I use simple, everyday French to explain the most famous French poems. Not only is it a great cultural subject but it’s a fantastic way to learn new vocabulary, verb tenses and improve your understanding of deeper conversations. French culture is deeply engrained with poetry and these audiobooks will teach you both formal and modern pronunciation.
I use simple, everyday French to explain the most famous French poems. Not only is it a great cultural subject but it’s a fantastic way to learn new vocabulary, verb tenses and improve your understanding of deeper conversations. French culture is deeply engrained with poetry and these audiobooks will teach you both formal and modern pronunciation.
Today, it’s my pleasure to share with you my daughter Leyla’s (8 years old on this video) rendition of “le Corbeau et le Renard” by Jean de la Fontaine.
French writer of the 20th century, Louis Aragon was involved in Dadaism from 1919 to 1924. He then became a founding member of Surrealism in 1924, with André Breton and Philippe Soupault. In the 1920s, Aragon became a fellow traveler of the French Communist Party along with several other surrealists, and took out his card in January 1927.
Slower and natural readings of the French poem “Voyelles” d’Arthur Rimbaud – listen to my clear French audio recording and read the English translation of the poem.
Listen to my reading of this famous 16th century French poem written in old French. Discover Maurice de Scève French poem “Délie” + English translation + audio
“Le Temps a Laissé son Manteau” de Charles d’Orléans is a charming and very simple French poem. Dating from the 15th century, this poem is often studied by French middle school students as an introduction to Old French.
I chose this poem quite simply because it is one of my favorites. Of course, like many French and Americans, I adore Baudelaire for his stylistic originality and his extreme sensitivity. I love this poem because it is simply beautiful, highly sensual, and surprisingly positive for a Baudelaire poem!
“Le Niagara” by Louis Fréchette is one of the most famous French Canadian poems. I will read the poem in an enunciated and natural way, and share with you a narrative of the poet’s life, and analysis of the poem as written by a dear student of mine.
This poem – written in the 16th century for King Charles IX’s court – is a very well done exercise of style.
Based on a quite common image – a girl and a rose – Ronsard manages to create a graceful and sensual poem that glorifies the game of seduction.
I’m going to read 2 French poems by Mallarmé. The beginning of L’Après-midi d’un Faune is one of my favorite poems to read out loud.
Listen to my recording of the French poem “La Feuille Blanche”, one of the most famous poems by Paul Valéry.
This poem, written by the 16-year old Rimbaud, is partially in the classic form but already announces his future avant-garde poems. When he wrote this piece, France was at war with Prussia, and Rimbaud was frequently running away from home and traveling by foot. It is therefore possible that the scene described in the poem is a real scene.
Listen to my enunciated and natural readings of the 19th century French Poem “Tristesse” (Sorrow) by Alfred de Musset.
Today I’m going to talk to you about the French poem “Le Corbeau et le Renard” – “The Raven and The Fox” by Jean de La Fontaine. I will speak slowly, clearly and use everyday vocabulary to read, explain, and then discuss the poem.