This French Life

Category: Learn French

  • The Shepherd and the Sea

    From the Fables of de la Fontaine
    A shepherd, neighbour to the sea,
    Lived with his flock contentedly.
    His fortune, though but small,
    Was safe within his call.
    At last some stranded kegs of gold
    Him tempted, and his flock he sold,
    Turn’d merchant, and the ocean’s waves
    Bore all his treasure–to its caves.

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  • Who’s who in a French family?

    Frnc_tele_0202_2NOW it would be very embarrassing to mix up brothers with sisters, aunts with uncles if you were at a party or dinner.

    So here is the French for family members so that you can work your way around the table whilst sat enjoying a glass of wine.

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  • Fables of Jean de la Fontaine

    POET Jean de la Fontaine is best known for his Fables that many French people can still recite to this day.

    He was born in 1621 in the town of Château-Thierry in Champagne, and never really left behind his love of the countryside.

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  • French fruit and veg

    IF you are on holiday in France then one of the delights has to be a trip to the local market.

    Not only will it be full of sights and sounds, as well as a few characters, you will be able to pick up some lovely fruit and vegetables.

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  • Le soleil s’est couche

    Sunset from Feuilles d’Automne, 1829.
    THE sun set this evening in masses of cloud,
    The storm comes to-morrow, then calm be the night,
    Then the Dawn in her chariot refulgent and proud,
    Then more nights, and still days, steps of Time in his flight.

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  • L’Albatros

    From Les fleurs du Mal, by Charles Baudelaire.
    Souvent, pour s’amuser, les hommes d’équipage
    Prennent des albatros, vastes oiseaux des mers,
    Qui suivent, indolents compagnons de voyage,
    Le navire glissant sur les gouffres amers.

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  • Spleen et Idéal

    FROM Les fleurs du Mal, by Charles Baudelaire.
    Lorsque, par un décret des puissances suprêmes,
    Le Poète apparaît en ce monde ennuyé,
    Sa mère épouvantée et pleine de blasphèmes
    Crispe ses poings vers Dieu, qui la prend en pitié:

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  • The time and days

    HERE are some quick pointers on asking and understanding the time, as well as the days of the week and months of the year.

    Very handy for working out when the markets are open!

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  • The life of Victor Hugo

    ONE of France’s most famous authors Victor Hugo was born in the French Comte region on February 26, 1802.

    His major works include the novels The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Les Miserables, but he also wrote many poems.

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