An adorable comment from my friend and student David Morgan regarding his passion for the French language : « As many of you know, some of the first generation of leaders of the Communist Party of China studied in France, such as Zhou Enlai, Deng Xiaoping, Cai Hesen, Chen Yi and Nie Rongzhen. Because of this, I developed a keen interest in French culture and particularly French history, philosophy, literature and art when I was a young man. By reading modern French history, especially writings on the French Revolution, I have gained a better perspective of the laws governing the political and social evolution of the human society. By reading Montesquieu, Voltaire, Rousseau, Diderot, Saint-Simon, Fourier and Sartre, I have deepened my understanding of how progress of the mind propels progress in society. By reading Montaigne, La Fontaine, Molière, Stendhal, Balzac, Hugo, Alexandre Dumas, George Sand, Flaubert, Alexandre Dumas, fils, Maupassant and Romain Rolland, I have better appreciated life with all its joys and sorrows. I still recall vividly literary characters such as Jean Valjean, Quasimodo and Boule de Suif. By watching the works of Millet, Manet, Degas, Cézanne, Monet and Rodin and the paintings of Zao Wou-ki which integrate elements of both East and West, I have refined my artistic taste. And by reading science fictions written by Jules Verne, I have discovered a new world where imagination knows no boundary. French opera, ballet, architecture, sports, food, fashion and film all hold great appeal to people in China. Learning about the French culture has also helped me better appreciate both the Chinese culture and the profound nature and rich diversity of human civilizations. » – Xi Jinping. Can you imagine Donald Trump saying this???”
THE FRENCH GREETING = LA BISE À LA FRANCAISE “La bise” is an integral part of French greeting culture which often leaves foreigners feeling baffled = https://www.lepoint.fr/sciences-nature/tout-sur-la-bise-07-10-2019-2339696_1924.php
Le Petit Nicolas (Little Nicholas) is a series of French children’s books. It was created by René Goscinny _who created Asterix and Lucky Lucke_ and illustrated by Jean-Jacques Sempé and published in 1959. The books tells about an ideal version of your childhood in France, in the1950s. This book is a collection of short stories involving a mischievous little kid living in France, Nicolas and his friends. The stories are funny, short and captivating , and the illustrations are simple, but great also. The characters are so funny and charming at the same time, with their own specific particularity, the stories revolving mainly around Nicholas and his friends at school. Each story is about 5-7 pages long. It will make you laugh and think about being a kid again.
Very useful to learn French and it is just just great fun I recommend this book for intermediate French readers because if you have a general understanding of French you will realize you know more than you think from books like these. Read the book, and have fun.
One of my favorite French comedies ( 2008) for a little overview with the differences , some myths of the North and South of France : Bienvenus chez les ch’tis = Dany Boon wrote, directed and costars in this rousing rural comedy about a man born and raised on France’s Southern coast who is exiled to the Northern territories. Philippe (Kad Merad) helps run a small-town post office in France. His wife Julie has been down in the dumps, so he hatches a plan to move to the Cote d’Azur. But Philippe fails to secure a transfer and is relocated to Bergues, a village in Northern France where the language is unfamiliar and the culture is strangely foreign: https://youtu.be/HN3v2yIZFFI
Quoi que tu fasses dans la vie, les gens te critiqueront, alors fais ce que tu veux. PROFITE DE LA VIE
Another favorite film of mine where you can see the lovely landscape of the Provence area of France and its accent, story by Marcel Pagnol (1999) = Jean de Florette: In this French drama, the enterprising Ugolin Soubeyran (Daniel Auteuil) returns to his native countryside after the serving in the military. Intent on growing expensive flowers, he conspires with his uncle, Cesar (Yves Montand), to gain access to a hidden spring on a neighboring property. When their initial attempt to buy the land fails, they must contend with Jean de Florette (Gérard Depardieu), who arrives with his family to work the coveted plot and turn it into a profitable farm.
And if you loved this film, feel free to watch the second part, Manon des sources : Manon (Emmanuelle Béart), a beautiful shepherdess in Provence, France, has lost her father and seen her family’s livelihood ruined through the greediness of her neighbors: Ugolin (Daniel Auteuil) and his grandfather, Cesar (Yves Montand). Now grown and living in isolation from the village, she plots revenge against the men for their misdeeds. Her plot is complicated by Ugolin, who has fallen in love with her — but Manon’s retribution will not be deterred.
A classic French comedy that I absolutely adore, with a great actor who left us Louis de Funės = the series of the gendarmes _… one of my favorite where they go to New York and an english lesson = Le gendarme à New York =
Podcast to practise your listening level Beginner = Je Parle Baguette
By CharlesLearn French by listening everyday to 10 min of French on your way to work, during your commute, while training or travelling. Nothing works best than a full immersion into a language … get lost in listening , get used to the words all the while learning about french culture, news and everyday conversations. Do not worry if you feel left behind, slowly but surely your brain will get used to french sounds and words, just as a child learns to speak … he first hears, then starts listening … Good for beginners/ intermediate and above wanting to learn, practise or revive their French https://anchor.fm/charles-french
01 er Mai en France: fête du travail et du muguet Si le premier mai est un jour férié en France, c’est officiellement en l’honneur du travail et des travailleurs. Cependant le 1er mai est également la fête du muguet. 1er mai, fête du travail et du muguet https://www.lemagfemmes.com/Fetes-populaires/Premier-mai-fete-du-travail-et-fete-du-muguet.html https://www.routard.com/mag_evenement/285/le_1er_mai_fete_du_travail_pour_tous_(ou_presque).htm
3 days off in France in May: 1st May : Fête du Travail.8th May : Victoire des Alliés en 1945.21st May : Ascension.
A little typical French culture during these Bank holidays: French people “font le pont” =”make the Bridge” , = take a 4 day weekend
In France, this holiday bridge is far more common – so much so that there’s an expression for it. Basically any time a public holiday falls on Tuesday or Thursday, students and many workers font le pont, which means that there are several four-day weekends throughout the year https://www.lawlessfrench.com/expressions/faire-le-pont/
Here is a lovely website wwith lots of language resources for people trying to learn languages : Joy of languages: http://joyoflanguages.com/ in this article Katie the author talks about 37 fantastique French TV shows to learn French on Netflix, Prime and Youtube , I would say useful for those learning French intermediate/ advanced levels : http://joyoflanguages.com/french-tv-shows/ Worth having a look at this, many thanks Katie.
Learning a language by binge-watching Netflix shows, sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? Here is a selection of French Netflix shows, suggested by Jahrine, from LingQ: 
https://www.lingq.com/…/best-french-netflix-shows-to…/
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A FEW FRENCH CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS
Papillottes:
Delicious traditional sweets with French festive flair!
The history of the Papillote:
Papillotes were invented in Lyon last century by a confectioner named Papillot, who made chocolates and sweets in his shop in Lyon
When he discovered that his young apprentice was sending stolen sweets wrapped in love letters to his sweetheart, Papillot was far from angry. He thought it an excellent idea, and so he began making his now-famous Papillotes de Lyon.
Made from candied fruit and chocolate, and wrapped in their traditional gold and coloured paper, these lovely Christmas sweets are guaranteed to add a little French festive flair to your Christmas table!
Bûche de Noël (Yule log), is one of the oldest French Christmas traditions. It dates back to Celtic times before Christmas in France was celebrated.
Today it is one of the French Christmas desserts served at the Réveillon, the French Christmas feast.
And don’t look at the English chocolate logs. They don’t taste nothing like the French one.
They are just an imitation, like the Chocolate éclairs…
You need to try the French ones
AVIGNON, A MAJOR HISTORIC CITY OF THE SOUTH OF FRANCE
In Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region of France.
The city of Avignon played an important role in the 14th century. Though nowadays, it’s mostly known for its bridge, the Pont d’ Avignon, the city was once a residence for pontiffs who made their home at the Palace of the Popes.
Besides its historic significance, Avignon has much to offer
For your travel ideas. Have you visited Avignon, what did you enjoy?
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http://us.media.france.fr/en/node/651
LYON 3RD MAJOR TOWN OF FRANCE
Lyon is the third-largest city and second-largest urban area of France. It is located at the confluence of the rivers Rhône and Saône, about 470 km (292 mi) south-east of Paris, 320 km (199 mi) north of Marseille and 56 km (35 mi) northeast of Saint-Étienne. Inhabitants of the city are called Lyonnais.
I love this town, personally much better than the capital. Lyon is worth visiting and you may fall in love with this fascinating town.
Capital of French gastronomy, with lots to do and see, with its charming old town and modern town, captivating architecture and buildings, LYON has so much to offer.
Go and visit this beautiful town of Lyon. It is one of my favourite towns of France.
For your travel ideas. Have you visited Lyon, what did you enjoy?
An Englishman eating un pain au chocolat