Tag Archives: France
French Culture – Current Events Posted by Tim Hildreth on Jun 23, 2020
Just as the world seemed to be maybe, ever so slightly turning the corner towards normalcy, things got decidedly complicated again with the death of George Floyd here in the US. The effects of that event (representative of many sadly similar tragic events) have echoed across the US and the world in the weeks that…
French Vocabulary – Jewelry Posted by Tim Hildreth on Jun 9, 2020
Qui n’aime pas un peu de fantaisie (who doesn’t like a little fantasy) ? In these strange times, a little sparkle, a little distraction is always welcome. So this week, we look at la joaillerie. The French are glad to die for love … But in the infamous words of a classic song, diamonds are a…
French Vocabulary – In the street Posted by Tim Hildreth on Jun 2, 2020
The other day I was out for a walk and practicing my French en même temps (at the same time) by naming all the things I could see. Les arbres, les plantes, le ciel, le soleil, des boîtes aux lettres, et la rue (The trees, the plants, the sky, the sun, mailboxes, and the street). When I got…
French History – More monarchs Posted by Tim Hildreth on May 26, 2020
The French Revolution of 1789 brought about enormous changes and laid the foundations for the France that we know today. It also ended the reign of Louis XVI and his reine (queen) Marie Antoinette. But … it didn’t end the monarchy in France! Un empereur, trois rois, et un autre empereur! Before France would bid…
French History – Shaking Things Up Posted by Tim Hildreth on May 19, 2020
The French have had more than their share of revolutions. They’ve never had a problem when things weren’t working, just scrapping it all and starting over. There’s a reason that the current political administration is the Ve République (Fifth Republic). Une histoire révolutionnaire / A revolutionay history Most students of French language and culture are familiar with…
French Culture – A New Day Posted by Tim Hildreth on May 12, 2020
As of Monday, France has started the slow process of opening up for business. And while travel within 100 kms of home is now permitted, foreign visitors will still need to quarantine for 14 days if they travel to France. So no trips for me anytime soon … but the news did get me thinking…
French Culture – Opening Up Posted by Tim Hildreth on May 5, 2020
As I’ve covered in my blog posts these past several weeks, France (like much of the world) has been on lock down. Starting at midi le 17 mars (March 17 at noon) the French could only leave their homes for a strictly defined list of déplacements dérogatoire (exceptional outings). That may all be about to change. Le…