French lessons, events & trips
FRENCH LESSONS EVENTS & GIFTS
It may have occurred to you that moustache is a French word, but did you have any idea of the social significance it has carried throughout history?
Moi non plus*, but here's a little wrap up, thanks to the website of France Culture (one of the radio stations we recommend to students of all levels to 'get your ear in’).
Enjoy!
*Me neither
I’m pretty sure I’m not alone when I say that one of the petits plaisirs* I enjoy when travelling in a French-speaking country is a trip to the local pharmacie*.
There’s something about seeing products that I’ve long considered produits de luxe* being sold to le grand publique* at extremely reasonable prices.
There there are the petites découvertes* involving products we simply don’t have here. One such discovery took place a few years ago when we were on a trip to la Nouvelle Calédonie*. I’m a sucker for a good-looking label, so when I came upon my first bottle of Friction de Foucaud, I couldn’t part with my sous* fast enough.
It was only when I got back to the hotel that Deborah, whom some of you know, told me that it was a French product reeking of nostalgia in the vein of Quick-Eze or Vicks Vapor Rub for those of us who grew up here.
She explained that it was mostly used as a refreshing tonic in hot weather or as a quick and effective pick-me-up for those days that just seem to drag.
it was created in 1946 by Madame Lucienne Merle. Inspired by the climate she experienced living in French Indochina (now Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam) this secret formula, which has remained unchanged for 70 year, offered ‘sovereign relief from tiredness’.
Since its creation, and in an effort to penetrate a larger market, the range has been extended to include roll-ons, foot creams and thigh gels. Its popularity was given a boost in the 80s when tennis player Yannick Nosh extolled its virutes.
According to the Friction de Foucaud website:
”Vous serez séduits à votre tour en l’utilisant, par le mariage d’huiles essentielles de citron, d’orange, de thym, de romarin, mêlées à des extraits naturels de camphre et de menthol qui donnent à la friction cet effet rafraîchissant et énergisant.”
”You, too, will be seduced when you use it, by the combination of essential oils such as lemon, orange, thyme, and rosemary, mixed with natural extracts of camphor and menthol with give the friction its refreshing and energising effect.”
*small pleasures | *pharmacy | *luxury products | *the general public | *little discoveries | *New Caledonia | *cash
Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel died on the 10th January 1971 and yet more than fifty years later, the designs from her eponymous maison de couture* scream her legacy.
Until the 25th April, we here in Australia have the chance to appreciate the enormous impact she had, not only on the way women dress, but on how they live their lives.
*Fashion becomes out of fashion, style never does | *fashion house | *More information here
If you just can’t wait for the Alliance Française French Film Festival to come to town, there is a stop-gap measure available to you.
Délicieux* was released in Australian cinemas on 26th December and though it is still showing, ne tardez pas* if you’re keen to catch it.
A historical comedy starring Isabelle Carré and Grégory Gadebois, Délicieux tells the tale of a talented and passionate chef, whose mistreatment at the hands of a grandiose duke eventually leads to the creation of France’s very first restaurant.
Enjoy la bande annonce*.
*Delicious | *don’t waste any time | *the trailer
Source : marieclaire.fr
Savez-vous que*…
La Bûche de Noël is the traditional cake served at Christmas in France. If you’ve been interested in French language, culture or cuisine for a little while, you may very well already know this. However, do you know the origins of this most recognisable of desserts français*?
Tradition has it that on the longest night of the year (le solstice d’hiver*), French pagans would burn an enormous log to stave off the freezing temperatures, bien sûr*, but also as an offering to the gods to ensure a plentiful harvest in the coming year.
While it’s unlikely you’ll want to recreate the heat of a burning log in our sweltering southern climes, you may wish to set yourself the challenge of making this spécialité hivernale*. Voici la recette* (it’s in French but if you need some help, just click on any term for the English translation. Bon courage!*
*The Christmas Log | *Did you know that | *French desserts | *the winter solstice | *of course | *winter specialty | *Here’s the recipe | *Good luck!
Savez-vous que*…
French children put out their chaussures* instead of their stockings in the hope that Père Noël* will fill them to the brim with cadeaux*?
Voici l’histoire*, thanks to French leather goods site Cirage et Compagnie*.
On raconte qu'un jour qu'il passait devant la maison de trois petites sœurs pauvres pour se réchauffer devant la cheminée, Saint Nicolas leur offrit quelques pièces de monnaie pour les aider.
Les piécettes glissèrent dans les chausses que les fillettes avaient mis à sécher devant le foyer de la cheminée. Ce n'est qu'après sa visite, qu'elles découvrirent la surprise en se réveillant.
Les bonnes choses se sachant vite, la rumeur s'est répandue et depuis, le soir du réveillon, chacun met ses chaussures ou ses chaussettes devant la cheminée ou bien au pied du sapin avec l'espoir d'y trouver quelque chose le lendemain matin.
It is said that once upon a time, as Saint Nicholas passed by the front of the house of three poor little sisters, he asked to warm himself in front of their fire and offered them a few coins to help them out.
He slipped the little coins in the pantaloons that the young girls had placed to dry in front of the chimney. It was only after his visit, when they woke up the next morning, that they discovered the surprise.
Good news travels fast so the rumour got around and ever since, on Christmas Eve, children put their shoes or slippers in front of the chimney or even at the foot of the Christmas tree in the hope of finding something the following morning.
Mignon, non*?
*Did you know that | *shoes | *Father Christmas | *presents | *Here’s the story | *Wax & Co. | *Cute, isn’t it?
Les gens* often lament that things are just not like they used to be, and in many cases, it’s a fair complaint. The world seems to be changing at warp speed and it’s tempting to want to grasp on to the familiar.
However, there are certaines circonstances* when change is a positive thing and Père Fouettard is one of them!
No longer d’actualité* (you’ll see why soon), Père Fouettard (Father Whipper or Old Man Whipper) is a fictional (we hope!) character who accompanies Père Noël* on his rounds during Saint Nicholas’ Day on the 6th December. The story goes that while jolly Père Noël is busy handing out gifts aux enfants sages*, Père Fouettard dispenses lumps of coal to the naughty children. Fouetter is the verb ‘to whip’ in French and this is where this villain gets his name - he’s known to whip those rascals who have not been on their best behaviour all year.
As though that’s not disturbing enough, an alternative tale goes like this:
“An innkeeper (or a butcher in other versions) captures three boys who appear to be wealthy and on their way to enrol in a religious boarding school. Along with his wife, he kills the children in order to rob them….They drug the children, slit their throats, cut them into pieces, and stew them in a barrel. St. Nicholas discovers the crime and resurrects the children. After this, Père Fouettard repents and becomes St Nicholas' partner.”
Quelle horreur*!
Source: Wikipedia
*People | *certain circumstances | *in common usage | *Father Christmas | *to the good children | *What horror!
Though today only about 15% percent of French citizens declare themselves practising Catholics, there was a time towards the end of the 19th century when that number was 98%.
This could explain the French tradition of celebrating Christmas on the 24th December with a very late dinner, usually eaten upon their return from Mass and often kicking off at about midnight.
Naturally, things have changed since then and many families celebrate with an earlier dîner* on Le Réveillon de Noël with some even waiting for the 25th to celebrate.
While in the most religious of families the Christmas meal was deliberately simple (for example une soupe aux légumes*) as a reminder that Jesus was born into poverty, today the meal is often a veritable festin de Balthazar* and can include foie gras*, huîtres*, queues de langoustines*, saumon fumé*, champagne* and the traditional bûche de Noël, of course.
Délicieux*!
*Christmas Eve | *dinner | *vegetable soup | *feast fit for a king | *foie gras | *oysters | *lobster tails | *smoked salmon | *champagne | *Christmas log | *Delicious!
Savez vous que…*
Since 1962 it has been French law that every letter written to Père Noël* will be responded to in the form of a carte postale*? C’est vrai*!
La Poste (the French version of Australia Post) even has several versions of suggested texts to help les enfants* express their dearest wishes, as well as various addresses, all of which will ensure accurate delivery. C’est tellement mignon*. Here’s the full story.
*Dear Father Christmas | *Did you know that… | *Father Christmas | *postcard | *It’s true | *children | *It’s so cute
Public domain photo colorized by Olga Shirnina
“France made me what I am. I will be grateful forever. The people of Paris have given me everything… I am ready, captain, to give them my life. You can use me as you wish. ”
What a life it was to give.
Born into poverty in Little Rock, Arkansas, Josephine Baker was waitressing by 12, married by 13 and at 19, long divorced from the first of her four husbands, took Paris by storm when she landed a leading role in La Revue Nègre*, a musical comedy show featuring an all-black cast.
But this was just the start. At Le Casino de Paris* she wowed in her one-woman show (if you don’t count her pet cheetah Chiquita, who wore a diamond collar) and at one time was the highest paid and the most photographed woman in the world. Dame Shirley Bassey said of her: “I swear in all my life I have never seen, and probably never shall see again, such a spectacular singer and performer."
The first woman of colour to have a starring role in a major motion picture, Baker returned to the States triumphant, but received terrible reviews for her role in a reprisal of the Ziegfield Follies. Heartbroken, she retreated to France, relinquished her US citizenship and became a French citizen.
A new marriage to Frenchman Jean Lion followed and as war broke out in 1939, Baker moved to the South of France and became involved in the French resistance. Later (and with yet another new husband Jo Bouillon) she adopted 12 children of different races and religions creating what she called her ‘Rainbow Tribe'.
There are so many more twists and turns to the life of Josephine Baker, but one constant was her love for her adopted country. Whereas her life in the US was hampered by segregationist policies, in France she could move about freely, without fear of reprisals. Like many American artists during the Jazz Age, she found her creative home in the clubs and theatres of Paris, and remained fiercely loyal to la République française until her death in 1975.
Jus this week, it was announced that Josephine Baker would become the first Black woman to be entered into the Panthéon mausoleum, joining illustrious alumni such as Victor Hugo, Pierre and Marie Curie, Louis Braille and Antoine St Exupéry, author of Le Petit Prince.
Read more about her fascinating life here…
*The Negro Revue | *The Paris Casino
We hate to be the ones to break it to you, but Noël* is just around the corner.
In great news though, the organisers of Le Festival* have decided to end 2021 with a bang by staging Brisbane’s first French Christmas Market .
Bringing a traditional, French festive vibe to West End’s impressive West Village complex, the event will run over two days, the 20th and 21st November. Come along to browse quality produits français* just in time to fill your Christmas stockings.
Hope to see you there!
Plus d’infos* right here.
If you’ve been into le nid* recently you may have noticed a little ceramic pot filled with these delicious caramel treats just as you walk through la porte*. Well, it was full…
It turns out our Chouchous* have taken to these iconic French treats in a big way, so we’re offering you the chance to win a packet of your own. Be the first person to translate la blague* below and les bonbons* are all yours!
Firstly, though, some history…
Finding themselves with a surplus of cocoa, the Director of the Delespaul-Havez company, M. Fauchille, and his employee, M. Galois, decide to create a brand new recette* as a way of using it up.
According to legend, one factory machine malfunction later the Caram’bar (as it was then known) was born, a portmanteau word combining caramel* and barre*.
Carambar decided to include jokes on the inside of each wrapper. They launched a competition in schools across France asking students to submit their best (clean) jokes with the incentive of winning one’s weight in Carambar. Naturally, they were inundated and the blague Carambar* took off.
Renowned for being des blagues à deux balles* , the Carambar jokes are nonetheless fondly considered in France, much like the ones found in Christmas crackers dans ce coin*.
After an absence of five years, Carambar ads return to the screens with YouTubers extolling their virtues as well as a new strap line: “Carambar, c’est la barre!”
A play on words, the marketers swapped c’est la balle* for c’est la barre*, in reference to the bar shape of the sweet and a whole new generation of enfants français* were hooked.
So here we go, une petite sélection* of des blagues Carambar.
1. Pourquoi les maisons en Angleterre ne sont-elles pas solides ?
Parce qu’elles sont en glaise. (anglaises)
2. Quelles sont les lettres les plus vieilles de l’alphabet ?
A G (âgé)
3. De quelle couleur sont les parapluies quand il pleut ?
Ils sont tout verts ! (Ils sont ouverts)
*the nest | *the door | *Teacher’s Pets | *the joke | *lollies | *recipe | *caramel | *bar | *Carambar joke | *corny jokes | *in this neck of the woods | *It’s awesome | *it’s the bar | *French children | *a little selection
If you have just une minute*, it is well worth watching the very beginning of this documentary, “Dior - Designer of Dreams”.
The opening scenes find us at a photo shoot for the image above, and the moment of its capture is pure magie*. Keep an ear out for the unexpected Australian accent off camera, too. It truly is une équipe internationale* who pulled off this exquisite exhibition of 70 years of the House of Dior at Le Musée des Arts Décoratifs de Paris in 2017.
If you have an interest in la haute couture*, you’ll fall in love dès le départ*.
If you’re more of a sceptic, though, this could be le documentaire* to win you over, as it illustrates in the most intricate detail le dévouement*, la passion* et le travail acharné* required to create things of such beauty.
Currently showing at the Brooklyn Museum in New York, is it too much to hope it’ll eventually find its way aux Antipodes*?
Entre temps*, we have a video to watch… Enjoy.
*one minute | *pure magic | *an international team | *haute couture (literally ‘high sewing’) | *from the get-go | *the documentary | *the dedication | *the passion | *the sheer hard work | *Down Under
You may have heard some talk about la rentrée* earlier this month, as French children were preparing to head back to school.
While la rentrée definitely describes the return to school after the long summer holidays in France, it is also used more broadly among the rest of the population.
In August, virtually the whole of France slows to a crawl, with not only schools but many businesses, restaurants and even the government shutting up shop for the hottest of the summer weather.
Almost everyone takes a holiday away from their home town. The most privileged may eye off international experiences and those on more modest budgets may faire du camping*. Regardless of the destination, le but* is to leave behind le quotidien* for a chance to changer les idées*. It’s for this reason that la rentrée holds such weight in the French culture. Come the start of September, it’s time to pack away the togs, get ready for school or work and look forward to a new year.
Whether that evokes excitement or apprehension probably rests on the quality of les vacances…*
*start of the school year | *go camping | *the aim | *the everyday | *to take one’s mind off something | *the holidays
Savez-vous que*….
Brisbane has its own French theatre troupe?
Here, Lingua Franca speaks to musician, actor, writer and director Thomas Smith, who wrote BFT’s latest play, Les Uns Contre Les Autres*.
Be sure to right to la fin*. We have two tickets to give away!
LF: Thomas, tell us a little about your background. Where are you from and how did you come to be living in Australia?
TS: I am a "Ch'ti" from Northern France who first visited Australia on a Working Holiday Visa back in 2008. After a year travelling around the country in a van, I spent a few months working in Brisbane... I fell in love with the city and decided to settle here!
LF: Have you always wanted to be a playwright? What propelled you to take this on?
TS: I was introduced to theatre by chance: a friend proposed we audition for Brisbane's first ever French play produced by Growl Theatre in 2015, and it soon became an addiction. Along with five friends, we founded the BFT in 2017. Writing original plays was mainly born out of necessity, after we found out how difficult and time-consuming finding an existing play was - when you have limited casting options and don't necessarily want to produce works from the traditional French repertoire.
LF: How long does it take you to write a play and do you collaborate with other writers? And where do you get your inspiration from?
TS: It's usually an uneven process that's spread over several weeks, with sudden bursts of productivity followed by days of drought. My partner (and BFT's resident director) Isabelle is of precious help as we exchange ideas, she reviews my drafts and provides feedback. Inspiration is a mixed pot of past experiences and random observations: crossing Paris one summer in the Metro led to "Alas April", while the romantic vision people often have of France was "Repeat After Me"'s starting point.
LF: What is this year’s play about and when and where can we see it?
"Les uns contre les autres" is a tragi-comedy dealing with the challenges of long-term relationships and how they can be affected by lengthy lockdowns due to Covid. It will show at the Queensland Multicultural Centre in Kangaroo Point, Brisbane on 14, 15 & 16 October.
Head here for online bookings.
*Did you know that | * Against One Another | *the end
In July’s issue of Le Chouchou News we promised you a story about the famous Bal des Pompiers* which takes place on the evening of La Fête Nationale* which, as you know, is le 14 juillet*.
So how did it all start?
In 1937, bystanders from main parade on the Champs Élysées followed some of the firemen back to their caserne* in Montmartre. The fire chief made the fateful decision to open the doors to that tenacious group and a party ensued.
More than 80 years later, the Bal des Pompiers is still going strong and is a much-anticipated annual event, perhaps even more so than the parade itself for les fêtards*, at least.
D’où vient le Bal des Pompiers? | Where does the Firemen’s Ball come from?
*The Firemen’s Ball | *Bastille Day | *on the 14th July | *fire station | *party animals
Have you ever wondered why the French flag is bleu, blanc, rouge*?
Well, you may be wondering a little longer, as it seems even the French find it difficult to trouver un accord* on the matter.
Some say the white is the colour of the House of Bourbon, which ruled France from the late 16th century to the French Revolution. Red and blue are the traditional colours of Paris, with revolutionaries wearing red and blue cockades on their hats when they stormed the Bastille in 1789.
Other suggest the three colours represent la liberté*, l'égalité* and la fraternité*, the French motto.
For some, it's bleu for la bourgeoisie*, blanc for la monarchie* and rouge for la révolution*.
A more romantique* take has the colours drawing inspiration from flowers: blue for cornflowers, white for marguerites and red for poppies.
Plus compliqué* than we might have thought art first, non?*?
*blue, white, red | *to come to an agreement | *freedom | *equality | *brotherhood | *the bourgeoisie | *the monarchy | *the revolution | *romantic | *More complicated | *isn't it?
If you have just over eight minutes to spare and are confident you can keep le monstre aux yeux verts* at bay, be ready to be absolutely transported by this video from Vogue Paris.
*the green-eyed monster
If someone gave you three bags of old clothes, what would do with them? Pull out anything you could wear and then donate the rest to your local friperie*? Not Morgane Sézalory, who did a few retouches* and then sold them on eBay. In short order, her eponymous label was born (Sézane combines her first and last names), and if you’re looking for un peu de distraction*, I could not recommend this site more highly. Un grand merci* to our Chouchou*, Kirstie, for wearing the beautiful pull bleu* a few weeks ago, which sparked the conversation.
Read Morgane’s story here.
Skip straight to the shopping.
I was recommended this Netflix series during a recent confinement* and it couldn’t have been more timely.
What more could you ask for while hunkering down? With exquisite French luxury properties, the extremely photogenic Kretz family, a dance-pop soundtrack and a good dose of humour, you’ll be hooked from the opening credits. And who wouldn’t want a grand-mère* like Majo with her urban trainers, cropped leather jacket and well-timed pep talks?
A note of caution, though. You’ll be tempted to faire un marathon*, but slowly does it - there are only five episodes so you need to savour them until a second season is announced.
Croisons les doigts*!
*lockdown | *grandmother | binge-watch | *Let’s cross our fingers!