La Renaissance Française, a century-old institution, honored Kristin Espinasse with La Médaille d’Or des Valeurs Francophones. After delays due to a pandemic, a heartfelt ceremony in Paris celebrated her contributions to French culture. The event underscored the importance of language and cultural exchange, and Espinasse’s journey was warmly acknowledged. Continue reading La Renaissance Française: A Legacy of Cultural Exchange
Aujourd’hui c’est la fête des mères. The kids are away—Jackie in New York, Max in Spain (for an enterrement de vie de garçon. Can you guess what that is?). Thank you, Ana, for the thoughtful invitation to lunch, where I was in good company with two other moms (Annie, Ana’s grand-mère, and Catherine, Ana’s mom), two daughters (Ana and her sister Clémentine), and a small … Continue reading It’s Mother’s Day in France
Thirty years ago today, this snapshot from our mariage civil at La Bagatelle Town Hall in Marseille. TODAY’S WORD: LA ROBE DE MARIÉE : wedding dress "I chose my wife as she chose her wedding dress; not for its shiny and delicate appearance but because it would withstand the test of time." J'ai choisi ma femme comme elle a choisi sa robe de mariée ; … Continue reading La Robe de Mariée: My Wedding Dress Conundrum
Today, find out why my daughter was at the hairdresser's when she should've been on her way to FINAL EXAMS! Note: After today's post this journal will go on break thru February 8th. TODAY'S WORD: BIEN JOUÉ : well done!, good job!, way to go! : well played A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse I really want to learn … Continue reading Bien Joué! Why Jackie is leaving Lyon
I love this scene, photographed a year or so ago at our local Charity shop, Emmaus. Today’s Word: Joyeux Noël : Merry Christmas! A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi EspinasseI would like to share a reader comment that is helping me to keep the faith, no matter how many times I stumble, on this, the final countdown to Noël: Help me to … Continue reading Joyeux Noël: A Christmas Message from Kristi
A sunny view from the village of Auriol, where Jean-Marc and I had lunch Wednesday. In these southern French towns you'll hear a traditional Provençal end-of-the-year wish: Bon bout d'an! TODAY'S WORD: Bon bout d'an! : Happy end of the year! EXAMPLE SENTENCE & AUDIO FILEListen to all the French words in today's story via the sound file below. Then scroll to the … Continue reading Bon Bout D’An! Something French to wish others this time of year
Today's Expression: "dans la panade" : in a jam (in a difficult situation) Other ways to say "in a jam": dans le pétrin, dans la mouise…but if you really want to speak like a native it's dans la merde! A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse Today is the day! Twenty years ago, on Sunday, October 28th, this French word journal … Continue reading Today is The Day! Something mammoth to celebrate!
The little stone cabanon at our vineyard. Do you remember the heart door? Today's Word: la cour de récréation : playground, schoolyard Audio/Listening: Click the link below to hear Jean-Marc pronounce the French words in the following story. Then scroll down to the vocabulary list to check your French comprehension. Click here to begin listening A (Birth)DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse … Continue reading A Special Request + Playground in French (and wild and free learning!)
If you are here for the photo of the semi-clad dancers, you’ll need to click over to the blog for the full version of this steamy letter! Today's French Word: le déguisement : costume, disguise; dressing up clothes, wearing fancy dress Audio/Listening: Click the link below to hear the French words in today's séduisante story. Then scroll down to the vocabulary list to … Continue reading Burlesque in Burgundy… (A Cheeky Cabaret to Celebrate a friend’s 50th birthday)
