Are you travelling through France by train this summer? Lucky you! Taking the TGV (“Train à Grande Vitesse”, i.e fast train) in France is simple but here are my 10 tips on how to take the train in France to make your trip even easier. And I took the photos for you on my last trips to France ;-) 1. Unlike slow trains, TGVs have numbered seats so it is advisable to book your ticket before departure. This can be done on the SNCF (national French rail network) website – check www.voyages-sncf.fr , and practise your French reading! 2. To buy your ticket at the station or for any enquiry, … Read More →
FV 021 : Me on the Radio !
This episode is a bit special, because it’s an interview... of myself! In July I was invited as the guest for the weekly French program of a community radio, the Pulse (Broadcast is every Thursday 6-7 pm Melbourne time). This first radio show was a great experience. Here is the recording of our interview – I’ve edited the songs and the commercials for copyright reasons Episode Timeline [04 min 04 sec] How I met my husband [06 min 51 sec] A passion for travelling [07 min 58 sec] A romantic engagement [09 min 30 sec] Facts about my hometown [10 min 27 sec] My studies [11 min 40 sec] … Read More →
FV 020 : French Fashion, Tips and Faux-Pas with Caroline from Fren’CHIC Touch
In today’s episode, we’ll talk about fashion with personal shopper and image consultant Caroline from Fren’CHIC touch. Boys, stay tuned, it’s not only for girls! We’ll try to put words on what it is that makes French fashion so different and so famous all around the world. Caroline will give you her top fashion tips and we’ll also discuss fashion faux pas! At the end of this episode, you’ll also get a special offer from Caroline. Episode Timeline [05 min 18 sec] Where Caroline is from [07 min 14 sec] Arriving in Melbourne [09 min 34 sec] Struggles with English [10 min 44 sec] How … Read More →
Tour de France and Nostalgia
This article is a bit different! This time, I wrote in French and in English, to give you some guided reading, along with a few explanations on some French words and expressions :-) Let me know if you liked it in the comment section! Bonne lecture! / Happy reading! Tour de France et nostalgie / Tour de France and nostalgia Suivez-vous le Tour de France ? Personnellement, je zyeute (1) l’écran à quelques occasions, luttant contre le sommeil (à cause de l’heure tardive de diffusion en Australie). Do you follow the Tour de France ? Personally, I only glance at the screen every so often as … Read More →
FV 019 : Virologist Serge Talks About his Work, the Difference Between French in Quebec and France, and Dancing
Serge is a marine virologist from Quebec now living in Australia. In this episode, we cover a broad range of topics such as Serge’s profession, the differences between the French from Quebec and from France (school system, language, accent, social differences). We also talk about Serge’s involvement with some events organised by Alliance Francaise de Geelong and his hobbies. If you like this podcast, I would love for you to leave a review on iTunes! I’ll read out a few reviews in the next episode. :) Episode Timeline [05 min 26 sec] Quebec and Montreal [06 min 38 sec] Chicoutimi [09 min … Read More →
FV 018 : French Navigator Eric Shares his Passion for the Sea
In this episode Eric, a French navigator now living in Australia shares his passion for the sea and for boats. My husband and I were recently invited on Eric’s boat for a lovely afternoon and we learnt a lot about sailing. Listen to the fascinating stories of Eric’s travels and learn useful navigation tips in French! Episode Timeline [04 min 02 sec] Background [5 min 51 sec] Le Club Med [06 min 55 sec] Work experiences in Corsica [09 min 34 sec] First year in Australia [12 min 07 sec] Project for the marina [12 min 51 sec] A job on the ground! [14 min 15 sec] Why Eric loves … Read More →
FV 016 : The Pursuit of Vintage Letters in Paris with Marie Coudert
Marie Coudert collects and sells vintage letters from the facades of Parisian shops which are closing or undergoing renovation. She also has quite a unique way of getting around in Paris, a good eye (check her Instagram account!) and has published a very original book about cross stitching which is very unique as well. If you love Paris, its flea markets and vintage decoration, this episode is definitely for you! Follow with the transcription if you need to. Episode Timeline [04 min 36 sec] Where Marie lives and works. Parisian landmarks nearby. [06 min 25 sec] Emmaüs [07 min 35 sec] … Read More →
FV 015 : Paris to Provence, Melbourne’s biggest French Festival
Laura Rancie is the founder and organiser of the annual Paris to Provence French festival, the biggest French event in Melbourne. Listen to the stories behind the creation of the festival, find out what’s in store for the next edition in November and share Laura’s contagious passion and excitement for everything French! Episode Timeline [03 min 27 sec] Laura’s background [04 min 54 sec] Laura’s first own business [05 min 50 sec] Bringing Provence to Melbourne [07 min 56 sec] How Laura’s idea become the Paris to Provence French Festival [09 min 59 sec] Les santons de Provence [14 min 01 … Read More →
Tu or vous ?
“When can we switch from using vous to using tu with a French person ?” is a very interesting question that I have just recently been asked twice…on the same day! So, I figured that you may also need some light on the matter. ;-) Let’s first recap in which situations people use tu or vous in the French spoken in France (other French-speaking countries/areas can have different rules and use the tu form more easily). 1. Tu or Vous : When to use them in French (France) To help you decide between tu or vous, you can check out a very informative flowchart designed by William Alexander and … Read More →
How to Play Petanque (Rules of Petanque)
Pétanque (French boules) is the 10th most popular sport in France and is also played by millions of French people for pleasure, especially during summer holidays where tournaments organised in the camping / holiday resorts are very common (I remember enrolling in some “tournois de pétanque” myself as a teenager). Last July, my husband and I spent a few weeks in France and playing pétanque again revived fond childhood memories. I eventually had a set delivered to Australia - the “boules” are so heavy it would have been a shame to take them back in our luggage as we would have lost some … Read More →