French connections
French Connections is a quirky insider’s guide to understanding France and the French, covering topics from the sublime to the ridiculous. It is produced by FRANCE 24 English and offers cultural insight and commentary for English-speaking listeners. The show airs on Thursdays at 1:45pm, with a monthly French Connections Plus edition on the last Thursday at 4:15pm.
Épisodes
Protest culture: Why do French students repeatedly rise up?
France is in the international spotlight as massive student protests show no sign of stopping. Demonstrating is something of a rite of passage for young people in France, a moment when teenagers discover politics and their collective voice. How has this "protest culture" manifested itself in recent French history? And why are some student protests effective at bringing about change and others not?
The hunting lobby: Behind France's rural power
After football and fishing, France's third-favourite pastime is hunting. The ancestral activity is popular but also divisive, with passions running high between those who defend hunting traditions and a growing number of animal rights activists. Though it's become statistically safer, a majority of French people say they don’t feel secure walking in nature during hunting season. So what steps has
The French Senate: Old, expensive and out of touch or necessary safeguard to democracy?
France is gearing up for an election this Sunday, September 27 to renew just about half of the Senate's 348 red velvet seats. The French parliament is the country's bicameral legislature. The lower house (the National Assembly) tends to overshadow the upper house (the Senate). So what does the Senate actually do? Is it a powerful protector of the regions or a retirement club for old, mostly male p
Paris neighbourhoods: The charming 3rd arrondissement
In this edition of French Connections, Genie Godula and Florence Villeminot continue their tour of Paris with a stop in the 3rd arrondissement. This is the quieter, more local side of the Marais and one of the oldest neighbourhoods in the French capital. It's a place where medieval history rubs shoulders with contemporary creativity. From the Knights Templar to fashion designers, from royal prison
Vacation nation: Preparing for a French summer holiday
With a minimum of 30 days of paid leave per year, French people have the reputation of being on vacation all the time. During the summer months of July and August, the country virtually shuts down. So what's behind this phenomenon? And what do they do with all those cherished "congés payés"? We take a closer look.
La Vie en Paws: Inside France's love affair with pets
This week, we take a deep dive into a love affair that rivals France’s passion for wine, cheese and fashion: the French and their pets. Whether furry, feathered or scaly, the affection runs deep. More than half of French households own at least one pet, adding up to an astonishing 75 million animals across the country – meaning pets actually outnumber people in France! While many owners lavish att
Paris neighbourhoods: The dynamic 10th arrondissement
In this edition of French Connections, Genie Godula and Florence Villeminot continue their tour of Paris with a stop in the 10th arrondissement of Paris. Located in the heart of the Right Bank, it’s one of the most vibrant parts of the capital. A lot of people enter Paris through the dixième, thanks to the city’s two biggest train stations, the Gare de Nord et Gare de l’Est. They, along with the m
Keeping cool: How French cities are adapting to extreme heat
If you've spent any time in France recently, you'll have noticed it has gotten warmer – especially in French cities. Why do cities suffer more, and what are big urban areas doing to combat the effects of climate change? Finally, how do people keep cool during a heatwave, and why are the French so resistant to air conditioning? We take a closer look in this edition of French Connections.
France’s villages: Life beyond the postcard
This week, we step away from the headlines and out of the city to focus on French villages. There is a deeply rooted romantic image of village life: a stone church, a sleepy square, a small café. But what is life really like in French villages today? Like in many countries, rural France has seen populations decline, and many residents say daily life can be challenging. While some villages rely on
The art of the apéro: Exploring how France unwinds
This week we’re taking a look at a much-loved pillar of French culture: apéro. This ritual gathering takes place before dinner, typically between 6pm and 8pm, it’s a moment when friends, family, neighbors, or colleagues meet for drinks and snacks. A majority of French people say it’s part of their national heritage. So what do people drink and eat? And what are the etiquette rules to this beloved
Paris neighbourhoods: The underrated 14th arrondissement
In this edition of French Connections, Genie Godula and Florence Villeminot continue their tour of Paris with a stop in the most underrated district of the capital: the 14th arrondissement. Calm and residential, most tourists won't make the journey to this southern edge of the Left Bank, but it's definitely worth a trip if you want a delightful taste of behind-the-scenes Paris. Here you'll find a
Paris neighbourhoods: Exploring the massive 17th arrondissement
In this edition of French Connections, Genie Godula and Florence Villeminot continue their tour of Paris with a stop in a massive Parisian arrondissement – the 17th! We get a behind-the-scenes look at Napoléon's iconic Arc de Triomphe and discover the man who helped shape the 17th and most of Paris: Baron Haussmann. Whether it's Haussmannian apartment blocks or a giant glass tower dominating the l
Genius & gadgets: French inventions that changed the world
This week we take a step back from the news and focus on something a little different: French inventions. But we're not just talking about gadgets. Beyond the baguette and beret, France is behind some very impactful inventions, in fields as varied as medicine, fashion and transport. We bring you a glimpse of the wide variety of things we owe to France.
The heartbeat of France: Fanfare culture
This week in French Connections we take a step away from the news and focus on France's love for a specific type of musical ensemble, known as a fanfare. Somewhere between a marching band and a brass band, "la fanfare" is an institution in France and it says a lot about the country because its history partially mirrors the history of France. Join us for a closer look inside the country's loudest t
Nuclear power: Why did France put the atom at the heart of its energy strategy?
In this week’s show, we turn the spotlight on France’s appetite for nuclear energy. It is one of the most nuclear-dependent countries in the world, with atomic power at the heart of its national energy strategy. When – and why – did France decide to bet so heavily on the atom? For decades, nuclear energy has been seen not just as a source of power, but as a cornerstone of national sovereignty. But
Paris neighbourhoods: The iconic 6th arrondissement
In this edition of French Connections, Genie Godula and Florence Villeminot continue their tour of Paris with a stop in one of the French capital's oldest and most influential neighbourhoods: the 6th. Le sixième arrondissement has quintessential Left Bank (Rive Gauche) energy. It's intellectual, romantic, sophisticated and no doubt a little smug, but definitely worth a stop on any visit to Paris.
Thinking à la française: How French intellectuals shaped the world
Nerd Alert! This week we focus on France’s contribution to knowledge and ideas. If French philosopher René Descartes famously said, “I think, therefore I am,” then “we think, therefore we are” could be said of the French. Over the years, France has produced a wide array of world-leading thinkers at the forefront of dazzling theories about knowledge, liberty, justice, the human condition – and, of
Vive le carnaval! A tour of France's local celebrations
This week we get festive with a look at Carnival. People tend to associate Carnival with places outside France, like Rio de Janeiro and Venice. Yet France boasts its own famous celebrations. Where do these festivals come from and what is their purpose? While carnival is celebrated all over the country, a few events stand out, like the elegant carnival of Nice in the south of France, or the wild an
Love à la française: How are attitudes to dating and marriage different?
When it comes to romance, the French have the reputation of being passionate, first-class lovers. But is this just a cliché? What's it really like to go out with a French person? Are dating rules different? And what about French attitudes to marriage, divorce and infidelity? This week we focus on the ins and outs of the game of love à la française.
Paris neighbourhoods: Inside the historic 1st arrondissement
In this edition of French Connections, Genie Godula and Florence Villeminot continue their tour of Paris with a stop in the most central arrondissement of the French capital: the 1st. Le premier, as it's known in French, is absolutely packed with bucket-list attractions like the Mona Lisa in the Louvre and Monet's water lilies in the Musée de l’Orangerie. But in this show, we take you through some
Exploring France's media landscape: A billionaire's playground?
France has a rich media landscape, offering a wide range of TV and radio stations, newspapers and magazines. The French media ecosystem is a mix of public service entities and private commercial players. Currently, about a dozen billionaires own or co-own most private media organisations. So what impact does this have on the content offered to the public, as well as editorial independence and medi
Are the French rich? Exploring wealth inequality in France
This week in French Connections, we focus on wealth in France. According to traditional macroeconomic measures, France is a rich country. It has the world's seventh-largest economy by nominal GDP, high levels of human development, broad infrastructure and a robust social welfare system. Yet beneath that headline prosperity lies a growing gap between perception and reality, as poverty and inequalit
Favourite foods: What the French like to eat
France is known around the world for its delicious food: not only wine and cheese, but also countless mouth-watering regional dishes. So what do the French like to eat? Do they have a favourite food? Is it even possible to choose? As a bonus, we teach you how to make boeuf bourguignon, the king of classic French cuisine.
Paris neighbourhoods: Exploring the residential 15th arrondissement
In this edition of French Connections, Genie Godula and Florence Villeminot continue their tour of Paris with a stop in the French capital's most populated arrondissement: the 15th. Located in the southwestern corner of the capital, the 15th doesn't boast a lot of tourist attractions. In fact, Parisians love to joke that this residential and family-friendly arrondissement is the capital's most bor
