renovations in France with podcast

From Oregon to Brittany: primrose nursery in France celebrates 90th anniversary

From 'romantic Paris' to dating apps: love is changing in France

I had a heart attack in France without realising it

What are the rules about splitting the bill in France?

Costume, music, floats: where to see France’s vibrant carnival parades

More French podcasts to test your language skills

Rugby vocabulary to know if watching the Six Nations in France

My tips for bird nesting season in south-west France

A French film to watch: Auction by Pascal Bonitzer

Learning French: what does faire grise mine mean and when should it be used?

Three reading recommendations: books about France in English

Explore unique French homes that blend history and modern design

What I miss about France after moving back to UK

Why making friends in France can take time – and how to succeed

France must do more to protect citizens detained in Iran, says former hostage

Auvergne region is neglected by government

À cloche-pied and six more French expressions featuring body parts

'We transformed a historic Savoie chalet into a dream home'