Tag Archives: French culture
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 language and culture – the life of a teacher Posted by Tim Hildreth on Dec 19, 2017
I think education has the power to change the world. One of these days, I hope to put my love of French and my passion for education to good use teaching French at a local school. Thankfully, being a teacher today – while still a difficult job – isn’t nearly as hard as it used…
French Language and Culture – At school Posted by Tim Hildreth on Dec 12, 2017
As I’ve mentioned before, ma tante Rose (my Aunt Rose) likes to send funny jokes and pictures from the internet. Her latest courriel (email) contained an attachment that sent me off on a little bit of an internet adventure. Unfortunately it meant a lot of extra digging. Fortunately it led to some fun discoveries that I’ll…
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…
Green France Posted by Tim Hildreth on Oct 24, 2017
France has a long history of using alternative sources of fuel to generate electricity. After the global oil crisis of the early 1970’s France embarked on an ambitious program to ensure energy independence and today generates about 75% of its electricity from nuclear. While nuclear may not be the greenest source of energy, on our…