These days in Paris, we’re experiencing une canicule (a heatwave). If you weren’t already thinking of heading à la plage (to the beach) for a refreshing getaway, you probably are now! Better brush up on your French beach vocabulary!
The French – Parisians, in particular – have a reputation for being rude. But the behavior that foreigners perceive as rudeness is often the result of cultural misunderstandings. To avoid any such misunderstandings, learn the following 7 French phrases before visiting Paris. With these phrases at the ready, we think you’ll see that Parisians are much more friendly than they’re reputed to be!
Looking for a job in France? If so, it’s never too early to start preparing for the job interview. In this blog post, we discuss the cultural quirks of the French job interview and the 12 French phrases you’re most likely to hear.
Ah, il fait si beau! This spring Paris is flirting with all of us by offering days of golden sun, bright blue skies and breezes as gentle as a caress. This is perfect weather to sit at a café terrace with a glass of rosé and watch the world go by. If you plan on spending time in a Parisian café, here are some handy words, phrases and other tips to make this classic Parisian pastime even more enjoyable!
Joyeuse Pâques! Bonnes Pâques! Bonnes fêtes des Pâques! You will hear these phrases everywhere in France starting from Easter Sunday (or sometimes a day or so before), and lasting the whole week. Of course, these phrases are different ways of wishing someone a Happy Easter.
You thought the French food fest was over now that Christmas and New Year’s Eve was behind us? Think again. With the arrival of January comes a national obsession with the galette des rois – the “king cake.” If you’re in France, you’ve probably noticed this scrumptious-looking cake, usually topped with a golden paper crown, …
Do you find French gift-giving etiquette confusing? You’re not alone. When you’re new to France – or even if you’ve been here awhile – it can be hard to figure out whom to gift and what’s appropriate to give. You’ve got your concierge or gardienne to think about… your kid’s school teachers…the nounou… and what …
Holiday Gift-Giving Etiquette in France: Les Étrennes Read More »
Doesn’t it drive you crazy when this happens? Scenario #1: You’ve just settled in at a table in a cozy Parisian bistro. In your very best French, you say to a waiter: “Puis-je avoir la carte, s’il vous plaît?”* He nods and immediately hands you an English menu. Scenario #2: You’re at the fromagerie**, preparing to …
When Parisians Won’t Speak French to You – How to Handle It Read More »
Santa Claus is called Père Noël in French or Father Christmas. Small children may also call him Papa Noël or Daddy Christmas. He looks more or less like the Santa Claus from the American Coca-Cola ads, but there are a few subtle differences in his costume and practices that make him French. 1. Rather than …
5 Things That Make the French Santa Claus Different Read More »
For American, the fourth Thursday in November can be a hard day to be in France. Besides the occasional co-workers or waiter who asks–Wut iz zis Zanksgiving, the day will be just the same any other Thursday in November. But don’t despair! There are an estimated 50,000 Americans living in France. If you got to …
You have probably already heard that flying bells bring chocolate to small children at Easter. Here’s another French myth that may surprise you. There is no tooth fairy in France. Instead, it is a small mouse (la petite souris) that sneaks into children’s bedrooms when they lose their baby teeth. Eck! A small mouse is …
France’s motto may be “Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité” (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity), but trust us that égalité does not apply to croissants. That perfect croissant is both butter and flaky without being too greasy and definitely not stale. This perfection can be extremely hard to find, but worth the search. Ask any Parisian about their neighborhood and …
Whether you are planning a relaxing family lunch or a romantic dinner, it is best to be aware of the rules and etiquette when using Paris parks. Here are a few tips to keep you out of trouble and make sure the police do not interrupt your picnic: Alcohol in parks: Though you will often …
In our ongoing quest to make your dream Parisian apartment come true (or just have fun imagining it), let’s spend some time talking about how you would furnish your pied-à-terre. There are a million different sorts of furniture stores in Paris from small antique shops to the many IKEAs just outside the city. To familiarize …
Everyone knows that a French apartment isn’t complete without geranium gushing from the windows boxes. Your French tutor has held your hand as you’ve bought new appliances for and hung pictures in your dream French apartment. Let us now take a stroll through the Marché aux Fleurs to purchase some houseplants and the great thing …
Buying Plants (& Chickens) in French at the Marché aux Fleurs Read More »
After your shopping lesson at Darty, explore the nearby neighborhood with a French lesson at the Eglise de la Madeleine. Click to listen to the French lesson! Location: Place de la Madeleine Transportation: metros lines 8, 12, and 14 at Madeleine Hours: Open 8:30am to 6pm Admission fees: free Website: http://www.eglise-lamadeleine.com/ The location has been …
Learning French at L’Eglise de la Madeleine in the Paris 8th Read More »
A private French class at Darty, one of the biggest appliance stores in Paris Click to listen to the French lesson! Many people dream of owning a small pied-à-terre in Paris. A small and charming apartment with a view of the Eiffel Tower where every morning you can sip coffee and eat fresh bread smothered …
After what has felt like the rainiest Spring ever, the sun is finally out and the weather people are promising it will stay this way for a couple more days. Here’s some ideas to help you plan your weekend in Paris (and work on your French). The Rose Garden at the Parc de Bagatelle: After …
Click to hear the French garden vocabulary! Gardening and The Grand Palais We’re pleased to welcome Clémence Dangles from the Paris Creators Studio as a guest blogger. The Paris Creators Studio offers a selection of unusual and inventive classes for English speaking Parisians and English speaking tourists. It’s spring time (not joking…) and what most …
You plan the perfect vacation to Paris and then on the second afternoon you twist your ankle getting off the bus. Or you’ve just relocated to Paris, barely know a soul, and your child wakes up with a high fever. What do you do? Don’t panic. Just make sure you know where to find a list of French emergency …
French Health Emergencies Numbers and Key Phrases Read More »
