Today's guest Maryse Mounier is a very energetic woman who is passionate about vanilla. She is working, on her own, in the forest where she grows Bourbon vanilla, a type of vanilla which is famous worldwide for its high quality and strong flavour. Bourbon was actually the former name of La Réunion island and we call "vanille bourbon" the vanilla beans coming from the vanilla planifolia plant. You can also find vanilla planifolia in other areas such as Madagascar or the Comoros but they are grown differently. For example, Maryse Mounier's plantation is located on a very old lava track … Read More →
FV 086 : “Brainious” – How to help children reach their full potential?
Frenchwoman Stéphanie Brillant is the director (= réalisatrice) of documentary film "Brainious" – "Le cerveau des enfants" in French. I first watched the documentary because as a parent, I want to be the best possible guide for my daughter, develop and maintain a strong bond with her based on trust so she can become a confident and independent person. Although the film gives food for thought about how to best help children to reach their full potential, it is not only aimed at parents or caregivers: it is also an invitation to understand oneself, to explore how our present behaviours … Read More →
FV 085 : In the heat of volcanoes with volcanologist Aline Peltier
For the first time in French Voices, I’m interviewing a guest from La Réunion! Réunion Island is a tropical French department (un département d’Outre-Mer = overseas region) located in the Indian Ocean. It is known for its beautiful landscapes, with volcanoes, rainforest, coral reefs and beaches. Guest Aline Peltier is a volcanologist (=volcanologue) working at the Observatoire Volcanologique du Piton de la Fournaise. Aline specialises in geodesy, the science of measuring and understanding the earth's geometric shape. What does that mean, in the context of volcanoes? It means that by using … Read More →
FV 084 : (Part 2) Re-enacting Battles from the Napoleonic era…and why Napoleon is so famous!
This is the second part of my conversation with Frenchman Alain Collas, passionate about the Napoleonic Era and a cuirassier during the historical reenactments of the battles of the Napoleonic army. What’s exactly happening during the reenactments? I was curious to find out whether they were above all a show for the audience to see action and costumes or whether they were precise and based upon actual facts and details. Historical reenactments really are a passion for which many enthusiasts from all countries gather together, meeting on the very sites where Napoleon fought his battles. They … Read More →
FV 083 : (Part 1) Re-enacting Battles from the Napoleonic era…and why Napoleon is so famous!
Today (as well as in the next episode of French Voices), Frenchman Alain Collas will tell you about his passion for the Consulate and Napoleonic eras. In the early 19th century, Napoleon led some important battles in my hometown (Montmirail) and its vicinity. When I last went to France to visit my family, I set up to find a passionate person to take you back in time. When I was a child, I loved to go see the historical reenactments of the hussars during the “Journées du Patrimoine”, a yearly event in France held in September. I therefore contacted Alain Collas as he is part of the local … Read More →
FV 082 : Being a mayor in France
On my last trip to France, I was welcomed by the mayor of my hometown for an interview at the town hall – in the meeting room, which is also the official room where marriages are celebrated. Find out how a French mayor is elected, what his roles are, facts about getting married in France and much more! Episode Timeline Part 1 A mayor and another occupation What made E.Dhuicq run for mayor? The ballot and office staff list Part 2 How and for how long a French mayor is elected The prerequisites to run for mayor The roles of a mayor Part 3 Funding / Money Projects and … Read More →
FV 081 : (Part 2) About The Smurfs! With Jean Auquier, manager of the Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée
This is the second part of my conversation with Jean Auquier, the manager of the Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée in Brussels, Belgium – home to many famous cartoonists and characters. This episode focuses on the cutest and tiniest characters of Belgian comic art, the Smurfs (Les Schtroumpfs). How were they born? Why are the Smurfs blue? What makes the Smurfs so popular? Why is the Smurf language so interesting, linguistically and socially? Here are only a handful of the many aspects we’ll discuss in this interview! Episode Timeline Part 1 How the Smurfs were born Why are the Smurfs … Read More →
FV 080 : (Part 1) The world of Comic Strips and cartooning with Jean Auquier, manager of the Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée
Jean Auquier is the manager of the Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée in Brussels, Belgium. Belgium is home of many famous cartoonist and characters such as Tintin, the Smurfs (Les Schtroumpfs), etc. Why is it that comic strip became a specialty, a symbol of this small country? Learn about the history and the evolution of this popular form of art and culture and about the Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée itself in the first part of this fascinating conversation with Jean Auquier! Episode Timeline Part 1 How is Belgium associated to comic books? How the first comic strips were … Read More →
FV 079 : (Part 2) Boots to Bliss: The pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela by Claude Tranchant
Claude Tranchant is a French lady now living in Brisbane, Australia. On her 64th birthday, she set off to walk the way of Saint James (le pélerinage de St Jacques de Compostelle), covering over 2,500 km through France and Spain, crossing the Pyrenees to reach Santiago de Compostela. All alone. Oh, and she had never hiked before! Her physical journey soon became a spiritual and a humane one too. Find out more about the St James’s Way pilgrimage, the fears Claude had to overcome and how she changed forever along the way. Part 1 of this interview located in episode 78. Episode Timeline Part … Read More →
FV 078 : (Part 1) Boots to Bliss: The pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela by Claude Tranchant
Claude Tranchant is a French lady now living in Brisbane, Australia. On her 64th birthday, she set off to walk the way of Saint James (le pélerinage de St Jacques de Compostelle), covering over 2,500 km through France and Spain, crossing the Pyrenees to reach Santiago de Compostela. All alone. Oh, and she had never hiked before! Her physical journey soon became a spiritual and a humane one too. Find out more about the St James’s Way pilgrimage, the fears Claude had to overcome and how she changed forever along the way. Vocab List pélerin,e = pilgrim pélerinage (nm) = pilgrimage bâton de … Read More →
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