5 Cultural Recommendations for This Summer

Are you familiar with “ finally solitary “? In this book, Lauren Bastide defines this concept as “a desired, savored state of being alone with oneself in a process of thought, introspection, and meditation,” specifically for women. However, the author assures us that this is not a book about celibacy or isolation, but rather about a form of chosen solitude, often consumed by family responsibilities and societal expectations. Drawing on academic references and enriched by her personal experience, this essay reads like a novel and brilliantly demonstrates how solitude can become a true El Dorado. The perfect read to experience final solitary yourself this summer.

The back cover of this comic sets the tone: “Who was the first woman to receive a state funeral? Who was the second to be elected to the Académie Goncourt? Who is the author whose work is as famous as it is controversial? Colette, of course! ” Yet her fame wasn’t always a given. Her novels and their success were initially exploited by her husband…who signed them. So if you’d like to learn more about this woman of a thousand faces, you’ve come to the right place with this eponymous graphic novel.

“Masculinities are diverse and ever-changing. So what does it mean to ‘be a man’ these days? How has masculinity changed? Why are masculinists’ egos so fragile? How can we adopt, on a lasting basis, norms that are gentler and more respectful of other genders?” This is the wide-ranging and fascinating lineup offered by the radio show *Grand Bien vous fasse*, hosted by Ali Rebeihi on France Inter. While the subject matter is serious, the discussions are essential. At a time when the rise of masculinism on social media is becoming increasingly evident, other men are proposing different ways of embodying masculinity (or rather, masculinities). And we’re happy to dive right in.

While the synopsis may seem conventional at first glance— with these three thirty-somethings who are a bit “lost” at a crossroads in their lives—the series *Perfect Life*, available for free on Arte.tv, is actually full of subtlety and sensitivity. By tackling themes as varied as motherhood, attitudes toward disability, social engagement, and mental health, this series manages to explore the question of free will…and of life itself, which sometimes makes decisions for us. “Perfect Life” consists of two seasons to devour guilt-free, with the blinds drawn and an ice cream cone in hand.

Fresh off winning the 2026 César Award for Best Documentary Short Film, *Au bain des dames* takes us on a 29-minute journey along the Corniche in Marseille. Director Margaux Fournier discreetly joins the regulars who come to enjoy the sea and sunbathe. Without ever appearing on screen herself, she lets Marseille take center stage, along with these elderly women who talk among themselves about their love stories, their relationship with their bodies, and the painful moments in their lives—their witty banter setting the tone for the entire film. A moment suspended in time, between laughter and tenderness.