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Time-travelling back to the Middle Ages in France

In this special history episode of French Connections Plus, we put the spotlight on what has come to be seen as a dark period: the Middle Ages. The era known as "le Moyen Âge" in French covered some 1,000 years: ten centuries of political upheaval, royal intrigue, wars, disease and…

France 24 · May 25, 2023

Presidential powers: Is it time for a Sixth Republic in France?

In this edition of French Connections, we focus on a debate that comes up repeatedly in France: does the French president have too much power and if so, should France change its current political system, known as the Fifth Republic? Recently, this question has been back in the spotlight after…

France 24 · Apr 13, 2023

Taking a bite out of Lyon, the French and worldwide capital of gastronomy

Located in east-central France, the city of Lyon is famous for its food. Join Florence Villeminot and Genie Godula as they go to a typical local restaurant – known as a "bouchon" – which serves traditional Lyonnaise cuisine, hearty meals where offal is a star and wine is served by…

France 24 · Mar 3, 2023

Spotlight on Mont-Saint-Michel, France's treasured tidal island

In this episode of French Connections, we put the spotlight on one of France’s most famous national monuments: the Mont-Saint-Michel. "The Medieval City on a Rock" is an architectural marvel in Normandy that attracts around 3 million visitors a year. So what's the history of this mystical place? Mont-Saint-Michel is…

France 24 · Oct 20, 2022

French gastronomy: Is Paris an exception to the rule?

Wherever you go in France, a vast variety of dishes reflect the history and identity of each region. But while the capital is the heart of cultural life in France, with some of the best restaurants in the world, people don't usually associate Paris with a particular dish. And yet,…

France 24 · Sep 29, 2022

The 'Nouvelle Vague' and French cinema: An 'exception' that needs protecting

The death of Franco-Swiss filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard earlier this month provoked an outpouring of emotion in France. He was arguably the most iconic member of the French New Wave, one of the most influential movements in film history and one that made a mark on generations of filmmakers around the…

France 24 · Sep 22, 2022

Exploring stereotypes about France and the French

As regular viewers will know, French Connections is all about exploring the intricacies of life in France and tearing apart common clichés about the French. There are indeed many stereotypes. Always fascinating, frequently baffling, France is a country that non-French people often like to reduce to preconceived notions. So what…

France 24 · Aug 26, 2022

Do the French deserve their reputation of being aggressive drivers?

France is famous around the world for its beautiful sights and delicious food, but it’s also infamous for its aggressive drivers. The French are the first to admit that it can things can get hairy on the roads, especially in Paris. From drivers speeding to those who give the finger,…

France 24 · Jun 23, 2022

France votes again: What's at stake in the legislative elections?

This week, we explore the upcoming French legislative elections, the so-called "third round" of the presidential race. This time, French voters are electing 577 MPs to the Assemblée nationale, the lower house of parliament. Though arguably just as important as the race for the Élysée Palace, turnout tends to be…

France 24 · Jun 8, 2022

Going underground: The ins and outs of the Paris metro

We focus on one of the most iconic features of life in the French capital: not the Eiffel Tower or Notre-Dame Cathedral, but the Paris underground metro network. How has it evolved since it was first inaugurated 120 years ago? And how is it dealing with current challenges like the…

France 24 · May 26, 2022