French connections

For many French people, passing the national end-of-high-school exam, known as the Baccalaureate or "Bac", is an important rite of passage. The French love to brag about the "Bac" and how difficult it is, since this implies French pupils are smart. But with so many people passing the diploma, has it lost its value? Recently, the government completely reformed the Bac to make it a "springboard to success". Will it retain its egalitarian – albeit stressful – appeal? We take a closer look in this edition of French Connections.

France is the birthplace of cinema. Some 130 years later, the love of the silver screen is still very strong. The state has set up a special system to promote, protect and finance French films. Thanks to this system, France releases a large number of quality films that wouldn't otherwise be made, enabling them to compete with Hollywood. Join us as we take a deep dive into le cinéma français.

In this French Connections Plus, Genie Godula and Florence Villeminot continue their tour of Paris with a stop in a once-gritty, now-trendy district: the 12th arrondissement. Situated in the east of the French capital, the area was exempt from taxation for generations, making it a haven for both artisans and incredible markets like the marché d'Aligre, one of the oldest in Paris. The 12th is filled with culture and history as well. The incredible Bastille opera house was built to celebrate the bicentennial of the French revolution, right near the site of the prison where it began. Join us on a tour of Paris's largest arrondissement: the 12th. 

Paris is a popular tourist destination and many people dream about moving to the City of Light permanently. But how much does it actually cost to live in the French capital? Paris is not only the most expensive place to live in France, it's one of the world's priciest cities to reside in. Whether it's food, entertainment, healthcare, transport or most importantly housing, the cost of living is high. Why is it so pricey? And what are public officials doing to try to stop the city from turning into a ghetto for the wealthy? We take a closer look in this edition of French Connections.

In this edition of French Connections Plus, Genie Godula and Florence Villeminot continue their tour of Paris with a stop in one the capital's most sophisticated arrondissements: the 7th. The area is rich with political and military history and filled with monuments like the Eiffel Tower and the gold-domed Invalides, where Napoleon is buried. It's also rich, full stop! The 7th has been home to the French upper classes since the 17th century and that opulence is reflected in its many mansions that now house embassies and museums. Join us on a tour of the sophisticated 7th arrondissement!

Like other historically Catholic countries, France is a big fan of Easter, which is known here as Pâques. Traditionally, families gather for a big meal that usually involves lamb in some form. French children go on egg hunts, but flying bells – not the Easter bunny – deliver chocolate treats. Meanwhile, public religious ceremonies are common across the country, but how is that compatible with France's strict secular laws? We take a closer look in this edition of French Connections.

Considered the standard bearer for haute cuisine, France's Michelin Red Guide is the oldest hotel and restaurant guide in Europe. Its annual release is like the Oscars of gastronomy, sparking a major media frenzy and fierce debates about which chefs have won and lost the coveted "stars". So how does the guide rate restaurants? And is it too competitive? We take a closer look in this edition of French Connections.

In this edition of French Connections Plus, Genie Godula and Florence Villeminot continue their tour of Paris with a stop in one of the most beautiful and exciting arrondissements of the capital: the fourth. This district has so much packed into it! It's where you'll find City Hall, Notre-Dame Cathedral and museums like the Centre Pompidou. The 4th is also home to Le Marais, a trendy neighbourhood known for its historic charm and vibrant cultural scene. Join us as we explore the iconic landmarks and hidden gems in this must-visit arrondissement of the French capital.

This week, we're focusing on citizenship. France is one of the more generous nations in Europe when it comes to granting citizenship to foreigners living there. But what does it take to become one? We break down the different paths to citizenship and the advantages that come once you've jumped through all the administrative hoops.

This week, we take a step back and look at France on the international stage. For a relatively small country, France wields a lot of diplomatic power and has so for centuries. French was once considered the language of diplomacy. But France has arguably been losing ground on the international stage in recent years. Its image has been degraded, for instance, in former colonies in Africa where it was once a key player and this impacts its credibility and influence. It begs the question: is France's status dropping? How can France continue to matter on the world stage?

In this French Connections Plus, Genie Godula and Florence Villeminot continue their tour of Paris with a stop in the 2nd arrondissement, a district that's always been somewhat sandwiched between the Louvre-focused 1st arrondissement and the Marais. Home to the city's garment district Sentier, show-stopping venues like the Grand Rex and the Opéra Comique, it was also here that you could historically find the most luxurious brothels in the French capital. Join us as we explore the smallest and most eclectic arrondissement of Paris: le deuxième.

This week, we focus on a stereotype about France: that of it being a country on strike all the time. The joke goes that striking, "faire grêve", is a national sport. While it's certainly an important part of French history, are the French really world striking champions or is it just a cliché? And what do the French themselves think about this reputation? Find out in this episode of French Connections.

French people love comic books, known as bandes dessinées. That means that the "BD" industry is booming. Graphic novels are such an important part of French culture that there are several festivals around the country, including the prestigious Angoulême International Comics Festival. In the past few years, the place of women in the comic book world has been in the spotlight. After being underrepresented in the industry for decades, change is now underway. Finally, we take a closer look at France's attachment to satire in the graphic form.

In this edition of French Connections Plus, Genie Godula and Florence Villeminot continue their tour of Paris with a stop in one of the most upscale and least touristy districts of the French capital: the 16th arrondissement. Its wide avenues offer an elegant escape from the craziness of the city. The 16th also boasts incredible architecture, the most museums of any district in Paris and the massive Bois de Boulogne park that's home to the French Open. Join us on a tour of this refined arrondissement, which embodies the timeless elegance Paris is known for.

French is a notoriously hard language to learn. On top of that, the textbook French you learn in a classroom and the everyday French you hear on the street are two very different things. If you want to fit in with the locals, watch this week's French Connections show, where Florence Villeminot fills you in on some slang – and the ubiquitous "verlan" – to spice up your vocabulary. You can say "cimer" later.

Located in the Mediterranean Sea, Corsica is known as the "island of beauty". It's had a tumultuous relationship with the mainland since it became French in the 18th century and separatist sentiment still runs deep. In recent years, there has been growing momentum towards more autonomy for the island, but what would that mean for Corsicans? We take a closer look in this edition of French Connections.

Join FRANCE 24 as we take a look at how we celebrate "Noël", or Christmas, in France. French people tend to have a big family lunch on Christmas Day, but the big event is in fact on Christmas Eve. Called the "réveillon de Noël", it involves eating traditional French dishes like oysters, foie gras, chestnut-stuffed turkey and a delicious log-shaped cake. Essentially, celebrating Christmas in France is all about eating until you pop. Joyeux Noël!

France is famous, and at times infamous, for its bulky bureaucracy. Some go so far as to call it a civil servant's paradise. French "fonctionnaires" are said to have a sweet deal compared to private sector workers. So just what are the perks? Meanwhile, critics claim the system is bulky and expensive. How much do France's "fonctionnaires" cost the state? Is the “fonctionnaire bashing” merited?

Notre-Dame Cathedral is reopening to the public after a devastating fire nearly destroyed it in 2019. Much more than a place of worship or a popular tourist destination, Notre-Dame reflects the heart and soul of the capital and in many ways its history mirrors that of the capital. In this show, Florence Villeminot brings you some fun facts about what Parisians lovingly call “la vieille dame” or “the old lady”.

In this French Connections Plus, Genie Godula and Florence Villeminot continue their tour of Paris with a stop in the lesser-known 13th arrondissement. It lies in the southeastern corner of the city and was annexed into the French capital in 1860 by Napoleon III. Most Parisians today know the 13th for its enormous Chinatown or its famous animation school, Les Gobelins. But the area has a lot more to offer and there's an interesting backstory to how it became the capital's 13th arrondissement.

The French have the reputation of being romantic. There's even the cliché that they are sexually liberated and good lovers. But what are their sex lives really like? The answer is quite surprising. According to a new study by France's National Institute of Health, the French are having sex less frequently and starting later in life than in previous decades. But they are also reporting more sexual satisfaction. In this week's show, Florence Villeminot takes a sneak peek at French bedroom habits.

In this edition of French Connections Plus, Genie Godula and Florence Villeminot continue their tour of Paris with a stop in the eastern 20th arrondissement. They take us to the birthplace of French singing icon Edith Piaf and visit one of the most famous cemeteries in the world, Père-Lachaise – the final resting place of Molière, Chopin, Sarah Bernhardt, Jim Morrison and so many others.

After football and fishing, France's third-favourite pastime is hunting. The ancestral activity is divisive today, with passions running high between those who defend hunting traditions and a growing number of animal rights activists. Though the hunting lobby is strong, a majority of French people have an unfavourable view of hunting. Many are concerned about safety. The government has been on a mission to reduce hunting accidents. But is it working? We take a closer look in this edition of French Connections.

Buckle up! In this week's show, FRANCE 24's Florence Villeminot takes you on a spin to discover driving culture in Paris. The French capital is famous around the world for its beautiful sights and towering monuments, but it also has the reputation of being one of the worst places to drive. Parisian drivers are the first to admit it can be quite a harrowing experience. Over the years, the Paris authorities have taken steps to limit traffic in the capital and on its ring road known as "le périph". Meanwhile, alternative modes of transportation like cycling are becoming easier. So is a transport revolution underway?

The hill of Montmartre is the highest point in Paris. The former suburb of the French capital benefited from the freedom of being outside the city limits, making it a playground for artists, libertines and bons vivants. In this edition of French Connections Plus, Genie Godula and Florence Villeminot uncover the dark history behind the wedding cake basilica of the Sacré-Cœur, visit the oldest vineyard in Paris and learn how to cancan backstage at the Moulin Rouge.

In this week's show, we focus on a stereotype about the French, backed up by statistics: that they are the world champions of pessimism. That cliché seems to have been turned on its head by the 2024 Olympics, when the notoriously cynical French seemed to turn into a celebratory, fun-loving people. It begs the question: are the French suddenly happy? And if not, what are they so glum about and why?

In the wake of snap parliamentary elections called in June, President Emmanuel Macron took his time naming a prime minister. In this week's show, we take a closer look at how France's political institutions work: what are the respective roles of the president and the prime minister? How is power shared at the top? And does the French President have too much power?

France is famous for many things, but one of the first that comes to mind is food. The country boasts hundreds of cheeses, sophisticated dishes and incredible wines, but the cherry on top of French gastronomy is all its delicious desserts. France is a sweet-lover's paradise, with shops full of fabulous pastries at nearly every street corner. Where does this savoir-faire come from? Genie Godula and Florence Villeminot find out more in this episode of French Connections Plus, where they get a class in macaron making from world-famous pastry chef Pierre Hermé.

Pull out your sunscreen, sunglasses and bathing suits, in this week's show Florence Villeminot and Genie Godula take you to the beach! With its 5,500 kilometers of coastline, France is a beach goers paradise. There is something for everyone, as the mainland is blessed with four distinct coastlines – the North Sea, the English Channel, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Mediterranean Sea. How do French people behave at the beach? What do they eat? And what do they wear (or not wear)?

In this week's episode, climb aboard an institution in France: the TGV. The high-speed bullet train is an important part of the French landscape that's been connecting the far flung parts of the country for over 40 years. The first journey of a TGV was inaugurated by President Francois Mitterrand in September 1981. Not only was it an industrial feat, it revolutionised modern train travel and decentralised the country. So what does the TGV of the future look like and can it keep France's state-owned railway company, the SNCF, on track against growing competition?

This week we take a deep dive into the national institution that is France's postal service. The French are very attached to "La Poste", though they love to complain about it too, and its evolution mirrors changes in society. Come rain or shine, postal workers in their trademark daffodil-yellow vehicles have delivered mail 24/7, making them some of France's favourite people, just after their bakers. But like in other countries, with the development of other forms of communication such as email and text messaging, fewer and fewer people are sending letters. So how is La Poste adapting to these tectonic shifts? FRANCE 24's Florence Villeminot has been finding out.

When you think of Paris, you probably think of the Eiffel Tower, the Seine or the Mona Lisa. But there's so much more to the capital than its greatest hits. In this edition of French Connections Plus, Genie Godula and Florence Villeminot take you to some of Paris's lesser-known tourist attractions that are definitely worth a visit and fill you in on some fun facts and figures about the French capital. They take you on a trip along the Canal Saint-Martin with boat captain Hilbren Buys and also give you the lowdown on some secret treasures just under your feet.

There is currently a debate in France about reforming the country's public TV and radio stations. We wanted to take this occasion to remind you about who we are and where we come from. Created in 2006, FRANCE 24 is part of a bigger entity called France Medias Monde, along with its international sister radio station RFI and the Arabic-language radio station MCD. Why was the channel launched in the first place? What is our budget? And who watches us? Florence Villeminot and Genie Godula take a look at how FRANCE 24 fits into the media landscape, as well as its driving philosophy.

In this week's show, we focus on working life in France, or rather the time that French people take off work. The French have the reputation of being on vacation a lot. Compared to other countries, France is very generous when it comes to annual leave. So what's behind this phenomenon? On top of paid holidays, there are extra days off as well. All this begs the question: how does anybody get any work done?

Freshly back from maternity leave, FRANCE 24's Florence Villeminot shares her insights about having a baby in France. While the number of births in the country is dropping, France remains one of the better performers within the European Union. One of the reasons is its healthcare system, "la Sécurité sociale", which covers the bulk of the cost of having a baby. A key player in the whole process is someone called a "sage-femme" – a little-known profession outside of France. We also look at attitudes towards breastfeeding and an iconic toy that is a must in terms of baby gifts.

While "au revoir" is the most common way to say goodbye in French, we take a look at some of the other ways to bid farewell. From the regional "boujou", to "salut", to "à toute", we look at the spoken – and written – ways of saying goodbye in France. We also dive into some French traditions, from retirement parties to final farewells.

Have you heard of "La France moche", or ugly France? In this episode, we discuss how the expression is often used to describe shopping centres on the outskirts of French towns and cities. We also find out how the government wants to beautify these areas, which are particularly popular with French shoppers.

With more than 3 million private swimming pools, France has more "piscines" than any other nation in Europe. We find out why the sector has been booming for years and how the government is using AI to crack down on illegal pools. We also look into the challenges, benefits and heritage of France's public swimming pools.  

With "les Jeux", or the Olympic Games, just around the corner, we discuss France's love of all sorts of other games, from board games, to video games, to betting... to marbles! We also dive into how the quintessentially French game of pétanque came to be.

Whether they're called a "chocolatine" or a "pain au chocolat", a "pain au raisin" or an "escargot", French pastries are meant to taste good! In this edition we explore some of the often confusing – and even potentially embarrassing – terms for French baked goods. We also discover how madeleines were not Marcel Proust's initial choice for his famed novel's voyage back in time.

From crime to legal right to a “liberté”, or freedom, in the French Constitution, we take a look at the evolution of abortion rights in France. We dive into the major events that led to this historic shift. We discuss the Manifesto of the 343, a turning point legal trial, a 1920s contraception law, and how abortion providers once risked the guillotine. 

As Paris's Louvre raises its prices, and as prior reservations become increasingly common, we take a look at how to make the most of French museums. We also discuss whether they should be free or not, and we discover some quirky spots to visit too. 

In this edition we discuss the many reasons why, according to a recent poll, the French are having less sex. We also discuss the roles that abstinence, pornography, mobile phone use, the #MeToo movement, sex education and an increased openness about sex may have on French people's choices in the bedroom.

In this edition we take a look inside "le portefeuille", or wallet, of French people. From the national healthcare card, "la carte vitale", to ID cards, to France's coins and bank notes, we trace the history of these typically French possessions. We also find out about France's oldest institution: la Monnaie de Paris, where coins are still made.

In 2023, only 678,000 babies were born in France. In this edition of French Connections, we delve into the complex web of reasons for this dip in France's birth rate. We discuss pushback against President Emmanuel Macron's plan to fix a "infertility scourge" and demographically "rearm" the nation with babies. We also find out how France remains a big baby maker compared to other large European countries, and how its bioethic laws could help. 

From striped tops, to berets, to ballerina flats, this week on French Connections we discuss which clothes are iconically French. We dive into the history of some of these sartorial splendours, as well as the French origins of the word fashion. We also look to the future and explore what the French school uniform could look like.

Into the woods we go on this week's French Connections. Over 30 percent of mainland France is covered by forests. It's the fourth most forested country in Europe. We explore this heritage, why France's trees are suffering, and how, for some, hugging a tree can do a body good.

Are the French polite? Or are they rude? This week on French Connections we tackle these stereotypes. We also delve into some of the basic etiquette rules that tourists need to know in order to avoid a faux pas. Be it a "bonjour", a "coucou", "la bise" or "un check", we explore the importance – and power – of French greetings.

Bonne année ! Happy New Year! This week on French Connections we take a look at the top New Year's resolutions among the French. We also discuss why some people no longer make them, how Dry January has created political controversy in France and how the tradition of "la galette des rois" (king cake) may be an early temptation to break some of those resolutions. 

From oysters to snails to the Provence tradition of 13 desserts, this week on French Connections we take a look at the classic French Christmas meal. Traditionally held on Christmas Eve, it is often a festive, family affair. We also discuss how best to keep family discussions around the dinner table from getting too heated.

Paris is racing against time to get its mass transit system ready for the 2024 Summer Olympics. This week on French Connections, we take a look at the promises that have been kept and those that have fallen to the wayside. We also discuss how much metro tickets will actually cost and how politicians have been voicing concern over whether the French capital will be ready for the world's biggest sporting event.