As in many countries around the world, Christmas in France is a time for family gatherings. On Christmas Eve, instead of stockings however, children leave their shoes in front of the fireplace (or under the tree), so that Père Noël can fill them with gifts. In Northern […]
0 Read More
We’re all used to seeing Nativities decorating our homes, shops, schools, and churches but in Provence, they go one better. Not only do people’s homes have a Nativity but very often, a miniature village to accompany the birth of the baby Jesus as well. These Nativities […]
0 Read More
You wouldn’t expect the French to use just any old wood for their yule logs, would you? Of course not, and you’d be right not to; in France, traditionally, cherrywood logs are used. Not only that but they are sprinkled with red wine so that the […]
0 Read More
Lingua Franca; the language of nobility, and of diplomacy across Europe and the Ottoman Empire, French was the world’s first truly international language until it was replaced in the 20th century by English
0 Read More
Le Métro is such an iconic subway that novelists around the world have featured it in their literary works. Librarian and bibliophile, Bernard Strainchamps, has created this amazing interactive map of stations featured in some of the best classic literature. Hovering over the map below will […]
0 Read More
It’s true; for example, the humble ham and cheese toastie is called a Croque Monsieur in French – doesn’t that sound far more exotic? Even snails sound better in French – les escargots!
2 Read More
Did you know that there is a subway map of Paris, which shows the location of every burger available in the City of Light? Doesn’t that just make your tummy rumble?! Visit pop culture site, FraisFrais, to download the full-size version.
0 Read More
Not to be confused with the smaller, l’Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, Paris’ most famous triumphal arch was commissioned by Napoléon in 1806 to commemorate all those who fought for France during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars. Names of French generals and France’s victories are inscribed […]
0 Read More
Denim is French. The tough blue cotton twill, which was used by Levi Strauss for his workers’ garments, originated in Nîmes, and was known as de Nîmes – ‘from Nîmes’. Even the word, jeans, has France to thank for its origin; Gênes is French for Genova […]
0 Read More
With a per capita consumption of around 60 liters per year (60% red, 25% rosé, 15% white), the French drink more wine than any other nation in the world. Along with drinking the wine, France also exports more wine than any other country in the world […]
0 Read More