French Holidays: La fête des rois – Why Is there a Bean in My Cake?? Posted by Josh Dougherty on Jan 7, 2018
We’re now a week into 2018, and that means this past weekend was the official mark to the end of the 2017 holiday season. The Eastern Orthodox in Russia celebrated Christmas on January 7th, and the day before, the French partook in one of my favorite holidays: La fête des rois (Kings Day). January…
Only An Au Revoir – Auld Lang Syne In French Posted by John Bauer on Jan 3, 2018
La Saint-Sylvestre (New Year’s Eve) may be celebrated slightly differently in France, mais (but) there’s a song associated with la fête (the holiday) that is fairly familiar to tout le monde (everyone). La chanson du réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre (The New Year’s Eve song), Auld Lang Syne, is one that all anglophones know. It’s interesting…
French Culture – New Year’s Traditions Posted by Tim Hildreth on Jan 2, 2018
On this deuxième jour de janvier (second day of January), I’d like to start off by wishing everyone une très bonne année! (a very Happy New Year!) New Year’s provides the French with not one, but two more chances to do what they do best . . . celebrate! Like most festive French holidays, New…
Le réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre (New Year’s Eve) Posted by Elizabeth Schmermund on Dec 29, 2017
The new year (le nouvel an) is fast approaching. After a less than stellar 2017, I for one will be saying vive 2018! In France, as elsewhere, New Year’s Eve (called le réveillon du jour de l’an) is typically celebrated with friends. It’s common to celebrate the new year with champagne and fireworks. But did…
Transparent Language French Blog: Best Of 2017 Posted by John Bauer on Dec 27, 2017
With les fêtes (the holidays) wrapping up, I hope everyone was able to enjoy Noël (Christmas), Hanoucca (Hanukkah), or any other fête during these cold winter months. Le nouvel an (the new year) is nearly here and while everyone is busy putting up their new calendrier (calendar), it’s a good time for us here at…
French Culture – Christmas Traditions Posted by Tim Hildreth on Dec 26, 2017
I’m a little late, but before we get started, I’d like to wish all those who celebrate around the world, un très Joyeux Noël! (a very Merry Christmas!). And speaking of Noël, did you ever wonder (like I did recently) where that word comes from or just what it means? If so, read on to…
Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel – Come Learn about Hanukkah in French Posted by Josh Dougherty on Dec 23, 2017
December is a very festive month for people all around the world. We’ve covered French Christmas vocabulary, songs, and traditions quite a few times on the blogs, but we haven’t yet looked at Hanukkah. It’s a wonderful Jewish holiday celebrating the miracle of the long-burning flames. There are roughly 480,000 Jewish people living in France…