Tag Archives: France
French Vocabulary – Drinks Posted by Tim Hildreth on Feb 6, 2018
Everyone knows the French love to eat. But they also love to drink. John’s recent post on sharing a drink with friends got me thinking about vocabulary for drinks. Commençons avec un peu de vocabulaire (Let’s begin with a little vocabulary) Quand j’ai* soif, je bois. (When I’m thirsty, I drink). The verb for to…
French Culture – Current Events Posted by Tim Hildreth on Jan 30, 2018
The last few weeks have been busy in France. There are a number of notable passing and other news updates that I thought would be good to share this week. Some are happy, some sad, but all are making waves on the French airwaves over the last few weeks. Paris sous l’eau (Paris beneath the…
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…
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…
French History – Le Manureva Posted by Tim Hildreth on Nov 21, 2017
Thirty-nine years ago, the French sailor Alain Colas and his boat, le Manureva, disappeared off the Azores (a group of North Atlantic islands about 850 miles west of the coast of Portugal) while particpating in the Route du Rhum. The tale has inspired many, including the French composer Alain Chamfort and the singer/songwriter Serge Gainsbourg…
Reading Signs in French Posted by Tim Hildreth on Nov 14, 2017
A very important skill for traveling abroad is reading signs. This is as true in France as it is in any country. Reading the local signs isn’t generally a matter de vie ou de mort (of life or death), but sometimes it can mean the difference between privacy … and, well, wet shoes. I love…
Chartres Posted by Tim Hildreth on Oct 31, 2017
Located just over an hour to the southwest of Paris, the city of Chartres makes a perfect stop on the drive from Paris to points west (like la Bretagne). It is home to, among other things, the beautiful Notre-Dame de Chartres cathedral. That, along with a nice lunch, is just about a perfect detour in…