Archive for August, 2015
En Garde! Pharmacies Are Always Open! Posted by John Bauer on Aug 12, 2015
Getting used to French working hours is pretty easy. You just need to plan ahead a little bit, and you can always find small things that are still ouvert (open) to hold you over if you’re caught in a long holiday. I was fine with all of that and working with the French schedule, until…
French For Libraries Posted by Elizabeth Schmermund on Aug 10, 2015
According to Bernard Fixot, the owner and publisher of the small French publishing house XO: “There are two things you don’t throw out in France — bread and books” (see the original article in which Fixot in quoted here). Because of this cultural aspect, and because of French regulation on prices of books and e-books, French…
Using “à” with French Verbs Posted by Josh Dougherty on Aug 6, 2015
Those mean ol’ prepositions are back! In a previous post, I discussed how prepositions were a problem for me and many others when starting to learn a language. There’s no rhyme or reason as to why certain prepositions are used, and if you use the wrong one, the whole meaning can change. Think about it…
When Are Stores Open in France? Posted by John Bauer on Aug 5, 2015
People quickly notice the difference in les horaires de travail (working hours) between the US and France. Even being aware of the holidays doesn’t always mean you’ll know how to faire le pont (make the bridge). Knowing when things will be ouvert (open) and fermé (closed) is important no longer how long your stay. A…
Territorial Reform in France: La réforme terrritoriale Posted by Elizabeth Schmermund on Aug 3, 2015
Last summer, my mother-in-law and I brought my son to the store Nature et Découvertes in Paris to find a little toy to keep him occupied on the plane ride home. We didn’t find the perfect toy to keep a 1-year-old happy on an eight hour flight (I’m not sure that it exists!), but we did find…