The best French movies of all time With the arrival of cold weather, there’s nothing like watching a good movie in the confort of your home. Here’s your chance to discover some cult French movies. For years, French films have been making their mark on cinema culture. Here is a selection of timeless classics […]
The best french movies of all time Read More »
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!
On y va! French Beach Vocabulary Read More »
Another July 14th is just around the corner. You may know it as Bastille Day, but here in France, it’s called “La Fête Nationale” or “le quatorze juillet.” What’s it all about? Simply put, it’s the date that marks the start of la Révolution française (the French Revolution) and represents the day on which France won her independence from the unchecked and absolute power of the monarchy.
Bastille Day: Background & Vocabulary Read More »
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!
7 Polite French Phrases to Learn before Visiting Paris Read More »
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!
Café Talk: 12 French Phrases for Hanging Out in a Parisian Café Read More »
Crêpe-lovers rejoice! Today is La Chandeleur (Candlemas), which means crêpes! Many French families will have a massive crêpe-making session tonight, school cafeterias will serve these thin pancakes to children, and while strolling through the market, you may suddenly find a warm, freshly-made crêpe thrust into your hand – for free! Keep reading to find out
It’s la Chandeleur: serve up the crêpes! Read More »
In these frigid January days, those of us in Paris are scurrying from place to place under slate-grey skies, scowling as the freezing air seems to slice through every layer of our clothes. On days like these, nothing is more tempting than finding a nice quiet spot to hunker down with a good book and
7 Cozy Spots in Paris to Escape the Winter Cold Read More »
“Errer est humain, flâner est parisien.” To err is human, to stroll is Parisian. – Victor Hugo These words were true in the 19th-century and they’re true today. Nothing is more quintessentially Parisian than spending a lazy hour or two strolling through Paris’s streets, gardens, or along the banks of the Seine with no aim
The Covered Passages of Paris: A Christmas Stroll 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 »
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
How to Have Thanksgiving in Paris Read More »
As the days get shorter and the air colder, its time to move your French lessons inside. But where should we meet? Go ahead and stand in line to go up the Eiffel Tower with your friends. The view is gorgeous and it is an experience not to be missed, but up there it is
Practice Counting at the Palais de Justice Read More »
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
Searching for the Best Croissant in French Read More »
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
Creative Gardening in French Read More »
Marguerite Monnier, the founder of French As You Like It, recently wrote a second guest post for Paris Perfect. She shared another of her favorite places to give a French lesson, Jardin du Musée Rodin in Paris. If you are visiting Paris and looking for ideas of fun things to do, why not practice your
French As you Like It Spotlighted on Paris Perfect Read More »
You have a hardly used copy of the Bescherelle (or another verb conjugation book) sitting on your bookshelf and you keep promised yourself, tomorrow I will study those French verbs seriously. We know it is hard to be motivated by the imparfait or future simple, but it is important to do. To help motivate you,
Our Favorite Spots in Paris for Memorizing Verbs Read More »
Open to hear a description of the Hôtel-Dieu de Paris in French and then read the full-text with highlighted vocabulary below. Location: 1, place du Parvis Notre-DamePublic Transportation: metros line 4 at Cité or line 1, 4, 7, 11, or 14 at Chatlet Hours: Open twenty-four hours everyday, but be respectful that this is a
French Lesson at the Hôtel-Dieu in the Paris 4th Read More »
Marguerite Monnier, the founder of French As You Like It, was recently a guest blogger on Paris Perfect. She shared one of her favorite places to give a French lesson, Les Grands Magasins. Starting from the Deli-cieux open air café/restaurant at the top of the Printemps (7th floor of the maison et beauté section) to
French As You Like It on Paris Perfect Read More »
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 »
Open to hear a description of the Jardin des Plantes in French and then read the full-text with highlighted vocabulary below: French lessons for the Jardin des Plantes (opens with QuickTime Player and Windows Media Player). Location: rue Cuvier, rue Buffon, rue Geoffroy-Saint-Hilaire, place Valhubert Public transportation: metros at Gare d’Austerlitz or Gare de Lyon;
French Lesson at the Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes in the Paris 5th Read More »
Improve your French: Click to hear a short text read on the Grands Magasins (opens with QuickTime Player and Windows Media Player Location: 40 and 64 Boulevard Haussman Public transportation: Line 7 and 9 at Chaussée d’Antin Lafayette Hours: Printemps is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30am to 8pm and are open until 9pm on
French Lesson at Les Grands Magasins in the Paris 9th Read More »
