Another reason to learn French

Great news for you, chouchous. By learning French with us, you’re not just gaining a new skill and *des amis – you’re giving your cognitive health a long-term boost.

A new study from Rush University Medical Centre in Chicago has found that engaging in activities such as reading, writing, or learning new languages could reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by almost 40 per cent.

Read all about it here (and give yourself a little pat on the back).

* friends

Laure Calamy

Born in Orléans in 1975, Laure Calamy is one of France’s best-loved *comédiennes, best known for her breakout role as the lovelorn and libidinous assistant Noémie in the hit Netflix series, Call My Agent!

Equally adept at dramatic and comedic roles, Calamy trained at Paris’s prestigious Conservatoire National Supérieur d’Art Dramatique and began her career in theatre before branching out into TV and film.

Her first big screen nod came in 2021, when she won the César Award for Best Actress for her screwball role in AFFFF favourite Antoinette dans le Cévennes (My Donkey, My Lover & I).

After last year’s moving festival outing in My Everything, playing a single mother of a 30-year-old son with cerebral palsy, Calamy is taking a lighter turn in the comedy *Classe Moyenne (The Party’s Over ).

* actresses | *Middle Class

Scrunchies, but make them chic

After being ubiquitous in the ‘80s and ‘90s, then being relegated to the back of the bathroom cabinet, the*chouchou (or scrunchie) is back – with a decidedly chic twist.  

Created by French-born, WA-based entrepreneur Camille Collison, Kmellia is an Insta-famous hair accessories brand that specialises in luxurious knitted chouchous*.

Choose from *le petit ou le grand in classic colours, starting from $49.90.

* scrunchies (yes, it’s the same word we use for our Teacher’s Pets!) | *the small or large

Le nécessaire à culture

If you’re keen for a French comprehension challenge, *Le nécessaire à culture is a great Instagram account to follow for Culture, Histoire & Savoir (Culture, History & Knowledge.)

From Pourquoi Bordeaux est devenue la capitale du vin? to Boucicaut, l’inventeur du shopping, you’ll learn something new while testing your listening skills.

* The Cultivation Kit | * Why did Bordeaux become the wine capital? | * Boucicaut, the inventor of shopping

Cedric et la Chocolaterie

If you happen to find yourself in Paris this *Pâques, may we suggest you make a beeline to Cedric et la Chocolaterie. Opened in October last year by celebrated pastry chef Cédric Grolet, the cocoa-themed concept store is a feast for the senses that would delight Willy Wonka himself.

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This New York Times article explores how Grolet’s meteoric rise has ruffled a few feathers amongst the old guard.

Cedric et la Chocolaterie
33 avenue de l’Opera, 75002 Paris
Du lundi au dimanche, 11h - 19h
Instagram

* Easter

How to Learn French - Ça va?

In a previous post I talked about a huge déclic* I had when I learned that the letter C behaves as it does in English, changing sound according to the vowel that follows it. The irony was that I had never considered this in my native language before coming across it in French!

Today we’re going to look at the effect of my second-favourite French accent, the C cedilla (or c cédille, as it’s known in French).

Even if you’re new to French, you’ve almost certainly seen this quirky little mark hanging off the bottom of the letter C, like a number five without its lid.

The c cédille is used when the French want to force a pronunciation change. That is, when they want to soften a hard C. Remember how we spoke about hard C sounds when the C is followed by an A, O or U, as in the words café, collège and cumin? In those instances the soft C sound is created naturally. However, if you want to get autoritaire* with a C sound that precedes one of these three vowels, you’ll need to call in the help of the ç cédille.

Here are some examples, most of which I’m sure you’ve seen before:

ça va
garçon
reçu (receipt or received)

And some more:

façade
leçon
déçu (disappointed)

If you’ve done a bit more French than the average ours* you may have also seen it pop up in certain verbs conjugations. Again its sole purpose is to soften a C sound which would otherwise be hard given the letter that follows it. Here’s an example:

COMMENCER - to start
present tense

je commence
tu commences
il/elle/on commence
nous commençons
vous commencez
ils/elles commencent

This is true for other verbs, such as placer*, lancer* and avancer*, among others. Hopefully that will bring some logic to what often appears as pure caprice* with your conjugation spellings.

Enjoy!

*realisation | *bossy | *bear | *capriciousness

How to Learn French - all at C no longer

It is often said that learning a second language improves your mastery over your mother tongue. A few years ago, and very late in my French-learning, I learned a French pronunciation rule that helped me understand why I pronounced certain English words in the way I did. Ça a fait tilt*, I can tell you!

So here it is. In French, when the letter C is followed by the vowels A, O or U, a hard sound is produced. For example:

café
collège
cumin

However, when a C is followed by the vowels E, I (or Y for that matter), a soft sound results. Like this:

cent
merci
cymbales

The bit that blew me away? It’s exactly the same in English. Think about it:

cat
cotton
cut

but

century
city
mercy

Tell me I’m not the only person who didn’t know this! I suspect I’m not alone.

This also made the function of the c cédille (or c cedilla in English) so much clearer. That is, when the French have a word that has a soft C sound where the C is followed a vowel that usually produces a hard C, they add a ç to soften it. For example:

ça va
garçon
reçu

Ça a du sens*? I hope so.

I think that even if it’s not crystal clear right away, it will become so as you start to notice more and more examples in your workbooks. I hope, too, that as this idea firms up in your head, it will help you to feel more confident in pronouncing French words you’ve not previously seen.

Believe it or not, the rules of French pronunciation are rarely broken (I promise!) so go ahead safe in the knowledge that if you apply the rules above, you’ll almost always be right.

*It clicked | *Does that make sense?

Embracing the French Sunday

If your Sundays are spent frantically washing, grocery shopping and meal prepping for the week ahead, the French would tell you, you’re doing it wrong. In France, productivity has no place in your day of rest, with many shops closed – and nobody up in arms about it.

Intentionally languid, low-stress and filled with family, food and aimless strolls, French Sundays are an institution. Brunch plans? Far too much pressure. Sleep in instead, then savour a croissant.

To-do lists are out, and daydreaming is in. Other approved activities include browsing farmer’s markets, doing a puzzle while listening to music and, *bien sûr, making time for some romance.

Here's how to have the perfect French Sunday.

* of course

Book It: Nouvelle Vague

Putting a chic twist on ‘80s new wave and punk tracks from the likes of Joy Division, The Cure and Depeche Mode, French musical project Nouvelle Vague (New Wave) is headed back to our shores. For one night in only, they’ll bring their bossa nova-style covers to the Tivoli in Fortitude Valley.

Not familiar? Get a taste of their sultry vibe below.

Tickets start at $99, and *les portes ouvriront at 7 pm on October 1st. We’ll see you there

Nouvelle Vague
1 October, 2026
The Tivoli, Fortitude Valley
Grab your tickets

* doors open

QAGOMA Visit in French

Fancy levelling up your next cultural outing and challenging your French listening skills? We have just the thing.

The Queensland Art Gallery (QAG) and Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) offer free gallery highlights tours – conducted *en français. Visit the website for times and brush up on your art vocab before you book.

French Language Guided Gallery Tours
QAG & GOMA, South Brisbane
10:15-11am, selected dates
Book here

* In French

Librairie à Chats

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Not for *les allergiques, Mon Chat Pitre (My Foolish Cat) is France’s first ‘purring bookshop’, found in the Aix-en-Provence. Opened in 2021 by passionate animal advocate Solène Chavanne, the bookshop is the permanent pouncing ground of several rescue cats – and, sorry, no, you can’t take one home.

France has the highest pet abandonment rate in Europe, and this unique bookstore draws attention to the plight of overwhelmed shelters, while also offering a wide selection of books of every genre.

If your idea of an afternoon well spent involves patting cats, sipping coffee and perusing pages, this might just be the purrfect destination on your next trip to France.

Read more here.

Librairie Mon Chat Pitre
13 Rue de Montigny, 13100
Aix-en-Provence, France
Follow on Instagram

* the allergic

See It: L'Étranger

For lovers of French literature, one of the most anticipated films of the upcoming Alliance Française French Film Festival is undoubtedly L’Etranger (The Stranger) – François Ozon’s take on one of the most-read French novels around the globe.

Ranked number one on Le Monde’s 100 Books of the Century list, The Stranger is Albert Camus’ first foray into absurdism, telling the tale of a mysterious expat, Mersault, who is unwittingly drawn into a murder on an Algerian beach.

Set in 1930s French Algeria and sumptuously shot in black and white, the auteur’s faithful adaptation of the 1942 classic has received numerous accolades, including the awards for best film, best actor (Benjamin Voisin) and best cinematographer at The Lumiere Awards – France’s answer to the Golden Globes.

View session times here.

Meet our travel partner, Sonia Jones

‘My must-do for a visit to Paris - zipping around the city in a vintage Citroen!’

‘Me in Japan - my Japanese is much better than my French haha.’

‘My favourite sunset anywhere in the world - Antibes!’

Why your love of travel?

My father loved to travel, and he instilled a passion for exploring in me! I took my first overseas trip when I was 2 and have never stopped! I love how travel exposes you to different cultures, food (very important!), languages, history and people. 

Favourite hidden jewel in France?

I have a few! Hands down BEST gem is the Albert Khan Museum and Garden in Paris – most Parisians don't even know about it! 

It’s a lovely, low-key escape from the busy centre of Paris, with beautiful gardens inspired by Japanese, English and French styles. The museum houses an extensive photo collection from Albert Kahn’s travels around the world in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and is absolutely fascinating!

I'm also a huge fan of the French Riviera in December – sunny days, perfect weather for a rosé, Christmas decorations and no crowds! Antibes is always my pick, but Old Town Nice and Cannes are also fabulous this time of year.

And maybe it isn't so hidden, but the Christmas Tree at Galleries Lafayette in Paris is an absolute must-see if you're travelling there in December!

What’s the most surprising place you've ever travelled to?

Luang Prabang in Laos – a quiet town that is a blend of religion, history and daily life. Wandering the streets and admiring its golden temples, rising early for morning alms, exploring the vibrant markets, the way the Mekong winds through the town. Beyond the town, there are incredible caves, waterfalls, bear sanctuaries and beautiful scenery. It ended up being one of my favourite spots in Southeast Asia!

Any time you've ever felt scared travelling?

Sure – it comes with the territory, particularly when travelling solo as a woman. One of the things we really focus on for our clients (and ourselves when we travel) is minimising risk, whether that’s knowing when to prearrange transfers, choosing the right neighbourhoods to stay in, sharing practical personal safety tips for higher-risk destinations, or flagging cultural sensitivities that can unintentionally increase risk, like photography etiquette, clothing choices or public displays of affection.

Is there a place you'd return to time and time again?

Italy and Japan. I have connections with both countries, and travel to both regularly, yet every time I experience something different – a region, a town, a neighbourhood. I love getting under the skin of a destination, and when you speak a bit of the language somewhere, it opens doors and allows you to live more locally.

The most romantic thing to do in France is…

Head to Trocadéro to watch the sparkle of the Eiffel Tower on the hour each evening. It might be an obvious one, but it really is something special.

Beyond Paris, I love Provence for a romantic escape. Beautiful accommodation, incredible food and wine, wandering hilltop villages and markets, sweeping views, and sipping French rosé all day.

The travel accessory you couldn't live without?

Noise-cancelling headphones and an eye mask. I can sleep anywhere with them!

Best place to buy luggage?

July Luggage is gorgeous, lightweight, great quality and easy-to-spot colours. Antler is also fantastic and durable. Whatever you do, don't buy a black Samsonite and expect to spot it easily on the carousel!

Packing cubes – yes or no?

Yes! Always! Every size, shape and colour!

Do you have a favourite travel memoir or book?

I actually love fiction based around travel. Two recent favourites that happen to be set in France are The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris by Daisy Wood and The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris by Evie Woods.

What souvenir do you always bring back from France?

You mean other than the extra kilos I somehow acquire from eating my weight in macarons, cheese and bread?

I love jewellery and scarves. France is perfect for a pair of earrings or a beautiful scarf – chic, timeless, and easy to pack. I’ve also brought home gorgeous drawings and prints, and lavender products from Provence.

*in France and overseas

SJT Team

About SJT

Sonia Jones Travel is an award-winning, boutique travel agency specialising in tailored travel experiences. Based in Bardon, Brisbane, the team of five takes a hands-on, detail-focused approach to travel planning. They arrange itineraries across Australia and the globe, from family getaways and cruises to bucket-list adventures, independent rail journeys, guided tours, and slower, immersive travel.

How to Learn French - Tchao for now!

Bonjour* !

In the last How to Learn French post we looked at the sonorous French sound, ‘ch’. A joy to pronounce, we’re lucky that it’s a common sound so you’ll have plenty of practice in perfecting it.

A less common sound in French, though, is a hard ‘ch’ as in the English word ‘cheese’. So rare, in fact, that it doesn’t really exist. It wasn’t until the French started borrwing words from other languages that they even saw the need for such a sound. Since it didn’t exist, they set about inventing it, by popping a ‘t’ in front of the ‘ch’ to mimic the pronunciation of those foreign words.

Though it can look a little strange, don’t be afraid of it. Just ignore the ‘t’ and proceed with a ‘cheese’ sound and you’ll be on your way!

The following words have all been borrowed from other languages. See if you can work out which ones.

tchao
tchèque
tchécoslovaque
tchador
tchadien(ne)
tchat

*Hello

King & Conqueror

Our chouchous are always full of viewing recs, and here’s another one history buffs (who don’t mind a bit of artistic license) or fans of James Norton might enjoy. King & Conqueror is an epic 8-part series based on the struggle for the English throne that culminated in the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

Alongside Norton as Harold II, it stars Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (of Game of Thrones fame) as the conquering William of Normandy, with Emily Beecham and Clémence Poésy as the women in their lives.

Not sure you’re up to the French? *Pas de souci, this one is in English. Reviews are mixed, but you can read all about it here and decide if it’s for you.

Watch it now on SBS on Demand.

*No problem

Une loterie d'amour

French may be the language of love, but romance hasn’t always run smoothly for its inhabitants. A traditional custom called *la loterie d’amour (love lottery) used to see single male suitors stand outside the homes of single women and call out until they were paired off. If the man found his partner-to-be displeasing, he’d head for *les collines.

In retaliation, the scorned women would then band together and start a bonfire, burning images of the men and cursing them. Eventually, this practice was banned by the government, and more palatable traditions took its place.

*the hills

Avoir un coeur d'artichaut

With *la Saint-Valentin upon us, love is in the air, and we have the perfect term to tease that friend who is always head over heels with a new *amour. *Avoir un coeur d'artichaut is the charming French expression for a hopeless romantic – someone who gives their favour away freely, with a tender heart.

The metaphor takes its roots from a 19th-century proverb, cœur d’artichaut, une feuille pour tout le monde (artichoke heart, one leaf for everyone).

*C’est mignon, non?

*Valentine’s Day | *love | *to be a hopeless romantic | *It’s cute, isn’t it?

Paris sous la neige

As we wilt in the humidity (and wild weather rages across Australia), we’re completely captivated by the winter wonderland we’ve been seeing all over our Instagram feeds. Paris *sous la neige is completely magical, and last month’s downfall provided a feast for the eyes – and a rare opportunity for skiing in Montmartre.

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*under the snow

Word Power: Tirer

Meaning ‘to pull’, the French verb tirer is a handy one to have up your sleeve. From piggybank to handkerchief, many fun words and expressions take tire as their logical (and literal) *racine. Commit them to memory, then pull them out whenever you want to impress your French friends with your vocab.

 
(Larigot refers to a small flute played – often endlessly – in the Middle Ages)

*stem

10 Popular Resolutions

It’s that time of year again, when we set the best intentions for the 12 months ahead. Whether you make them and break them or avoid them altogether, here are ten of the most common *bonnes résolutions across the globe.

*New year’s resolutions