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Archive for 'Literature'

A sentimental education Posted by on Jul 12, 2022

In 1869, Gustave Flaubert published his Éducation sentimentale. This classic example of the Bildungsroman or roman d’apprentissage tells the story of law student Frederic Moreau and his infatuation with the older Mme Arnoux in his hometown in Normandy. This week we’ll have our own éducation sentimentale as we explore les sentiments en français. Sentiments ou…

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The Little Prince in Paris Posted by on Feb 22, 2022

If you’re a long-time follower, you already know that one of France’s most famous contributions to the world of literature was not actually written in France. Now for the first time, the manuscript of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s Le Petit Prince is making a trip to Paris. Le Petit Prince à Paris Written and first published…

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Chanson d’automne Posted by on Oct 8, 2021

Bonjour!  C’est l’automne! Fall is officially here, and as such I’d like to share one of the best known poems in the French language; Chanson d’automne (Autumn Song) by Paul Verlaine. Published in 1866 in Verlaine’s first collection Poèmes saturniens, using the symbolism of fall, it is a sad and melancholic view on growing old…

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French bookshops Posted by on Sep 24, 2021

Bonjour! La lecture est une amitié. – Marcel Proust Je n’ai jamais eu de chagrin qu’une heure de lecture n’ait dissipé. – Montesquieu ______________________________________________________________ It’s officially fall, and what better way to spend it then cozied up with a book? Today I want to highlight some French bookshops, past and present, and a recommendation for…

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A novel solution to food waste Posted by on May 18, 2021

Photo by Christian West from Pexels

Sustainability is a topic we hear a lot about these days. Global initiatives like the United Nations Goals for Sustainable Development encourage all of us to think about ways that we can help ensure that our home remains vibrant and viable. This week I came across a novel solution to food waste that might help…

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De la Rochefoucauld’s Maxims Posted by on Apr 20, 2021

17th century nobleman and militaire François de la Rochefoucauld upset the powerful (including Cardinal Richelieu), spent time in the Bastille prison, and had famous friendships with the likes of la marquise de Sévigné, but is most famous today for his maxims. De la Rochefoucauld’s Maxims A maxim is a short, impactful statement that highlights a fundamental…

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