#rhone-river

#rhone-river

In summer 1936, the French government passed a law that mandated paid holiday, a move that kickstarted the exodus of northerners to the Med every August, and it became a true emblem of the French vacances.

Of the five mother sauces, velouté is extremely under-appreciated and not talked about enough. It's what we as Americans call gravy, which we know has so many various uses. Velouté, which means velvety in French, is made with a light roux (or a mixture of flour and fat, like butter), stock or broth, and some seasoning like salt and pepper, and a bay leaf.

The first round of local elections happens next Sunday (March 15th), with 34,000 communes, from tiny villages up to the major cities, heading out to elect the local mayors who play a huge part in shaping the life and infrastructure of each area.

In 2025 the University of Oregon concluded from their research that "... hot-water immersion produced measurable changes in inflammatory markers. These effects can persist beyond the session, suggesting a sustained health benefit." Long before this the Romans knew that a good soak in hot water had therapeutic benefits for the body and mind. Hot tubs, spas, aren't considered just a luxury anymore, they're great for wellbeing as well as for fun, family time and a lot of je ne sais quoi to life in France.

The festival of Pailhasses is one of France's most ancient carnival traditions. Celebrating the end of a longstanding rivalry with a neighbouring village, it has for more than 700 years allowed villagers to release frustrations before Lent. Its rituals are about strength, chasing and some form of attack. It is also notoriously secretive.

Since March 1st, 2026, an extra tax of €2 per item has applied to parcels imported from countries outside the European Union, in addition to standard customs duties. Here's how it works and who pays.

You can learn French in many ways - for instance from apps, cds, watching films and listening to the radio. But nothing fast‑tracks your learning like French immersion programs in France - especially when they're in the most amazing locations, with superb chateau accommodation and include the best wine and gastronomy and private tours... In an immersive programme, French becomes your language - not just for an hour a week, or even an hour a day if you're very disciplined, but of everyday life.

Suddenly, a strange, loud, rhythmic, prolonged noise, like the dying moan of an organ, then the dying wail of the breeze sighing in the cloisters, struck the indignant ears of the nuns with astonishment. The nuns all turned to stare at Sister Agnès, who in her embarrassment, tripped and let fly a spoonful of her chou pastry dough into a pot of boiling fat, and the doughnut-like pet de nonne, 'nun's fart' was born.

If you've ever walked a massive trade fair floor feeling overwhelmed by endless booths and brochures, you're not alone. But ProWein Düsseldorf is changing the game, and it's about time. The world's leading wine and spirits fair just announced a major evolution for 2026: the Insights to Action (I2A) Framework. And no, this isn't another buzzword-heavy initiative. It's a data-backed, visitor-focused system designed to make B2B wine buying smarter, faster, and far more efficient.

When it comes to visiting France, Paris gets most of the attention, but don't overlook the country's gorgeous small towns. In these quaint destinations, many accessible by train, you can exchange the bustle of the city for wide-open beaches, mountain trails, medieval castles, and sprawling vineyards. From the French-German border to the Mediterranean coast to the mountainous intersection of France, Italy, and Switzerland, these small towns and villages (all home to less than 15,000 people) offer a slower pace and warm French hospitality.

Saint-Jorioz in Haute-Savoie will provide a springtime lift for your spirits. On the shore of Lake Annecy, it's a short bus ride from the city of Annecy, but less busy and with superior lake and mountain views. Hike to the surrounding peaks, towards the lesser-known Col de l'Arpettaz, or cycle on the excellent greenways. Relax by the cool blue alpine water. Behind you lies the underrated Les Bauges Unesco Geopark. The department only joined France in 1860, and has its own Italian-influenced regional cuisine.

Naivety is an important quality to have when you start out, dreaming big and aiming high. But there are some important realities you should know before you begin.

Running a gîte in France is a fantastic way of generating income, whether you just want to top up your pension, make your second home pay its bills, or run a serious business to live from. Whilst there is a general description of what a gîte is, there are many variations and target groups to match. What choices are you going to make in creating a gîte? Rupert Springfield from Gîte Guru walks us through some of the choices in the

Visiting France is often associated with great food, beautiful cities, and a strong sense of style. But what many travelers discover quickly is that daily life in France is guided by a set of unwritten etiquette rules. These rules are not about being overly polite or friendly at all costs. They are about showing respect for others, for shared spaces, and for social boundaries.

Whether you're thinking of moving for work, for political reasons - and the French are very sympathetic to Americans' situation - or for love (of a person or of croissants), here's our checklist of how to move to France as an American Checklist: How to move to France as an American Is there a legal way of avoiding inheritance tax in France by passing your property onto your children while you're still alive?