Latest Articles
Le Papagayo: A nightmare in St Tropez
Le Papagayo: A nightmare in St Tropez - Mike booked a gig in the South of France. No one knew why or how he got the gig, but this was before the Internet, so no one could check what the club was like, what type of music it played, or who else had played there...
Self-Seasoning Lamb: The Salt-Marsh Sheep of Mont Saint-Michel
Recently, I visited Mont Saint-Michel with my wife and a friend from New York. The journey across the Brittany peninsula is a beautiful arrival to the awe-inspiring sight of the mount. Having been there multiple times, always during the off-season - I can't imagine the place with summer tourist crowds.
Secrets and Symmetry: Discovering the Paris Historical Axis (Part 2)
Monuments, Mysteries, and Masterpieces: A Journey Across the Grand Perspective of Paris. Secrets and Symmetry: Discovering the Paris Historical Axis
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
Le Papagayo: A nightmare in St Tropez
Le Papagayo: A nightmare in St Tropez - Mike booked a gig in the South of France. No one knew why or how he got the gig, but this was before the Internet, so no one could check what the club was like, what type of music it played, or who else had played there...
Drooling over Audrey Hepburn and her Givenchy wardrobe via Funny Face
I’m ashamed to admit that I had never watched any Audrey Hepburn movies until now, when I finally decided it was my time to see Funny Face. As soon as the title sequences began, I felt myself beaming. This movie is right up my alley in so many ways!
Provence: Finding the time for Creativity
Allowing ourselves time for creativity (whatever it is) is just so important
Escapades
Self-Seasoning Lamb: The Salt-Marsh Sheep of Mont Saint-Michel
Recently, I visited Mont Saint-Michel with my wife and a friend from New York. The journey across the Brittany peninsula is a beautiful arrival to the awe-inspiring sight of the mount. Having been there multiple times, always during the off-season - I can't imagine the place with summer tourist crowds.
Secrets and Symmetry: Discovering the Paris Historical Axis (Part 2)
Monuments, Mysteries, and Masterpieces: A Journey Across the Grand Perspective of Paris. Secrets and Symmetry: Discovering the Paris Historical Axis
Ten reasons to get lost in France in 2025: Off the beaten path
Ten reasons to get lost in France in 2025
Gastronomie
How Long is Too Long at the Table: The French Gastronomic Meal
I was discussing long lunches, with a village friend not long ago. Wait, she said. Let me show you. I saved some menus. After a rummage in an upstairs cupboard, she returned, and spread them out over the kitchen table.
Chavignol: The Wonder of Fromage – unveiling one French cheese at a time
Chavignol: The Loire Valley is undeniably goat cheese territory, with five AOP goat cheeses produced in the Centre region alone. But Chavignol stands out from many neighbors thanks to its subtle flavor laced with a hint of nuttiness. At a glance, it’s nothing if not approachable... but there’s far more to Chavignol than meets the eye.
Review: Le Comptoir et les Caves Legrand, 4 rue des Petits-Champs, Paris 2
The épicerie Legrand Filles et Fils opened in 1880. The street entry is on the rue de la Banque. Some years ago, a wine bar and restaurant opened in the back, bordering on and continuing into the historic and beautiful Galerie Vivienne.
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
Cultural Differences: Talking to Strangers in France
Talking to Strangers in France: Anna says: "Engaging with people is of huge interest to me. My late husband always said of me: "Anna collects people.”
Vive les Femmes! Celebrating the Powerful Women of France
When it comes to French history, men grab most of the headlines—people like Napoleon Bonaparte, Louis Pasteur, and King Louis XIV. But the history of France has also been marked by great women: rulers, scientists, artists, and more.
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
Vie Française
What Would You Take to France?
What Would You Take to France? People will bring anything from a favorite pair of jeans to a classic car when they move to France. I brought my guitar, my music, and my memories.
Why France? part un
Moving to France: Our 10-year anniversary in Paris is around the corner. I'm often asked how we ended up here. In a series of stories, I am sharing our journey to the City of Light and the lure of salted butter.
How the French Language Varies by Region – Part 2/4
Mathieu Avanzi has written an entertaining and deeply researched book, 'Comme On Dit Chez Nous', about the terms used in France for all sorts of things, from food to pencils to tires and more. It is witty and informative and comes with maps showing where different terms are used, including in the francophone regions of Belgium and Switzerland.
