Archive for 'Culture'
Lyon’s Most Famous Fountain by the Statue of Liberty Sculptor Posted by Hichem on Mar 9, 2013
The most famous fountain in the city of Lyon was made by a Frenchman whose name is not likely to tell you much: Auguste Bartholdi, originally from the Alsace region. Doesn’t really ring a bell, non? His other work, however, is one of the best known monuments in the world. Ever heard of New York‘s Statue of Liberty…
How to Make Madeleines Posted by Hichem on Mar 6, 2013
How to make and bake the French Lorraine classic madeleines in just dix étapes très faciles (ten very easy steps)! A slightly different approach by le chef Pierre-Dominique of Larousse Cuisine (that’s right, the same as the famous French dictionary) ► CE DONT VOUS AUREZ BESOIN (What you will need): Two cups of farine (flour) Six separated œufs (eggs) Twenty cuillères à soupe (tablespoons) of melted and cooled…
Top 5 French Idioms with SAUTER (To Jump) Posted by Hichem on Feb 28, 2013
Today’s topic is a particularly exciting one! Selected just for you, the fans of the Transparent French Blog, our Top Five French idiomatic expressions which make a fine use of the verb SAUTER (To JUMP.) Now, sans transition (without further ado), let us jump right to it, shall we, mes amis? NUMÉRO CINQ (Number Five): Sauter aux yeux…
How to Say “Give it Up” in French Slang Posted by Hichem on Feb 24, 2013
Formal French is of course essential to learn if you want to master le français, but French slang is also a “must”, especially if you plan to actually go to France. You also need French slang to understand French movies, songs—and even graffiti, for example! We’ll focus today on one particular expression that French people…
A Very Happy French Accordion Posted by Hichem on Feb 9, 2013
Out of the Côtes-d’Armor in the Brittany Peninsula, bordering the shores of Saint-Malo, from whence hailed and sailed the seafaring ancestors of the legendary Surcouf, “le roi des corsaires“ (“the King of Corsairs”), came up a cheerful tune. A highly melodic theme, it revolved around a local demoiselle whom everybody called “Marie la dondaine.” So far, so good. But what’s a “dondaine“, anyway? Is it…
Under the Wing of the French Phoenix Posted by Hichem on Feb 1, 2013
In France, the word “Eiffel” used to only bring to mind Paris‘s most celebrated monument: la Tour Eiffel (the Eiffel Tower.) Today, however, it also refers to a young and dynamic music band which has successfully reinvigorated the French Rock scene, after years of torpor and somnolence (the same as in English: sleepiness!) * * *…
Top 10 Funniest French Names of Flowers (Part DEUX) Posted by Hichem on Jan 23, 2013
We pick up today from where we left last time: The Top 10 Funniest French Names of Flowers! Here’s the link to Part 1, if you missed it. * * * NUMÉRO CINQ (NUMBER FIVE): Lis queue de rénard: Eremurus Eremurus is called in French Lis queue de renard, literally “Lily-Tail-of-a-Fox.” Shamans and White Magic practitioners (whom we know for…