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.
Discover more from French Word-A-Day
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
He has a beautiful soul. You are a beautiful couple and your children (rooted in soil or rooted in your love) reflect it.
It was nice of you to take us back in time today. And, I love that picture, too. I got the same feeling of when you first posted it. I want to plunk right down in that chair and soak up the sunny view.
He has a beautiful soul. You are a beautiful couple and your children (rooted in soil or rooted in your love) reflect it.
It was nice of you to take us back in time today. And, I love that picture, too. I got the same feeling of when you first posted it. I want to plunk right down in that chair and soak up the sunny view.
I guess it was a foggy view but the sun came out with Smokey’s presence.
I guess it was a foggy view but the sun came out with Smokey’s presence.
The recurring metaphor of raising/treating vines like children is a great one.
The recurring metaphor of raising/treating vines like children is a great one.
I love the photo, looks so serene. I do have one question though. You keep showing photos of the “old” place yet I long to see your new home. Why is that?
I love the photo, looks so serene. I do have one question though. You keep showing photos of the “old” place yet I long to see your new home. Why is that?
Love the photos, Kristin. You have such a beautiful sense of balance … of light and dark. Of the place. Very very nice. And I agree with Jeanne in her post: would love to see more photos of your new mas. Merci from Priscilla in La Nouville Orleans
Love the photos, Kristin. You have such a beautiful sense of balance … of light and dark. Of the place. Very very nice. And I agree with Jeanne in her post: would love to see more photos of your new mas. Merci from Priscilla in La Nouville Orleans
I remember the chair in tall grass photo-inviting. Thanks for the stroll down memory lane.
I remember the chair in tall grass photo-inviting. Thanks for the stroll down memory lane.
Went to a lovely supper party last evening and they served…..Rouge Bleu !!!!! 2007…it was divine. Thank you chief grape.
Went to a lovely supper party last evening and they served…..Rouge Bleu !!!!! 2007…it was divine. Thank you chief grape.
Hi Kristin,
Love the foggy photo and the contrasting green grass! I’m looking forward to seeing some green grass soon! Only 19 more days until spring!!
Have a beautiful weekend!!
Hi Kristin,
Love the foggy photo and the contrasting green grass! I’m looking forward to seeing some green grass soon! Only 19 more days until spring!!
Have a beautiful weekend!!
I have been taking photos of “interdit” signs for a long time. I can’t understand their obsession with keeping off the grass. I’ve obeyed, so I’ve never had a bad experience. I do recall, though, that once my friends brought me to a grassy expanse at the base of the Eiffel tower that seemed to allow people to walk and sit and spread blankets. I can’t remember what the area was called since it was about midnight and they had been driving me on a late-night tour of the city and I was completely confused as to where we had been and where we were.
Here’s my theory on the grass thing. To walk and sit and wiggle toes in grass requires a bit of informality that I don’t equate with that country. Love to know what a French person says about this custom.
I have been taking photos of “interdit” signs for a long time. I can’t understand their obsession with keeping off the grass. I’ve obeyed, so I’ve never had a bad experience. I do recall, though, that once my friends brought me to a grassy expanse at the base of the Eiffel tower that seemed to allow people to walk and sit and spread blankets. I can’t remember what the area was called since it was about midnight and they had been driving me on a late-night tour of the city and I was completely confused as to where we had been and where we were.
Here’s my theory on the grass thing. To walk and sit and wiggle toes in grass requires a bit of informality that I don’t equate with that country. Love to know what a French person says about this custom.
Jeanne, I will try to post more photos. We are still in the pre renovation stage, deciding do do less rather than more…. Though the kitchen here needs renewal 🙂
Thank you all for commenting on the photos and the story I posted. Karen S. Good to know you had the 2007. Thanks, Eileen, wishing yo and everyone reading a happy weekend. Looks like a storm is moving in over here. I dont think the dogs and I are going to get our walk…
Jeanne, I will try to post more photos. We are still in the pre renovation stage, deciding do do less rather than more…. Though the kitchen here needs renewal 🙂
Thank you all for commenting on the photos and the story I posted. Karen S. Good to know you had the 2007. Thanks, Eileen, wishing yo and everyone reading a happy weekend. Looks like a storm is moving in over here. I dont think the dogs and I are going to get our walk…
Never a problem to me, but just one trip to France long ago. The US is full of lawns that say, keep off. Little urban spaces, usually. Not the parks.
So Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe paintings (one by Manet, and another by Monet- a favorite of mine) were scandals for than the nude woman in Manet’s painting?
Where do the French have le pique-nique ?
Never a problem to me, but just one trip to France long ago. The US is full of lawns that say, keep off. Little urban spaces, usually. Not the parks.
So Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe paintings (one by Manet, and another by Monet- a favorite of mine) were scandals for than the nude woman in Manet’s painting?
Where do the French have le pique-nique ?
Most of all, I love your writing but your photos come in a very close second. I,too,recall these photos and think they are some of your best. Smokey’s pale fur blends in with the grasses which have gone to seed allowing you to be almost hidden away while resting in the bamboo chair….Smokey’s head on your lap. Lovely memories. Mille mercis et bon week-end.
Most of all, I love your writing but your photos come in a very close second. I,too,recall these photos and think they are some of your best. Smokey’s pale fur blends in with the grasses which have gone to seed allowing you to be almost hidden away while resting in the bamboo chair….Smokey’s head on your lap. Lovely memories. Mille mercis et bon week-end.
Great photos and story. Have a good & safe weekend!
Going to try to see Jean Marc in Portland, Oregon.
It’s raining on the central Oregon coast……..again.
Great photos and story. Have a good & safe weekend!
Going to try to see Jean Marc in Portland, Oregon.
It’s raining on the central Oregon coast……..again.
And that, Ladies and Gentlemen, is why French doggies have to “go” on the sidewalk … 🙂
And that, Ladies and Gentlemen, is why French doggies have to “go” on the sidewalk … 🙂
I love both photos!
bonne journee Kristi!
I love both photos!
bonne journee Kristi!
Almost 30 years ago I was visiting my friend Joel where he was a prof at the Université de Montréal. At the time, I had a cocker spaniel puppy named “Bissi.” I took her on a walk into a nearby park that had beautiful grass, and we got kicked out with the explanation, “Les chiens sont inderdit au parc, monsieur.” And it wasn’t even France!
Bisous, Kristi
Almost 30 years ago I was visiting my friend Joel where he was a prof at the Université de Montréal. At the time, I had a cocker spaniel puppy named “Bissi.” I took her on a walk into a nearby park that had beautiful grass, and we got kicked out with the explanation, “Les chiens sont inderdit au parc, monsieur.” And it wasn’t even France!
Bisous, Kristi
Enjoyed the reread very much, especially through the lens of today.
My only French lawn story to date is this: I completely forgot you’d shared this with us and I, like you, would be on the grass just as soon as I touched down on French soil, ah grass.
Only 19 days until spring?! Yippee!
Enjoyed the reread very much, especially through the lens of today.
My only French lawn story to date is this: I completely forgot you’d shared this with us and I, like you, would be on the grass just as soon as I touched down on French soil, ah grass.
Only 19 days until spring?! Yippee!
A French friend and I were visiting the Père LaChaise cemetery once, and we sat down in the grass to enjoy the sun and the peace and quiet. Of course, we were asked to move. My friend tried to explain that it was “a place of rest” but the police would hear none of it!
A French friend and I were visiting the Père LaChaise cemetery once, and we sat down in the grass to enjoy the sun and the peace and quiet. Of course, we were asked to move. My friend tried to explain that it was “a place of rest” but the police would hear none of it!
We arrived to visit Le Rochepot,a fairytale chateau here in Burgundy. Being newcomers we had forgotten that everywhere shuts for lunch. No problem as we had a picnic with us. We settled ourselves down, about 8 of us. I laid the picnic cloth down, laid out the plates, etc. We attracted a few curious glances from the Chateau staff as they walked by for their lunch break. It wasn’t until 2 hours later that we saw the sign on the tree that we were sitting under which said Picnics Interdit. Picnics not allowed!!
We arrived to visit Le Rochepot,a fairytale chateau here in Burgundy. Being newcomers we had forgotten that everywhere shuts for lunch. No problem as we had a picnic with us. We settled ourselves down, about 8 of us. I laid the picnic cloth down, laid out the plates, etc. We attracted a few curious glances from the Chateau staff as they walked by for their lunch break. It wasn’t until 2 hours later that we saw the sign on the tree that we were sitting under which said Picnics Interdit. Picnics not allowed!!
We lived in a rented house in Dijon, and the landlord had updated it prior to our move-in, including re-grading and re-planting the lawn, which by the time I got there was grown some but filled with prickly weeds. I hadn’t brought my dandelion puller so I substituted a screwdriver, and that’s how I met my neighbors, as La Folle Americaine is out there on her knees, taking pissenlit out with a tournevis. Later in December I’m sure they were equally impressed to see me out shoveling the walk with a dustpan (pelle à poussière?). It probably confirmed their opinion. They were however very gracious and very patient with my feeble French, and I learned a lot.
We lived in a rented house in Dijon, and the landlord had updated it prior to our move-in, including re-grading and re-planting the lawn, which by the time I got there was grown some but filled with prickly weeds. I hadn’t brought my dandelion puller so I substituted a screwdriver, and that’s how I met my neighbors, as La Folle Americaine is out there on her knees, taking pissenlit out with a tournevis. Later in December I’m sure they were equally impressed to see me out shoveling the walk with a dustpan (pelle à poussière?). It probably confirmed their opinion. They were however very gracious and very patient with my feeble French, and I learned a lot.
Bonjour Kirstin, I’ve only recently signed up to your blog in an attempt to add some french vocab to my petite one…but I have a French grass story. We were in Paris in 2010 with our pre-schooler sons so spent lots of time in jardin and parcs. It was obvious we weren’t allowed on the grass as it was all cordoned off but as a result each day we’d get home with the boys covered in a fine layer of white dust from their playing on the chalky white paths!
Bonjour Kirstin, I’ve only recently signed up to your blog in an attempt to add some french vocab to my petite one…but I have a French grass story. We were in Paris in 2010 with our pre-schooler sons so spent lots of time in jardin and parcs. It was obvious we weren’t allowed on the grass as it was all cordoned off but as a result each day we’d get home with the boys covered in a fine layer of white dust from their playing on the chalky white paths!
Most of the park signs in Paris state “Pelouse Interdit” – grass (lawn) forbidden — rather than using the word ‘gazon.’
Most of the park signs in Paris state “Pelouse Interdit” – grass (lawn) forbidden — rather than using the word ‘gazon.’
Thank you for these wonderful grass stories!
Sarah, welcome to our French word family. Thank you for the chalk you and your boys shared 🙂
Thank you for these wonderful grass stories!
Sarah, welcome to our French word family. Thank you for the chalk you and your boys shared 🙂
Thanks Kristin, and I meant to add a PS – we are from Aotearoa New Zealand where grass is fair play and the very few “Keep off the grass” signs are disdainfully ignore – with the attitude that isn’t the purpose of grass to be walked on, played on, picniced on etc?
Thanks Kristin, and I meant to add a PS – we are from Aotearoa New Zealand where grass is fair play and the very few “Keep off the grass” signs are disdainfully ignore – with the attitude that isn’t the purpose of grass to be walked on, played on, picniced on etc?
Love the kitchen photo. I fondly remember sipping wines with you, Jean Marc and a few other visitors at that very table in the fall of 2011. I hope we can get to visit you at your new digs sometime in the future! xoNancy
Love the kitchen photo. I fondly remember sipping wines with you, Jean Marc and a few other visitors at that very table in the fall of 2011. I hope we can get to visit you at your new digs sometime in the future! xoNancy