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 world. While French cinema has traditionally inspired and fascinated filmmakers abroad, today it needs defending from the bulldozer of major foreign filmmaking machines like Hollywood, as well as streaming platforms. So what does the state do to protect French cinema? We take a closer look in this edition of French Connections.

Despite it being a country that so famously chopped off the head of its own king, many people in France are enchanted by the British monarchy. This fascination was particularly visible when Queen Elizabeth II passed away last week. On top of the official expression of condolences by French President Emmanuel Macron, many ordinary French people were upset at the passing of the monarch. For many, the queen was a symbol of Franco-British friendship and the Entente cordiale. But will the mutual fascination between France and the British monarchy continue with King Charles III? We take a closer look in this episode of French Connections.

It’s grape-picking season! With over 3,000 different types of wine, France is one of the world’s leading wine-producing nations. This year, after a scorching summer, harvests (les vendanges) started in mid-August, a lot earlier than usual, confirming a trend of increasingly early harvests. Scientists say that climate change is affecting not only the date of harvests but the quality of the grapes themselves and the amount of wine produced. In this edition of French Connections we explore the grape harvest, an integral part of France's DNA.

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 are the prevailing clichés about the French and why is it so hard to shake them off? For this 40th episode of French Connections Plus, Florence Villeminot and Genie Godula bring you a special show on stereotypes about France.

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, parts of the country virtually shut down. So, what do they do with these cherished “congés payés”?

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, driving in France can be a terrifying experience. In addition, some traffic rules can be downright confusing and getting a licence is something of an obstacle course. In this episode of French Connections Plus, Florence Villeminot and Genie Godula buckle up and explore French driving culture.

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 lower. So do these elections work? We tell you more in this edition of French Connections.

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 growing number of commuters, as well as strike action? In this episode of French Connections Plus, Florence Villeminot and Genie Godula take a trip underground to discover the Parisian metro.

Recent visitors to France will no doubt have noticed the return of foreign tourists. Two years of Covid-19 took a heavy toll on what is otherwise a booming business and an important part of the French economy. Now things appear to be looking up again for the tourist industry. For decades, France has been the number one tourism destination in the world, ahead of Spain and the US. So what explains this lasting success? We take a closer look in this edition of French Connections.

Compared to other industrialised countries, French people tend to live relatively long lives. Currently the oldest person alive in the world is a French woman: a Catholic nun living in the South of France. So what’s the secret? Do long lunch breaks and red wine have something to do with it? What’s the economic impact of an aging population and what can the country do to improve care for a growing number of dependent people?