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Telegraph
2 days ago
- General
- Telegraph
Why the French have the best sex in the world, by a Parisian sexologist
Recently, a 52-year-old woman came to me for help. She told me she'd been with her husband for over 30 years but had never had an orgasm during sex. 'I just assumed that part of me was broken,' she said. Sadly, that belief – that pleasure isn't for them – is something I hear again and again from women as a French sexologist living and working in Britain. So many women, particularly in this country, struggle with allowing themselves to ask, want and feel. The contrast with the confidence I see when I'm in France is stark. At a workshop I was running in Paris last year, a woman in her early 60s told a room of other women, matter-of-factly: 'Of course I still masturbate – I'd never rely on a man for that.' The whole group laughed, not in embarrassment, but in solidarity. For her, sexual pleasure was just part of life, like good food or good company. And the differing attitudes towards sex in France and Britain aren't confined to women. The entire cultures surrounding the subject are poles apart. Whenever sex is mentioned here, there's an underlying current of prudishness which often manifests as a blush, a giggle – or, as I've experienced many times, a total shut-down of the conversation. In France, sex is embedded in the national conversation. It's not seen as smutty, or risqué, to talk about it; it's not shrouded in nudge, nudge, wink, wink innuendo. People are far more open about the importance they place on it. We have a reputation for infidelity, but in my experience, French people don't necessarily have more affairs. There's less moral panic and more acceptance that eroticism and commitment can be complex, especially over the course of decades. Desire can ebb and flow within relationships – but being unafraid to talk about the subject means the French report feeling more sexually fulfilled, regardless of how long the relationship lasts. I trained to become a certified sexologist to help midlife women in similar situations to mine. Like so many of my clients now, I went through a divorce in 2019, after 17 years of marriage and two children, and wanted to explore my sexuality. I remember thinking, 'I wish I had someone to talk to about how to navigate these very turbulent years I'm going through', and that so many other women must be feeling the same. I embarked on a journey of sexual rediscovery, including having fun with younger men before meeting my current partner. My adventures taught me that pleasure isn't about performance, but truth. Being honest about what I wanted, on my own terms, was about learning to be sexual again, for myself. My confidence improved – in every aspect of my life – along with my sense of overall wellness. Inspired, I qualified as a life coach at first, then quit my 25-year career leading global campaigns in sustainable finance at institutions including the WWF, Barclays and the UN. I decided to devote myself to helping women who, whether in long-term relationships or single, are hungry for something more but lack the tools to go after it. Most people have heard of sex therapists, who help treat sexual dysfunction. Sexology is different. I'm not a therapist or medical professional, but a coach, who helps clients explore their goals around their sex lives and find solutions to attain them. In France, pleasure isn't seen as a luxury, but a life force; something for everybody at every stage of life, rather than the preserve of the young and beautiful. The Pleasure Atelier, the workshop for women I founded in Paris and am now bringing to London, is based on this principle. It's a space for women to have a glass of champagne and learn about ways to reconnect to their erotic selves, on their own terms. Here's what I believe British people can learn from the French about how to reignite their sexual spark. French women are not obsessed with staying 25 When you think of a celebrity British people deem sexy, chances are you're picturing a lissom young thing. The culture here encourages us to think of women, in particular, as sexual beings only when they're youthful, with taut skin and no responsibilities. The moment women have children, or go through the menopause, they're placed in another box: now nurturers, not creatures of desire. One woman in her late 40s came to me after her children had left home. She said: 'I've spent my whole life being everything to everyone else. I don't even know what I want any more.' It's common for my British clients to feel they've lost their identity as they've grown older. In France, there are many more role models of older women who exude sexiness, are vocal about sex and portray characters continuing to enjoy it. Think of Sylvie in the Netflix series Emily In Paris, played by 62-year-old Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, or the 72-year-old actress Isabelle Huppert. They're chic, sophisticated women who continue to take their sexuality seriously, and seeing them inspires French women to expect the same for themselves. French women embrace the freedom of midlife and beyond, once their children are older – it's a time for us. Rediscovering yourself as a sexual being is essential to keep sex alive in long-term relationships, and it starts with not writing yourself off because you've hit un certain age. Treat yourself like a Parisian woman The cliches about Parisian women are broadly true: they often restrict their diets to remain rail-thin and rarely mention the menopause – quelle horreur! There's a vanity and pressure to stay sexually desirable which I wouldn't want British women to emulate. But there's also an innate sense of ourselves as sexual beings that I would like British women to embrace. It's in how we dress, how we speak, how we take up space. It's a mindset of self-worth. For too long here, from the boorish lad's mag culture of the 1990s to the current prevalence of Only Fans and porn, the conversation has centred around male pleasure, and women fulfilling male fantasies. French women, by contrast, view themselves as just as worthy of satisfaction. It might sound trivial, but wearing beautiful underwear under your everyday clothes, taking a moment to spritz perfume or lighting a candle can be a powerful reminder that you're deserving of pleasure. Make yourself your own fantasy. Pleasure is essential, not a luxury In Paris, there's a chain of female-friendly sex stores called Passage du Desir, which are a world away from the seedy sex shops found in London's Soho. They're an example of how sex is woven into the fabric of everyday life there, and how normal it is for French women to pop out and buy a sex toy. Sex toys are advertised on mainstream television and discussed endlessly in newspaper articles. My British clients have often lost touch with any kind of sensory pleasure, so I ask them to start small. Take a moment to feel the sun on your face, drink an ice-cold glass of rose or listen to a song you love – whatever feels enjoyable for you. The more in tune you are with your own body, the more pleasure you allow in. Learn to speak up Desire isn't shameful, it's human – and we French know that the more we talk about it, the more empowered we become. Here in Britain, I often hear women complaining that their partners don't satisfy them. Sometimes, if the issues between them begin outside the bedroom – women are often seething with years of pent-up resentment over their partner's behaviour – I suggest couples' counselling; some tell me outright that they hate their husband, and that's not conducive to reigniting the spark. Often, though, it's a case of years, sometimes decades, passing by with women hoping their partners will somehow intuitively know how to please them, without ever being told. I know it can feel daunting, but we have a responsibility to help guide them, and in my experience, most decent men are happy to learn. I encourage clients to write a fantasy list, starting with 'I've always wanted to…' Then I help them work up the courage to tell their partner one thing they want. Most of the time, he is delighted – and once that barrier has been crossed, it's much easier next time.
Zawya
22-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
'Design Your Future' campaign hosts guidance workshop
Manama: The 'Design Your Future' campaign held an interactive workshop titled 'Plan Your Future' as part of its ongoing mission to empower youth, supported by Mastercard as a knowledge partner, and EPIX Cinema as a venue partner. The workshop, which welcomed More than 40 attendees, aimed at helping high school students and their parents make informed academic decisions for life beyond school. Led by certified coach and personal development mentor Ms. Nabeela Al Qaseer, the workshop provided attendees with practical tools and insights to explore academic disciplines that align with their individual strengths and interests. Speaking about the importance of academic planning, Ms. Al Qaseer stated: 'Choosing the right academic path is a pivotal step in a student's life. Self-awareness of one's abilities and passions plays a crucial role in making confident, future-proof decisions. This session was designed to foster open dialogue between students and their families, guiding them to take decisive steps toward a promising future.' Zahraa Taher, Chairperson of the Advisory Committee emphasized the value of such events in strengthening family-student connections, saying: 'Empowering youth begins with meaningful conversations at home. Providing practical, realistic content helps parents support their children more effectively. This workshop is a prime example of how simple initiatives can lead to transformative outcomes.' The session specifically targeted final-year students and their guardians, delivering interactive content focused on key university selection criteria, future educational and career opportunities, and alignment with labor market needs. This workshop is part of the second edition of the Design Your Future campaign that features a range of exciting programmers and events, including the DYF Business Quiz Show, the DYF Podcast, a host of high-level workshops, and the Skills Hunt event, fostering teamwork, skill-building, and professional growth. The campaign is supported by Mastercard as a knowledge partner, and EPIX Cinema as a venue partner, in collaboration with members of the Advisory Committee, including representatives from the Higher Education Council, INJAZ Bahrain, Tamkeen, Lamea Association, and certified professionals in career development and skills training. This collective effort contributes to the overall impact and quality of the campaign, helping participants align their aspirations with the evolving requirements of the labour market. For more information, please contact: info@
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
IDNR to offer Coyote Track Workshop
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will host a 'Coyote Track' Workshop at the Kennekuk Education Center, Kennekuk County Park, Saturday, June 28, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. With its interactive visualization tool, the Coyote Track website centers around coyote ecology and behavior using data collected from radio-collared coyotes in urban and rural areas of Illinois. Several Chicago area urban coyotes and rural Illinois coyotes have been fitted with satellite tracking collars making it possible to monitor and analyze their movements and behavior over time. This presents a unique learning opportunity for students and the community to familiarize themselves with their mysterious four-legged community members. Using real data, this workshop will guide participants through the visualization data tool and standards-based lessons that support the unit. Participants will learn about how and why scientists are studying coyotes in Illinois, including learning about telemetry and how the information is gathered. The workshop is geared for teachers of Illinois high school and middle school students. Others may attend, but will need to adapt materials. Professional Development Hours are available. Kennekuk County Park is located at 22296 Henning Road. For more information, call 217-442-1691.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Paralympian visits Glasgow primary school to teach kids about energy saving
Stephen Clegg visited a Glasgow school to deliver a workshop on the importance of saving energy (Image: Supplied) A Paralympics GB athlete visited a primary school to teach pupils about energy saving. Stephen Clegg visited Cadder Primary School in Glasgow on June 18 to deliver a workshop on the importance of saving energy, in partnership with British Gas. Advertisement The event was part of British Gas' Get Set for Positive Energy Roadshow, which is designed to educate pupils across the UK on energy-saving behaviours and habits. A total of 84 pupils participated in the workshop, which was led by the paralympic swimmer and representatives from British Gas, and included a wide range of activities for the youngsters to participate in. The pupils were asked to design posters to encourage energy saving at home and school, identify ways to prevent energy misuse and suggest improvements to make their school more environmentally friendly. Read more: New lab aiming to become world's most advanced opens in Glasgow, creating jobs (Image: Supplied) Advertisement (Image: Supplied) Damian Nicholas, headteacher at Cadder Primary School, said: "The energy-saving workshop hosted by Stephen Clegg and British Gas was such a fantastic opportunity for our students, and we can't thank everyone enough for their time and passionate attitude, which certainly inspired the children. "We believe it's so important to shape the minds of tomorrow and encourage them to engage in energy-saving habits from a young age, and it was great to see our pupils so engaged in activities on the topic." Hannah Lawrance, strategic brand partnerships lead at British Gas, said: "We really enjoyed visiting Cadder Primary School yesterday alongside Stephen Clegg for our Get Set for Positive Energy workshop. "We met some brilliant pupils who threw their all into the energy-saving activities we had planned, which was great to see. Advertisement "The programme aims to educate children on building a more sustainable future, which helps us to create a more sustainable community for all. "We're using our partnership with Team GB and ParalympicsGB to inspire schools to get more active and consider different ways to create a positive impact." (Image: Supplied) (Image: Supplied) (Image: Supplied) Read more: Do you really have to pay to sit with your children on a flight The Get Set for Positive Energy Roadshow is part of the broader Get Set for Positive Energy initiative. This free cross-curricular programme hopes to educate young people aged five to 11 on the importance of saving energy to drive change, getting active, and building healthy everyday habits. Advertisement Through this initiative, British Gas hopes to reach up to 8,500 schools and 1.5 million young people and families across the UK by 2028. They aim to inspire young people to take an active role in creating a greener future for themselves and their community, motivated by the Olympic and Paralympic values. For more information on the programme can visit the Get Set for Positive Energy website.
Al Bawaba
15-06-2025
- Business
- Al Bawaba
Promoting Mental Wellbeing: Diyar Al Muharraq Organizes Workshop for Employees
As part of the efforts of its Health, Safety and Security department, Diyar Al Muharraq, Bahrain's largest real estate developer, recently collaborated with the Diyar Medical Center to organize a workshop for its employees aimed at promoting mental health awareness. The sessions reaffirm the company's commitment to showcasing the importance of mental health across all line with World Mental Health Month, the initiative underscores Diyar Al Muharraq's dedication to creating a healthy and supportive work environment. The workshop took place over the course of two days from Monday, 2 June to Tuesday, 3 June, and welcomed employees from the head and site workshop provided effective tools to improve employees' mental health on both a personal and professional level. The sessions also included number of topics, such as stress management and burnout prevention, creating and sustaining a mentally healthy workplace culture, as well as simple, actionable strategies for self-care, and encouraging open conversations around mental health. Diyar Al Muharraq is the Kingdom's largest integrated residential city that blends luxury with the core family values of Bahraini society. The development offers a wide range of housing solutions and contemporary lifestyles, complemented by a mix of residential, commercial, recreational, and healthcare facilities that embody the vision of modern, future-ready urban infrastructure. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba ( Signal PressWire is the world's largest independent Middle East PR distribution service.
