“Chanson d’automne” (“Autumn Song”) Posted by Hichem on Sep 20, 2012
This is the incredible yet little known story of How One French Poem Helped Win the Second World War! When the allies were ready to land on the coasts of Normandy, they announced the news to the French Resistance by means of this poem, first published in 1866: “Chanson d’automne” (“Autumn Song”) by Paul Verlaine, one of the…
French Vocabulary: Shopping at the Supermarket Posted by Hichem on Sep 19, 2012
If you ever go to France one day, either for a visit, or to move in for work or studying, one of the things you will have to do on your own is buying food, from le supermarché (supermarket) or the local épicerie (food store.) The first useful sentence you probably should learn is “excusez-moi” (“excuse me”)…
Le Pyla: Europe’s Tallest Sand Dune—Is in South of France! Posted by Hichem on Sep 18, 2012
If someone ever quizzes you about the location of the tallest dune de sable (sand dune) in Europe, thanks to today’s French Blog post you will know it: It’s in the South of France, not too far from the city of Bordeaux! * * * Well, sure, you won’t feel like you’ve somehow been teletransported…
Vanité Vs. Humanité (Vanity Vs. Humanity) Posted by Hichem on Sep 17, 2012
According to Le Larousse, the most famous French dictionary: → vanité /va.ni.te/ féminin 1. [orgueil] vanity, pride, conceit. 2. [futilité] pointlessness, futility. Today’s post is in honored memory of the late Laurent Meynier, author of “Réflexions photographiques” (“photographic reflections”) After “Sous ton aile” (“Under your Wing”), Eiffel makes a comeback to The French Blog with “Tes vanités” (“Your Vanities“) (If your Youtube access is restricted in…
Autour du Monde (Around the World) Posted by Hichem on Sep 14, 2012
When a catchy French song meets a hilarious video coming straight from the wild imagination of “Ze craziest Frenchman on ze planet“—Then what happens? Well, voici le résultat (here is the result)! “Le Troubadour” by French group “HK & Les Saltimbanks”, who are probably not too upset with Rémi for “borrowing” their song to be featured on his video…
The French Cowboy Posted by Hichem on Sep 12, 2012
Come on, mes amis, wear your chapeaux (hats), bring along your Smith & Wessons, jump on the selles (saddles) of your chevaux (horses), and let’s all go for une petite balade (a small ride) with French Rap pioneer Mc Solaar… Our destination? We’re off to le Nouveau Western (“The New Western”) MC SOLAAR – “Le Nouveau Western“ (“The New Western”) Le vent souffle en Arizona The wind whirls…
French Expressions Used in English Posted by Hichem on Sep 11, 2012
It’s a fact, English words and expressions are increasingly present in other languages. In France, people often say “weekend”, instead of “fin de semaine“, “mail” instead of “courriel“, etc. But the other way is also true: A lot of French words, idioms, and expressions have since a long time found their way into the language of Shakespeare…