Culture

Wokisme, vegan: The ‘new’ words added to French dictionary

The latest edition of the dictionary has taken decades to create and publish

Learning French: the origins and meaning of impossible n’est pas français

This patriotic proverb was also a presidential campaign slogan

How you can fly to Nice, Paris, Marseille, or Bordeaux from the cockpit

Flight simulators are becoming an increasingly popular activity or gift, as Samantha David found when taking a plane for a virtual spin along the French Riviera

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France celebrates a century of naturism

Marseille exhibition lays bare the continuing allure of French naturist culture

Amazon tests free book delivery despite law designed to ban it

E-commerce giant now offers free collection of books from its collection points across the country

France’s top literary prize 2024 awarded to author Kamel Daoud

The Prix Goncourt is widely seen as France’s version of the Nobel prize for literature

How France's high-rise housing solution to post-war boom became an urban nightmare

The grands ensembles, high-rise public housing units, were meant to provide desperately needed accommodation in big cities in the 1950s but the plan was abandoned only two decades later

Toulouse bishop consecrates the city as mechanical monsters run amok

A controversial street theatre featuring demonic figures prompts some Christian groups to condemn the 'satanic' representations

Five audiobooks to listen to improve your French

Classic works of French literature will deepen your understanding of the country’s culture and enhance your language skills

Minister wants €5 entrance fee for Notre-Dame visitors

Money raised would go towards renovations of other religious sites. Higher ticket prices for non-EU visitors to tourist attractions is also proposed

Who was France’s fiercest female pirate, the ‘Lioness of Brittany’?

After King Philip VI of France executed former noblewoman Jeanne de Belleville's husband for treason during the medieval Breton War of Succession, she turned to piracy to avenge his death

What does the French word ‘wesh’ mean and why is it being used in UK

Discover the origins of this informal interjection that is now part of London slang

Blacksmith’s historic and unusual home for sale in Rouen

The Maison Marrou, an iconic feature of the city of Rouen, is being sold by online auction

Francophonie: countries with the most French speakers apart from France

France is one of the top five most-spoken languages worldwide

Strikes, French property tax deadlines: Key dates in October

The month sees several administrative changes - as well as a celebration of French architecture

Which iconic French brands are the most beloved?

It is likely you have products from at least some of these marques in your home, even if you do not live in France

Paris zinc roof workers explain what makes their work so special

Roofers help maintain Paris’ unique skyline and may soon be on Unesco list

Guinguettes back in business as French seek the simple pleasures of life

The waterside restaurants, sometimes with dance floors and made famous in Impressionist paintings from the late 19th century, are flourishing again

Why one Normandy beach has German deckchairs

These ‘strandkorbs’ are popular and often fully booked - and have history dating back to 1880s

French team build faithful replica of William the Conqueror’s warship

Visitors to the Normandy site can experience a voyage on La Mora in virtual reality

Five things they don't tell you about… apéros in France

Pointers from courses to socially acceptable drinks

National heritage guardian helps to make history come alive for millions

The Centre des monuments nationaux has prepared its historic sites for the global spotlight

French crafts in focus: The art of leatherwork

Atelier Chabert in Nice transforms simple leather into exquisite creations

Five things they do not tell you about summertime in France

Another important insight on French life and culture, this time on how the French make the most of the hottest season

Rocketing sales lead to new English bookshop in Nice

Increasing demand leads to new off-shoot of Librairie Masséna

August 2024: Catch up with French history: 10, 50 and 100 years ago

From Macron becoming the fresh face in government, to a tricky balancing act and the first 'Deaflympics'

Profile: Rémi Gaillard, master prankster and the French 'Dom Joly'

The internet trickster has had French audiences howling with laughter for more than two decades

France's Fête de la Rosière embraces modern values

This traditional festival now celebrates civic engagement, moving beyond its historical focus on virtue

Puy du Fou looks to open sister theme park in UK

The French historical park attracted 2.5 million visitors in 2023

How does living in France affect your English?

Forgetting some English is more common than you might think - in fact there is even a word for this

Five things to know to understand the French mindset

Why being polite means not being too friendly and arriving late is sometimes best

Five things they don’t tell you about… school kermesses in France

We look at how fundraisers for the local church turned into annual school parties that are a huge part of French village life

Films and series to watch to improve your French in July

Work on your language skills and celebrate the annual Fête du cinéma

Notre-Dame de Paris to reopen in December: what changes are planned?

From timed visits to a new designer wardrobe for the priests

Fête du cinéma to open with new adaptation of classic French novel

The 2024 event will feature 44 films including a mix of local and international releases

French heavy metal music festival launches kids spin-off

Organisers hope special event at Hellfest will inspire interest in the genre for 'the younger generation'

June 2024: Catch up with French history: 10, 50 and 100 years ago

From the presidency of François Hollande to that of Gaston Doumergue with an erotic film between them

Fête de la musique 2024: France’s giant June 21 street party

Musical performances up and down the country will celebrate the nation’s rich musical heritage

How France's Cluny abbey shone before its downfall

Do you know the story behind this majestic abbey's decadence and subsequent demise?

Paul McCartney announces two concerts in France at end of 2024

The events will form part of the Got Back tour which began in 2022

Iconic 'French liberty' painting returns to the Louvre

Symbol of France returns to museum after six months of repair work

French music legend Françoise Hardy dies at age of 80

The sixties singer was named as one of the best 200 singers of all-time by US magazine Rolling Stone

Watch: the UK and US celebrities that speak excellent French

From Johnny Depp to Serena Williams, listen to these English-speaking celebrities who have impressive level of French

5 films and series to watch to improve your French in June

From gruelling documentaries to heartwarming comedies, there is something for everyone on our list

4,700 menus showcasing the evolution of French diplomacy up for auction

Collection of over 4,700 menus showcases the evolution of French diplomacy

Explore French museums for free this Saturday evening

Giant game of Cluedo, escape games and many other unique events on offer as over 1,000 museums stay open late for La Nuit Européennes des Musées

Help choose ‘France’s favourite monument’

Pick your choice and tune in to the live final to see who wins the top spot

PHOTOS: See ideas from Paris' 123rd annual inventors’ contest

The ballpoint pen and the potato masher are among previous inventions shown at the Concours Lépine - which will win this year?

Priests prepare to bless hundreds of tractors in France

The tradition has its roots in the Rogation days of prayer and fasting in western Christianity - and is gaining in popularity

D-Day commemorations: What events are happening around France?

In France, do you know your porcherie from your pigeonnier?

These traditional structures have helped small-scale farmers source protein for hundreds of years

How to give one hour a month to your local community in France

Volunteers can help with activities ranging from gardening for a neighbour to helping out at a care home

French idea lets you read social media family news in print format

Printed compilation of online activity keeps older generation in touch

Fee to visit Mont-Saint-Michel rejected for other ways to ease crowds

‘People forget that it’s a commune; it’s a village. We can’t just introduce limits and stop citizens from coming and going,’ says the director

Chance to discover France’s opera houses - and music - for free

Opera weekend provides all-ages access to a different cultural world and the different workers behind performances

Five things they don’t tell you about... coffee in France

Adding milk can be more than just a spur of the moment choice in a French café

TV and films to improve your French in May

Star-studded comedies and Olympic Documentary are recent highlights

Museums, mothers and muguet: key dates to note in May in France

Dates of interest to put in your calendar for the next month

Opinion: Another week off – how I love living in France

One of the many things I adore about the French is their attitude to time off.

How to deal with small French village mentality

What can be done when that warm welcome from the locals begins to turn frosty?

Influence of war’s Vichy regime still present in France

Legislation introduced by the Vichy regime in World War Two is still being applied in France today according to an expert historian

Blades of Paris Moulin Rouge cabaret club mysteriously fall off

It was not a windy night and the blades are checked regularly, say managers

One of France’s main music festivals at risk of closure

‘If nothing changes the 2024 edition could be the last’ say organisers of Les Vieilles Charrues

What is the #PasDeVague movement in France?

A new film starring François Civil in cinemas focuses on viral social media movement, but what is it actually about?

Anniversary tributes for Jean de Florette and Manon des Sources author

April 18 marks the fiftieth anniversary of Marcel Pagnol’s death. Commemorations celebrating his life and work are taking place around the country

‘Beautiful’ Benjamin Franklin letter from France for sale in US

The founding father was in France to garner support for the American revolution

Eating faux-pas: habits to avoid when dining in France

From ignoring fellow guests to hogging the cheese board, we take a look at the ultimate no-nos when dining in France.

Why you won’t be hearing church bells much in France for a few days

A trip to Rome, a visit to the Vatican, and lots of chocolate eggs: Where the bells go at Easter

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 without even realising it. We look at some of the most common

French photographer who captured US history gets retrospective in Nice

The exhibition details how Henri Dauman made a name for himself without expensive equipment or even press accreditation

American photographer Annie Leibovitz honoured in France

The photographer is being inducted into the prestigious Académie des Beaux-Arts in Paris

Chalet from France’s Oscar favourite Anatomy of a Fall is on Airbnb

Film fans can stay the night in the chalet, immortalised in one of the year’s biggest French films

What would you include if compiling a quiz about France?

Columnist Nick Inman prepares a syllabus to help you become a French quiz whizz

6 films and series for February to improve your French

Dramas, thrillers, and cult comedies all make this month’s list

Must I take a course to become a tour guide in France?

There are various regulations dependent upon the precise role of a guide