We lived and worked on this organic vineyard in Sainte Cécile-les-Vignes from 2007-2012. (See today's story column for a special memory about that time). Jean-Marc will be in SEATTLE soon, check out the latest stop in his USA wine tour, here.
le gazon (gahzoh(n)
: lawn, grass, turf
Audio File: listen to Jean-Marc pronounce today's French word as well as the list of terms, below: Download MP3 or Wav file
semer du gazon = to plant grass
la motte de gazon = turf, sod
le gazon anglais = an immaculate, well-kept lawn
le gazon artificiel = AstroTurf
la tondeuse à gazon = lawnmower
tondre le gazon = to mow the lawn
Le gazon est composé de nombreux brins d'herbe.
The lawn is made up of many blades of grass. "Gazon" entry at Wikipedia
Cultural Etiquette & Synonym for gazon (= pelouse)
Ever noticed how a finger-wagging Frenchman will appear out of nowhere to begin chasing you while you walk–and now dash!–across the municipal grass? This was just one instance of culture shock I suffered when moving to France.
But how was I to know the grass was off limits? Back in Arizona, we throw blankets across public lawns and nap on them! Not something you want to do in France (though, as with French grammar, some exceptions do exist).
Please share your France lawn story or grass gaffe here, in the comments box. Meantime, if you see a sign that reads Ne pas marcher sur les pelouses or Pelouse interdite or even Nos pelouses centenaires sont réservées pour les petits oiseaux (our centuries-old lawn is reserved for the little birds)… you'll know to keep off the grass!
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE… by Kristin Espinasse
Today's story is a favorite memory about a struggling-yet-determined Frenchman, who in 2006 set out to live his dream of wine-making. In the short essay "Surrogate Mother" or Mère Porteuse, you will learn about Jean-Marc's fierce mothering instinct and his tender beginnings as a wine farmer of 25,000 orphaned vines. Click here to read the story.
Dear Smokey in the tall grass at Domaine Rouge-Bleu
Pictured: our former kitchen. Though I never learned to be a grand chef, I could whip up a delicious, easy yogurt cake – and so can you! Click here – I'll bet you already have all the ingredients in your kitchen.
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Our dear Kristi,
What gorgeous pictures!!
You so captured that special place in memory and took us there with you to enjoy all over again. After reading about Jean Marc’s dilligent hard work (with the help and support of his family!), I have new respect for what is inside those bottles of wine (and not just the names and labels on the outside!)I love to cook and your beautiful kitchen just totally captured my imagination!!
THANK YOU for starting the weekend off in such a wonderful way!
Love, Natalia XO
Our dear Kristi,
What gorgeous pictures!!
You so captured that special place in memory and took us there with you to enjoy all over again. After reading about Jean Marc’s dilligent hard work (with the help and support of his family!), I have new respect for what is inside those bottles of wine (and not just the names and labels on the outside!)I love to cook and your beautiful kitchen just totally captured my imagination!!
THANK YOU for starting the weekend off in such a wonderful way!
Love, Natalia XO
Over 15 years ago mon mari finally took me to Paris. We had a room close to the Eiffel. I was confused by the signs on the lawn mall running off of the Tower, because there were a lot of bald spots. When the sun went down,we walked over and found many families on the pelouse. PS French dogs are so smart they can play games with my husband Dana, who only speaks English! Ma foi!
Over 15 years ago mon mari finally took me to Paris. We had a room close to the Eiffel. I was confused by the signs on the lawn mall running off of the Tower, because there were a lot of bald spots. When the sun went down,we walked over and found many families on the pelouse. PS French dogs are so smart they can play games with my husband Dana, who only speaks English! Ma foi!
The picture of the foggy vinyard just took my breath away. Gorgeous! My only French grass story is being surprised to see students ALL OVER the grass at Luxembourg Gardens in Paris. I just shook my head, and thought, “what were all those warnings about keeping off the grass about?”
The picture of the foggy vinyard just took my breath away. Gorgeous! My only French grass story is being surprised to see students ALL OVER the grass at Luxembourg Gardens in Paris. I just shook my head, and thought, “what were all those warnings about keeping off the grass about?”
The first time I went to France I walked on a beautiful green lawn. Soon I heard tweet tweet. At the end of the lawn I saw several I enfuriated gendarmes waiting for me. Why didn’t you get off the grass when we blew our whistles. The demanded. They were ready to handcuff me and take me to jail. I was bewildered. I thought it was the birds I protested. When they saw I was not French they laughed and let me go.
Stella
The first time I went to France I walked on a beautiful green lawn. Soon I heard tweet tweet. At the end of the lawn I saw several I enfuriated gendarmes waiting for me. Why didn’t you get off the grass when we blew our whistles. The demanded. They were ready to handcuff me and take me to jail. I was bewildered. I thought it was the birds I protested. When they saw I was not French they laughed and let me go.
Stella
I believe a visit to Paris is incomplete without a stroll through Le Jardin du Luxembourg. One fine afternoon, a couple of friends and I ventured directly onto the sprawling lawns of the Jardin to spend a few hours in the sparkling sun, as we would have in India. Within 5 minutes of our contented laying, the policier arrived with his baton. He could see we were foreigners and explained to us that the lawn was out-of-bounds. Now, our experience had told us the French are nicer to those who speak their tongue. So we immediately started speaking to him in French and apologized, informing him that we didn’t know about the rule. He was taken aback, especially when we shook our heads when he asked us if we were French. He listened to the story about how 2 Indians and a Brazilian happened to be in the Jardin and speak deceptively good French. When we saw him walk across the park towards us, we were afraid he would charge a fine or throw us out. Instead, he smiled at us and waved a friendly goodbye! We then walked away with inflated egos, chattering about how authentically French we sound!It’s a story we still proudly relate to our friends and family as one of our adventures in France!
I believe a visit to Paris is incomplete without a stroll through Le Jardin du Luxembourg. One fine afternoon, a couple of friends and I ventured directly onto the sprawling lawns of the Jardin to spend a few hours in the sparkling sun, as we would have in India. Within 5 minutes of our contented laying, the policier arrived with his baton. He could see we were foreigners and explained to us that the lawn was out-of-bounds. Now, our experience had told us the French are nicer to those who speak their tongue. So we immediately started speaking to him in French and apologized, informing him that we didn’t know about the rule. He was taken aback, especially when we shook our heads when he asked us if we were French. He listened to the story about how 2 Indians and a Brazilian happened to be in the Jardin and speak deceptively good French. When we saw him walk across the park towards us, we were afraid he would charge a fine or throw us out. Instead, he smiled at us and waved a friendly goodbye! We then walked away with inflated egos, chattering about how authentically French we sound!It’s a story we still proudly relate to our friends and family as one of our adventures in France!
Such a delightful story; equally wonderful are your pictures. You are a gifted photographer!
Such a delightful story; equally wonderful are your pictures. You are a gifted photographer!
I must admit I was confused when I first visited Collioure, France, and discovered that walking on the grass was “interdit!” but nearby topless bathing was OK! Perhaps nudity is more natural than a lawn.
I must admit I was confused when I first visited Collioure, France, and discovered that walking on the grass was “interdit!” but nearby topless bathing was OK! Perhaps nudity is more natural than a lawn.
Gail, LOL! Good point.
Gail, LOL! Good point.