The Paris Dream – Immersing Yourself in the Culture
What happens when you have a people who are fiercely proud of their culture and a person who is fiercely proud of their individuality? …
romance
The Legal Implications of Getting Married in France
You’ve found the love of your life and want to get married in France? There are a few legal matters you should be aware of before tying the knot in one of the most romantic countries in the world!…
Muguet – a May Day Tradition Dating Back to 1561
The 1st of May in France is a holiday to celebrate labour day, and it also carries the even older tradition of offering a sprig of muguet. But what does it mean?
Tarte à la rhubarbe
With the rhubarb season well under way, tempt your taste buds with this delicious recipe for Tarte à la rhubarbe with a Norman twist… Calva and crème fraîche!
Film review: Paper Soul
Director: Vincent Lanoo Starring: Stéphane Guillon, Julie Gayet Cert: TBC Running time: 100 mins This festive charmer opens with hangdog eulogy writer Paul (played by Stéphane Guillon) picking up his cheque after another funeral where his specially crafted – and perhaps over-frank and…
Film review: Stroller Strategy
Stroller Strategy Director: Clément Michel Cert: TBC Running time: 88 mins In a bid to reconquer the girl of his dreams, Thomas Platz (Raphaël Personnaz), will have to come up with a truly ingenious plan, convincing Marie (Charlotte Le Bon) that he’s genuinely changed and that…
VIDEO UPDATE: Inheritance Law Changes in France
Video update: An expert weighs in on what action should be taken by owners of French property in view of the inheritance law changes in France on the application of the 2015 EU rules.
Interview with an Armagnac expert: “passion and epicurean style is key”
We interview Eric Sendra, owner of Vins, Adour & Fantaisies, a retailer of gourmet wines, spirits and delicatessen goods. Based in southwest France, his cellars include the world’s widest Armagnac catalogue with more than 1,000 references to brandies produced as long ago as 1888.
Interview: Richard Ayoade Talks French Cinema
Director, actor, comedian and author Richard Ayoade is a French ‘New Wave’ cinema addict. He speaks exclusively to Florence Derrick about France and the ‘Nouvelle Vague’.
Film review: Le Week-End
Le Week-End Director: Roger Michell Cert: 15 Running time: 93 mins When Meg (Duncan) and Nick (Broadbent) Burrows return to Paris to celebrate their 30th anniversary, you can be sure that some things will have changed since they honeymooned in this most romantic…
Learning French: How to ask a question
VIDEO: in this episode of her popular Comme une Française series, Géraldine helps us with a simple way to ask a question in French. In each of six different way to phrase a question there is a subtle change in the degree of politeness that is appropriate to each situation.
Secret gardens of the Loire: La Chatonnière
Head to the heart of the Loire, where a château visit rewards you not with one garden but 12. La Chatonnière in Azay-le Rideau has an ecelectic range of beautiful jardins, including the Garden of Fragrance and the intriguing Theatre of Impertinence.
We’ve Chosen the Winner of Our Photography Competition!
We’re happy to announce that Pia Jakobsen’s photograph of children playing among water fountains at one of the French Riviera’s most popular attractions has been named the winner of our photographic competition. Pia, a software engineer and avid amateur photographer from Oslo,…
How to order a coffee in France
VIDEO: we understand how challenging it can be to get through the simplest things in a foreign language. In this episode of Comme Une Française TV, we learn how to order a coffee in France.
Film review: Le Jour Se Lève
Le Jour Se Lève Director: Marcel Carné Cert: PG Running time: 91 mins To mark 75 years since it was released, Marcel Carné’s outright classic comes to DVD and Blu-Ray in all of its restored, uncut cinematic glory. This gorgeous…
The Game of Pétanque, a French Institution
Pétanque is one of the most popular pastimes in France and can trace its origins to Provence, where it goes hand in had with animated conversation and an apéritif. The goal is to throw steel balls as close as possible to a small wooden ball called the cochonnet in an attempt to knock the opponent’s boules out of the way.
Film review: Attila Marcel
Director: Sylvain Chomet Starring: Guillaume Gouix, Anne Le Ny, Bernadette Lafont Cert: 12A Running time: 106 mins This first live-action feature from the director of French animated classics Belleville Rendezvous and The Illusionist is an interesting transition into the ‘real world’.…
An Ode to Romantic French Men
We are all well-versed in the notion that French women don’t get fat. They are also the epitome of chic and have the best, unfussiest hairstyles on earth. With so many articles and books written about the style, elegance, and chicness of…
Paris Posts People’s Valentine Messages on City Billboards
For days people have been entering Valentine’s Day message of 160 characters addressed to the object of their affection and today, February 14, it’s all about romance in Paris as the messages are displayed all day on the city’s public information billboards.
Fifty shades of French: words of love and intimacy
What could be more romantic than a few sweet nothings whispered softly in the language of love? Here are some key French words and phrases.
Book Extract: A French Romance
Can the English be as romantic as the French? Author Julia Stagg shares a delicious tale of French romance in the mountain village of Fogas, where the characters already feel like family.
The best gardens and parks of Paris
At times we all need to escape the frenetic pace of city life, and luckily France’s capital has no end of green spaces. Read on to discover Florence Derrick’s top three parks in which to steal a breath of fresh air in Paris.
Up in Smoke: Paris Revokes Ban on Log Fires
Keeping the flame alive! Cosy evenings in Paris by a crackling fireplace are back in the game as Paris Prefecture kills ban on open fires
Bordeaux Wine 2014: A Vintage to Remember
Good news: late September sun has resulted in a “rare” year. All types, red, white, rosé and dessert wines have benefited from the extended kiss of sunshine.
A French Finishing Touch for Your Christmas Table
No matter how prepared you are, those thoughftul final details make all the difference. Find inspiration in these simple and effective ideas.
French Prison Opens Its Doors to Non-cons
La Santé, one of most notorious prisons in France whose former guests include Jacques Mesrine and Manuel Noriega, recently opened its otherwise impenetrable doors to the public ahead of a four-year refurbishment programme. The always excellent Andrew Hussey, who lives in the Montparnasse…
Home sweet home: Bertinet’s French patisserie
Renowned Breton baker Richard Bertinet is back with a stunning new guide to simple pastries and desserts that you can make at home. He talks exclusively to Florence Derrick about his inspiration and favourite recipes.
Film review: A Perfect Plan
A Perfect Plan Director: Pascal Chaumeil Cert: 15 Running time: 104 mins Despite its strong cast led by Diane Kruger and Dany Boon this romantic comedy is let down by an implausible plot, flitting between forgivably silly and downright ludicrous.…
10 of the best French foods
10 of the best: French classics ◗ Baguette – It goes without saying, but you can never tire of this most français of French staples. When in France, don’t go a day without one… ◗ Crêpes – These thin Breton pancakes…
First date with a Frenchman
First dates can be nerve-wracking enough, but cooking a three-course French dinner for a Frenchman can turn into a downright disaster – as Cathe learnt the hard way!
Good French wine for under 5 Euros
Is it possible to buy a bottle of good quality French wine for under 5 Euros? Here’s one suggestion, but tell us about your favourites
Why do we love Dijon Mustard?
I grew up on mustard and always had it in a simple vinaigrette with oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. The beauty was that the dressing could be made as mild or powerful as us children could stand. I remember that, as a kid,…
Calling All Bloggers: Tell Us about Your Favourite French Village
To celebrate the upcoming launch of our new network of Community Contributors –our growing network of writers– we are offering you exposure for your blog plus the chance to win a bottle of Gosset champagne worth £40!
Is nothing sacred!? Foodtrucks are loving it in France
First the hamburger chains, now the food trucks. Well, I’m passing the smelling salts for those of you of a sensitive disposition, but I’m afraid French consumers are taking to street food like there’s no lendemain.
C’est magnifique! France is at the top of the world
France has the magic. The proof is in the gatêaux. Once again, according to a study released yesterday, France came up in first place as the world’s most visited country. And the French are delighted with the news. So why…
Shabby Chic: French Style Born in the USA
So many things today are labelled shabby chic. The style is everywhere and usually thought to have originated in France – hence the term ‘French shabby chic‘. It might therefore be surprising to learn that the concept actually began in…
10-second CV: François Cluzet
Name: François Cluzet Born: 21 September 1955 Early career: Growing up in Paris, Cluzet was inspired to act from a young age, his father taking him on weekly outings to the theatre. He made his stage debut in 1976, soon…
Film review: Journal de France
Journal de France Director: Raymond Depardon, Claudine Nougaret Cert: 12A Running time: 100 mins Raymond Depardon is one of France’s most esteemed photographers and latterly a filmmaker of note. After starting his career as a photojournalist in the early 1960s,…
Love, Marriage and Property in France
These days, with marriage rates at their lowest ever, if you are moving to France there is a tax-efficient alternative to marriage available.
Our 5 favourite romantic French films
When the French do romance on film, it’s not just rom com-mon, it’s l’amour! Here is a selection of our favourite romantic French films, as voted by the members of FrenchFilmClub.com …
And Now for the Real Saint Valentine…Drumroll…
With a “lover’s garden”, a “wish tree” and “love post office” this village in the Indre region has found its way to our hearts.
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French seasonal dish …raclette
In our continuing series of delicious recipes using a seasonal star ingredient, for January British chef in France, Chris Lacey, rustles up a quick Menu Rapide and a slower A La Carte dish with tasty raclette cheese
French Word of the Week: “Ennui”
For all the good intentions and inescapable cheer, the holidays can be followed by indefinable hollowness. There’s no need to fight the feeling; you can wear it with style and choose to view it as a trés chic état d’esprit.
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VOIP, cheaper phone bills – how to reduce your costs in France
Many companies are now offering services to enable you to use your computer to speak to anyone in the world for free via your Internet connection. With a little coordination amongst your friends and family, it is very easy to set up…
Too much romance in Paris
Commitment is not always a ball and chain; in Paris it’s a padlock. On the Pont des Arts, thousands of romantic couples lock their promise to the railings of the bridge creating a dilemma for the authorities.
Photo tours and workshops in Paris
The small team behind Better Paris Photos is powered by a love for photography, a fascination for Paris, and most importantly a passion for helping others experience both of them together.
Prolong That Valentine’s Feeling with Our Macaron Challenge
Warning: if you read to the end of the post you may experience an unexplained craving for fluffy french delicacies.
Romantic French Bedrooms
A French style bedroom evokes thoughts of love and romance and with good reason. Colors and textures balance each other in a sumptuous invitation to the senses.
Photo Opportunity! Win a Limited Edition Poster worth over 400 Euros
Capture the French Christmas spirit on camera to win an exquisite Art Deco limited edition poster courtesy of Pullman Limited Editions!
Le Parc Australien
This family friendly leisure park in Carcassonne (Languedoc-Roussillon) is run by a team passionate about all things Australian! Inside, you’ll meet animals like the kangaroo, the wallaby, the possum, the emu and the ostrich.
