Saint Nicolas – the French Santa Claus
Practice your French and learn about "Saint Nicolas", the French Santa Claus, with my easy French English bilingual story. [Read More...]
Holiday
Hanukkah in France – La Fête d’Hanoucca
Hanukkah (Hanoucca in French) is rather discreet, and many French people may not know what day Hanukkah is since it changes every year. Here are the French traditions for Hanukkah, as well as the French Hanukkah's vocabulary. [Read More...]
Do the French Celebrate Thanksgiving?
Do the French celebrate Thanksgiving? In this article, you'll find the French Thanksgiving vocabulary as well as cultural notes about "le Jour de l'Action de Grâce(s)" as they say in Québec. [Read More...]
How do we Celebrate Halloween in France? Learn French Vocabulary and Traditions
We don't typically celebrate Halloween in France. In the 1990s, young French hipsters started to have costume parties for Halloween, and some bars and restaurants took up the trend as well. [Read More...]
French Vocabulary for Mother’s Day + French Poem Video
Bonjour - I'm Leyla, Camille and Olivier's daughter and I'm 4. Every year, we learn a poem at school for Mother's day (la fête des mères). This year, my parents took a video so we can share it with you. Enjoy! [Read More...]
Long May Weekends in France
Traveling to France in May can be a bit complicated. We have many holidays, and many extended weekends since the French "font le pont" - they will take an extra day off when there is only one day separating a holiday from a weekend, and therefore have a "long weekend". And there are many holidays in May in France. [Read More...]
Les Traditions de Pâques – Easter’s Traditions in France
"Pâques" is an important holiday in France: a religious one of course, but also a traditional gathering for families, religious or not. Kids go egg hunting (you can see our daughter Leyla in action), but our egg providers are a bit different: magic bells!! And we traditionally cook a large meal with a leg of lamb, and set a lively table to honor the coming of Spring time. [Read More...]
Poisson d’Avril ! April’s Fool in France + Laughter Vocabulary
A "poisson d'avril" is a joke made on April 1st. In France, children try to stick a fish picture on their friends' back. When the joke is discovered, they shout "poisson d'avril !". Learn about this French tradition, with many examples, and study the laughter related French Vocabulary. [Read More...]
Joyeuse Saint Valentin ! Valentine’s day in France
Le 14 février, c'est La Saint Valentin, la fête de l'amour et des amoureux. Careful though - unlike English cultures, Valentine's day in France is only for people "in" love, not just loving/friendship gestures. [Read More...]
11 Tips to Debunk New Year in France + Vocabulary
In French, we call New Year's Eve "La Saint-Sylvestre" (pronounced "la sin(nasal) seal vay str") or "Le Réveillon du Nouvel An". Celebrated during the night of December 31st, we usually party with friends and/or family, in a more or less formal way. [Read More...]
Top 100 : French Christmas Vocabulary
100 French Christmas Words and Expressions - "Noël", "Joyeux Noël" + all the Christmas French vocabulary for decorations, French religious terms, typical French Christmas food etc... [Read More...]
French Easter Vocabulary – Le Vocabulaire de Pâques
First let's address the most important French word for Easter: Pâques. (Pronounce it "pak").
It's commonly used without any article (no le, la, les). [Read More...]
Xmas in France: Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?
The Christmas meal in France is called "le réveillon de Noël" and usually takes place on December 24th. But, things change and now, many French families have their traditional Christmas meal on December 25th. Here is why. [Read More...]
Truths and Myths Of The French Christmas Meal
With so many culinary delights in France, it's hard to figure out what kind of food French people really eat around Christmas. Oysters and Foie-Gras are a sure thing, but fresh truffles and caviar are still very much for the wealthiest. [Read More...]
French Electrical Vocabulary + Christmas Lights in Dinan
At Christmas time, French towns and villages lit up with merry Christmas lights and decorations. Let's study the electrical French vocabulary, and practice our French with this easy French English bilingual story. [Read More...]
Do You Know The Hidden Secret Spot to Paris’ Fireworks?
So, you decided to go to Paris to see the fabulous Bastille day fireworks - You and about a million Parisians :-)
Here are my tips to best enjoy the Paris Bastille Day Fireworks. I may even let you in my secret... But first, let's look at your options: [Read More...]
Mothers Day Poem in French – Video and French Vocabulary
Today is Mothers Day in France, and this is the French poem I learnt in school and told my Mom :-) [Read More...]
French Christmas Dialogue (With Audio)
For the Holidays, Olivier and I recorded a realistic French Christmas dialogue to introduce you to both the French traditions and precise French vocabulary used in around Xmas in France. This post comes with audio. Enjoy, and happy holidays! [Read More...]
“Petit Papa Noël” sung by Leyla
Leyla learned this sing at school, so we thought we'd share it with you. This is one of the most famous Christmas song, made famous in 1946 France by the singer Tino Rossi (see link below). The original version is much longer, but most children only sing the chorus. [Read More...]
La Bûche de Noël – Christmas Yule Log Recipe & Origins
Like in many countries, "la bûche de Noël", the Yule Log is the ultimate French Christmas dessert. It's easy enough to make, you can cover a non-perfect roll with whipped cream, fruits and Xmassy decorations, and it's tasty, especially if you follow this recipe and make a good filling! Kids will love it!! [Read More...]