From France https://www.reallyfrench.com/ News and views of daily life in France and the French Thu, 25 Jan 2024 08:37:57 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.2 100536467 Arnay-le-Duc and man in his flying machine https://www.reallyfrench.com/2023/04/a-man-in-his-flying-machine/ Tue, 04 Apr 2023 15:02:57 +0000 https://www.reallyfrench.com/?p=4423 Alister Aldridge’s new publication takes us back in time, the true events take place in a small market town in the heart of Burgundy. Arnay-le-Duc 1912 In September 1912, the small town of Arnay-le-Duc, in Burgundy, was transformed into a magnificent artificial garden to welcome thousands of visitors. Among them were dozens of senators, members of Parliament, and mayors. The association of 5 agricultural unions organized a series of festivities for 3 days to honour farmers and the rural populations. Dances, concerts, an agricultural fair, gymnastics shows, fireworks, and an award ceremony for the veterans of the Franco-Prussian were on […]

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]]> 4423 Bonjour 2023 https://www.reallyfrench.com/2022/12/au-revoir-2022/ Wed, 28 Dec 2022 10:18:46 +0000 https://www.france-pub.com/forum/?p=2346 Au revoir 2022 Many people will be glad to see 2022 fade into the background as soon as possible and will be looking towards 2023. The presidential elections were held and President Macron was re-elected. France did very well in the Football final. Morale seems to be picking up with Covid fading and few restrictions left in place. What is there to look forward to in 2023? Below are some dates and events for you to remember. The Winter sales “Les Soldes” will begin January 11th and last until February 7th. On February 2nd, the French celebrate “la Chandeleur” which […]

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]]> 2346 The 2022 French presidential elections https://www.reallyfrench.com/2022/03/the-2022-french-presidential-elections/ Wed, 02 Mar 2022 15:06:22 +0000 https://www.france-pub.com/forum/?p=2297 Official result Emmanuel Macron is reelected President of France with 58.54% of the votes. Final voting round 24th March 2022 at 20.11 p.m. Voting closes at 8 p.m. and we can now tell you that the opinion polls have announced the re-election of Emmanuel Macron with more than 58% of the votes. The official results are on the following Election Results page First voting round The first round of voting for the election is on the 10th of April and a final vote if needed on the 24th of April 2022. Updated the 11/04/2022 Results of the first round of […]

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]]> 2297 French road signs https://www.reallyfrench.com/2021/03/strange-traffic-road-signs/ https://www.reallyfrench.com/2021/03/strange-traffic-road-signs/#respond Tue, 02 Mar 2021 17:42:00 +0000 https://www.france-pub.com/forum/?p=2022 What do they mean? Do you drive on French roads or autoroutes? Have you noticed road signs with words that don’t really mean much to you? Most road signs are iconic and easily understood in any language, but every now and then the French will throw one at you and the meaning is really not very clear. Many of these road signs are temporary (with a yellow background and setup because of unusual circumstances. Let’s have a look at some of these and try to understand what’s going on so that your drive through France is more comfortable. We’ve made […]

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]]> https://www.reallyfrench.com/2021/03/strange-traffic-road-signs/feed/ 0 2022 French markets https://www.reallyfrench.com/2020/01/french-markets/ Mon, 06 Jan 2020 09:44:00 +0000 https://www.france-pub.com/forum/?p=1901 Le Marché, the market I love markets, especially food markets! Almost every French town has a market and a market day.  Some are indoor markets using old halls, many are typical outdoor markets with stands. Some are historically famous and date back hundreds of years. Market trends Most markets are very busy and continue to thrive, however, in some towns, the spread and incrustation of the powerful supermarkets have had a detrimental effect and the market stands have dwindled. To encourage the return of the markets a  few towns have introduced “evening markets”, “local producers”, “organic” or other themed ideas, […]

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]]> 1901 French Lessons https://www.reallyfrench.com/2019/08/french-lessons/ Wed, 14 Aug 2019 10:02:27 +0000 https://www.reallyfrench.com/?p=781 The French course is now open. You can test-drive a Free lesson using the button below. For the price of 2 coffees and croissants, join the Really French Starter Course.

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]]> 781 Top 6 Best Tour de France cyclists https://www.reallyfrench.com/2019/07/top-6-best-tour-de-france-cyclists/ Thu, 18 Jul 2019 19:51:52 +0000 https://www.france-pub.com/forum/?p=1988 Since the first edition of the Tour de France in 1903, each decade has been almost dominated by one champion. For the general public, the bicycle race Tour de France rhymes with the names of the famous cyclists Christopher Froome, Alberto Contador, Lance Armstrong and Miguel Indurain. Unless you are an aficionado or have been keeping track of the Tour de France for more than three decades, you may not have heard of the six following cyclist stars and champions. 6 – Greg LeMond Californian-born Gregory LeMond (1961-) won the Tour de France thrice, in 1986, 1998 and 1990. Since […]

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]]> 1988 5 French historical movies to watch https://www.reallyfrench.com/2018/06/5-french-historical-movies-to-watch/ Fri, 01 Jun 2018 15:31:54 +0000 https://www.france-pub.com/forum/?p=1889 History is an important source of inspiration in the French movie industry. Many dramas, action movies and comedies take place in a historical setting. This page lists five French history movies worth watching. Note that the choice is subjective and not based on critics, ratings or historical accuracy. Le Retour de Martin Guerre Le Retour de Martin Guerre (The Return of Martin Guerre), directed by Daniel Vigne and starring Gérard Depardieu, Nathalie Baye and Roger Planchon, 1982. Set in 16th-century France, the movie is based on the real case of the identity theft of Martin Guerre, who left his village to […]

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]]> 1889 5 French science fiction writers to read https://www.reallyfrench.com/2018/01/5-french-science-fiction-writers-read/ Thu, 11 Jan 2018 18:18:08 +0000 https://www.france-pub.com/forum/?p=1873 Except for the connoisseurs, not many people think of science fiction as an important part of French literature. Yet, in the footsteps of Jules Verne, a precursor of modern science fiction, French literature is a den for science fiction. Hundreds of space operas, stories of time travellers and post-apocalyptic worlds hide behind the pens of great French science writers. Here are five highly recommended authors you should try to read. This list is entirely subjective and based on personal preferences: Jules Verne Born in 1828 in Nantes (Loire-Atlantique), Jules Verne was heavily influenced by the belief in scientific progress that shaped the European 19th […]

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]]> 1873 5 French chanson singers https://www.reallyfrench.com/2017/09/5-french-chanson-singers/ Sun, 10 Sep 2017 13:39:59 +0000 https://www.france-pub.com/forum/?p=1862 France often prides itself for its large array of singers using French lyrics, this method was supposed to preserve the French culture faced with an increasing influence from American music. “La chanson” has been part of French culture since the Middle Ages. However, when speaking of the chanson today, it is more likely to refer to famous 20th century singers than to Guillaume de Machaut or early modern artists. 20th century singers are classified in the “nouvelle chanson” genre. Here are five of them you may not know. Remember that this list is entirely subjective, not exhaustive and without any particular […]

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]]> 1862 5 French books you should read! https://www.reallyfrench.com/2017/06/french-books-summer-suggestions/ Tue, 27 Jun 2017 17:48:12 +0000 http://www.france-pub.com/forum/?p=1845 Are you looking for French books to read this summer?Either in French or simply from French authors? If you have already read all of classics by Proust, Maupassant and Verne or do not feel ready yet to embark in Hugo’s Les Misérables, Alain Fournier’s Le Grand Meaulnes or Albert Camus’ L’Etranger, here are some non-classic suggestions of lesser-known French books and authors, recent or not. Read these French books La Quête d’Ewilan Ewilan’s Quest by Pierre Bottero This fantasy trilogy was written in 2003. It is part of the series Les Mondes by the same author comprising of four trilogies. […]

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]]> 1845 Heritage tourism in Alsace, part II https://www.reallyfrench.com/2017/06/heritage-tourism-alsace-part-ii/ Mon, 26 Jun 2017 08:35:21 +0000 http://www.france-pub.com/forum/?p=1828 The small city of Kayserberg is a must-see in the region. Located in the Kayserberg valley between the Vosges and the Alsatian plain, this medieval city with a population of 2,700 inhabitants is typical of the local architecture. Filled with many shops, restaurants, and cafés, Kayserberg is a popular touristic destination and was recently elected as the favorite city of the French by a TV show. The narrow streets, overlooked by the ruins of a medieval fortress, will take you through the centuries of Alsatian history. After visiting the Haut-Koenigsbourg castle, Colmar Neuf-Brisach and Kayserberg, it was time to see […]

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]]> 1828 Heritage tourism in Alsace, part I https://www.reallyfrench.com/2017/06/heritage-tourism-alsace-part/ Wed, 07 Jun 2017 10:09:38 +0000 http://www.france-pub.com/forum/?p=1801 Alsace is a famous region of Eastern France, having been a buffer between France and Germany for several centuries. As such, the region has a lot to offer about historical tourism. Interested in medieval architecture? Alsace abounds castles and old towns. Interested in World War One? Like during the previous war of 1870, France and Germany fought for almost every square kilometer of the land. Interested in the Second World War? It was the theater of bitter fighting between the Allies and Nazi Germany. But Alsace is also famous for its wine and vineyards, for its urban architecture, its vernacular […]

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]]> 1801 The 2017 French presidential elections https://www.reallyfrench.com/2017/04/2017-french-presidential-elections/ Sun, 16 Apr 2017 14:06:32 +0000 http://www.france-pub.com/forum/?p=1777 Emmanuel Macron wins and is elected president. He is the youngest ever President of France (39 years old). French citizens will vote to elect the 25th President of the French Republic. The elections take place in two rounds, the 23rd April and the 7th May. Round 2 Emmanuel Macron wins the election with 65% of “OUI” (YES) votes. He will be the French president for 5 years. Results from round 1 The outgoing president is His Excellency François Hollande, in office since 2012. He decided not to be a candidate to his own succession although he is eligible. 11 candidates met […]

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]]> 1777 The magic of Paris in December https://www.reallyfrench.com/2016/12/magic-paris-december/ Sun, 11 Dec 2016 10:17:44 +0000 http://www.reallyfrench.com/?p=662 This is December in Paris, so if you’re lucky as we were and if perchance the days are sunny, the sky is blue and the air is chilly then take a long stroll in Paris along the banks of the river Seine. We were staying in the 7ème arrondissement, the south bank, rive gauche and a few minutes from the Eiffel tower. After a good breakfast we dressed warmly, hats and gloves and headed towards one of the worlds most iconic shapes. The morning air was cold and walking along the streets which still hadn’t seen the sun accentuated the […]

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]]> 662 Snap shots from the summer. https://www.reallyfrench.com/2016/08/another-summer/ Thu, 04 Aug 2016 19:26:22 +0000 http://www.reallyfrench.com/?p=637 Getting to know the country of France takes time and requires a long phase of relaxation so that you can enjoy every single moment. Understanding the French is a slow process, the country is vast and diverse, you’ll need to travel and talk, exchange ideas and opinions. Within minutes the landscape plunges in altitude, the colours switch and flicker, the temperatures sore and the ambiance warms.

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]]> 637 La Somme 100 years ago https://www.reallyfrench.com/2016/06/somme100-franco-british-offensive-somme/ Thu, 30 Jun 2016 15:29:59 +0000 http://www.france-pub.com/forum/?p=1749 The Franco-British offensive of the Somme The Somme is to Britain what Verdun is to France. One of the most remembered events of the Great War, and one of the most brutal and catastrophic battles in human history. On the 1st of July 1916, after six months of planning and preparations, The United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and France launched one of the biggest offensive ever seen. Some 623,000 thousands allied soldiers against 437,000 German soldiers. The objective is to break the German front and relieve the French troops fighting in Verdun. Less than a month earlier, June the 4th, the […]

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]]> 1749 #Verdun2016 : Fort Douaumont https://www.reallyfrench.com/2016/06/verdun2016-fort-douaumont/ Mon, 06 Jun 2016 14:13:32 +0000 http://www.france-pub.com/forum/?p=1742 Fort Douaumont is a symbol of the bloody battle of Verdun that took place from February 1916 to December of the same year during the First World War. After the French defeat against the German states in the 1870-1871 Franco-Prussian Wars, France fortified the region around Verdun near the border with the newly formed German Empire. A series of forts, such as Vaux and Douaumont were built to garrison troops and artillery. Fort Douaumont consisted of battlements, underground galleries, caserns, kitchens, command posts, artillery turrets,…Etc It was built so that around 800 men could live inside the fort day and night […]

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]]> 1742 #Verdun2016 https://www.reallyfrench.com/2016/05/verdun2016-visiting-battlefields-verdun/ Tue, 31 May 2016 11:57:30 +0000 http://www.france-pub.com/forum/?p=1721 Visiting the battlefields of Verdun Verdun is a small city in the French North-East. Its location, in a valley close to the Belgian, Luxembourgian and German borders, makes the city an important strategic place. Furthermore, it is one of the passage points to cross the Meuse river. As such, Verdun has throughout history been a battlefield in the numerous conflicts opposing France to its neighbours. In 1916, during the First World War, the Lorraine region is the centre of terrific fighting between the French and German armies. At the time, the Verdun region was heavily fortified by some 30 forts […]

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]]> 1721 5 French TV series and television films you must watch https://www.reallyfrench.com/2015/11/five-french-tv-series-and-television-films-to-watch/ Sun, 15 Nov 2015 14:59:44 +0000 http://www.france-pub.com/forum/?p=1702 If French TV productions does not have the magnitude or world impact as its American counterpart, France is able to produce high quality shows for comedy, drama and detective series. Note that the following list is personal and not based on the quality or the public reception. Un village français (2009-) Un village français ( A French village ) is an historical drama that tells the story of the fictional town of Villeneuve and its inhabitants as they live through the Second World War and the German occupation. Set somewhere in the Jura department, near Besançon, the first season ( out of six […]

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