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Mot du jour: d�mener

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 03:00:13 +0000

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C�l�brons ! Bastille Day

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 03:00:00 +0000

On 14 July, France will celebrate its national holiday in commemoration of the storming of the Bastille prison, which took place in 1789 and marked the beginning of the French Revolution. Do you know what this event represents? Learn all about Bastille Day - in French or English - and listen to the Marseillaise.

What English speakers call Bastille Day the French call le 14 juillet. If you want to wish French speaker a happy Bastille Day, � Bonne Bastille ! � just doesn't work; you can only say � Joyeux Quatorze Juillet ! � or simply � Bonne f�te ! � However, it's not really customary to do so - when I do, the French seem a little surprised.

   + Bastille Day history, flag, and related links
   + Article sur le Quatorze Juillet
   + Bastille Day vocabulary
   + Bastille Day ideas for French teachers

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French expression: Dire ses quatre v�rit�s

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 06:00:39 +0000

What does the idiomatic French expression dire ses quatre v�rit�s (� quelqu'un) mean? Click the link above to learn all about it, and then come back here to share your thoughts.
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Sauvebonne, Hy�res

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 05:00:58 +0000

En face de la mairie © LKL

La vall�e de Sauvebonne est presque enti�rement verte gr�ce aux for�ts et aux champs (mot du jour) de cultures, notamment vignes, p�chers, abricotiers, figuiers et rosiers. Cette fraction d'Hy�res s'�tend le long de la vall�e du Gapeau (qui marque la limite nord-ouest de la commune) jusqu'� la limite nord : la fronti�re avec le village de Pierrefeu.

De droite � gauche :
mairie, �glise, �cole © LKL

Le minuscule � lieu-dit � (il est vraiment trop petit pour �tre consid�r� comme un village) de Sauvebonne consiste en une mairie annexe, une �cole, une �glise, un cimeti�re et un terrain de boules. Tout �tait ferm� et vide pendant ma visite mardi vers 15h00. Le hameau doit �tre plus anim� le samedi, le jour des messes, j'imagine.

Sauvebonne est aussi dot�e de deux �tangs consacr�s � la p�che � la mouche, un centre �questre et un �levage d'autruches, aussi bien que le camping Vert Gapeau, un village de vacances trois �toiles qui propose une gamme d'activit�s.

Lire plus : Hy�res - Provence - France

English translation

Sauvebonne, Hy�res

Vall�e de Sauvebonne is almost entirely green thanks to forests and cultivated fields, notably grape vines, peach trees, apricot trees, fig trees, and rosebushes. This fraction of Hy�res stretches along the Gapeau River valley (the river marks the northwest limit of the commune) up to the northern limit: the border with the village of Pierrefeu.

The tiny "locality" (it's far too small to be considered a village) of Sauvebonne is made up of an ancillary town hall, school, church, cemetery, and boules court. Everything was closed up and empty during my visit on Tuesday at around 3pm. The hamlet must be more lively on Saturdays, the day of mass, I imagine.

Sauvebonne also has two fly fishing ponds, a riding school, and an ostrich farm, as well as Vert Gapeau, a three-star vacation village which offers a range of activities.

Read more: Hy�res - Provence - France

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Side-by-side translation

Sauvebonne, Hy�res

Lire plus : Hy�res - Provence - France

Sauvebonne, Hy�res

Sauvebonne also has two fly fishing ponds, a riding school, and an ostrich farm, as well as Vert Gapeau, a three-star vacation village which offers a range of activities.

Read more: Hy�res - Provence - France

I invite you to post comments related to this article below, but please post unrelated comments in the forum.

French grammar: All about Que

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:00:56 +0000

The French word que, which contracts to qu' in front of a vowel or mute h, has numerous uses and meanings. This lesson includes links to detailed information on each use of que.
More: French grammar | Contractions

French verb of the week: monter

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Simple verb conjugations, similarly conjugated verbs (if any), and links to related lessons for this common French verb.
French verb conjugator

Mot du jour: chouette
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French Quiz: Articles

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Do you know the difference between definite, indefinite, and partitive articles? Test yourself with this little quiz, or take a look at the lesson to review.
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Mot du jour: bouch�e
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French verbs: Pluperfect - Past Perfect - Plus-que-parfait

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:00:07 +0000

The French pluperfect (aka past perfect) is used to indicate an action in the past that occurred before another action in the past. The latter can either be mentioned in the same sentence or implied. Learn how to conjugate and use this compound tense.
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Porquerolles, Hy�res

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 05:00:49 +0000

Falaises de
Porquerolles © LKL

La plus grande des trois �les d'Or,* Porquerolles est aussi la plus proche du continent. Cette fraction d'Hy�res est situ�e en face de la presqu'�le de Giens ; pour la visiter, il faut aller � la gare maritime de la Tour fondue pour prendre un ferry.

Le village est petit mais offre tout ce dont on a besoin (m�me si c'est assez cher) pour passer la journ�e - l'�picerie, le pain, la location de v�lo. Il y a aussi des h�bergements de 2 � 4 �toiles et une vari�t� de restaurants.

Plage d'argent © LKL

C�t� naturel, l'�le de Porquerolles est tr�s bien pr�serv�e, �tant un site class� g�r� par le Parc national de Port-Cros. Sept kilom�tres de long et trois de large, Porquerolles offre une vari�t� de paysages : des falaises, des criques, des plaines, de la for�t. Les plages de sable blanc sont spectaculaires, et il y a 54 kilom�tres de sentiers. Les 200 hectares de vignobles produisent des vins de r�putation, et le Conservatoire Botanique de Porquerolles g�re 180 hectares de terres agricoles et une banque de graines.

*Elles s'appellent les �les d'Or parce que les min�raux dont elles sont compos�es ont parfois des reflets dor�s.

Lire plus : Hy�res - Provence - France

English translation

Porquerolles, Hy�res

Porquerolles is the largest of the three "Gold Islands"* and also the closest to the continent. This fraction of Hy�res faces the Giens peninsula; to get there, you have to go to the Tour Fondue's harbor station to take a ferry.

The village is small but offers everything you need (though it's fairly expensive) to spend the day - groceries, bread, bike rentals. There are also two- to four-star lodging options and a variety of restaurants.

On the natural side of things, Porquerolles Island is very well preserved, as it is a protected natural site managed by the Port Cros national park. Seven kilometers long and three wide (4.3 x 1.9 miles), Porquerolles offers a variety of landscapes: cliffs, creeks, plains, forest. The white sand beaches are spectacular, and there are 54 kilometers (34 miles) of trails. The 200 hectares (494 acres) produce renowned wines, and the Porquerolles Botanical Conservatory manages 180 hectares (445 acres) of agricultural lands and a seed bank.

*They're called the Gold Islands because the minerals they're composed of sometimes have golden reflections.

Read more: Hy�res - Provence - France

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Porquerolles, Hy�res

*Elles s'appellent les �les d'Or parce que les min�raux dont elles sont compos�es ont parfois des reflets dor�s.

Lire plus : Hy�res - Provence - France

Porquerolles, Hy�res

*They're called the Gold Islands because the minerals they're composed of sometimes have golden reflections.

Read more: Hy�res - Provence - France

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Mot du jour: braquer

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 03:00:00 +0000

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French vocabulary: Expressions with Vouloir

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:00:25 +0000

The French verb vouloir literally means "to want," and is used in many idiomatic French expressions. Learn how to say no offense, whether you like it or not, to be dead set on, and more with this list of expressions with vouloir.
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Mot du jour: buriner

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 03:00:00 +0000

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French expression: La question ne se pose pas

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 06:00:04 +0000

What does la question ne se pose pas mean in French? Click the link above to learn all about it, and then come back here to share your thoughts.
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La Capte, Hy�res

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 05:00:00 +0000

La Capte est une fraction d'Hy�res situ�e du c�t� est du double tombolo de la presqu'�le de Giens. Avec une belle plage qui s'�tend de 4 kilom�tres et de l'eau limpide et peu profonde, La Capte est une station baln�aire populaire. Le petit port re�oit quelque 300 bateaux � moteur de petite taille par an, et c'est aussi un bon endroit o� apprendre � faire de la voile et planche � voile et � piloter un catamaran.

La plupart de ses 102 hectares est urbanis�e : la grande majorit� des r�sidences sont des locations saisonni�res et le petit village est touristique. La population de La Capte passe de 600 habitants en hiver � des milliers en �t�. Pour ceux qui se lassent de la mer, les presque 20 hectares de la pin�de des Pesquiers est une Zone naturelle d'int�r�t �cologique, faunistique et floristique (ZNIEFF). Il y a aussi un march� aux puces et un march� proven�al hebdomadaires.

Le nom � La Capte � provient du canal de captage de l'eau de mer qui �tait en service � l'�poque de l'exploitation des salins tout pr�s.

Lire plus : Hy�res - Provence - France

Plage de La Capte © LKL

English translation

La Capte, Hy�res

La Capte is a fraction of Hy�res located on the eastern coast of the double tombolo of Giens peninsula. With a beautiful, 4-kilometer (2� mile) beach and clear, shallow water, La Capte is a popular seaside resort. The small port welcomes some 300 small motorboats a year, and it's also a good spot to learn how to sail, windsurf, and pilot a catamaran.

The majority of the 102 hectares (252 acres) is built up: the great majority of the residences are vacation rentals and the small village is touristy. La Capte's population goes from 600 in the winter to thousands in the summer. For those who get tired of the sea, the nearly 20 hectares (49 acres) of Pesquiers pine forest is a ZNIEFF (Natural Zone of Animal and Plant Ecological Interest). There are also weekly flea markets and Proven�al markets.

The name "La Capte" comes from the canal that used to harness seawater during the mining of the nearby salt marshes.

Read more: Hy�res - Provence - France

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La Capte, Hy�res

Le nom � La Capte � provient du canal de captage de l'eau de mer qui �tait en service � l'�poque de l'exploitation des salins tout pr�s.

Lire plus : Hy�res - Provence - France

La Capte, Hy�res

The name "La Capte" comes from the canal that used to harness seawater during the mining of the nearby salt marshes.

Read more: Hy�res - Provence - France

I invite you to post comments related to this article below, but please post unrelated comments in the forum.

Mot du jour: causer

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:00:00 +0000

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French vocabulary: Astronomy

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:00:51 +0000

Learn French vocabulary related to astronomy to talk about planets, stars, and other celestial objects.
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French verb of the week: rentrer

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Learn simple verb conjugations, see similarly conjugated verbs (if any), and learn more with links to related lessons for this common French verb.
French verb conjugator

Mot du jour: boustifaille
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French Quiz: Clothing vocabulary

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 06:00:00 +0000

If you love shopping for clothes, you'll definitely want to make sure you know your French clothing vocabulary. Test yourself with this little quiz or take a look at the lesson to review.
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Mot du jour: biberon
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French grammar: Demonstrative Adjectives

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:00:29 +0000

Demonstrative adjectives (this, that, these, those) are words which indicate a specific noun. In French, they must agree in gender and number with the noun they modify (ce, cet, cette, ces). Learn about these essential adjectives and then take the test.
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D�ner en ville moins cher

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 05:00:43 +0000

En 2002, lors de sa campagne de r��lection, le pr�sident d'alors, Jacques Chirac, a promis de r�duire le TVA (taxe � la valeur ajout�e) dans les restaurants de 19,6 % � 5,5 %. Il n'a pas pu tenir cette promesse � cause de la r�glementation europ�enne. Sept ans plus tard, le pr�sident Nicolas Sarkozy a r�ussi son coup : le 1er juillet 2009 - juste � temps pour la saison touristique - le TVA dans les restaurants fran�ais va passer � 5,5 % (une baisse de 14,1 %) pour tout sauf les boissons alcoolis�es. Autre bonne nouvelle, pour les d�neurs au moins, dans chaque restaurant, les prix d'au moins sept produits sur une liste de dix* doivent baisser de 11,8 %.

Pour les restaurateurs, cette loi a du bon et du mauvais. Ces deux r�ductions risquent** d'attirer plus de clients, mais les prix baiss�s sur les sept produits peuvent endommager le r�sultat financier. De surcro�t, la restauration doit augmenter les salaires et cr�er 40 000 emplois en deux ans.

*Les dix choix :

une entr�e
un plat chaud
un plat du jour
un menu entr�e-plat
un menu plat-dessert
un menu enfant
un dessert
un jus de fruits ou un soda
une eau min�rale
un caf�, un th� ou une infusion

**Ce mot est un faux ami partiel. Risquer veut dire �tre possible et n'est pas limit� aux mauvaises choses.

Tuyaux : Lire une carte fran�aise - Acronymes

Lire plus : Le Figaro - France Soir - Le Parisien

English translation

Eat Out for Less

In 2002, during his re-election campaign, then-president Jacques Chirac promised to reduce VAT (value-added tax) in restaurants from 19.6% to 5.5%. He was unable to keep that promise due to European regulations. Seven years later, president Nicolas Sarkozy has pulled it off. On July 1 2009 - just in time for tourist season - VAT in French restaurants will fall to 5.5% (a decrease of 14.1%) on everything except alcohol. More good news, at least for diners, is that every restaurant must reduce the prices of at least seven products out of a list of ten* by 11.8%.

For restaurant owners, there are pros and cons. The two reductions may** attract more customers, but the lower prices on the seven products might hurt the bottom line. In addition, the restaurant industry has to increase wages and create 40,000 jobs in two years.

*The ten choices:

one appetizer
one hot main course
one daily special
one appetizer + main course menu
one main course + dessert menu
one kids menu
one dessert
one fruit juice or one soda
one mineral water
one coffee, one tea, or one herbal tea

**This is a semi-false cognate. Risquer means "to be possible" and isn't limited to bad things.

Tips : How to read a French menu - Acronyms

Read more: Le Figaro - France Soir - Le Parisien

Comments on this article
(please post unrelated comments in the forum)

Please scroll down for the side-by-side translation.

* * *

Note: I cannot record these messages, for various reasons. But I have dozens of long sound files by native French speakers here: French listening comprehension

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* * *

Side-by-side translation

D�ner en ville moins cher

*Les dix choix :

une entr�e
un plat chaud
un plat du jour
un menu entr�e-plat
un menu plat-dessert
un menu enfant
un dessert
un jus de fruits ou un soda
une eau min�rale
un caf�, un th� ou une infusion

**Ce mot est un faux ami partiel. Risquer veut dire �tre possible et n'est pas limit� aux mauvaises choses.

Tuyaux : Lire une carte fran�aise - Acronymes

Lire plus : Le Figaro - France Soir - Le Parisien

Eat Out for Less

*The ten choices:

one appetizer
one hot main course
one daily special
one appetizer + main course menu
one main course + dessert menu
one kids menu
one dessert
one fruit juice or one soda
one mineral water
one coffee, one tea, or one herbal tea

**This is a semi-false cognate. Risquer means "to be possible" and isn't limited to bad things.

Tips : How to read a French menu - Acronyms

Read more: Le Figaro - France Soir - Le Parisien

I invite you to post comments related to this article below, but please post unrelated comments in the forum.

Mot du jour: bouffer

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 03:00:13 +0000

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French vocabulary: Expressions with Coup

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:00:00 +0000

The French noun un coup literally refers to a shock or blow. It is also used in dozens of idiomatic expressions, noun clauses, and prepositional phrases. Learn how to talk about luck, glances, surges of anger, love at first sight, and much more with this list of expressions with coup.
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Mot du jour: b�guin

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 03:00:57 +0000

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10 years... and counting

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 06:00:02 +0000

Today, the Learn French at About site is ten years old - can you believe it? I share quite a bit about myself in my blog and bio, and now I'd love to know more about all of you. Please visit these polls to give me some idea about who you are, why and how you are learning French, and how you use this site - you can respond to any number of them and then see the results for each individual poll. And as always you're welcome to leave comments.

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French expression: Changer de cap

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 06:00:56 +0000

What does the French expression changer de cap mean? Click the link above to learn all about it, and then come back here to share your thoughts.
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