3 French Wines You Must Try This Summer
Looking for the best wines to sip this summer? Look no further than these 3 French bottles.
Looking for 3 delicious French wines to sip this summer? Check out these ridiculously yummy bottles below, hand-selected by our wine expert, Jessamine, who studied at Le Cordon Bleu. Below you will find some important tasting notes along with French vocabulary that you can use to impress your friends while saying santé (you can also check out our separate Guide to Saying Cheers in French if you want to the full scoop on a proper santé). One of the best parts of the wines below is that they are available for delivery across the U.S.A. thanks to Scout & Cellar which offers clean, chemical-free wines produced by farmers from around world. We spoke further with one of their consultants, Anne Reilly (also known as Pure Pours), who included some helpful tasting cards so you can clearly see what each bottle is made of. She also let us know that orders over $99 get free U.S.A. shipping and the brand offers quantity discounts. Happy tasting!
Image by Zan
Rosé
One of the most trendy wines of summer has become the popular Rosé, which is made of handpicked organic red grapes.* You’ll notice its soft pink color, which is created when the juice from those grapes makes contact with the skin during production. This particular Rosé, the ‘2019 L’Original Rosé’ from Provence, France, has an overall fruity* vibe with notes of strawberry*, peach* and white flowers*. If you are sitting under the summer sun, it has just the right amount of crispness so you won’t be feeling like loads of sugar are dampening your tongue. The bottle features grapes that were handpicked at a winery situated within a French national forest in Provence, then placed in temperature-controlled tanks before being bottled. Each bottle costs $22USD and, for our 21+ readers, you can order one to be delivered by visiting Scout & Cellar.
*French terms you should know:
Grape = Raisin, Fruity = Fruité (pronounced [frɥite]), Strawberry = Fraise (pronounced [frɛz]), Peach = Pêche (pronounced [pɛʃ]), Flower = Fleur (pronounced [flœr])
Image: Scout & Cellar
Sémillon
You may not be immediately familiar with this wine type, but it surely is an underdog that will steal the scene at your next dinner party*. This ‘2018 Soleil Vent Âme’ has a golden greenish tone to its color* which reflects the youth of this grape variety. It has a delicious fruity flavor profile with aromas of fresh-cut mango, green papaya* and nectarine*, all offering a lively experience to the tongue*. The grapes themselves are grown on a 500 acre vineyard located in southwest of France in a region called Aquitaine. In this part of the country, the earth* has a clay-limestone soil which helps retain water and control temperature as the grapes grow. After being handpicked, the grapes are placed in a pneumatic press and fermented for 3 weeks. Just after this process, the wine ages for 15 days on a lees (the yeast deposits that sink to the bottom of a vat) before being bottled. Each bottle costs $25USD and, for our 21+ readers, you can order one to be delivered by visiting Scout & Cellar.
*French terms you should know:
Party = Fête, (pronounced [fɛt]), Color = Couleur (pronounced [kulœr]), Mango = Mangue, Papaya = Papaye, Nectarine = Nectarine, Tongue = Langue, Earth = Terre
Image: Scout & Cellar
Red Wine (Cabernet Sauvignon + Grenache)
For many people, a bold* red wine is the ticket to savoring the summer. If you are one of those people, this Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache blend is just what you need. A deep cabernet color, this tasty red* wine has bold, earthy notes with hints of strawberry and cherry* offering pleasant acidity,* silky tannins, and a slightly bitter* finish. The grapes themselves are handpicked on a vineyard in the Rhône Valley (in Southern France) and, through production they maintain their earth-like quality without any added chemicals* making this a vegan wine to satisfy all of your guests. Each bottle costs $26USD and, for our 21+ readers, you can order one to be delivered by visiting Scout & Cellar.
*French terms you should know:
Bold (flavor) = Saveur Prononcée, Red = Rouge, Cherry = Cerise, Bitter = Amer, Acidity = Acidité, Chemical = Chimique
Image: Scout & Cellar
Santé
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How to Make Authentic French Baguettes at home
Learn how to make this iconic French food item at-home with an authentic recipe that uses only 3 ingredients.
So you want to make authentic French baguettes at home? We salute you and love that you arrived at this article because we are passionate about this topic. We feel that making bread from home is one skill you can be truly proud of because, in general, bread is such a primordial food that it has become essential to our daily routine. Whether you use it for a sandwich, as the base of a tartine (kind of an open-faced sandwich common in France), or to eat alongside your favorite dip, bread is an incredible item to know how to make on your own. Of course we can get fancy and make authentic French baguettes that are shaped like the ones you see in store windows or add unique ingredients to make something like a focaccia bread (like the Italians), but bread is something we eat almost daily and we want to show you how. In this post, we want to teach you how to make your own authentic French Baguettes along with teaching you some cool French food vocabulary that will help you navigate through other French Recipes. To get started, we’d like to take you on a quick walk down memory lane for some history of the French Baguette. If you'd rather cut to the chase and skip the history and french lesson this time, you can scroll to the bottom for our authentic French Baguettes recipe.
Photo by Mae Mu
The History of the French Baguette
Ask a French person how long baguettes have been a part of their culture and you’ll likely get a very puzzled look. That’s because bread has been such an essential part of French culture and cuisine for so long they probably can not remember. Much like the rest of the world, bread is a key piece of many popular dishes, but the baguette itself is very specific and unique to France. We’ll explain. Originally in France, bread was made of whole wheat and had an earthy, brown color. It was baked in round shapes and sold as une miche (a rounded bread loaf). French people were crazy for bread and it made up about 98% of what French people consumed in the 18th Century. To put that into perspective, a French person could eat about 3 pounds of bread a day!
With this enthusiastic consumption of bread, something unique happened. It became a symbol of the ‘essentials’ and, what was originally a miche bread loaf, became transformed into the shape we know as a lengthy baguette. Why did this happen? In typical French fashion, it was due to the Aristocracy who demanded a form of privileged-bread to please the people in power at the time. Compared to the other types of bread, the baguette would make more croûte (crust) which was a delight for the French elite who did not want to eat as much of la mie (the white part inside the bread). To dig a little deeper and shed light on a not-so-happy topic, there is also an arguable element of racism to the baguette. The French elite had a habit of separating themselves from their own people, including people of color. They had this notion that things looked better white. This was because people associated the color white with things that were pure, high end and of a social ‘ascension.’ If you read between the lines, you can paint your own picture there. Essentially, they tweaked the original recipe, which used whole wheat flour (and would be dark in color) and made it whiter when they would pétrir la pâte (knead the dough) very quickly. This actually stripped away the traditional taste of bread which was preferred outside of Paris. It took a while for all of France to welcome la baguette and, while it was traditionally a Parisian creation, it is now a French cliché and must be eaten within the hour (according to specialists).
Have no fear, in another typical French fashion moment, the people eventually protested. After the French Révolution in 1789, one of the demands of the people of France was Le Pain Égalitaire which would legally force bakers in 1793 to bake the same bread for everyone or they would go to prison. Et voila! This is how the baguette for everyone was (legally) born!
Photo by Florencia Viadana
The Baguette Today
The French Baguette is so popular worldwide that the French Government, along with the la Confédération nationale de la boulangerie-pâtisserie française (The National Confederation of French Bakeries), decided to apply to make the recipe of the French Baguette as an Intangible Heritage at the UNESCO in 2018.
President Emmanuel Macron said: “ La France est un pays d’excellence dans le pain parce que la baguette est enviée dans le monde entier. Il faut en préserver l’excellence et le savoir faire […]” saying that France is a country of excellence in terms of bread and the baguette is envied around the world and we must protect its excellence and savoir-faire.
To sum that up, bread is like a badge of honor for most of France. It is a way to measure the price of things and understand any inflation that might be happening in a said time. There are also subtle taste and style preferences among French people when it comes to bread. Have you ever thought about how you like your bread? Take a look below and let us know how you prefer bread in the comments section at the end of this article:
Bien cuite - Well Done
Blanche - White (lightly baked)
Croustillante (crunchy)
Complet (whole-wheat)
De campagne (country style)
Anatomy of a French Baguette
There is only two things that make up the anatomy of the French Baguette.
La mie: the white inside of the baguette. French people refer to la mie as being moelleuse (soft), aérée (airy), or consistante (heavy).
Loaves of bread that sliced and are made of only la mie, are called, pain de mie.La croûte: the outside part of the baguette, or the crust. The crust of the baguette is what determines how good a baguette is.
French people refer to la croûte as being croustillante (crunchy).
An Authentic French Baguette Recipe
Baking bread can be seen as a very difficult task. However, our Founder, JP, wanted to teach you a simple recipe he learned when he was 5 years old growing up in France. With this recipe, you will be able to make warm baguettes croustillantes easily using only 3 ingredients (+ water)! If you prefer, you can watch JP teach you step-by-step how to make baguettes via our Instagram LIVE workshop with Time Out New York or keep scrolling to read the recipe.
Read the Recipe
Ingredients
375 grammes de farine (3 cups of flour)
300 ml d’eau tiède (1 1/4 cup of warm water)
1 sachet de levure déshydratée (a packet of dry activated yeast)
1 cuillère à thé de sel (1 tsp of salt)
Tools Needed
un saladier (a mixing bowl)
une cuillère en bois ou une Maryse (a wooden spoon or a spatula)
un moule à baguette, ou une plaque pour le four (a pan for baguettes or a baking tray)
un lèchefrite ou une plaque de cuisson (a drip tray or just another baking tray)
Directions
Dans un bol, mettez le sachet de levure déshydratée et ajouté une partie des 300ml d’eau tiède pour couvrir. Laissez reposer dix (10) à quinze (15) minutes.
In a mixing bowl, add the packet of yeast and add a portion of the 300ml of warm water to the mix. Set aside and let it activate for 10 to 15min.
Ajoutez le reste de l’eau et la cuillère à café de sel.
Then, add the rest of the water and the salt. Stir.
Ajoutez la farine et mélange avec la Maryse ou la cuillère en bois.
Add the flour and stir with a spatula.
Couvrez le saladier avec un torchon propre.
Cover the bowl with a clean & wet kitchen towel.
Laissez reposer dans le four pendant 1h30 dans votre étuve faite maison.
Proof the dough for 1 hour and 30minutes in the oven (turned off).
Une fois la pâte levée, sortez-la du four et formez vos baguette sur le moule et faites de petites incisions sur le dessus. Humidifier vos baguettes.
Once the dough has risen, take it out of the oven and shape your baguettes (if the dough is too sticky, you can add a bit of flour). Make small cuts on the top and spray with water so the dough becomes moist again.
Mettez votre lèchefrite en bas du four et remplissez-le d’eau. Enfournez les baguettes et faites cuire 25 minutes à 225 degrés Celsius jusqu’à ce que les baguettes soient bien dorées.
Add water to the oven baking sheet and put it at the bottom of the oven. Bake your baguettes for 25min at 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake until golden brown
Dégustez !
Enjoy!
Merci!
We really hope you enjoyed this article. If you did, click the ‘heart’ icon below and don’t forget to share it with your friends. Now, let’s see what you learned. Click the link below to take our short quiz that reviews some information from this article.
A Guide for Saying 'Cheers' in France
Before you sit down at a French dinner table, it's imperative to understand the etiquette to a proper toast! This simple guide tells all.
The etiquette of eating a French meal can be a meticulous process. From the way you place your hands on the dinner table to the order in which you food is eaten, the entire experience has a very specific process. French people will be certain to take note of any mishaps during a meal, so we thought to make a simple guide to what to expect during the aperitif (the drink before a meal) to help you blend in like a native. To your good health, we wish you santé!
Photo by Sebastian Coman Photography
The Guide to Saying ‘Cheers’
Instead of saying 'cheers' while toasting, the French wish each other good health or 'santé.' You will typically hear this word along with a clink of the drink glasses, thus instead of saying santé, you might hear 'chin chin' (which is the sound the glasses make when they touch each other). Besides these two common sayings, you might also hear 'A ta santé' ('To your health' - informal), 'A votre santé' ('To your health' - formal), or 'A la tienne' ('To yours' (to your health)). Of course, silence always does the trick if you are stuck at a dinner table and do not remember what to say. Even while silent, it is polite to always address a person with your eyes while toasting a drink. Make sure to follow the rules below on what to do while experiencing a French toast.
Photo by Scott Warman
What to Do - Body Language
Again, the very first important step is to always look in the eyes of the person you are toasting. There is a hidden belief that any person who does not exchange this glance during a toast will suffer from seven years of bad sex or seven years of bad luck, whichever you prefer. It is also very important to never cross your glass with anyone else's. This means, never try to toast someone across the dinner table by putting your glass above or below theirs to reach someone else. After you have toasted everyone around the table (it is important that everyone is included), do NOT place your glass on the table. It is impolite to do this. Simply hold your glass in hand, then take the first sip. After this, you are welcome to place your glass on the table and continue the conversation and eating.
Why Do the French Do this?
These rules might sound silly, but they do have some history. Back in medieval times, people would often put poison in each other's drinks. So, to make sure a drink didn't have poison in it, people would clink each other’s glasses and a portion of the liquid would transfer to the other cup. This way, if someone was being sneaky, poison would be among all of the cups. While clinking glasses, people would look intensely at each others' eyes to detect any weird behavior or stress in their demeanor. Things are very different now, but at least some of the traditions of how to toast in French have some background.
Photo by Jemima Whyles
In summary, it’s important to take notice of the fine details while in France. Even amongst close friends, the dining traditions are an integral part of the culture. Think you’ve mastered the art of saying ‘Cheers’ in France? Take our short quiz below to find out!
We hope you enjoyed this Guide for Saying 'Cheers' in France! Don't forget to share this with your friends or online community using #jplingo @jplinguistics. If you are looking to learn for more French language and culture, check out our Group Classes and FREE Online Workshops at JP linguistics. Bonne Journée!
*This post was edited on April 21, 2020 from its original version
JP Linguistics Holiday Gift Guide 2018 - Our Favorite (Authentic) Gifts From Around The World
Let us help you find the perfect French, Italian, Spanish, and Latin American gifts this holiday season.
The holidays are upon us and, this year, we wanted to round up a few of our favorite (authentic) foreign brands and share unique products with you, ideal for stocking stuffers and holiday gifts. Why did we create this guide? It’s because we know that sometimes around this time of year, gift-giving can feel like an obligation rather than a genuine act of kindness towards someone else. So, instead of picking up a random gift for someone just because, we wanted to introduce you to some (foreign) brands we love to make your gift giving more unique and thoughtful. What we look for in brands we love is authenticity and this guide has just that. We’ve included brands from France, Italy, Spain and South American (some of whom we know personally, but none of which we are being paid to advertise for) such as Le Slip Français, Mille Feuille Bakery, Asaro, Leone, Jolii Cosmetics, 1880, Ecoalf and more.
In addition, some of these brands have incredible philosophies that we are proud to support. For example, Ecoalf is a company from Spain that upcycles waste found in our oceans to create some of their products including shoes. Marianella Asto is an artisan from Peru who handcrafts alpaca wool gloves and sells them via her shop online with UNICEF. Asaro is a family-run organic olive farm based in Sicily that manually harvests their olives (making all of their products GMO and chemical free). Learn more about these brands by browsing through the entire guide which you can download below. The PDF includes links to each product for easy shopping. We hope you enjoy and, if you happened to buy any, let us know! We’d love to hear about your experience and if you love them just as much as we do.
Happy Holidays from all of us at JP Linguistics!
French People and Their Obsession With Cheese
How can something that smells so bad taste so good?
There are more than a 1000 sorts of cheese in France alone and it represents centuries of pure French traditions! No wonder the French use the expression "en faire tout un fromage" (to make a cheese out of it) to refer to someone who blows things out of proportion! In this post, we are presenting you with 5 of our favorite French cheeses. Learn how they came to existence and how you can cut and eat them. Enjoy this post and remember to "let them eat cheese!"
1. Le Fromage de Roquefort
Credit: Cyn Furey
Ah, le Roquefort! Easily recognizable by its blue-greenish dots in a white body, this cheese is part of the blue cheese family. Roquefort is a town located in the Landes, in the southwest of France. It dates back to the 12th Century when people already used the Caves of Roquefort to salt and affine their cheeses. The legend says that a shepherd left his cheese sandwich in a cave in Roquefort to court a young and beautiful woman. After chasing her with no results, he came back and found his sandwich with blue dots in it. Roquefort was born. Wether you believe in the legend or not, Roquefort cheese is now an AOC & AOP cheese, meaning that if the cheese is not made in the caves of Roquefort, then you cannot call it Roquefort. It is the champagne of the cheeses!
How to eat it?
You can eat Roquefort cold in a gaspacho or on a tartine with a touch of butter. Or, you can eat it warm as a mushroom stuffing.
How to cut it ?
Roquefort is part of the blue cheeses and need to be cut in quarters.
2. Le comté
Comté cheese dates back to the 13th Century. It is derived from the Gruyère cheese that was introduced at the end of the 13th Century. Comté is a cheese made from cow milk and is from the region of Franche-Comté. During the Middle-Ages, winters were long and hard. People had to think collectively how to get through the rough winters. It forced farmers to work together to better use the provisions that they could get over the summer. Indeed, cows were producing a lot of milk over the summer and then less during the winter. People would therefore make huge wheels of cheese that would require over a 130 gallons of milk (500L) to produce. Farmers had to work collectively to bring together those huge amounts of milk so they organized as "cooperatives". Comté is a symbole of farmers working together so they could survive the winter.
How to eat it?
Comté can be enjoyed cold with a piece of bread or warm in any dish you like. It is preferred with chicken and beef or even with cod fish.
How to cut it?
Because Comté comes out of a huge wheel, the slices of comté you will get will be long. You must cut the heart of the wheel in long slices and then you have to cut the rest from the center to the crust.
3. Le mont D'or
Photo Credit: Arnaud 25
Mont D'or is probable everything you can imagine about cheese. Warm, melty, lovely cheese that you add to a meal to make it as decadent as possible! The most ancient form of this cheese dates back to 1280. Unlike Comté, it does not require a lot of milk to make because it is mostly made during the winter. Mont D'or only needs less than 2 gallons of milk to be produced. This is why it is a soft, rich and seasonal cheese from Franche-Comté as well! Because of its consistency, the cheese is encircled with a "belt" made out of a specific wood, usually spruce.
How to eat it?
Mont D'or can be easily spread on bread or you can take it up a notch and the cheese becomes your own portable fondue! Just warm up the cheese case (made our of spruce, of course) and then remove the top crust and dip! It becomes a "boîte chaude"
How to cut it?
Because of its consistency, it is hard to "cut" this cheese. It is recommended to remove the top crust and serve it with a spoon.
4. Camembert
Photo Credit: NJGJ
Camembert is probably the most popular cheese in modern France. It was created in the 18th Century in the Town of Camembert in the northeast of France. According to Pierre Androuët, this mix between curd cheese and brie became popular after Parisian tourists brought it back to Paris for people to enjoy in the 18th Century. Camembert was so good that it became part of the food rations for soldiers during the First World War, helping growing its popularity. Not only is the cheese popular but the box in which it is kept also is! People who collect Camembert's boxes are called Tyrosémiophiles. Along with la baguette, Camembert is a symbole of France.
How to eat it?
Simply on a baguette et voilà!
How to cut it?
Just like a cake, in equal parts from the center to the ridge.
5. Beaufort
Photo Credit: Coyau
Le Beaufort is a very old cheese that is produced in the region of Savoie, in Beaufort to be exact. History shows that this cheese was made before the Middle-Ages and continue to be produced today. It is only in 1965 that the cheese produced in the Beaufort region is called Beaufort. This cheese is firm, yellow, and concave. It is an essential ingredient for a Fondue Savoyarde! Cheese fondue is something that everyone loves! Picture a winter night, cold weather outside and a warm pot of cheese in which you dip pieces of bread for you to enjoy... MiamMiam !
How to eat it?
In slices with crackers or in a warm fondue pot mixed with other cheeses such as Gruyère de Savoie, Emmental de Savoie, white wine and pepper!
How to cut it?
Cut it in very thing quarters.
We hope you enjoyed this delicious array of cheeses in French People and Their Obsession With Cheese! We hope you spend a wonderful (French-inspired) fall with your guests. If you are looking to learn more French language and culture, don't forget to check out our French Private Lessons, French Group Classes, and our cultural events at JP Linguistics. Bonne Journée!
5 Reasons to Learn a Foreign Language
When attention spans have been reduced to 6 seconds, it's important to find ways to get your brain back on track.
5 Reasons to Learn a Foreign Language
You have probably heard that learning a foreign language is good for you. It is great for your brain, for your job and for your personal well-being, period. There are plenty of great reasons why people choose to learn foreign languages and this post provides a deeper response into what motivates and fuels people to start. We hope you enjoy this unique post and don't forget to share your thoughts in the comments section below!
1. "I Want to Make Better Financial Decisions"
Learning a foreign language allows you to get a broader understanding of a problem and therefore have a more comprehensive vision of how to solve that problem. A study by psychologists at the University of Chicago have found that people who speak a foreign language (especially those fluent in it) eliminate the tendency to get caught up in the 'here and now.' Thus, the study shows that monolingual people (people who only speak one language) are more likely to refrain from investments or financial decisions which they would benefit from down the road. This means that learning foreign languages helps you sift through the 'noise' and make smarter, more long-term financial decisions.
2. "I want to understand my partner"
Many students come to our classrooms with the goal of understanding their (foreign) spouse or partner. It is a goal we hear often and, in our opinions, one of the most rewarding goals when you start actually seeing the results from learning a foreign language. People from different linguistic backgrounds think differently. For example, American English is very inclined to be extremely positive with phrases such as "it is beautiful out!" or "you did such a great job today!" Whereas French, for example, uses negative sentence structures to express a positive thing like "il fait pas chaud dehors" (it is not hot outside = it is cold), or the very common "pas mal" (not bad = good). These examples show how two cultures might express the exact same sentiment, but in two opposite ways. In this case, love is the motivation for many who continue to learn a foreign language and who want to better understand their (foreign) partners. This passion for a foreign concepts is like a "sublime hunger" (as described by Emmanuel Levinas) and it must be fed!
3. "i want Improve MY memory and attention Span!"
In a society where the attention span has been reduced to 6 seconds (yes, 6 seconds) it is important to find ways to get back on track and improve your brain's activity. Surprise! Learning a foreign language will help you accomplish just that. A study conducted by Northwestern University showed that knowing multiple languages forces your brain to pay attention to relevant sounds, while blocking out irrelevant sounds. This makes a lot of sense since you need to adjust the frequency of your hearing in order to "receive" and "decrypt" the message. The study provided the first biological evidence that being bilingual improves your hearing and helps with attention span and working memory. Many adults find it hard to learn a foreign language and believe in the myth that it is too late for them because of age. This is NOT true. You can learn and become highly proficient in a foreign language. There are certain obstacles for adults that do not necessarily exist in children, but they are mainly phonetic. You can do it and your brain will thank you!
4. "I want to Increase my sense of self worth"
There is nothing wrong with being proud of mastering something in a foreign language. Being able to order a full meal while being understood in a foreign country feels great! Let's be honest, we love the feeling of pride and joy that comes with asking a taxi driver to go to our hotel (in a foreign language) and we actually get there! Communication is key and it feels amazing when it works. On a different level, speaking a foreign language contributes to the development of your own personality. It can help you discover a part of yourself you did not know. It can help create a part of yourself that you really want to have. Think of languages as a blank state. You are in charge of building the personality you want. So think of it that way. What persona will you create?
5. "I want To Increase MY NetworkING Skills"
Speaking another language opens up a whole new world of communication and networking possibilities for you! In a world that is becoming more and more connected between Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat and more, it is extremely beneficial to be able to communicate with as many of its members as possible. The technology to do so is no longer a barrier, and once you break down the language barrier, your network can grow tremendously. You can use your foreign language skills to your advantage by quickly jumping to the tweet that others might not be able to respond to. Nowadays, it's about having the skills and the speed.
We hope you enjoyed these 5 Reasons to Learn a Foreign Language. If you are looking to build your foreign language skills, don't forget to check out our Group Classes, and Cultural Events at JP Linguistics. Also, don't forget to share this post with your friends using the simple 'share' button below. Merci beaucoup! Grazie mille! Muchas gracias!
Fall Vocabulary for French Beginners
The only word not in this quiz is “pumpkin spice latte.”
In the fall, the smell of autumn dances across the cobblestone streets of Paris as the warm-colored leaves drift over vineyards in the South of France. For tourists, this time of year is one of the 'hidden gems' to be discovered for an authentic traveling experience as busy Parisians head back to work, farmers are back to tending their farms and kids are back to school ('La Rentrée'). So why not take advantage of this glorious time of France's landscape by brushing up on your French vocab? Below we have included a few fall-inspired photos and a very short quiz to help build your Fall Vocabulary for French Beginners! Let's see how many terms you can translate from English to French (*take note of plural words or verbs). Click 'Traduire' to see the correct translations. We hope you enjoy!
Take the quiz!
Match the English terms above to the French translations below. Try your best at guessing the terms by breaking the word into syllables and recognizing similarities in the terms to the English language. Click 'Traduire' to see the correct responses.
8 French Phrases That Do Not Translate in English
These French words and phrases might not work well with flashcards, but learning them is so worth it.
Learning French is always filled with surprises, especially when some words and phrases do not exist in English. For us, this is one of the most exciting things about learning a foreign language - discovering completely new things we never knew existed. On that note, we wanted to provide a few French phrases and words you may have never heard before but might find inspiring. As you read, imagine incorporating one of these in your next conversations en français. Also, if you know a few that aren't listed, feel free to add it to the comment's section below. Bonne lecture!
"La douleur exquise"
Oh, the romance of the French language! This phrase is both eloquent and rather depressing as it roughly translates to "the exquisite pain." For French people this phrase would be used in reference to the longing for a love that cannot be achieved. Very similar to a Romeo and Juliet scenario. Next time you find your heart aching for something it cannot have, remember this phrase to sum up your expression.
Téléspectateur
It's almost shocking that a word like this does not exist in English as Americans are one of the largest consumers of media on the planet. However, the French came up with a term which describes viewers who are either audience members of a live TV broadcast or are simply watching/listening to TV from their home as a téléspectateur.
"Flâner"
If you've ever been to Europe, you know that long leisurely strolls through city plazas is a common activity for the locals. In French, you may think to describe this with the term 'une promenade' (which means a stroll in English). However, in the 19th century, a new word was created which defined a stroll, more specifically a stroll through Paris, without any particular destination or goal in mind as Flâner. Thus, aimless Parisian pedestrians strolling the city only to enjoy the view became known as Flâneurs.
"Bricolage"
If you are a crafty person, then this French word is for you. It translates to something very similar to do-it-yourself or DIY. Additionally, a bricoleur describes someone like a handyman.
"Ras-le-bol"
This one is perhaps the oddest French phrases of them all which describes an extreme sense of dissatisfaction and frustration. It would be something similar to the English "I've had enough," "I'm through," or "I've had it up to here with..." This is typically the last thing you might hear out of someone's mouth before storming out of a room after a heated discussion.
"Bouffer"
This term is a way to describe how animals eat. It can also be used to impolitely refer to humans, kind of like the saying that someone 'eats like a pig.'
"Retrouvailles"
This rather charming French word describes the ultimate sense of joy experienced when meeting someone you may not have seen for a very long time. If you could see it, it would look like someone jumping up and down and screaming with happiness.
"LoufoQuerie"
In short, this term means craziness. The word and how it came to be is crazy within itself. It's root, louchébem, is a slang term invented by French butchers in the 19th Century who made a sort-of-game out of the French language. For each word, they would move the first consonant to the end, add a standard suffix, then place the letter 'L' at the very beginning. This is something like 'pig latin' or 'gibberish.' To this day, this slang language is still used in France by butchers across the country. The root of this term is indeed just as crazy as its meaning.
Learning French is always surprising and these 8 French Phrases That Do Not Translate in English are just a few of the hidden secrets to becoming more fluent in French. Have other words or phrases you'd like added to this list? Don't forget to post them in the comment's section below & pass this forward to your francophone friends online using #jplingo @jplinguistics. Merci et à bientôt!
Natural Remedies for Stress - French Style
Essential oils en français to help you find your zen.
This week, we wanted to touch on a subject that is common for many people - stress. Lack of sleep, working too many hours and not eating a healthy balanced diet, these are just a few common causes for stress. When it comes to the cure, we first look towards natural remedies. Thus, this week, we aim to provide a few natural remedies using essential oils (huiles essentielles) that, when placed on various areas of your body (cou (neck), joue (cheek), etc), will help to reduce stress, allergies, & pain relief. For many French people, natural remedies are usually the first step to curing an ailment. Antibiotics & medicine are typically the second. We hope you enjoy this quick list en Français!
For pain relief (allergies or headache), apply 1 drop of menthe poivrée (oil) to the base of your neck twice per day! (See anatomy translations below).
For allergies, apply 1 drop of lavande (oil) on your forehead or cheeks & feet before bed! (See anatomy translations below).
For stress and tension headaches, apply 1 drop of vanille (oil) on your temples! (See anatomy translations below).
AREAS OF THE BODY for ESSENTIAL OILS
COU - Neck
FRONT - Forehead
TEMPE - Temple
JOUE - Cheek
EARS - Oreilles
Have other natural remedies & favorite essential oils you would like to add to this list? Post them in the comments section below (en Français if you can). Don't forget to share this with your Francophone friends online using #jplingo @jplinguistics. Merci et à bientôt!
Zaz and All That Jazz
The story of the Gypsy-jazz singer who’s breaking headlines in France.
It is no news to France that Zaz, a French pop singer with a gypsy jazz style, is at the top of her game, but it might be news to you. So, who exactly Is Zaz? Let JP Linguistics be the first to tell you. Born Isabelle Geffroy, she first appeared in the music scene with her self-titled album "Zaz" and won over the hearts of fans with her top-charting hit "Je Veux" in 2010. Although she is often compared to the iconic French singer of the 1950s Edith Piaf, Zaz has independently made quite a name for herself. Her unique acoustic vocals and charm differentiate her as a modern-day, gypsy jazz singer.
Header Image: Schorle (www.commons.wikimedia.org)
Zaz’s Early Life
Zaz was born in Tours, France on May 1, 1980. At a young age, she began learning piano, violin and guitar at a music conservatory in Bordeaux as she aspired to pursue her music career. Her first few gigs as an artist were in 2001, with such bands as Fifty Fingers, and Izar-Adatz (French for "Shooting Star"). Upon the release of "Zaz" in 2010, she began touring around the world, and quickly topped the charts in Belgium, Switzerland and Austria. Her knowledge of music and intuitive abilities enable Zaz to provide her audiences with quality shows.
Je Veux
I Want - Je Veux (English translation)
Give me a suite at the Ritz hotel, I don't want that
Chanel's jewellery, I don't want that
Give me a limo, what would I do with it?
Offer me a staff, what would I do with it?
A mansion in Neufchatel, it's not for me
Offer me the Eiffel Tower, what would I do with it?
I want love, joy, good spirit
It's not your money that will make me happy
I want to die with a hand on my heart
Let's go together, let's discover my freedom,
Forget all your prejudice, welcome to my reality
Upon it's release in 2010, "Je Veux" quickly became the most popular song in France, and inspired Zaz to release her first self-titled album, which sold 700,000 albums worldwide, the biggest French music export in year. Zaz won Song of the Year at Les Victoires de la Musique, the French equivalent to the Grammy's in 2011, and the European Border Breaker Awards in 2010 for French Artist Most Played Abroad. "Je Veux" was so respected because of its encouraging lyrics about the ethical view - "money doesn't buy happiness."
The success of her first album inspired Zaz to follow-up with her next album in 2013, "Recto Verso." In this album, she continues to expose her incredible vocals through her iconic, and traditional music style. "Recto Verso" reached number one in Switzerland, and number two in Germany and France.
Paris
Zaz released her most recent album in 2014, a compilation of traditional Paris-themed songs. It contains classics, such as "Sous Le Ciel de Paris," which was made famous by the iconic Edith Piaf, among other covers of Paris ballads. This album won her much recognition for its originality from her previous albums, and for its appreciation of French culture.
Are you a fan of Zaz? Leave a comment with your favorite song below and share this article with your friends online using #jplingo @jplinguistics.com. Looking to learn how to speak French? Check out our Private Lessons and Group Classes at www.jplinguistics.com.
Luce - Going Against the Norm
The Nouvelle Star performer is making a big name for herself.
Luce is a French Singer and Songwriter known best for going against the norm with her funky personality and eccentric fashion sense. Although she is lesser known in the states, Luce is widely recognized in French for winning the eighth series of the French music competition Nouvelle Star. Auditioning on a bet, this spur-the-moment decision turned out to be her claim to fame. She won over audiences and engaged a huge following over the course of the competition. Today, Luce continues to inspire her fans to go against the norm. Her newest album, Chaud, hit the top 100 charts for its spunky instrumentals and lyrics.
Image Credit: Damien Schmitt (www.commons.wikimedia.org)
Born Lucie Brunet in Perpignan, France on January 28, 1990, Luce expressed her love for music by practicing the flute at a young age. However, she began pursing a different career entirely when preparing to study nursing in Montpellier. It was a last minute decision for her to audition for the TV talent show series, and it ultimately changed the course of her career. In 2011, she released her first album Première Phalange, and toured around Europe.
In recent years, Luce released her second album called Chaud in February of 2015, with the singles "Polka" and "Malibu" earning much recognition. This album put Luce back on the map for its funky instrumentals and vocals.
POLKA - Lyrics
I want to dance the polka
I want to dance it in your arms
I want to dance it right away
I want to dance every sequence
I want to dance the sequence
Even if I don't know the steps
I want to dance it, it's crazy
I want to dance it while following
Even if I don't know the pace
I want to enter in the dance
I could dance no matter what
Especially since it's with you
I know I have my clogs
Yes but I wear the hat
And if I can't stand up
I will dance it around your neck
Even if I am not on the list
I want to enter on the track
Je veux danser la polka
J'la veux danser dans tes bras
J'la veux danser tout de suite
J'la veux danser toute cuite
Je veux danser la polka
Même si je sais pas le pas
J'la veux danser, c'est fou
J'la veux danser tout d'ssous
Même si je suis pas la cadence
Je veux entrer dans la danse
J'pourrais danser n'importe quoi
Tant que c'est avec toi
Je sais j'ai mes gros sabots
Oui mais je porte le chapeau
Et si je tiens pas d'bout
J'la danserais à ton cou
Même si j'suis pas sur la liste
Je veux entrer sur la piste
We hope you enjoyed learning more about French pop star, Luce. To listen to the full album and to follow Luce, click here. To learn more French language and culture, visit the JP Linguistics services homepage. Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter for articles delivered directly to your inbox.
Learn French at the Gym
The best French verbs to keep you motivated while working out.
While being physically active, try infusing these French verbs into your repetitive movements. It is the perfect time to infuse language learning as your brain is more expansive and cohesive during physical activity. In fact, there are a number of studies that prove the benefits of infused learning & physical active being combined together. So next time you grab your bright blue yoga mat, keep the following in mind and repeat, repeat, repeat. Namaste.
STEP 1: Getting To The Gym
We all know that one of the hardest parts of going to the gym is actually getting outside of our daily routines and repeatedly going. What you may not have thought of is that French could be the motivator to get you there! By infusing French into your gym workout, you can 'kill two birds with one stone' and learn a new language while being active. Try looking at the thoughts below and practice the French verbs every morning before your next session:
Thought #1 "I'm too tired to go to the gym"
While this may be true if you are like most New Yorkers who work 14-hours a day, any French person knows that being 'too tired' is not an excuse for avoiding staying slim and healthy. Thus, let's turn this frown-up-side-down with the verb 'must.' For example, I must go to the gym. Period. No excuses, just straight forward French thinking. The verb 'Must' in French is 'Droit.' Below is the conjugation of this verb along simple sentences to practice using it. Try saying the verb out loud, along with the audio recording below:
Je dois aller au sport. (I must go to the gym.)
Tu dois aller au sport. (You must go to the gym.)
Il/elle doit aller au sport. (He/She must go to the gym.)
Nous devons aller au sport / on doit aller au sport. (We must go to the gym.)
Vous devez aller au sport. (You (plural) must go to the gym.)
Ils /elles doivent aller au sport. (They must go to the gym.)
Let's continue to use this verb in a new way of thinking. For example 'I must get stronger,' 'I must lose weight,' 'I must stay active & healthy.' Take a look at these sentences below using the same conjunctions from above and practice them utilizing the audio recordings as a guide.
Thought #2: "I must get stronger"
Je dois devenir plus fort. (I must get stronger.)
Tu dois devenir plus fort. (You mush get stronger.)
Il/elle doit devenir plus fort(e). (He/She must get stronger.)
Nous devons devenir plus fort/On doit devenir plus fort. (We must get stronger.)
Vous devez devenir plus fort(e)s. (You (plural) must get stronger.)
Ils/elles doivent devenir plus fort(e)s. (They must get stronger.)
Thought #3: "I must lose weight"
Je dois perdre du poids. (I must lose weight.)
Tu dois perdre du poids. (You must lose weight.)
Il/elle doit perdre du poids. (He/She must lose weight.)
Nous devons perdre du poids. (We must lose weight.)
Vous devez perdre du poids. (You (plural) must lose weight.)
Ils/elles doivent perdre du poids. (They must lose weight.)
Thought #4: "I must stay active & healthy"
Je dois rester actif/active et en bonne santé. (I must stay active & healthy.)
Tu dois rester actif/active et en bonne santé. (You must stay active & healthy.)
Il/elle doit rester actif/active et en bonne santé. (He/She must stay active & healthy.)
Nous devons rester actifs/actives et en bonne santé / On doit rester actifs/actives et en bonne santé. (We must stay active & healthy.)
Vous devez rester actif/active et en bonne santé. (You (plural) must stay active & healthy.)
Ils/Elles doivent rester actifs/actives et en bonne santé. (They must stay active & healthy.)
STEP 2: YOU made it to THE GYM
Amazing! Now that you have forced yourself to go to the gym with the verb 'Droit,' let's kick it into high gear with some physical motions you might actually use while there like 'To Run,' 'To Lift' (weights), 'To Sweat,' and 'To Stretch.' To keep things simple, we will speak in the present tense and will use the same sentence for each verb for practice. Try memorizing the conjugations for each verb by saying them out loud using the sentences below. When you are at the gym in real life, say these sentences to yourself as practice. Ready, Set, GO!
Je cours. (I am running.)
Tu cours. (You are running.)
Il/Elle court. (He/She is running.)
Nous courons / On court. (We are running.)
Vous courez. (You (plural) are running.)
Ils /elles courent. (They are running.)
Je pousse des poids. (I am lifting weights.)
Tu pousses des poids. (You are lifting weights.)
Il /Elle pousse des poids. (He/She is lifting weights.)
Nous poussons des poids / On pousse des poids. (We are lifting weights.)
Vous poussez des poids. (You (plural) are lifting weights.)
Ils / Elles poussent des poids. (They are lifting weights.)
Je transpire. (I am sweating.)
Tu transpires. (You are sweating.)
Il/Elle transpire. (He/She is sweating.)
Nous transpirons / On transpire. (We are sweating.)
Vous transpirez. (You (plural) are sweating.)
Ils /Elles transpirent. (They are sweating.)
Je m'étire. (I am stretching.)
Tu t'étires. (You are stretching)
Il /Elle S'étire. (He/She is stretching.)
Nous nous étirons / On s'étire. (We are stretching.)
Vous vous étirez. (You (plural) are stretching.)
Ils/Elles s'étirent. (They are stretching.)
STEP 3: you had a great workout
Now that you made it through an amazing workout, you are feeling proud and happy for the healthy decisions you made. At this point you are ready for a quick shower and to head back home/apartment for a relaxing moment and possibly even a snack. Some congratulatory phrases you use to reward yourself are "I did it!" and "I am the best!" From these phrases come the verbs "To Do," and "To Be." Take a look at them below and use the audio to practice each sentence. Next time you complete a workout, make sure to say these positive phrases to yourself for all of your handwork. Heck, just for making it all the way through this article, you should say them all to yourself after practicing a few times through. Keep up the good work!
J'ai réussi! (I did it!)
Tu as réussi! (You did it!)
Il /Elle a réussi! (He/She did it!)
Nous avons réussi! / On a réussi! (We did it!)
Vous avez réussi! (You (plural) did it!)
Ils / Elles ont réussi! (They did it!)
Je suis le/la meilleur(e)! (I am the best!)
Tu es le/la meilleur(e)! (You are the best!)
Il /Elle est le/la meilleur(e)! (He/She is the best!)
Nous sommes les meilleur(e)s! / On est les meilleur(es)! (We are the best!)
Vous êtes les meilleur(e)s! (You (plural) are the best!)
Ils /Elles sont les meilleur(e)s! (They are the best!)
Congratulations on all of your handwork! You made it through the Learn French at the Gym. Just like physical activity, you need to continue to excise your brain. By incorporation these exercises into your workout routine, you'll be expanding your French knowledge in a great way. Do your best to memorize these verbs and say them over and over while doing different activities. You will thank yourself next time you travel to France! For more tips and useful French instruction or to register for Private Lessons or Group Classes, visit the JP Linguistics website HERE!
Wise Quotes From French Celebrities
Inspiration from the people who helped sculpt France’s cultural landscape.
Much cultural depth is owed to the wisdom of French men and women who have made an impact by thinking outside the box and daring to be different. We wanted offer some inspirational quotes from a few of our favorite French celebrities and philosophers who have dared to be different and have changed the world because of it. We hope you enjoy!
“A woman who doesn’t wear perfume has no future.”
Coco Chanel is one of France's most celebrated fashion designers. She is most know for her famous fashion brand, Chanel, and being a style icon with an edgy outlook on life. Image Credit: kickfeed.co
“Americans are so enamored of equality that they would rather be equal in slavery than unequal in freedom.”
Alexis de Tocqueville is a famous French scientist born on July 29th, 1805 AD. He was also known by the name Alexis-Charles-Henri Clérel de Tocqueville. Image Credit: 2.kqed.org
“I shall tell you a great secret, my friend. Do not wait for the last judgment, it takes place everyday ”
Albert Camus is a French philosopher born in 1913 AD. He was only 47 when he died on January 4th, 1960 AD. He was known for his quotes which are still popular today. Image credit: vancouversun.com
“Inspiration comes from working every day”
Charles Baudelaire was a French poet who worked as an art critic and pioneer translator of Edgar Allen Poe. He died at the young age of 46 years old in 1867. Image Credit: lifeandlegends.com
“Everything you want is out there waiting for you to ask. Everything you want also wants you. But you have to take action to get it”
Jules Renard was a French author most known for his works, Poil de Carotte and Les Histoires Naturelles. Image Credit: lalangostaliteraria.com
“If a little dreaming is dangerous, the cure for it is not to dream less but to dream more, to dream all the time”
Marcel Proust was a French writer most famous for his novel Á la recherche du Temps Perdu. Image Credit: penamerican.tumblr.com
“Of course one should not drink much, but often”
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was a post-impressionist French painter who spent most of his days at the infamous Moulin Rouge in Paris painting the colorful characters that worked at and frequented that club. Image Credit: dc.clicrbs.br
“All oppression creates a state of war”
Simone de Beauvoir was a French writer, intellectual, and feminist most notable for her treatise, The Second Sex. Image Credit: manchesterhistorian.com
We hope you enjoyed Wise Quotes From French Celebrities! Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter to receive French related posts each Friday. If you are looking to learn French, don't miss JP Linguistics' Private Lessons, Group Classes, and Cultural Events! Bonne Journée!
French Art En Plein Air
An investigation of the famous French art form.
As the colors of summer start drifting into the warm breeze of fall, we wanted to take a moment to appreciate some French Art En Plein Air. For all you art buffs out there, you will enjoy this journey through the impactful things that French artists did to change the course of art history forever. I hope this inspires you and, who knows, maybe we'll catch you in Central Park with your French Box Easel this fall?
En Plein Air is a French expression and term used in Art meaning 'in the open air.' This phrase became popular in the mid-19th century when art schools, such as the Barbizon School, stressed the importance of their oil painters to head outdoors (in natural light) to recreate the nature around them in their paintings. This also became a popular method of painting with the introduction of paint tubes in the 1840's. In that time, artists were required to hand make their oil paints by mixing dry pigments with linseed oil. All of that changed when paint tubes were invented (which is how we buy oil paints in art stores today). These tubes made life easier for artists to travel with their art supplies during en plein air projects and sparked another invention known as the French Box Easel. These boxes could be considered the 'briefcase' for most artists and contained a simple pair of wooden legs and an easel to prop up a canvas to paint on. To this day, a visit to France will likely consist of a gorgeous view and a few artists on the side streets with their wooden box easels painting away.
Try practicing your French vocabulary by listening to the words below and saying them out loud:
En Plein Air - In the open air
Une Toile - Canvas
Peinture à l'huile - Oil Paint
Un Chevalet - Easel
Peindre - To paint
Let's continue to dive deeper and paint a picture of the artists that made French En Plein Air what we know it to be today. Highly celebrated painters such as Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, & Pierre-Auguste Renoir were among the leaders who fashioned en plain air, making it famous through their independent exhibitions of 'Impressionist' work. Together they created the art movement Impressionism & caused quite a stir in the art community of the time. Working en plein air was outlandish due to the fact that landscapes & portraits were usually painted in a studio. However, they took art further by portraying the transient sunlight depicted through short, visible brush strokes - evoking the feeling of a passing of time. To give you a better idea, take a peak at some of their work below:
Arm of the Seine near Vetheuil - Claude Monet (Image: www.wikiart.org)
Impression Sunrise - Claude Monet (Image: www.wikiart.org)
Road at Eragny, Winter - Camille Pissarro (Image: www.wikiart.org)
Windmill at Knokke, Belgium - Camille Pissarr0 (Image:www.wikiart.org)
Alphonsine Fournasie on the Isle of Chatou - Pierre-Auguste Renoir (Image: www.wikiart.org)
Beaulieu - Pierre-Auguste Renoir (Image: www.wikiart.org)
Today, we celebrate the work of these great artists in numerous art museums around the world. French Art Plein Air & Impressionism are of the most prolific moments in art history and from it, came great masterpieces, oil paint tubes, and French Box Easels. Can you remember the last time you saw some great Impressionist work? Don't forget to tell us all about it the comments section below (all comments en Français get bonus points)!
Looking to learn more French language and culture? Visit our website for our latest Group Class schedule, Private Lessons, and other services - www.jplinguistics.com.
Healthy Habits of French Cooking
Learn the secrets to the French diet for maintaining a healthy and happy lifestyle.
There are a number of habits that the French keep on a daily basis to maintain a happy and healthy lifestyle, from daily trips to the food market to eating smaller portions. French people have a great understanding of a well-balanced diet! With that, we hope you enjoy reading 6 Healthy Habits of French Cooking below! Bonne Santé!
1. The French find pleasure in their meals
There is no such thing as 'fearing' what you eat in France because, culturally, the French take pleasure in their culinary experiences. Food textures, wine 'notes,' and wafting smells of French ingredients are common topics of conversation over the dinner table.
Sitting with a friend or a loved one and sharing a meal together that looks and tastes great is truly the joie de vivre in France. Et voila! Now you know the ultimate secret to eating like a French person...enjoy every minute of it!
2. Daily shopping at the market
Having fresh ingredients is a must for French people. Unlike the United States, there isn't a huge issue of chemically-induced, processed foods. They can thank their government for that because of strict laws and policies for food distributors and farmers. Even without the laws, shopping at the market with a French person isn't about filling up the shopping cart with boxes of macaroni and cheese or frozen dinners. Rather, it is a thoughtful process of grabbing essential ingredients which are used to make meals from scratch. Also, instead of going to the grocery store once a week to fill up the pantry, French people go daily to the supermarket to make smaller purchases for the essentials (like a french baguette or a few fresh tomatoes). Fresh food is best obtained by daily shopping.
3. Meals are separated into courses
A proper French meal can easily add up to about 6-courses. That's because each plate is something to appreciate and pay attention to. Having a TV on in the background or a laptop open on the table while eating would be quite shocking in France. Instead, French people separate the meal into courses to appreciate the flavors and ingredients while allowing for proper digestion before moving on to the next plate. This is also why a 6-course meal sometimes lasts about 6 hours long!
4. The French menu includes organ meats
That's right, popular items like Liver Paté are top on the list of French food items for a reason. Why you ask? To start, they are nutrient-dense. The paté, for example, is typically made of liver, egg yolks, and cream or butter. This provides the B vitamins and minerals from the liver and the fat-soluble vitamins found in eggs yolks and dairy. Other common organ meats include brains, tripe, kidneys, heart, and tongue. This is not only a part of the traditional French diet for nutrition and flavor, these items are typically inexpensive and help stretch the grocery budget.
5. Variety is a key element of surprise
Instead of being hyper-focused on the calorie count in food items, French people find pleasure in the food varieties at the supermarket. For example, the variety of greens in the lettuce section or the hundreds of cheeses in the cheese department. This excitement is something that can brings new flavor and variation to each meal.
French appetizer with salmon and herb cream
6. Small Portions
The popular phrase 'less is more' is key here. Instead of filling a plate with massive portions of food, French people plate a pleasurable and delicious amount to savor during each course. Because of appropriate portion sizes, the French feel zero guilt for divulging in their favorite sugary delights.
We hope you enjoyed reading Healthy Habits of French Cooking! Do Have any additional tips you want to add? Leave them in the comment's section below. If you would like to learn more about French language and culture, check out our Group Classes and Private Lessons at JP Linguistics by clicking here. Merci et à bientôt!
French Tips to Survive the Moulin Rouge
Just because Parisians avoid it doesn’t mean it’s not worth the visit.
While most Parisian natives stay far away from the Moulin Rouge (mostly because it's located in the 'Boulevarde de Clichy' (a commonplace for the sex trade)), it is a very sought after spot by tourists. To shed some light on the topic, we wanted to take a trip on the wild side & send you a few tips to survive the Moulin Rouge from a native French perspective. We hope you enjoy!
Approaching 'Le Moulin'
You will definitely want to watch your belongings while strolling through the Boulevarde de Clichy. Used heroin needles, sloppy newspapers, and prostitutes roam these streets, but look up towards the sky and all of that seems to disappear as you see the bright red lights and spinning windmill of the Moulin Rouge. The staff at this spectacle tend to wear a chip on their shoulder, so it is best to buy tickets ahead of time. If you happen to arrive without a ticket, you should know that performances are usually held at 7PM, 9PM, and 11PM and it's best to arrive 30minutes prior. Also take note that the tickets are around 115€ for regular seats and about 200€ for VIP seats (which include champagne, macarons & more). When you arrive, try ordering your ticket en Français with 'Une entrée pour le spectacle de ce soir, s'il vous plaît' ('1 ticket for tonight's show please'). You can follow up with 'Le Spectacle dure combien de temps?' ('How long is the performance'). We would recommend paying a few extra euros and grabbing the seats with the champagne.
Getting In
Once you are ready to usher through the crowds and into Toulouse Lautrec's favorite playground, you will be taken to your seats. At this point, most people grab their iphones and try snapping a quick photo of the venue. However, the ushers are on high alert for this as photos & video are strictly prohibited. You will hear this phrase constantly 'Les photos ne sont pas autorisées' ('No photos allowed'), at which you can kindly respond 'Désolé! Je ne savais pas" (Sorry, I didn't know).
The Show
If you are the type of person who enjoys contemporary, avant-garde performances then this might not be the show for you. During its heyday, the show was an arousing display of topless women and dazzling costumes that were innovative. For today's standard, this show is more of a mediocre Broadway, than a flashy modern dance. In any case, you will enjoy seeing what brought some of the most famous paintings in art history to life through the live performances that inspired Toulouse Lautrec. Just take note of the amount of 'foreigners' you see dancing on stage during the performance. If you are expecting a cabaret-style line up of Parisian talent, you might be slightly surprised by the majority of Eastern European performers.
After
As discussed, the area just outside the Moulin Rouge has some safety concerns. It's best to head directly to a cozy bar in Montmartre, such as the 'Chez Ammad' (formerly 'The Grand Hôtel de Clairmont'). At this point, you can grab a martini with a friend and engage in one of France's favorite activities, 'la critique.' Common phrases might include 'Qu'est-ce que tu as pensé des costumes ?' ('What did you think of the costumes?') 'Tu as aimé les chansons ?' ('Did you like the singing?') and "Tu as aimé ?' ('Did you enjoy it?'). In any case, you will have plenty of time to discuss as most bars stay open until 2AM or later if they have proper dispensation.
There is much to do and see around Paris and, for obvious reasons, the Moulin Rouge is one of the many landmarks to consider. Many tourists often wonder what actually goes on inside, so we hope this post offered some useful insight. Have you been to the Moulin Rouge or are considering going? Make sure to leave a comment below with your thoughts, questions or with any of your favorite tips!
Think You Know France? 3 Quizzes To Test Your Knowledge
Test your knowledge of French culture and historic events with these 3 quick quizzes.
Think you know a thing or two about French language and culture? We're here to test your knowledge with 3 fun and unique quizzes that include historical, linguistic, and cultural elements. Simply select a quiz below and answer as many questions as you can. After clicking 'Bonnes Réponses,' you will see all the corrections. Get ready, set, go!
Select a French Quiz below to get started:
If you have never been to France or are looking for gain French language and culture skills, don't forget to check out our French Group Classes or French Private Lessons. Our native French instructors are filled with fun and useful tips which will help you blend in like a local. Unsure how to get started, have no fear! We are here for you. Feel free to contact us with any questions. Bonne Journée!
Pop Quiz - Can You Answer These 8 Cultural Facts?
Think you know more than thing or two about French and culture? Prove it!
Think you know a thing or two about French language and culture? Take our fun and short 8-question quiz which will test your knowledge on some of the country's most beloved history. Click submit to see the right answers. Bonne chance!
(Please note the source of original content for the quiz above: www.french.lovetoknow.com)
We hope you enjoyed Pop Quiz - Can You Answer These 8 Cultural Facts! For more language tips and French classes visit us at www.jplinguistics.com.
French Vocabulary for Winter Clothing
Test your French vocabulary skills by seeing which winter clothing items you can name.
Winter in the Big Apple is always filled with new fashions - big jackets, scarves, gloves and cozy hats. So we wanted to test your knowledge on some French vocabulary for winter clothing. As you walk down the streets 'people watching,' see how many of the items you can answer correctly in the quiz below. Click 'Traduire' for the correct translations below. Ready, set, burrrrr....
Take our quiz and let's see how many of the vocabulary terms you can answer correctly below.
We hope you enjoyed French Vocabulary for Winter Clothing! If you are looking to learn more French vocabulary, don't forget to check out our Private French Lessons and French Group Classes in NYC! These classes are great for all levels and, best of all, they are taught by native instructors born and raised in France! Bonne Journée!
New Year's in France
Celebrating New Year's Eve in France? Check out this guide for blending in like the locals.
Much like the USA, France rings in each new year with a bang. However, there are a few uniquenesses that French people maintain as customary. Did you know that New Year's Eve is also called 'La fête de la Saint Sylvestre' in honor of Pope Saint Sylvester I? Or that one common tradition includes kissing under the mistletoe? Take a look at some fun French facts below including important vocab to know for the celebration. Bonne Année!
The New Year's Tradition
Each year a big festival is organized across France called 'le Réveillon de Saint-Sylvestre' to honor Pope Saint Sylvester on December 31st. During this evening time feast, guests enjoy traditional dishes like Blinis with duck foie-gras and champagne. More recently, the French have been enjoying this celebration on a boat cruise to ring in the new year in the middle of the ocean or sea for a romantic and extraordinary experience. In Paris, a huge parade is organized on New Years Eve day in which performers march through a procession that ends at the Trocadéro, under the Eiffel Tower. At the stroke of midnight, fireworks light up the sky across Paris.
The Countdown
The mistletoe (or le guy - pronounced like 'lay gee') is one very popular spot to be standing under during the countdown to midnight. This special zone is spent smooching a loved one as the new year approaches. If you are celebrating at a friend's home or a quant bar, le guy might be easier to find. Otherwise, if you find yourself at a nightclub (or boîte de nuit) dancing the night way, you might be more focused on clinking your glass and saying Bonne Année (Happy New Year) or Santé (Health or Cheers) with champagne as midnight approaches. Small paper balls (or des cotillons) might fall from the sky and crowds of people would clap and make loud noises.
Image Credit: tripandtravelblog.com
VOCABULARY
Much of the celebrating is done with offering kind words and good wishes for a positive new year. Below are some common phrases and their meanings:
Bonne année et bonne santé! = Happy new year and good health!
Bonne Année! = Happy New Year!
Bonne année deux mille seize! = Happy 2016!
Le jour de l'an = New Year's day
Une bonne résolution = New Year's resolution
Le repas du Novel An - New Year's meal
We hope you enjoyed reading New Years in France! Bonne année et bonne santé pour deux mille seize! If one of your New Year's resolutions is to learn French, make sure to sign up for Group French Classes and Private French Lessons at JP Linguistics. Bonne journée!