Intimacy - World news, culture and opinion

Ouahiba Bouzyane's first days in France after arriving from Morocco: 'I never dreamed of leaving my country. Things just turned out that way'

Ouahiba Bouzyane, 52, arrived from Morocco in 2002 after marrying a French man. Following a divorce and a new relationship, she is now a single mother of five in Paris.

Published on September 1, 2025, at 5:30 am (Paris), updated on September 1, 2025, at 9:30 am Julia Pascual

Column

Three erotic experiences inspired by group activities

Maïa Mazaurette is on a mission to spice up your steamy summer nights. This week, she explores how to mingle your fantasies with those of others, through erotic literature, nude drawing, or at a libertine club.

Published on August 31, 2025, at 5:45 am (Paris), updated on September 1, 2025, at 11:20 am Maïa Mazaurette

Your stories

Mohammed Hilles' first days in France after arriving from Gaza: 'I went to a baroque concert at the Philharmonie. It filled me with joy, sadness and nostalgia'

Hilles, 25, left Gaza to study music at Paris-Saclay University. After the initial relief of his arrival, he has grown increasingly worried about his family in the Palestinian enclave.

Published on August 30, 2025, at 7:30 pm (Paris) Julia Pascual

Column

Three erotic experiences inspired by the internet

Maïa Mazaurette is on a mission to spice up your steamy summer nights. This week, she explores the possibilities created by AI, makes use of assistants (not necessarily digital ones) and as a seasoned archaeologist, exhumes an old website.

Published on August 11, 2025, at 3:15 pm (Paris) Maïa Mazaurette

Investigation

Life with a disfigured face: 'You never get used to others' stares, you just live with it'

Whether due to an accident or illness, a major facial alteration can profoundly disrupt one's sense of identity. People who have been disfigured describe the painful processes of reclaiming their lives.

Published on August 8, 2025, at 8:30 pm (Paris) Adam Lebert

Your stories

Mariia Nazarenko's first days in France after fleeing Ukraine: 'In Kyiv, I was a university professor. Today, I am a refugee searching for toothpaste'

On February 21, 2022, Nazarenko left Ukraine, thinking it was just for a weekend. The next day, Russia invaded her country. A few days later, she found herself in Lyon. Now 40 years old, she lives in Paris.

Published on August 4, 2025, at 10:45 am (Paris), updated on August 29, 2025, at 9:58 am Yoanna Sultan-R'bibo

Column

Three erotic experiences inspired by boredom

Maïa Mazaurette is on a mission to spice up your steamy summer nights. This week, she suggests doing absolutely nothing – except letting your thoughts wander, caressing yourself for a long time and questioning your certainties.

Published on August 3, 2025, at 11:51 pm (Paris), updated on August 4, 2025, at 10:02 am Maïa Mazaurette

In Depth

Child-free weddings: 'I would rather she not come at all than have to accept everyone's children'

For French couples' big day, celebrations where children are not permitted are becoming increasingly common.

Published on August 3, 2025, at 6:11 pm (Paris) Cyrielle Bedu

In Depth

How France's 1975 amicable divorce law transformed gender relations

On July 11, 1975, France authorized divorce by mutual consent, marking a turning point for couples.

Published on August 2, 2025, at 5:00 am (Paris) Iris Derœux Léa Prati

News

The friends who cement their platonic relationships through marriage

Difficult to quantify because they are often unofficial, unions between friends have been growing. They offer a way to honor friendship at a time when people are challenging the traditional, heteronormative couple and its conventions.

Published on August 1, 2025, at 2:31 am (Paris) Cécile Massin

Column

Three erotic experiences inspired by artistic performances

Maïa Mazaurette is on a mission to spice up your steamy summer nights. This week, she offers suggestions to awaken your creativity and transform your intimate space into the stage for a very unique happening.

Published on July 29, 2025, at 12:52 am (Paris), updated on July 29, 2025, at 9:36 am Maïa Mazaurette

Column

Three erotic experiences inspired by… your wardrobe

Maïa Mazaurette is on a mission to spice up your steamy summer nights. This week, she explores playful games centered on the art of getting dressed – only to end up in little more than your underwear.

Published on July 22, 2025, at 3:54 am (Paris), updated on July 22, 2025, at 8:32 am Maïa Mazaurette

Your stories

'I regretted that road trip, which no doubt ended our relationship': How travel can strengthen or break bonds

For young couples or friends, the first vacation together often acts as a test. From deepened connections to breakups at highway rest stops, here are some stories about the delicate art of sharing an adventure.

Published on July 18, 2025, at 4:19 am (Paris), updated on July 18, 2025, at 8:16 am Audrey Parmentier

Column

Three erotic experiences inspired by... board games

Maïa Mazaurette is on a mission to spice up your steamy summer nights. This week, she explores how to move from board games to intimate play.

Published on July 13, 2025, at 12:45 pm (Paris) Maïa Mazaurette

Column

Is the post-coital moment always a sad one?

Studies have shed light on 'post-coital dysphoria,' which can affect women and – even more frequently – men after sexual intercourse. This condition may manifest in the form of anxiety, sadness or even irritability.

Published on July 10, 2025, at 5:12 am (Paris), updated on July 10, 2025, at 9:18 am Maïa Mazaurette

Your stories

Rekindled love: 'I passionately fall in love with her and then, like a complete coward, I break her heart'

They met, fell in love and separated. And then the whirl of life brought them back together. Igor, 61, tells us of his reunion with Gabrielle.

Published on July 1, 2025, at 8:00 pm (Paris) Charlotte Herzog

Selection

Five cultural outings to enjoy with a baby in Paris

Sensory tours at the Musée Rodin and Musée de l'Orangerie, mezzo forte concerts from the Orchestre Lamoureux, joyful splashing at Centquatre-Paris: More and more cultural venues in the French capital are offering activities for children under the age of two.

Published on June 27, 2025, at 4:48 am (Paris), updated on June 27, 2025, at 2:30 pm Tiphaine Thuillier

Interview

'Dating apps have every interest to turn our love lives into gruyère cheese, full of holes and short-lived misfires'

In an interview with Le Monde, Arnaud Poissonnier, author of a book examining the love industry, advocates for regulating the sector through a professional association and calls on platforms to 'completely rethink their systems.'

Published on June 26, 2025, at 12:01 pm (Paris) Antonin Gratien

Column

How an American mom is now part of my (French mom's) life

Le Monde's parenting columnist Clara Georges writes of her experience – and the benefits – as one of the 242,000 Instagram followers of Isabelle Bertolami, an American mother sharing her everyday life as an expat in France.

Published on June 7, 2025, at 5:30 am (Paris) Clara Georges

Column

Men don't actually care about sex

Le Monde's sex columnist Maïa Mazaurette argues that men only take a surface-level interest in sex and that most do nothing to deepen their understanding of the subject.

Published on June 5, 2025, at 7:45 pm (Paris), updated on June 5, 2025, at 9:59 pm Maïa Mazaurette

Round-up

In Quebec, alleys have become a children's paradise

As part of a series exploring parenting abroad, this week Le Monde visits Montreal and looks at how the narrow lanes connecting apartment backyards serve as playgrounds for children and as gathering spots for parents.

Published on June 5, 2025, at 5:01 am (Paris), updated on June 5, 2025, at 10:19 am Eliott Dumoulin

Investigation

Aesthetic history of the vulva: From private anatomy to political icon

Long perceived as unsettling, the female genital area has been subjected for millennia to more or less invasive acts aimed at shaping it for better control. Today, cosmetic surgery offers to beautify it. This remains a relatively taboo practice, while the vulva is otherwise seen as a feminist symbol.

Published on May 13, 2025, at 8:00 pm (Paris) Virginie Larousse

Interview

Maxime Rovère, philosopher: 'Visiting your mother can become a metaphysical gift'

The author of philosophical essays summons the Pythagoreans and the cosmos to present an original reflection on the bond between mother and child, which has never taken up so much space in our lives.

Published on May 11, 2025, at 8:00 am (Paris) Valentine Faure

In Depth

In French families, equality between fathers and mothers is still far from the norm

The first nationwide survey dedicated to children's environments shows that men only participate in 30% of parenting tasks two months after birth. The situation is even bleaker when it comes to domestic work.

Published on May 10, 2025, at 11:53 pm (Paris) Anne Chemin

Column

Should grandparents follow their children's instructions when babysitting?

When taking care of their grandchildren, it's not always easy for grandparents to balance the parents' demands with the joy of letting themselves take some liberties, writes Le Monde parenting columnist Clara Georges.

Published on May 10, 2025, at 3:00 pm (Paris) Clara Georges

Investigation

For Muslim-Christian couples, religion isn't always an issue – except around them

In France, interfaith relationships are becoming more frequent with each generation. While love transcends religious divides within couples, finding a place within the in-laws' family and agreeing on children's religious practices often pose a challenge.

Published on May 4, 2025, at 8:00 pm (Paris), updated on June 4, 2025, at 3:55 pm Adam Lebert

Column

The rise of open relationships among French couples

Maïa Mazaurette notes an increased interest in non-exclusivity in sexual relationships, with the establishment of clear rules to meet the expectations of all parties involved.

Published on May 4, 2025, at 4:00 pm (Paris), updated on May 4, 2025, at 4:58 pm Maïa Mazaurette

Feature

Eve Rodsky, the American helping couples balance the mental load

After narrowly avoiding depression, Eve Rodsky achieved massive success with her book 'Fair Play', which was later adapted into a card game. In the book, the former lawyer develops a method for sharing domestic chores and mental load within households. The bestseller and the game have been translated in numerous countries, but not France.

Published on May 4, 2025, at 5:00 am (Paris), updated on May 8, 2025, at 5:48 pm Hélène Coutard

News

In South Korea, the return of 'helicopter' parents

Is it overprotection or legitimate concern? Whatever the case, many South Korean parents constantly hover over their children.

Published on May 2, 2025, at 3:01 am (Paris), updated on May 2, 2025, at 8:06 am Philippe Mesmer

Your stories

Rekindled love: 'Back then, in 1986, we had neither the grammar nor the vocabulary of a homosexual relationship'

They met, fell in love and separated. And then the whirl of life brought them back together. Thorsten, 58, shares his story with Pascal.

Published on April 28, 2025, at 1:35 am (Paris), updated on May 4, 2025, at 3:13 pm Charlotte Herzog

Your stories

Rekindled love: 'What if it started again, and he left me? And if I couldn't recover?'

They met, fell in love, and parted ways. Then, the whirlwind of life brought them back together. Laurence, 62, shares her story with Thomas, 65.

Published on April 22, 2025, at 11:40 pm (Paris), updated on May 4, 2025, at 3:13 pm Charlotte Herzog

In Depth

Pregnancy denial, a frequent but mysterious disorder

One in 500 women learns late that she is pregnant. One in 2,500 realizes it when giving birth. This psychological pregnancy disorder, the mechanisms of which remain difficult to understand, can affect all women, even those who are already mothers.

Published on April 20, 2025, at 3:59 pm (Paris), updated on April 21, 2025, at 2:51 pm Nathalie Brafman

Investigation

How Grindr shapes young gay men's sexualities: From idealized bodies to violence

An entire generation of young queer men have explored their sexuality on Grindr, the gay dating app that recently turned 15. Today, many of them are questioning the influence the platform and its macho norms had on their emotional development.

Published on April 20, 2025, at 3:00 am (Paris) Alice Raybaud

Your stories

How I got into an argument: 'My father left me alone at his house on Christmas Eve when I was 13'

A love or friendship quarrel, a family rift, or a professional disagreement have left lasting impressions on their lives. They recount their experiences to Le Monde. This week, it's the turn of 51-year-old Delphine from Paris.

Published on April 14, 2025, at 5:14 am (Paris), updated on April 14, 2025, at 8:53 am Clara Georges

Interview

'French parents are the European champions of parental pessimism'

Sociologist Romain Delès tells Le Monde about his research into parenthood and raising children in France. According to him, the French 'parental complaint' stems from structural gender inequality in the household and in French society.

Published on April 5, 2025, at 5:43 am (Paris) Anne Chemin

News

In Spain, teenagers are as free as the air

'Parenting elsewhere.' Twice a month, one of our journalists overseas explores parenting beyond our borders. Spanish parents have no problem letting their offspring stay out until the late hours of the evening. Is this hands-off parenting or based on trust?

Published on April 5, 2025, at 4:58 am (Paris) Sandrine Morel

News

In Canada, a 'good parent' goes outside with his child no matter the weather

Freezing winter or not, 'influencer' parents are posting pictures of their children on skis, smiling in front of splendid landscapes. An incentive to participate in outdoor activities.

Published on March 29, 2025, at 4:37 am (Paris) Eliott Dumoulin

Investigation

The Eiffel Tower sex toy: A story of monumental pleasure

This patriotic French-made dildo, designed by visual artist Sébastien Lecca in 2012, has been a huge success and continues to thrill people around the world.

Published on March 23, 2025, at 3:42 pm (Paris) Maroussia Dubreuil

Selection

Five activities around Paris to get teens to finally put down their phones

It's not always easy to get young people out of bed. From skateboarding to cinema, street art and fashion, here's our selection of outings and workshops designed just for them, in the Paris region. Just the thing to (temporarily) combat laziness.

Published on March 22, 2025, at 4:00 am (Paris) Tiphaine Thuillier

Profile

'I saw us as the cliché of the 'sugar daddy' taking me to the restaurant': Mathilde and Christophe's 28-year age gap

'Family portraits.' The parents of Inès, 10, and Octave, 8, initially quiet about their relationship, managed to find a family balance despite their very different views on parenthood.

Published on March 15, 2025, at 4:20 am (Paris), updated on March 16, 2025, at 11:01 am Jane Roussel

Investigation

Once passengers, these women are now reclaiming the driver's seat and their freedom

They have their driver's licenses, yet they willingly hand the keys to a man – either out of habit or because driving brings stress and mockery. However, women drivers who overcome this self-censorship regain a valuable sense of independence.

Published on March 13, 2025, at 8:30 pm (Paris) Alexia Eychenne

Investigation

'Gray divorces': They lived happily together, had many children, and then split up later in life

After decades together, many marriages are ending, after 50 years, in a 'gray divorce,' named after the color of their hair. On the rise, these separations later in life reflect a growing quest for personal fulfillment, shaking up family dynamics.

Published on March 12, 2025, at 1:02 am (Paris), updated on March 12, 2025, at 10:18 am Wassila Belhacine

Feature

Pitch dating, or how to sell your single friend with a PowerPoint presentation

Some events bring the concept of dating apps into real life by delegating the task of presenting oneself to a close friend or relative, who acts as a sort of 'product' guarantor. In the age of digital fatigue, this is yet another way to find love – or make friends.

Published on February 28, 2025, at 5:25 am (Paris), updated on February 28, 2025, at 8:39 am Djaïd Yamak

Your stories

'I'm not ashamed of being a virgin at 23'

Noémie, 23, describes how she decided to take a vow of abstinence before her wedding night.

Published on February 24, 2025, at 4:32 am (Paris), updated on February 24, 2025, at 8:50 am Jane Sebbar

News

Sex nerds: 'I had to justify myself at least 20 times explaining that, no, sex toys weren't "my thing"'

According to the results of an Inserm-ANRS survey unveiled at the end of 2024, French people's sexuality has become much more diverse in recent years. But the multiplication of possibilities and practices is sometimes experienced as an injunction to perform, and makes those who don't explore them fear being considered out of the game.

Published on February 23, 2025, at 5:07 am (Paris) Antonin Gratien

Investigation

'Sometimes I think I'd rather be dead than go to piano class': The children traumatized by the conservatoire

In a demanding discipline, where enjoyment can be secondary, many children drop out of their musical studies, leaving them with a sense of failure. But teaching styles and the schools' attitude to their futures, whether as amateurs or professionals, can make all the difference.

Published on February 22, 2025, at 12:45 pm (Paris) Ophélie Neiman

Your stories

'I discovered pornography when I was 14. Very early, I think'

Little informed about sexuality, Assia, 18, who lives near Paris, discovered pornography with her first boyfriend. Exposure to these images and practices left their mark on her.

Published on February 12, 2025, at 5:12 pm (Paris) Jane Roussel

In Depth

Should we still take our kids skiing?

Threatened by global warming, winter sports appear to be at odds with the sobriety vital to transition. So, what sense does it make to start your offspring on these leisure activities?

Published on February 11, 2025, at 3:27 am (Paris), updated on April 30, 2025, at 9:46 am Cécile Cazenave

In Depth

Women in Sweden are breastfeeding less despite the pressure exerted on them

In a quarter of a century, the number of exclusively breast-fed newborns has fallen in Sweden by more than 20%, despite the insistent recommendations.

Published on February 7, 2025, at 1:43 am (Paris), updated on February 7, 2025, at 10:03 am Anne-Françoise Hivert

Selection

Five places to practice yoga with your family in and around Paris

At the entrance to Beaubourg, in the heart of Orsay, between the statues of the Musée Guimet or in a more classical studio: You can introduce your children to yoga almost anywhere!

Published on February 1, 2025, at 3:28 am (Paris), updated on February 1, 2025, at 2:54 pm Tiphaine Thuillier

In Depth

The empty promises behind Giorgia Meloni's pro-natalism

Faced with a steadily declining birth rate, the Meloni government is encouraging couples to have more children, yet without providing funding or adequate measures to support parents.

Published on January 27, 2025, at 5:45 pm (Paris) Allan Kaval

Your stories

Rekindled love: 'All through my life, I've said to myself, 'Couldn't he come back?''

They met, fell in love and separated. And then the whirl of life brought them back together. Sylvia, 61, shares her story with Didier, who last month told his version of their reunion.

Published on January 26, 2025, at 4:02 am (Paris) Charlotte Herzog

Your stories

Couples describe having abortions at the start of a relationship: 'It sealed a pact between us'

Intentionally terminating a pregnancy within the first few months of a relationship is not part of the classic pattern of a couple's life. It can leave after-effects and unfulfilled dreams, but it can also be the cement that holds a relationship together.

Published on January 17, 2025, at 2:00 pm (Paris), updated on January 17, 2025, at 3:35 pm Adélaïde Tenaglia

Your stories

Three women, three generations, four abortions

Micheline, 95, her daughter Jeanne, 69, and her granddaughter Alice, 42, recount the very different circumstances under which they each had abortions.

Published on January 17, 2025, at 12:02 pm (Paris), updated on January 17, 2025, at 6:09 pm Solène Cordier

Investigation

The many roles of male partners during an abortion: 'I would've liked to support her more but I couldn't'

While it's up to women to decide whether or not to have an abortion, some men try to support their partners through the process. This assistance is sometimes awkward and powerless, and often means hardship for the couple.

Published on January 16, 2025, at 7:59 pm (Paris), updated on January 17, 2025, at 12:07 pm Tiphaine Thuillier

Your stories

'So, when's the second one?' The social pressure faced by parents of only children

Nearly 20% of women in France, almost one in five, are mothers of only one child. These parents question the 'negative view' taken of their family model.

Published on January 15, 2025, at 5:37 pm (Paris) Solène Cordier

Investigation

'I'm 30 years old, still a virgin, but I don't consider myself abnormal': 'Late virgins' want to break the taboo

Founded in 2007, the Virginite-tardive.fr forum brings together sexually inexperienced adults. Marginalized and stigmatized, they aim to deconstruct the stereotypes.

Published on January 15, 2025, at 5:08 am (Paris), updated on January 15, 2025, at 9:20 am Adam Lebert

Column

Darling, what if we stopped making love?

To kick off 2025, Maïa Mazaurette suggests a Dry January for sex, especially for couples living together.

Published on January 7, 2025, at 7:00 pm (Paris) Maïa Mazaurette

News

In South Korea, divorced mothers live under strain

In a society that remains highly unequal, divorced mothers must fight to balance their professional and personal lives. They often choose to start their own businesses to have more control, but this doesn't protect them from prejudice or exploitation.

Published on December 26, 2024, at 3:51 am (Paris), updated on December 26, 2024, at 8:51 am Philippe Mesmer

Column

Life as a parent, my 2024 retrospective

Le Monde's Clara Georges delves into the yearly summaries made by the apps that have been monitoring her daily life.

Published on December 26, 2024, at 12:21 am (Paris), updated on December 26, 2024, at 9:51 am Clara Georges