How to Dress Like A Frenchwoman? I can't help you with that one, but you'll find answers to many more common questions in today's FAQ edition.
Do you have any tips on learning the French language?
Homemade flash cards and repetition were helpful to me. And don't miss these excellent ideas from readers: Best Tips For Learning French.
I'm looking for a language program in France. What can you recommend?
I cannot personally recommend any programs; however, many of our readers have attended a language school in France and may be able to recommend something in the comments box, below.
I am planning a trip to France. Which towns should I visit?
Check out these readers recommendations for some popular cities: like Paris and Aix-en-Provence…. and you'll find hundreds of villages mentioned in the stories here at the blog. Check out the French destinations category… and scroll down the pages!
Do you know of any gîtes, B&B, charming hotels, or home rentals?
You will find some homes and apartments listed in the sponsor section, at the top of the blog post or just after the story column. Home owners in France – to list your French rental, contact kristin.espinasse AT gmail.com
I have written a book and would like you to read it or endorse it or promote it:
I wish I could help but the best I can to is encourage you to have your manuscript read by friends, family, and professionals (there are many editing services listed online, see the new search box below).
I am looking for a French pen pal for my child. Would Max or Jackie be interested in corresponding?
Jackie currently has a pen pal—one to whom she owes a letter! (And Max isn't much better at keeping up with writing–beyond what is required for his heavy school curriculum.) If any readers out there might recommend a pen-pal site… answers are welcome in the comments box!
May I visit your vineyard? May I bring a group?
To visit Domaine Rouge-Bleu, please contact the new owners via the website.
I would like to purchase your wine in the States/in Europe/in Malaysia…. can you tell me where to find a bottle?
Contact my husband, Jean-Marc, via his site Mas Des Brun, which will also update you on our vineyard and olive farm.
How did you meet your husband and was it difficult to adapt to France?
I met Jean-Marc at Le Mistral and yes, it was very, very difficult to adapt–but things got much easier when I began sharing stories. Please read them here or here.
You still haven't answered my question!
Sorry about that. Which question? Thank you for asking it here in the comments box.
Even more questions? For your convenience, I am including this cool Google search box. I'm addicted to Google search, and to typing in questions ranging from "How to mourn a cat?" to, less eloquently "What to do when lose temper?" (Google told me to apologize…)
(Photo of Kristin, left, and Jules aka "Mom".) In other news, I've been working on gardening… or, rather, the garden section here at the blog. Check it out.
Discover more from French Word-A-Day
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French In Action text book,CD etc. you can buy if you want from their web site, otherwise:
Listen, learn and watch for FREE!
French In Action is free on the Internet in the US:
http://www.learner.org/resources/series83.html
*When I was in France I couldn’t get access to French In Action. It is only accessed from the US (Yale Universite program).
So, on Youtube there are several for free as well. Here is one example:
http://www.OuinoFrench.com
P.S. I love your Blog just the way it is too!!
Thanks to Newforest for correcting the little story – I tried reposting the corrected version but it was rejected by the website. However it went to Kristin via e-mail. I hope readers try writing more in French – it’s great for exercising the mind – but very time consuming in my case.
Catherine you are quite right – ‘baskets’ are trainers but I have not seen them advertised as such in the shops. I must be out of date – again! However the word is one of those interesting ‘faux amis’.
Thank you for your helpful notes and for your enthusiasm re “la FAQ” section (and many thanks to John for the correction… after my “les” FAQ 🙂
Mom, if this is a good way to lure you over to my blog… to post your lively, unique, and touching notes… then I’ll write 1000s of FAQ pages! XOXO
…and here is the latest edition of Alastair’s story. Enjoy (and thanks, Alastair, for sharing… and mille mercis to Newforest for offering helpful suggestions and corrections).
Alastair notes: the following is ” ‘une petite histoire’ written using words common to both languages… The idea is to show anyone who finds reading French difficult that it shouldn’t be.”
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A Little Story in French
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« Après une visite à une galerie d’art, les cousins, Emile et Jacqueline, décident de faire une promenade le long du boulevard St. Germain où ils rencontrent leurs amis Charles et Michelle Olivier à la terrasse d’un café près de la place Charles De Gaulle.
Ce matin le boulevard est rempli d’enfants en vacances et des touristes qui apprécient l’air frais, le ciel bleu et le soleil. Ce sont les vacances de juillet. Emile trouve une table pour quatre, sous un parasol. Les quatre amis se détendent.
Jacqueline – la brunette – est d’une nature animée. Michelle, la blonde, porte une mini-jupe très élégante. Elle a l’air très languissant et fume une longue cigarette. Jacqueline porte un jean rouge, une chemise de satin rose et des espadrilles. Les deux garçons portent un jean, un T-shirt et des baskets.
Le propriétaire du café envoie le serveur prendre les commandes de rafraîchissements. Charles et Emile demandent un café. Michelle choisit de l’eau minérale. Jacqueline demande une orange pressée.
Soudainement la tranquillité du matin est rompue par des sirènes de police et d’ambulance. Un accident s’est produit sur la place Charles De Gaule et la foule s’agite. Quel chaos! Les enfants ont disparu. Sur la place, les spectateurs sont devenus silencieux »
Thanks again Kristin. One or two words there don’t qualify really mais ce ne pas grave.
Really pleased to hear about language schools in France; I hope to do that soon. To Gayle Markow, good for you, I say, for going on your own. I too am a woman in my 60s, went 2 years ago after retiring, stayed for 3 months in a small town not far from Toulouse because it was on the train line, rented an apt that I had found on a 10-day scouting trip the year before. Walked everyday, forced myself to speak the language which really did improve! (had been studying here for a couple of yrs), took day trips, joined the library, etc. Next time I go, I will branch out farther. and will find a group language lesson or school to help with the language, but also to help meet people. I am so glad I went, and I know it will be easier next time.
I so enjoy reading your “word-a-day” site, and all that goes with it! A question: My husband and I are driving from Zurich to the Loire Valley in late April and want to stop over in Burgundy for 2 days. We enjoy small, traditional French villages with some beauty or history. Suggestions?
I continue to enjoy our blog and loved your book. As a new Mom i enjoy reading about your family as much as the language since it helps me see lots of thing i can look forward to with my baby for the years to come. Do you have any suggestions for books on the French approach to nutrition or food advise for children? Do the French write things like this or is it just second nature to expose kids to lots of different foods? On my trips to France, and reinforced by your book, it seems that French children eat what Americans consider adult food. I love good food and want to raise a child who will be interested in food beyond peanut butter and jelly sandwiches ( which are beurk, i think to your kids).
Merci!
Bonjour Kristin,
A great website idea! Learning French, although at times daunting, is certainly a rewarding experience! I am currently in France at Azurlingua, an exceptional language school, in the French Riviera. http://www.azurlingua.co.uk/ I would highly recommend it to those who want to learn French on vacation while at the same time enjoying the aura of the Mediteranean. They also have long term courses for those like myself that are determined to leave France moderately fluent!
Additionally, for those of you already studying abroad and unable to come on location, I highly recommend Azurlingua’s online site http://www.bonjourdefrance.com/ which hosts a variety of free online tutorials and quizzes. Good luck to all on your French learning endeavours!
Hello,
Completely inspired by all your comments! I am looking at going to France for 7 weeks in only a month’s time … yes, a month (Oct / Nov) … for language study. I can speak basic French and have previously only spent a small amount of time in France, mainly Paris. I am looking at two schools – French in Normandy (Rouen) or IS in Aix-en-Provence. I am interested in both learning the language, but also travelling around France on the weekends, experiencing the culture, food and wine. I intend to go with the home stay option unless convinced otherwise! I’d appreciate any suggestions / comments.
Thank you Kristin for creating this blog … it has been the most useful to date in my research.
I am about to make my fourth trip to Paris. Once with my husband. We stayed in a hotel which was nice but typical. The next trip I went solo for 21 days in an apartment run by Gail Boisclair “Perfectly Paris.” I felt perfectly secure and comfortable. Went again in 09 with friends for three weeks. Gail is easy to communicate with; she’s Canadian. Apartments are as they appear on the website and I can assure you everything is legitimate. Going back this June. I am a real person with a really good apartment rental experience.
I highly recommend La Petite Classe, taught by Maryse. Check out her website. M’y husband and I stayed in Semur-en-Auxois for a month last summer. We took French lessons from Maryse and rapidly improved our beginner’s French. She lives in a home which was a convent in the 1400’s. You can either stay with her for an immersion experience of one to three weeks duration, or take private lessons. She has taught French to foreign students for over 20 years. She also has a deep knowledge of the history of the region, and gives great insight into contemporary issues in France as well!
Bonjour tout le monde!
I am looking for a french program in Paris for my 14 year old daughter. I have found one program only that will take teens her age — it is the Accord Ecole de Langues
https://www.accord-langues.com/Gb/frenchadultsboulevard.php Has anyone had experience with this school? I would also love to know any other places people would recommend for 14 year olds!!
Merci à tous!
Cecily
Hi Krisitn,
I suddenly stopped receiving your posts! I have resubscribed but still nothing. Your address is listed in my contacts.
Any help would be greatly appreciated, as I hate to miss a word, or a picture!
Merci,
Melissa
Bonjour,
Merci a Kristin pour les bons mots! I am reaching out here because I am looking for a language program, tutor, or even a family stay where a tutor could be arranged part time for my daughter, who will be 16 and has several years of French but is barely conversational.
I am a painter and will be doing an artist residency in near St Girons. My daughter can stay with me and have daily lessons but I think she would have more fun in a family or group setting.
Any resources would be much appreciated! Thanks,
Rebecca
Kristen:
I have been a regular reader since about 2005 and have enjoyed reading (in French and English) about you and your family (dogs included). You have a lovely way of sharing your personal insights, dreams, worries, and adventures – while providing tips to improve French. Whoever told you to ‘give up’ your posts – is someone who should be ignored. There will always be people who resent another persons success and ingenuity. I’m sure that you have many devoted readers (like me).
Kristi, I just bumped into your blog now and I am wondering if you know any sources that I can find French expressions by situations. I personally need to find some French expressions used in a library (ie. check out, asking questions about books, directions, etc).