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.