Menswear / Global
French fancy
The birthplace of countless couturiers might be known for chic womenswear but its men are masters of dressing down.
Fashion Director: Daphné Hézard
Styling: Kyoko Tamoto
Model: Alexis Petit
Grooming: Terry Saxon
L MONOCLE
Editor’s letter
As we invite you to say ‘bonjour’ to our issue devoted to all things French, our editor in chief explains how our latest page-turner owes its beginnings to some pondering in a Parisian bookshop.Express yourself
Learning a language can be arduous but a dramatic approach is finding a captive audience in Paris.In the shadows
Private detectives are almost as mysterious as the cases they solve. We go undercover with a Parisian sleuth.My cabinet
Though it has grown from two staff to 30 in 10 years, Rabih Kayrouz still values close bonds at his Maison.Cosy corner
Jean-Michel Jarre, forefather of electronica, spends his evenings holed up in his Paris loft with a film projector.Top 20
Why France? Why not? It’s home to many of our favourite labels, haunts and titles; here are a few.
Ripple effect
As France reasserts itself on the world stage, we visit the historic naval base at the epicentre of its maritime prowess.Liberté. Égalité?
France has kept its former imperial outposts close – but some feel the distance. Are they happy being a part of the fraternity?Bonjour, tout le monde
French influence spans the globe, be it the wine you drink, the car you drive or the clothes you wear. It’s soft power with a swagger and Breton stripe too.All in order
France has everything covered and here’s the proof: our A-Z of French businesses.Not changing tack
Modern technology has little place at Rivierre, France’s last working nail factory. Workers here have faith in traditional ways – and their century-old machines.How to reboot the republic
The ‘gilets jaunes’ have had their say but what do other influential voices think should be done to fix France?Flying the flag
France’s aerospace industry is in rude health – so how do airlines and manufacturers on the ground keep hitting the heights?Finding its voice
After switching up its approach, Euronews is in the perfect position to report on Europe’s shifting sands.Human touch
Innovative media brands are helping audiences to look up from their screens and find meaningful connections by making them part of the show.Feast for the senses
France has an enviable history of nurturing some of the world’s great artists – so these galleries, bookshops and record shops could be hiding the next big thing.Form prefects
Paris is a hotbed of design, with age-old crafts at its service.Bright future
All but destroyed in the Second World War, the town of Royan took inspiration from Brazil when it rebuilt, swapping drab postwar design for colourful modernism.Too cool for school
Good design has helped the Lycée Français International de Hong Kong make the most of its small footprint.Bread winners
It is integral to French identity but sales of bread are falling and eating habits are changing. We meet the flour-flecked folk offering crumbs of comfort with an artisanal approach.Fresh pickings
We take a Sunday amble among the stalls of France’s chicest culinary catwalk: Boulevard Raspail.Page boys
The new French menswear magazine with a refreshingly different approach.Ringing the changes
Venerable French institution Galeries Lafayette is ripping up the retail rulebook with the opening of its bold new Champs-Élysées branch.Natural wonder
Rising demand for ethical beauty products made without chemicals has brought a firm that perfects the journey from seed to scent into full bloom.
Politics briefing
Women staking a claim to power, paper problems in Turkey and a new populist party in Canada.Diplomacy briefing
A triple whammy of headaches for the eurozone and an odd couple get friendly in the Middle East.Defence briefing
Bulgaria beefs up its airforce, Turkey adds to its missile stocks and Greece tightens its coastal security.Cities briefing
Rethinking urbanism in Minneapolis and why students won’t be lighting up in Copenhagen.Business briefing
A taste of things to come from Lebanon and how Brexit is affecting Frankfurt’s housing market.Culture briefing
A round-up of the best French television, film, music and media. Plus: art from New York and Ukraine.Architecture briefing
Rehab cabins and a giant urban sofa.Food & drink briefing
New openings and three classic recipes.Fashion briefing
A round-up from Pitti Uomo, timeless bags from Lucie Cast and some branded kit fit for a president.
My Last Meal
Illustrator Jacques de Loustal sketches out the dangers of meeting your heroes over lunch and explains why France is in a league of its own when it comes to cartoons.Travel briefing
There’s a homely feel to a lot of the hotels in this month’s round-up. And, in keeping with the theme of this issue, you’ll notice a French ambience – but we’ve taken in Rio, Miami and Bangkok too.
French fancy
The birthplace of countless couturiers might be known for chic womenswear but its men are masters of dressing down.Always chic
Our pick of accessories with a French spin that will ensure every outfit has a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’.
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