France Magazines in the English speaking world
France inspires mazagines both paper and digital all over the English speaking world. These publications are long standing players in the spread of French culture and meet the desire for all things French for those who cannot always be here. There are also several publications for the French expats in anglo countries. And then there is French Morning which does both as a source of all things French for the francophiles and all things local for the French expats in the United States. Here we’ve selected a few print and digital publications from the UK, USA and Australia. Each gives their different take on this country we are lucky enough to call home.
France-Amérique
There’s something new coming out of something old in the USA. France Magazine, an English language publication created over 30 years ago by the Embassy of France in Washington is fusioning with France-Amérique, the French language publication created in 1943 in New York by French expatriates. Together they will form a new bilingual monthly magazine talking about France. The new title will be France-Amérique and content will continue to present cultural exchanges, economic news, the French language and history. What is yet unclear is how they plan to use the two languages: will articles be simultaneously in both languages or will certain topics be written in English or in French. The new publication will be available only by subscription either paper or digital. In addition there is a free newsletter called FA Hebdo and the website to keep up with fresher news. It is worth noting that though France Magazine was a government publication and sometimes read like a brochure from the tourist office France-Amérique has always been a privately held company and will remain so after the fusion.
www.france-amerique.com
French Provincial
French Provincial is a magazine about all things French which offers Australian and international readers a taste of France without the need to get their passports stamped. French Provincial Magazine started in 2007 and David Hulston became the owner and publisher last year. David lived in Maussane-les-Alpilles in Provence for much of the last 10 years and he has two other French related businesses which are a fashion label which manufactures clothes in Marseille and a French property business. He is thus well-placed to produce a magazine dedicated to both Parisian and provincial lifestyle and décor. In addition, French Provincial is a valuable resource for information, stockists and products of a French flavor. A recent issue included a photo essay about the town of Eze and articles on Alsace, Charlotte of Monaco, The Gypsy Kings and French chickens. The advertising covers mostly French properties and home decor imported to Australia from brocantes in France. The monthly magazine is available in print at newsagents throughout Australia and by subscription, but also for reading on ipad and other devices.
www.frenchprovincialmag.com
French Property News
This monthly British magazine is dedicated to those who are considering making a French property purchase. Packed full of advice from property professionals including estate agents, lawyers and builders, it is the British househunter’s guide to the French property market. With regional guides to help readers select a location in France and real life stories from those who’ve already bought their property and done renovations, the magazine has been a source of information and inspiration for over 25 years. Established 1989 by francophile Dick Schrader in black-and-white newspaper format it evolved into 64-page color magazine in 2001. francepropertyshop.com
Living France Magazine
Living France magazine is a sister publication to French Property News. It is a monthly guide for anyone who dreams of a new life in France, with all one needs to know about moving to France, starting a successful business, enjoying a peaceful retirement and buying property. Regular features include stories of people who’ve already made the move to France, alongside practical advice on everything from legal and financial issues, through to renovation. Add the best of French food, wine and interiors plus language learning and you have a publication to make a life in France come true. The magazine is sold in WHSmith and in major UK supermarkets. A third magazine publish by this same group is France Magazine. All three titles are available by digital or paper subscription.
www.completefrance.com/magazines
France Today
This British publication on travel, culture, gastronomy, shopping & entertainment, art & design, society & politics and real estate is for a international audience of educated Francophiles. First published in 1985, France Today recognizes the importance of writing for visitors from not only the traditional markets of the US and Europe but also for the growing francophile populations in the Far East and South America. Editor-in-Chief Guy Hibbert, has travelled extensively in France and lived in the South West of France for several years. Many of the staff writers are France-based including well-known French Word-A-Day blogger Kristin Espinasse. France Today is published six times a year and is available by subscription in both digital and print. The website has practical information, tips on destinations, hotels, restaurants, shopping and a interactive calendar of events. A nice feature allows the reader to search for articles by French region.
www.francetoday.com
French Entrée
The sister publication of France Today edited by Justin Postlewaite who claims to have been “charmed by the sight of exotic French girls dancing at a school disco in 1985” (during a school twinning trip to Normandy). Later, after graduating in French Language and Literature, he went on to eat and drink his way around in the name of travel journalism – he thinks he might have consumed double his own body weight in confit de canard by now. A large portion of French Entrée’s content and advertising is consecrated to property rentals and sales, but there are also many pages of lifestyle and travel topics. A recent article by Mr Postlewaite himself talks about the towns of Albi and Rodez in the Midi-Pyrénées area.
www.frenchentree.com
French Morning
Emmanuel Saint-Martin, a French man living in New York for more than 10 years, created FrenchMorning.com in 2007. FM is a web only magazine of information for French expats and French visitors to the USA. The site has regional editions for LA, NYC, Miami, San Francisco and Texas (who knew there were that many French people in Texas!?). He is a journalist (correspondent for France 24) and got the idea for the website when he “noted there was not much online news for this community (only one print magazine at the time with almost no internet presence)”. This comprehensive site allows readers to keep in touch with both homes: France and their current community in the US. The site in French has headings such as Actu et Politique, American Life, Business et Techno and the very French Idées Débats. There are also practical categories such as bilingual schooling, learning English and city guides. The English language section, which was started in 2014, is aimed at the American francophile. “So in English we talk a lot about France, either travel stories, or cultural, or trying to explain French culture and habits to an American audience,” says Mr Saint-Martin.
www.frenchmorning.com
Ici Londres
This magazine and website is to the French speakers of London what FUSAC is to the English-speakers of Paris. Started in 1998 the magazine Ici Londres is both in digital and paper versions and is distributed for free each month in French establishments all around London. The magazine is aimed at the French expats (currently about 300,000) and promotes French culture. The editorial talks about new businesses in the community, boutiques and members of the community as well as French events in London.
www.ici-londres.com