What does "Vive la France" mean - Patriotism in French
"Vive la France", "Vive la liberté" are French expressions to show your patriotism. "Vive la France" translates as "hurray for France", or sometimes as "long live France", depending on the context. The...
View ArticleBastille Day French Vocabulary - le 14 Juillet, La Fête Nationale
July the 14th is the French national day - it's called "Bastille day" outside of France but never in France! "Le Quatorze Juillet" is a day of celebrating French culture. Numerous public events take...
View ArticleFun French English Bilingual Activity - Quiz in a Pub!
Depuis plusieurs années, j’organise des quiz bilingues à Jugon. Les quiz ont lieu généralement dans un bar. Nous les faisons un lundi soir, un mois sur deux. Le barman a choisi le lundi parce que c’est...
View ArticleThe French School System Explained
This is always a problem for my students. Understanding the French school system, l'école française, knowing which grades are which is a real nightmare. So here is a post that should make things...
View ArticleHow To Switch From Vous To Tu in French
Most French students know that French has several forms for you: "tu" and "vous". If knowing which one to use when meeting a French person is not always easy, it's even harder to decide when it's time...
View ArticleHow do we Celebrate Halloween in France? Learn French Vocabulary and Traditions
We don't typically celebrate Halloween in France. In the 1990s, young French hipsters started to have costume parties for Halloween, and some bars and restaurants took up the trend as well (French...
View ArticleHow To Thank in French + Thanksgiving in France
Camille and I sometimes have students or friends from the US/Canada asking us about how we celebrate Thanksgiving in France. The short answer is "we don't" and that often comes to a them as a...
View ArticleQue signifie "Black Friday"? Meaning & French Traditions for "Black Friday"
What does "Black Friday" mean and is it popular in France? This article in the form of an easy French English bilingual story takes a closer look at the vocabulary and French traditions for the huge...
View ArticleSaint Nicolas - the French Santa Claus
Practice your French and learn about "Saint Nicolas", the French Santa Claus, with my easy French English bilingual story. The post Saint Nicolas - the French Santa Claus appeared first on French Today.
View ArticleTruths and Myths Of The French Christmas Meal
With so many culinary delights in France, it's hard to figure out what kind of food French people really eat around Christmas. Oysters and Foie-Gras are a sure thing, but fresh truffles and caviar are...
View ArticleXmas in France: Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?
The Christmas meal in France is called "le réveillon de Noël" and usually takes place on December 24th. But, things change and now, many French families have their traditional Christmas meal on...
View ArticleDebunking New Year in France + Vocabulary
In French, we call New Year's Eve "La Saint-Sylvestre" (pronounced "la sin(nasal) seal vay str") or "Le Réveillon du Nouvel An". Celebrated during the night of December 31st, we usually party with...
View ArticleHow To Make New Year's Resolutions in French
The new year is upon us, and of course, French people also 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 ArticleFrench King Pie Recipe and Traditions - La Galette des Rois
"la galette des rois" the French king cake is traditionally served on January 6, a Christian holy day called Epiphany, and mostly known as the 3 wise men visit to baby Jesus. In France the tradition of...
View ArticleLes Crêpes de la Chandeleur - Recipe & Vocabulary
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 ArticleFrench Women Don't Date: the French Dating System Explained
It is so funny to see how some social behaviors are exactly the same between France and the US, and others are completely different. One of the very obvious difference is the dating game. The French...
View ArticleHow To Ask Someone Out on a Date in French
Finding the courage to ask someone out on a date is not easy... let alone trying to find the right words in French. Here is my lesson on asking someone out in French. The post How To Ask Someone Out on...
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 ArticleTop 10 Easy to Understand French Movies
Many beginner and intermediate French students are looking for French movies easy enough to understand. It's quite a challenge, so I asked my students and ex-students to help me put together a list of...
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...
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