France

Flames and smoke are seen billowing from the roof at Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris, 15 April 2019. Yet despite the devastation, the fire is “not the worst chapter in its 850-year history”, argues Dr Emily Guerry. (Patrick Anidjar/AFP/Getty Images)

Notre-Dame fire "It's extraordinary what has survived"

Notre-Dame cathedral, which dates back to 1163. (Alberto Pizzoli/AFP/Getty Images)

Notre-Dame 10 facts about Paris's famous cathedral

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Pod Christopher Gosche WL

The first Vietnam War . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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Pod Catherine Hanley WL

Royal rivals? Medieval England and France’s tempestuous relationship . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Woman wearing a bikini

Why we should remember The launch of the swimsuit that scandalised the world

Marguerite de Navarre

15 minutes of fame Suzannah Lipscomb chooses Marguerite de Navarre

Diane de Poitiers. As the mistress of Henry II of France, she had incredible and indescribable influence over the French king.

The French royal mistresses who made it about more than sex

British Army tanks are unloaded on to Gold Beach on D-Day

Second World War

D-Day quiz Test your knowledge of the Normandy Landings

A painting of Jean Thurel, a French soldier whose life spanned three centuries

Jean Thurel: the oldest soldier in history?

A drawing depicting a German monoplane dropping bombs on Paris during the First World War

First World War

Creating fake Paris: how one man built a mock city to fool WW1 German bombers

Coco Chanel in Paris, 1929

Why we should remember… How Chanel No 5 revolutionised the beauty business

The coats of arms of the kingdoms of Scotland and France

Q&A How old is the Auld Alliance between France and Scotland?

A photograph of a WW1 soldier and his pet thrush

First World War

How WW1 soldiers found hope in nature

The Three Musketeers sitting at a table

The real three musketeers: the historical Athos, Porthos and Aramis (and d’Artagnan) revealed

A portrait of Anne Boleyn

The three French queens who inspired Anne Boleyn