Lingua Franca | Award-Winning French Lessons Brisbane

French lessons, events & trips

FRENCH LESSONS EVENTS & GIFTS

SWOON: Morocco

If you’re looking to spice up your French studies, Morocco is la destination parfaite*. Located in northwest Africa, the country boasts a rich history and diverse, vibrant culture, coloured by a blend of Berber, Arab and European influences.

Travellers flock to the popular tourist destinations of Marrakech and Fes to drink in the atmosphere of the bustling souks and stunning mosques, with intrepid spirits drawn to the lure of the breathtaking landscapes, from the Atlas Mountains to the Sahara Desert.

Adorned with colourful tiles and tranquil fontaines*, traditional riads provide inspiration for any architecture fan. While foodies will love sampling the local cuisine, from fragrant tagines to hearty couscous and delicate pastilla pastries.

A legacy of Morocco's colonial history, French is widely spoken, offering Francophone travellers (and students) the opportunity to immerse themselves in daily life. It’s what we'll be doing during our October Lingua Franca Morocco trip – will you be joining us?

*the perfect destination | *fountains

Musée Carnavalet

While the sheer number of galleries and museums in Paris can be overwhelming, à notre avis*, no visit to the city is complete without a leisurely stroll through the 100-odd rooms of Musée Carnavalet

Housed within two Renaissance-era mansions surrounding une très jolie cour* in the heart of Le Marais, the museum tells the story of Paris’s evolution from its humble beginnings to the thriving metropolis of today. 

Walking through Musée Carnavalet is like stepping into a living tableau of Parisian life. From the opulent salons of aristocratic households to the dwellings of everyday citizens, each room is painstakingly curated to capture the essence of different epochs*.

Opened in 1880, le musée* is home to an extensive array of artifacts, paintings and sculptures – over 580,000 objets* that will transport you back in time to the pivotal moments that have shaped the city's identity.

A must-visit for any lover of history, art and the magnificent city of Paris! And a charming spot for un apero* when you’ve had your culture fix.

*in our opinion | *a very pretty courtyard | *eras | *the museum | *objects | *a pre-dinner/lunch drink

Merci à Connolly Cove pour cette belle vidéo.

Le Travel Planner on Rue Bonaparte

Today we’re headed à Paris* with a peek into one of Le Travel Planner’s favourite destinations in the city, Rue Bonaparte. Located on the Left Bank in the 6th arrondissement, this charming street is the perfect pitstop for un café*, to visit a gallery or browse beautiful books at la librairie*, Assouline.

Watch the short video below to learn why Xavier is such un admirateur*. Or, if outdoor adventure (or après ski) is more your style, check out last month’s instalment on La Clusaz.

*to Paris | *a coffee | *the bookstore | *a fan

Stream it Now: The New Look (Dior)

Lovers of la mode* will undoubtedly devour new period drama, The New Look, which documents legendary designer Christian Dior’s rise after World War II. And, bien sûr*, his infamous rivalry with the equally iconic Coco Chanel.

Landing on Apple TV+ on February 14th, the first series comprises 10 episodes, with our own Ben Mendelsohn and France’s Juliette Binoche playing the feuding fashionistas.

Stream it here or read all about it. And, if you become hooked, don’t despair. A second series is currently in production!

*fashion| *of course

Le Travel Planner on La Clusaz

Next up on Le Travel Planner’s itinerary (and probably now your bucket list) is La Clusaz – a picturesque alpine village in the French Alps renowned for its stunning natural beauty and world-class skiing opportunities.

Situated in the Haute-Savoie region of southeastern France, La Clusaz is a popular destination for outdoor adventurers. As well as those who love to indulge in some après-ski.

Hear what Xavier has to say about this cette destination fabuleuse* in the short video below. And, in case you missed it, here’s last month’s instalment on the charmant* Cap Ferret.

*this fabulous destination | *charming

Recette: Galette des Rois

Keen to bake something sucré* but had your fill of cannelés (for now)? With an almond cream centre enclosed in buttery, golden puff pastry, la galette des rois or ‘king cake’ will surely become a new favourite.

Easy to make (and difficult to resist), la galette des rois is served throughout France during Epiphany. Taking place on the 6th of January, the religious holiday commemorates the visit of the three wise men to baby Jesus.

The French celebrate the occasion by baking or buying this cake, which features une fève*, traditionally a dried broad bean, hidden inside. Whoever finds the surprise in their slice is named king or queen for the evening and earns the honour of wearing a paper crown.

Just remember to mention this hidden treat to unsuspecting invité(e)s*!

Merci au Marmiton pour la recette*.


*sweet | *a trinket/ a broad bean (fava bean) | *guests | *Enjoy! | *Thank you to Marmiton for the recipe.

Five Cult French Pharmacy Finds

Travelling to France? Plan on packing an extra tote for your beauty haul as you're headed to skincare-lover paradise! With cosmetics sections that rival any department store, French pharmacies are veritable treasure troves of skincare wonders where beauty buffs flock for coveted products that promise radiant, flawless, French-girl peau*

Renowned for their minimalist approach to makeup and unwavering dedication to skincare, the French prioritise healthy, glowing complexions above all else. So, do as they do next trip and stock up on these five cult French pharmacy finds to elevate your skincare routine to new heights.

NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Dry Oil: A multi-purpose dry oil beloved by beauty enthusiasts worldwide, NUXE Huile Prodigieuse is a luxurious elixir that nourishes, hydrates and illuminates the skin and hair. Infused with precious botanical oils, this cult favourite is suitable for all skin types, delivering a radiant glow and delicious fragrance with each application.

Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water: Seen backstage at catwalk shows, this holy grail skincare staple is a gentle yet effective cleanser that removes la maquillage*, impurities and excess oil without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier. Ideal for sensitive skin types, the dermatologist-recommended formula soothes and calms irritation, leaving the skin clean, refreshed and balanced.

Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré: Loved by makeup artists, models and celebs alike, Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré is a luxurious moisturiser that doubles as a primer and makeup remover. Enriched with nourishing ingredients like shea butter and aloe vera, this iconic cream hydrates, softens and smooths the skin, creating the perfect canvas for makeup application while promoting long-term skin health.

A313 Vitamin A Cream: A cult classic in French skincare, A313 Vitamin A Cream is a potent retinoid treatment renowned for its transformative anti-ageing benefits. Formulated with retinyl palmitate, a gentle derivative of vitamin A, this powerhouse cream stimulates collagen production, reduces the appearance of fine lines and les rides* and refines skin texture for a youthful, radiant complexion.

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5: A soothing and reparative balm for the face and body, La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 is a must-have for addressing a myriad of skin concerns, from dryness and irritation to minor wounds and burns. Enriched with panthenol, the rich, dermatologist-tested formula provides immediate relief, accelerates skin regeneration and restores comfort to even the most sensible* skin types.

Happy shopping!

*skin | * makeup | *wrinkles | *sensitive

8 Festive French Christmas Movies

‘Tis the season to watch cosy Christmas movies – and why not improve your French at the same time?

From the classic to the contemporary, and even an animated flick for les petits*, this list of ‘8 French Christmas Movies To Boost Your Holiday Cheer’ has quelque chose* for everyone. So, pop on the aircon, make some popcorn and a Kir Royal, and sink your teeth into these festive treats.

*the little ones | *something

Sneak Peek into Le Nid | Qu'est-ce que tu fais pour Noël?

We hope you’re surviving the silly season and gearing up for some quality time relaxing with family and friends over Christmas. Nous avons hâte de vous voir* back in le nid* next year, but in the meantime, here’s how vos profs* are planning to spend les vacances de noël*.  

Je vais passer du temps avec mes proches, manger des crevettes sur la plage et lire.

I’m going to spend time with my loved ones, eat prawns on the beach and read.

Je fête Noël avec mes parents, beaux-parents et probablement mon beau-frère.

I’m celebrating Christmas with my parents, in-laws and probably my brother-in-law.

Pour Noël, je vais camper sur l’île de Straddie avec des amis.

For Christmas, I’m going to camp on Stradbroke Island with some friends.

Cette fin d'année sera un peu spécial car ma petite sœur va nous rendre visite. On va fêter Noël et son anniversaire (le 24 décembre!) ensemble. On va peut-être passer un week-end à la mer. Je vais pleinement profiter des vacances pour aussi passer plus de temps avec mes amis avant la reprise de mes études.

This end of year will be a little special because my little sister is going to visit us. We're going to celebrate Christmas and her birthday (December 24!) together. Maybe we'll spend a weekend at the seaside. I'm going to take full advantage of the vacation and also spend more time with my friends before I start my studies again.

Je vais profiter des fêtes avec mes amis à moins qu’un invité surprise ne décide de pointer le bout de son nez pour rencontrer le père noël cette année.

I'm going to enjoy the holidays with my friends unless a surprise guest decides to show up to meet Santa this year.

*We can’t wait to see you | *the nest | *your teachers | *the Christmas holidays 

Photo credits from top to bottom: Alice Pasqual, Pen Ash, Nofi Sofyan Hadi, Bailey Mahon, Omar Lopez

SWOON: Nouméa

Fancy practising your French with native speakers but not thrilled about a long-haul flight? Look no further than the tropical haven of Nouméa – just a short 2-hour flight from Brisbane in the heart of the South Pacific.

The capital city of New Caledonia, Nouméa offers warm temperatures, abundant sunshine, and pristine beaches with turquoise waters and coral reefs loved by snorkellers. Blending French sophistication with authentic island charm, it’s the perfect place to explore lively markets and historical museums, savour the fusion of French and Melanesian cuisine, relax, unwind and pratiquer un peu* with the friendly locals.

And we have some bonnes nouvelles* – we still have a few spots left on our April Nouméa trip. We’d love to see you there!

*practise a little | *good news

Photo credits (L to R)

Top line: joel-t, Mlenny, Stephanie Monot, Krittakorn Phongvijitsoph
Middle line: Franc-Comtois, Daniiielc, Caroline Hernandez, Julie Modeste
Bottom line: Sébastien Jermer, Julie Modeste, Bon Vivant, Nick Sarvari

Tricky Words to Pronounce in French

From the exaggerated R to all the unpronounced letters, there’s no denying French pronunciation can be difficult for native English speakers. So, if you find yourself regularly tripping over ta langue*, rest assured you’re far from alone!

To help you gain confidence when reading aloud or conversing, here is a list of 10 everyday, notoriously tricky French mots* with helpful pronunciation tips. 

You can also find many of the same words here, plus some new tongue twisters with pronunciation included.

With a little practice (and a dash of bravado), you'll soon be reciting this list les doigts dans le nez*!

*your tongue | *words |*very easily (with your fingers in your nose)