Visitors to Normandy American Cemetery must soon book in advance With more than one million visitors last year, the cemetery is one of the region’s most-visited D-Day sites
Easter traditions across France: From rattles and hooded processions to giant omelettes Regional Pâques celebrations highlight France’s cultural diversity
Photos: 94 chateaux open their doors to visitors in Dordogne The fifth Chateaux en Fête festival offers a chance to look around many impressive properties that are usually private
practical How to save money on cultural activities in France Including access to books, cinema and theatre tickets
Ballet lessons bring health benefits to over-55s in France Online classes with the Silver Swans are transforming lives of older adults
Chauvet cave in south of France is slowly revealing its secrets 3D technology is revolutionising our understanding of 36,000-year-old paintings in the Chauvet Cave in Ardèche
How does France’s April Fools’ Day differ from that in UK or US? It is in schools where we see a real French peculiarity
Five famous April Fools' pranks played on the French public The French media have pulled some classic ‘poissons d’Avril’ - here are five of the best
Festivals, holidays and places to visit in France in April 2025 Including a gladiator battle in a Roman arena, an international garden festival and the Paris marathon
From Cézanne to the Césars: four French art and culture recommendations Impressionist masterpieces in Aix-en-Provence, a stylish Louvre exhibition, and a crime series to watch
How France looks after its historical treasures Emmanuel Pénicaut, director of collections at Mobilier national, explains the organisation’s vital role
English-language poets in France showcased in new anthology 29 poets from a stanza group worked together on the collection
Pete Doherty’s new song is ode to Normandy (and making Calvados) The track is inspired by the reformed rocker’s French home
Photos: Paris exhibition explores what people do alone at home Behind the curtain: L’Intime Expo takes a fascinating look at people's private lives
Key cultural and practical dates in France this February Dates for your diary: half-term school holidays, la Chandeleur, the French census deadline and more
Why this French department wants to change name and what it could become Two new names are on the shortlist
Photos: The French destinations named unmissable in 2025 by the New York Times Two areas in France have been highlighted in the new ranking
Do foreign people living in France get free entry to museums? France’s ‘national museums’ are run by the state with certain people able to access them for free
Photos: These are France’s top five most visited national monuments in 2024 How many have you been to?
Experts share top five recommendations for discovering French comics as an adult First-time readers of bandes dessinées might want to start with this list of suggestions
British illustrator is a star in the Franco-Belgian world of comics We speak to Posy Simmonds MBE, winner of one of the most prestigious awards for graphic novelists
Discover the capital of comics books in the west of France We hear from the advisers of Angoulême's museum ahead of the festival which runs from January 29 to February 2
French cinema’s 2024 performance makes it unique in world France was the only country in which cinema attendance increased
The world’s oldest cave paintings discovered 30 years ago in France A special visit is being held at the reproduction of the ‘prehistoric Sistine Chapel’
Train set and other objects belonging to Charles de Gaulle sold at auction The auction comes after a historical exhibition that included ‘the most important manuscript in French history’ as well as a vintage train set from the Soviet Union
Photos: Magical images as Lyon launches its 25th Fête des Lumières Stunning light shows take place in the evenings at 32 different venues
Ancient Gaulish village unearthed in south-west France Discoveries by local farmers spark significant archaeological excavations, revealing a fortified settlement
What are some good radio shows to learn about French culture? France places pride on its cultural output, and this is reflected on the radio
A Corsican drink is 'behind the creation' of Coca-Cola, researchers claim A new owner of brand is leading the fight with the US giant for recognition
Americans were biggest foreign donors to Notre Dame restoration after fire Two foundations donated $10 million each in wake of devastating 2019 fire
Wokisme, vegan: The ‘new’ words added to French dictionary The latest edition of the dictionary has taken decades to create and publish
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»: 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
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
Explore the idyllic Normandy village that inspired a tragic literary masterpiece Shortlisted as one of France’s favourite villages, Ry was also the setting for Flaubert’s Madame Bovary
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
Creative workshops boom in France as people flock to write Millions are finding inspiration and community in affordable, diverse courses across French cities
Michel Blanc, often described as France’s Woody Allen, dies aged 72 The actor became a household name for his performances in the Les Bronzés films
31-year treasure hunt for €150,000 golden owl in France is resolved Second-longest treasure hunt in world ends after statue unearthed in France
Strikes, French property tax deadlines: Key dates in October The month sees several administrative changes - as well as a celebration of French architecture
Van Gogh’s final years exhibition extended for another year It will be closed from September 30 to October 18 for additional works to be hung
Foires et fêtes d'automne: get ready for feasting, fun and French food at its finest Mellow fruitfulness awaits as French towns and cities play host to celebrations of local produce and funfairs
Feminist remake of Emmanuelle erotic film opens in French cinemas ‘I was interested in exploring taboo subjects such as women's sexuality and nudity’ against the backdrop of the #MeToo movement, says the leading actress
French illusionist explores the magical spirit of the City of Light Fabrice Ferra shares why ‘the essence of illusionism goes way beyond language and culture’
Favourite monument in France: which won the 2024 contest? The rather unusual ‘monument’ won out over chateaux, a villa, and grand gardens
Has tomb of French poet Joachim du Bellay been found 500 years on? Some researchers are convinced that the tomb belongs to the ‘missing’ Renaissance poet
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
