Latest Articles
Lee Miller: An Extraordinary Life
Lee Miller: I was most inspired by her war correspondent photography, writing and activity in France during the Second World War in 1944 - 1945.
Interview: Paris transformations — Materially Speaking with Sarah Monk
Podcast: This spring Mike Axinn and I went to Paris to see how artisans are able to practice their craft in a vibrant, urban setting. We wanted to discover more about the relevance of traditional skills in a world of 21st-century technologies.
French recipes: Winter Vegan Minestrone Soup
This winter vegan minestrone soup, while it won’t win any beauty pageants, is one that makes your spoon heavy; it’s so loaded with vegetables and beans and pasta it’s basically a stew. You have to bring your face close to your bowl for the shortest possible journey to your mouth, a winter dish if ever there was one.
Features
How to experience France beyond the cliché.
Start here with this constantly refreshed selection of featured articles and series; all from our archives of more than 3,000 articles, and all written for Francophiles.
This is where you can immerse yourself in Guides to France, covering an enormous range from champagne, shoes, art, and literature, music, and philosophy, plus a focus on Paris and other amazing locations and so much more…
Dive in by making a selection – Amusez vous
Arts + Culture
Lee Miller: An Extraordinary Life
Lee Miller: I was most inspired by her war correspondent photography, writing and activity in France during the Second World War in 1944 - 1945.
Interview: Paris transformations — Materially Speaking with Sarah Monk
Podcast: This spring Mike Axinn and I went to Paris to see how artisans are able to practice their craft in a vibrant, urban setting. We wanted to discover more about the relevance of traditional skills in a world of 21st-century technologies.
Book review: The Little Paris Bookshop
The Little Paris Bookshop - The international bestseller, translated from German by Simon Pare. On a beautifully restored barge on the Seine, Jean Perdu runs a bookshop; or rather a 'literary apothecary'
Escapades
Marseille: A Coastal Visit — My Personal Guided Tour
Marseille has a lot to offer. These are just a few of my favorites. Walking all along the coast will give you another aspect of this beautiful city. I love it more and more each time I go. I hope that you do too!
Arcachon: A Seaside Gem on France’s Atlantic Coast
Arcachon: The gentle pace of life, combined with the spectacular natural surroundings, makes Arcachon a retreat for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Les Plus Beaux Villages de France: Villeneuve—Part 2/4
Villeneuve d’Aveyron is known for its petite arcaded square, imposing fortified gates, and sleek 12th-century church... I’ll be back for Françoise Hardy. Mais oui, you read me right.
Gastronomie
French recipes: Winter Vegan Minestrone Soup
This winter vegan minestrone soup, while it won’t win any beauty pageants, is one that makes your spoon heavy; it’s so loaded with vegetables and beans and pasta it’s basically a stew. You have to bring your face close to your bowl for the shortest possible journey to your mouth, a winter dish if ever there was one.
Beaujolais: The French Wine Region You Thought You Knew
This is not an article about Beaujolais Nouveau, the marketing phenom that took the world by purple storm several decades ago, when c’était la fête (it was party time) in restos and bars celebrating the “new wine” from one of France’s lesser-known regions that really needed a publicity boost. Its about the “Real Beaujolais” — wines of character and charm, beloved by other vignerons (winemakers) and wine insiders.
French Recipe: Fondant Potatoes with Duck Fat and Thyme
Fondant potatoes: In this land, duck is king. And of course, I haven’t mentioned duck confit in which duck legs are submerged in duck fat and gently cooked until melt-in-the-mouth tender. So, I took that duck confit and replaced it with a potato.
Mode + Beauté
The ultimate guide to the best pharmacies in Paris: become an expert!
Read our guide to the best pharmacies in Paris, and how to become an expert French pharmacy shopper
Yves Saint Laurent: 6 extraordinary exhibitions 60 years on
Celebrating the 60th anniversary of his 1st collection, a vast exhibition named 'Yves Saint Laurent aux musée' is being held in 6 Parisian museums
Where do French women buy shoes in Paris? – Insider Guide for shoe addicts – top 13 stores
Discover my top 13 shoe stores in Paris! Stop wondering where French women buy their shoes?
Reportage + Société
How France uncovered the mystery of forbidden photos of Nazi-occupied Paris
Mystery photographer: I recently came across this collection of WWII photos that were taken by a man and his wife who worked at the famous department store, Le Printemps during the occupation of France
French Political System Exploration: The Élysée Palace
The Élysée Palace: The First Republic didn’t care for a presidential palace. The revolutionaries, back in 1792, wanted no president, much less a king...
French Government Collapse: Barnier Expected To Lose Motion of No-Confidence.
The French Government: It took three months to cobble up a new French Government. Tomorrow, it could collapse entirely.
Vie Française
My Days in Paris: Anything but ordinary
Hammam in Paris: It’s an almost mystical experience without the hymns, ritual god-eating, and guilt. Sometimes called Moorish or Turkish baths, the hammam is a ritual that moves the client through ever-increasing temperatures and periods of relaxation, treatment, and socialization.
French Language and French Learning
How important is learning French in today’s world, in which English dominates in so many ways?
Cote d’Azur: Our Olive Tree Harvest
Our Olive Harvest: There is something quite magical about the taste of olive oil fresh from the press. The rich aromas, the grassy, buttery flavor, as you dip your baguette into the thick green-yellow oil, savouring the peppery, spicy aftertaste—it is an experience you will never forget.
