New Year in France - la St Sylvestre
New Year's eve in France is called " la Saint Sylvestre " (pronounced "la sin(nasal) seal vay str") and is - unlike its name might indicate - not a religious holiday. Celebrated during the night of...
View ArticleHow To Make New Year's Resolutions in French
The new year is upon us, and of course, part of the tradition is to make New Year's resolutions (les bonnes résolutions du nouvel an). Here is a list of vocabulary and constructions used for New Year's...
View ArticleRecette de Galette des Rois - 3 Kings French Puff Pastry Tart Recipe
In France the tradition of serving this frangipane filled tart can be traced back to the 14th century. A small bean, coin or porcelain fève is baked inside the cake and whoever receives the little...
View ArticleThe French Doggy Bag = "Le" Doggy Bag, "Le Gourmet Bag"
There has been a lot of talks about doggy bags in France: do the French use doggy bags at all? Is it impolite to ask for a doggy bag in France? Is it customary? And most of all, how do you say doggy...
View ArticleFrench Sex Vocabulary and Expressions
French Sex vocabulary and expressions are used all the time in movies. Books don't cover this topic but I think it will be very helpful to adult students to understand French Sex Vocabulary, and know...
View ArticleLes Crêpes de la Chandeleur - Recipe
Crêpes (sort of French thin pancake) are a very common food in France and are not only easy to make but can be served any way you want. This allows the whole family to eat exactly the crêpes that they...
View ArticleJoyeuse Saint Valentin ! Valentine's day in France
Le 14 février, c'est La Saint Valentin, la fête de l'amour et des amoureux. Careful though - unlike English cultures, Valentine's day in France is only for people "in" love, not just loving/friendship...
View ArticleMastering French Table Etiquette + Vocabulary and Expressions
There is more to French Table Etiquette than "Bon appétit": did you know for example that you needed to wait for your host to start eating AND drinking? The French keep both hands on the table and...
View ArticleHow to Place Your Hands and Silverware at the French Table
Did you know the French use their silverware position to indicate whether they are done eating? Table manners are quite different in France: you must keep both hands over the table, eat with your index...
View ArticleHow To Pass Food Politely At a French Table
In this French table etiquette article, we'll talk about passing food around politely, refusing or accepting seconds, as well as the good manners for eating bread and cheese. The post How To Pass Food...
View ArticleWhat Is Really Polite and Impolite at the French Table
What are the French table Do's and Don'ts? Did you know that having your hands under the table, or drinking before everybody does, or even spreading your cheese over a piece of bread were considered...
View ArticleLe Gigot d'Agneau - French Roasted Leg of Lamb Recipe
Today, we'll take a look at a very traditional French leg of lamb recipe: le gigot d'agneau Pascal. In case you were wondering, let's be clear: "Agneau Pascal" does NOT mean "Some guy named Pascal's...
View ArticleLes Traditions de Pâques - Easter's Traditions in France
"Pâques" is an important holiday in France: a religious one of course, but also a traditional gathering for families, religious or not. Kids go egg hunting (you can see our daughter Leyla in action),...
View ArticleFrench Easter Vocabulary - Le Vocabulaire de Pâques
First let's address the most important French word for Easter: Pâques. (Pronounce it "pak"). It's commonly used without any article (no le, la, les). The post French Easter Vocabulary - Le Vocabulaire...
View ArticlePoisson d'Avril ! April's Fool in France + Laughter Vocabulary
A "poisson d'avril" is a joke made on April 1st. In France, children try to stick a fish picture on their friends' back. When the joke is discovered, they shout "poisson d'avril !" The post Poisson...
View ArticleMa Main Est Une Fleur - a French Mother's Day Poem on Video
Bonjour - I'm Leyla, Camille and Olivier's daughter. Every year, we learn a poem at school for Mother's day (la fête des mères). This year, my parents took a video so we can share it with you. Enjoy!...
View ArticleHow To Be a Polite Guest in a French Home
When you are invited to stay over in a French home, maybe with French friends or maybe during a school exchange, there are some things that may surprise you. In today's article, I will tell you what to...
View ArticleD-Day ("Le Débarquement") French Vocabulary
June 6th is a pretty special day. It's the anniversary of D-Day and as both a French and US citizen, it definitely has double the impact on me. The post D-Day ("Le Débarquement") French Vocabulary...
View ArticleFrench Music Vocabulary + Fête de la Musique Easy Bilingual Story
National Music Day was June 21st in France: music concerts, festivals and street parties were organized everywhere in France throughout the weekend. In this French music lesson, we'll go over the...
View ArticleDo You Know The Hidden Secret Spot to Paris' Fireworks?
So, you decided to go to Paris to see the fabulous Bastille day fireworks - You and about a million Parisians :-) Here are my tips to best enjoy the Paris Bastille Day Fireworks. I may even let you in...
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