Archive for the ‘France’ Category

Back to the Normandy region: what are the culinary specialties?

Jeudi, septembre 24th, 2020

I told you! I love France, teaching French, sharing my love of French and I LOVE food. So, here we are. What do we eat in Normandy?

Well, excellent food.

Do you know camembert?

As you know, France is a huge country for cheese. French people cannot live without cheese. We eat cheese everyday. Cheese, bread and wine. What Else do you need to be happy?

And one of the most famous French cheeses is “le camembert”. It is not strong (unless you forget it at the bottom of your fridge for a few weeks), and it does not smell so strong. When you visit France, you must try “un camembert”. This cheese is so famous in France that you will find it everywhere, in any region, in any supermarket or food shop. It’s a “must-taste”, really.

Do you know that this cheese is also excellent melted on boiled potatoes. It’s gorgeous, gorgeous. And do you know that Camembert is also the name of a village in Normandy?

Yes!

Camembert, check this link to learn more about this lovely village. And while you are at Camembert, you should pay a visit to la fromagerie Durand, the last camembert cheese maker in the city of Camembert. You cannot miss this one!!

But the Normandy region is not only famous for its camembert cheese, it is also famous for many dairy products like cream and butter. And these ingredients are widely used in the traditional cuisine of this region.

Another thing you will find everywhere in Normandy: apples. Orchards of apple trees, everywhere and cows! With all these apples,people make calvados a very strong alcohol and cider  (in the Bretagne region too).

So, as soon as you can come and visit France, you have to visit Normandy (and many other regions too…!), try a camembert and drink some cider.

Have a beautiful day, talk to you soon,

Normandie falaises etretat

Vocabulary : vocabulaire

Voc BlogPost spécialités culinaires normandie

Cheese : du fromage

Food : la nourriture

A speciality : une spécialité

Potatoes : des pommes de terre / des patates

Famous : célèbre

An apple : une pomme

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A virtual tour of some of the most famous French cathedrals

Jeudi, septembre 17th, 2020

Today, I am taking you to another region of France. Let’s have a virtual visit of one of the most beautiful cathedrals of France : the cathedral of Reims.

La Cathédrale de Reims vue du ciel:

http://www.cathedrale-reims.fr/Explorer/Le-monument-vu-du-ciel

On YouTube, type: “Cathédrale de Reims: l’intérieur en couleur”

The Reims Cathedral is located in the Champagne region (yes, champagne!!). This is a very important place regarding the French History as it is in this cathedral that the kings of France were crowned (and not in Paris). It’s an amazingly beautiful monument and it is definitely worth a visit, even if right now it is most probably a virtual visit.

The cathedral de Reims has two towers but no “flèche”. Usually, cathedrals have “une flèche”. Une flèche is the architectural name of a long and slender spire placed on the church (or cathedral) roof. I could not find (yet) a virtual visit of the “flèche” of a cathedral but I will keep looking because it is worth a visit.

I remember as a kid, we used to visit many cathedrals during our holidays and of course, we would visit the “flèche”. It was a “must-see” and no elevator of course!

I remember the beauty of the view as you walk the stairs in the “flèche” and at the same time, you can enjoy the view because “flèches” are carved… so it’s like walking to the sky. It’s an amazing feeling.

But, the truth is, so many tourists got stuck inside the “flèches” of the French cathedrals because they were scared of heights AND so many rescue teams were fed up with this kind of intervention that nowadays, most of the “flèches” are closed to the public… It’s a shame but I understand why it happened.

Anyway, enjoy this virtual visit to one of the most famous French cathedral.

I’ll be back very soon with new virtual visits to France.

Have a beautiful day,

 

Just for « le plaisir des yeux », here is another beautiful church. Not so famous but look at the scenery surrounding it. Amazing isn’t it?!

Eglise Voiron

Even in a medium size city, you’ll find architectural wonders, you do not need to go where everybody does… Enjoy the privilege of a relaxing visit!

 

Vocabulary / vocabulaire

Vocabulaire BlogPost visite virtuelle cathédrales

French History : l’histoire française

the king : le roi

Crowned : couronné

A crown : une couronne

Holiday : vacances

Be scared of heights : avoir le vertige

 

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Visite virtuelle de Normandie

Jeudi, septembre 10th, 2020

A virtual visit of the Normandy Region!

I am thrilled to be with you again. I’ve searched for more ways to help you visit France virtually. Let’s go! Allons-y !

This time, we will still visit Normandy, but let me take you to a virtual visit of the city of Caen:

http://caen360.fr/

Now, let’s take a virtual tour of the French city of Lorne:

http://tourismeorne.com/cdtorne/360_2014/BAGNOLES_DE_LORNE_VISITE_VIRTUELLE/Grand_Domaine_Bagnoles_de_l_Orne_112014.html

Then, let’s go and virtually visit Domfront:

http://tourismeorne.com/cdtorne/360_2014/DOMFRONT_VISITE_VIRTUELLE/360_domfront.html

 

And now, enjoy the amazing cathedral of Rouen:

https://www.rouentourisme.com/visites-virtuelles/cathedrale-notre-dame/cathedralerouen.html

imageedit_3_6517112897

In France, you will find a lot of cathedrals and churches, they are just magnificent with amazing stained glasses. If you like beautiful architecture, then the cathedrals and churches in France are definitely places to visit virtually or physically. Often, these monuments are as wonderful as castles. It’s a must-see when you visit France. These beautiful monuments are so intricate in the French culture, you cannot miss them even in a tiny village. You will be amazed and impressed to discover beautiful churches, just in the middle of nowhere. And 90% of them still have their bells ringing each hour (except during the night, people want to sleep!!).

 

Well, I’ll leave you here for today, I’ll meet you soon with more things to visit virtually in France. Even if you cannot travel right now, I bring you France.

 

Vocabulary / vocabulaire

Vocabulaire BlogPost visite virtuelle Normandie

Cathedral : cathédrale

Church : église

Stained glass : un vitrail / des vitraux

Architecture : architecture

A bell : une cloche

 

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Une visite virtuelle de la France

Jeudi, septembre 3rd, 2020

Exactement… exactly

Let’s enjoy a virtual tour de France as, right now, it is much safer.

If you really want to visit France but times are difficult right now, you can visit France virtually. And let me be your guide ;)

Technology is great isn’t it?

How can I visit France virtually?

Well, in this article, I will give you a few links and present some very places you can visit. This includes museums you can visit virtually.

If you like modern art, then you’ll enjoy the:

Musée d’art moderne André Malraux:

https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/musee-dart-moderne-andre-malraux?hl=en

 

This museum is located in Le Havre in Normandy.

Enjoy a virtual visit of this French museum.

I’ve also found this link:

http://www.muma-lehavre.fr/en

You can also discover this wonderful museum. I have a crush for Monet (I love the “impressionnistes”) Waterlilies.

 

Le musée Monet et ses jardins, Giverny

Speaking of Monet, let me take you to another museum you can virtually visit in France. Let’s leave the coast of Normandy to go inside this region, between Rouen and Paris

es-nympheas

Le musée Monet et ses jardins, Giverny :

https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/museum-of-impressionism-giverny?hl=en

Giverny is the city of Monet, this is where this famous painter lived in a beautiful home, now a museum. You can visit this museum and do not forget to take a walk in the wonderful gardens. You will find the spirit of Monet here, for sure.

And guess what?! Here is another virtual visit of this French museum:

http://fondation-monet.com/en/

 

I hope you will enjoy our first virtual visit of France.

I’ll get you another article with more places to visit from anywhere in the world. Enjoy your French virtual visits and see you soon!

 

Vocabulaire Visite Virtuelle France

museums : des musées

Virtual : virtuel

Virtually : virtuellement

A garden : un jardin

A home : une maison

 

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Parlez-vous français, Part 2 LYON!

Mardi, septembre 1st, 2020

In a previous article, I gave you a few sentences every tourist should know. As I was writing my free guide for a lovely holiday in Lyon, I wanted to give you more of these sentences.

In this free guide, I’ve gathered my favorites places, restaurants, bouchons. Do you know « les bouchons », these traditional restaurants you will find ONLY in Lyon? No?! Well, grab this free guide and discover some of the most famous « bouchons » of Lyon. Next time you’ll visit France, you won’t miss this.

Restaurant nappe carreaux

As usual with me, you know that I love France, I love food (this is why I talk to you about the bouchons, restaurants, bars in Lyon) and I love teaching French, but a useful French, an easy French just targeted for tourists. Just the French you need as a tourist, not a heavy full of rules and grammar French. No! Nothing like that. Just a glimpse of French.

Just THE glimpse of French YOU need to enjoy your holiday in France.

This is why, I’ve also included a bonus to my free guide: a few sentences VERY USEFUL, the sentences you will absolutely need as a tourist.

You know what?

Here is the audio transcript, just for you!

So grab your free guide of LYON and enjoy your holiday in France!

 

Talk to you soon for more French culture, French visits and French language (but I promise you, it will be just the French you need as a tourist, nothing more, nothing to bother you!).

Enjoy!

Sandrine

 

FREE GUIDE AUDIO TRANSCRIPT

Lyon audio 1

Bonjour

Excusez-moi, je ne parle pas français.

Excusez-moi, je ne parle pas beaucoup français.

Excusez-moi, je ne comprends pas.

Excusez-moi, vous pouvez m’aider ?

Excusez-moi, l’opéra, c’est où ?

Excusez-moi, les traboules, c’est où ?

Excusez-moi, ça coûte combien ?

Vous ouvrez à quelle heure ?

Vous fermez à quelle heure ?

Je voudrais l’addition s’il vous plaît.

Je peux payer par carte ?

Merci / Merci beaucoup / Je vous remercie

Au revoir !

Lyon audio 2

Je voudrais un café, s’il vous plaît.

Je voudrais un croissant, s’il vous plaît.

Je voudrais un pain au chocolat, s’il vous plaît.

Je voudrais un éclair, s’il vous plaît.

Je voudrais une baguette, s’il vous plaît.

Je voudrais un verre de vin, s’il vous plaît.

Je voudrais un dessert, s’il vous plaît.

 

Lyon audio 3

Je voudrais réserver une table, s’il vous plaît.

Je voudrais réserver une table, pour une personne, s’il vous plaît.

Je voudrais réserver une table, pour deux (2) personnes, s’il vous plaît.

Je voudrais réserver une table, pour trois (3) personnes, s’il vous plaît.

Quatre (4), cinq (5), six (6)

 

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Lyon, a special guide: audio

Mardi, septembre 1st, 2020

Congratulations! You just grabbed you free guide, enjoy your visit! Lyon is a great city.   So, here are your sentences and their audio transcription. Enjoy! Learn French, it’s so easy!

 

Lyon audio 1

Bonjour

Excusez-moi, je ne parle pas français.

Excusez-moi, je ne parle pas beaucoup français.

Excusez-moi, je ne comprends pas.

Excusez-moi, vous pouvez m’aider ?

Excusez-moi, l’opéra, c’est où ?

Excusez-moi, les traboules, c’est où ?

Excusez-moi, ça coûte combien ?

Vous ouvrez à quelle heure ?

Vous fermez à quelle heure ?

Je voudrais l’addition s’il vous plaît.

Je peux payer par carte ?

Merci / Merci beaucoup / Je vous remercie

Au revoir !

Lyon audio 2

Je voudrais un café, s’il vous plaît.

Je voudrais un croissant, s’il vous plaît.

Je voudrais un pain au chocolat, s’il vous plaît.

Je voudrais un éclair, s’il vous plaît.

Je voudrais une baguette, s’il vous plaît.

Je voudrais un verre de vin, s’il vous plaît.

Je voudrais un dessert, s’il vous plaît.

  Lyon audio 3

Je voudrais réserver une table, s’il vous plaît.

Je voudrais réserver une table, pour une personne, s’il vous plaît.

Je voudrais réserver une table, pour deux (2) personnes, s’il vous plaît.

Je voudrais réserver une table, pour trois (3) personnes, s’il vous plaît.

Quatre (4), cinq (5), six (6)

 

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Tour de France & route Napoléon

Lundi, août 31st, 2020

Aujourd’hui, c’est la 3ème étape du Tour de France.

Today is the 3rd day of le Tour de France, between Nice on the French Riviera and Sisteron.

As I was watching the news, a journalist mentioned that today, a part of the race would be on « la route Napoléon ».

Well, well, well. First of all, I have to confess… I am not a big fan of le Tour de France. I feel too much pain watching these guys riding for hours and hours and hours ;)

But if it’s your thing, you’ll find all what you need here: https://www.letour.fr/en/ But, I thought it could be a good idea to use Le Tour de France as an excuse to discover a little bit more of France, not only from a riding perspective. So, here we are! La Route Napoléon! What????

I won’t be long, I’ll just give you a little bit of a historical background.

In France, we had kings for centuries and centuries. Then, during the 19th Century, after the Revolution, things became a little bit more complicated (as if is was possible…) and this time of the French History saw many political changes between the emergence of a republic, the come back of a king, republic again, and Napoleon who thought it was the right time to add an emperor on top of all of that. Crazy French ;) imageedit_9_7600106713

So Napoleon Bonaparte (also Napoléon 1er because he was the first… but not the last) has been the Empereur of France between 1804 and 1814. In 1814, he was exiled on the « Ile d’Elbe », the Eba Island, a tiny island in the mediterranean sea. He spent a few months there and escaped in February 1815. He then arrived at Golfe-Juan close to Nice and  started heading North. Close to Grenoble, a regiment meant to intercept him… helped him to march to Paris… and he became Empereur again (to make a very long story very short!).

imageedit_11_4751240870

So, all this to say, that today, the Tour de France will follow this Route Napoleon until Sisteron. And if one day you are in Nice or somewhere close to Nice on the French Riviera and plan to go North, if possible, take this Route Napoleon, sceneries are just gorgeous even if it’s longer than the highway. And if you want to learn more about our wonderful Empereur Napoleon Bonaparte;) I let you check the Wiki page. And I had no time to record the audio but I still give you some vocabulary.

Vocabulaire / vocabulary

Un empereur : emperor

Un roi : a king

Une armée : an army

Être exilé : to be exiled

Une île : an island

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Les parfums de Grasse

Jeudi, août 27th, 2020

 

If you enjoy French perfume “parfum”, then you have to check out the city of Grasse, still in the Provence region, close to Nice and Cannes. Grasse has been “la ville des parfums” literally “the city of Perfumes” since the 17th Century with some of the most famous French “parfumeries” like Fragonard, Molinard and Galinard.

And the good news is: you can visit them and buy your “parfum” directly from them!

huiles-parfumees

You will find more information on the following links (you can select your language):

Parfumerie Molinard:

https://tourisme.paysdegrasse.fr/fr/molinard

Parfumerie Galimard:

https://tourisme.paysdegrasse.fr/fr/parfumerie_galimard

Parfumerie Fragonard:

https://tourisme.paysdegrasse.fr/fr/parfumerie_fragonard

And “le musée international de la parfumerie” the international perfume museum:

https://tourisme.paysdegrasse.fr/fr/mip

flacon-de-parfum

When visiting Grasse, do not miss the cathedral in the “vieille ville” (literally “old town”) , you’ll be amazed by its beautiful paintings some by Rubens and Fragonard:

https://tourisme.paysdegrasse.fr/fr/cathedrale

If you want to learn more about art and history in the Provence region, then I highly recommend that you visit this museum: https://tourisme.paysdegrasse.fr/fr/node/144

And if you are interested in historical fashion, traditional costumes and jewels, do not miss this museum: https://tourisme.paysdegrasse.fr/fr/node/147

 

And if you want to escape the city and the beach and need to relax or go for a gentle hike « une randonnée », then you cannot miss the “parc naturel des Préalpes d’Azur”. It is a natural reserve where you can enjoy a beautiful nature:

https://tourisme.paysdegrasse.fr/fr/parc-prealpes-d-azur

Nature-et-riviere

Have a beautiful week and see you next week, and do not forget to check the audio I’ve prepared for you. Enjoy!Parfums Grasse

 

Sandrine

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Parlez-vous français ?

Mardi, août 25th, 2020

Peut-être pas.

Maybe not…

But, here’s something very good for you!

Here are 10 HIGHLY needed French sentences for tourists, their translation and their audio.

Enjoy and welcome to France!

Listen to the Part 1 of 10 French sentences for Tourists1

Bonjour : Hello

Excusez-moi, je ne parle pas français : excuse-me, I don’t speak French.

Excusez-moi, je ne comprends pas : excuse-me, I don’t understand.

Excusez-moi, vous pouvez m’aider ? Excusez-me, can you help me ?

Excusez-moi, le Louvre c’est où ? Excuse-me, where is the Louvre ?

Excusez-moi, le musée Grévin, c’est où ? Excuse-me, where is the Grevin museum ?

Je voudrais un ticket, s’il vous plaît : one ticket please.

Listen to the Part 2 of  10 French sentences for Tourists2

Ça coûte combien ? How much is it ?

Vous ouvrez à quelle heure ? At what time do you open ?

Vous fermez à quelle heure ? At what time do you close ?

Je peux payer par carte ? Can I pay by card ?

Je peux payer en espèces ? Can pay in cash ?

Merci : thank you

Au revoir ! Good Bye !

Bravo ! Your French has just improved tremendoulsy !

Félicitations ! Congratulations!

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Bormes-les-Mimosas, le carnaval

Jeudi, août 20th, 2020

Welcome back… again!

This week, I want to talk about a very famous festival. We are still in Bormes-les-Mimosas (but I promise, we will be moving soon). If you visit this wonderful French city, you cannot miss their « carnaval » carnival.

It takes place in Februray and it is worth a visit.

(suite…)

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Bormes-les-Mimosas, la savonnerie

Jeudi, août 13th, 2020

Welcome back to Bormes-les-Mimosas!

Last week, we visited the city of Bormes-les-Mimosas, this week we’ll have a look at « la savonnerie » (and by the way, this is what I wanted to talk about in my last article…). So, here we are: la savonnerie, Bormes-les-Mimosas.

« La savonnerie »? What?

Let’s start with a little bit of French.

(suite…)

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Bormes-les-Mimosa

Jeudi, août 6th, 2020

What?

Yes, Bormes-les-Mimosas! What is that?!

Well, Bormes-les-Mimosas is a beautiful city in the South of France (Provence region) on the French Riviera.

(suite…)

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Bienvenue & Welcome

Mercredi, juillet 15th, 2020

Welcome, Bienvenue,

 

Welcome to Mondizen, a blend of France, French culture and French language.

I am Sandrine, the hostess of this beautiful place. I am a French woman, French teacher, lace-maker, embroidery maker, lace designer and embroidery designer. I love the French culture, French literature, French art de vivre.

On Mondizen, not only will you learn French, but you will also discover the French culture.

You livre abroad and want to know more about France? You want to learn French?

Well, the good news is: yes, it is possible. You can enjoy France and French wherever you are in the world.

So welcome!

Mondizen? What does it mean?

Mondizen is the contraction of « Mondial », « citizen » and of course « zen ». On Mondizen, you are a citizen of the world, you bring your own culture, your perspective on this world and I bring mine. Together, we create this wonderful new world, we create our world.

(suite…)

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