11 Feb

UN SENTIMENT BIZARRE

Même si j’habite et travaille au Royaume-Uni depuis plus de vingt ans, je retourne régulièrement en France, principalement pour rendre visite à ma famille, pas vraiment disséminée aux six coins du pays (puis-je vous rappeller que la France métropolitaine est parfois appelée l’Hexagone?), mais néanmoins distribuée dans trois régions bien distinctes. 

A funny feeling  Even if I have lived and worked in Great-Britain for more than 20 years, I go back to France regularly, chiefly to pay visit to my family, not really scattered to the six corners of the country (may I remind you that mainland France is sometimes called the Hexagone?), but certainly distributed in three very distinct regions.

Et c’est quand je passe par la France lors de ces visites que me vient ce sentiment bizarre. Bien sûr, je sais toujours d’instinct comment fonctionner dans mon pays, où tout m’est familier, et je ne commets jamais de ces faux-pas si faciles à faire quand on ne connaît pas à fond la culture d’un autre pays. Et pourtant, c’est très bizarre d’être touriste dans son propre pays. 

And it is during these trips to France that this funny feeling visits me. Of course, I still instinctively know how to function in my country, where everything is familiar to me, and I never fall into these faux-pas so easily committed when you don’t intimately know another country’s culture. And yet, it is a very funny feeling to be a tourist in one’s own country. 

J’adore arriver dans une ville que je ne connais pas, ou dans une autre où je ne suis pas venu depuis des lustres, et partir à la découverte de ses trésors, cachés ou pas. Pour moi, tous les détais sont importants et intéressants: où est la statue de Jeanne d’Arc (généralement à l’église, où la Sainte est souvent vénérée), quelle forme a le monument aux soldats morts pour la France, quelle boulangerie est ouverte le lundi? 

I adore arriving in a city I don’t know, or in another where I haven’t been in years, and discovering all its treasures, hidden or not. For me, all the details are so important and interesting: where is the statue of Joan of Arc (usually in the church, where the Saint is often prayed to), what shape will the monument to the soldiers who died for France take, which bakery is open on a Monday?

Je ressens un autre sentiment bizarre quand je rentre dans un magasin ou à l’office de tourisme alors que je parle à mon bien-aimé en anglais, et quand je m’entends dire que je parle très bien le français par ceux et celles à qui je m’adresse ensuite dans ma langue maternelle! Dans ce cas, j’avoue toujours mes origines, et c’est là qu’on me dit que je parle bien anglais, alors! Un sentiment bizarre, mais très agréable. 

I feel another funny feeling when I go into a shop or into the tourist office while speaking in English with my beloved, and when I’m told that I speak French very well from those with whom I then use my mother tongue! In that case, I always admit to my origins, and that it is when I am told that I speak very good English, then! A funny feeling, but a very agreeable one. 

Et vous, chers amis et lecteurs? Devenez-vous jamais touristes dans votre propre pays? Si vous habitez à l’étranger, qu’éprouvez-vous quand vous revenez au bercail pour une visite, ou en touriste? Est-ce là pour vous un sentiment étrange, agréable, déconcertant? Je suis très curieux de savoir si je suis le seul à éprouver ce sentiment tellement bizarre. 

And you, dear friends and readers? Do you ever become tourists in your own country? And if you live abroad, what do you feel when you come back to the nest for a visit, or as a tourist? Is this a weird, nice or disconcerting feeling? I am very curious to know if I am the only one to experience this funny feeling. 

12 Jan

What a show!

It is very nearly upon us, and I will not lie to you or sugarcoat the truth: I am SO excited!! I am talking here of the France Show, which will take place at Olympia, in London, at the end of the month. For three days, yours truly will man stand L59, meeting lots of new people and have a great time in general. This will be my first show, and I know I’ve chosen the right one, as The France Show unites all things French under one roof.

There’s the language forum, the main stage (the P&O Choir will be performing!), can-can dancers, guest celebrities, cookery demonstrations, lots of great food and drink, and there’s even a boulodrome, where people can practise their pétanque skills before the summer.

If you love France, the cuisine, the wine, the countryside and the cities, the culture and yes, even the people, you should come over. Whether you are looking for advice, language lessons, ideas for your next holidays or a gîte for your next stay in France, you will find it all at the France Show. And more importantly, you will meet me! So come say hello. I even have a few FREE tickets to give away, so get in touch!

arnaud@arnaudslanguagekitchen.com

www.thefranceshow.com

 

TOUT UN SPECTACLE!

On y est presque, et je ne vous mentirai pas, même au risque d’être mielleux: je suis TELLEMENT excité!! Je vous parle ici du France Show, qui aura lieu à Olympia, à Londres, à la fin du mois. Pendant trois jours, votre serviteur qui vous parle s’occupera du stand L59, et rencontrera plein de nouvelles personnes et s’amusera comme un petit fou. Ça sera mon premier Salon, et je crois avoir choisi le bon, vu que le France Show réunit tout ce qui concerne la France sous le même toit.

Il y a le forum linguistique, la scène principale (où le Choeur P&O vous donnera la sérénade!), le French can-can, des invités célèbres, des demonstrations de cuisine, plein de bonnes choses à boire et à manger, et il y a même un boulodrome, où vous pouvez vous entraîner à la pétanque avant l’été.

Si vous aimez la France, la cuisine, le vin, la campagne et les villes, la culture et oui, même les Français, vous devriez venir faire un tour. Que vous soyez à la recherche de conseils, de leçons de français, d’idées pour vos prochaines vacances ou d’un gîte pour votre prochain séjour en France, vous trouverez tout cela au France Show. Et, ce qui est encore plus important, vous ferez ma rencontre! Alors venez me dire bonjour. J’ai même quelques tickets GRATUITS à donner, alors envoyez-moi un mail!

arnaud@arnaudslanguagekitchen.com

www.thefranceshow.com

23 Dec

5 Most Popular Tours in France

So you’ve been learning French at Arnaud’s Language Kitchen; you can conjugate verbs like you’ve been doing it all your life (or close enough anyway)… It’s time to put your newfound skills to the test.

At Winerist our expertise lies in creating unique, off-the-beaten-path experiences for travellers looking to get a real taste for a place’s culture. We think the best way to experience a place or discover a language is to experience it with the locals – they’re the people who have shaped those areas and made them what they are.

So to help you practise your French we’ve picked our 5 most popular wine and food tours in France, from bespoke winery tours to intimate meet-and-greets with the winemakers. After all, nothing gets the French flowing like a few glasses of wine.

St Emilion Wine Tour by Bike

Escape to Bordeaux for a full day tour; with a personal guide you’ll visit the charming village of St. Emilion, a UNESCO World Heritage site before hopping on a bike and cycling to two impressive wine chateaux. Enjoy a delicious lunch in the middle of the vineyards and enjoy tasting wines produced in the wineries. -From €145pp

Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vineyard Tour

Discover the famous vineyards of Châteauneuf du Pape. Stop in the historical city of Avignon for a walking guided tour and visit the best wine chateaux in the area. Enjoy a lunch overlooking the vineyards and prepare yourself for some great food and wine.  – From €295pp

Deluxe Champagne Weekend

For those who love the finer things in life, our 2-night break in one of France’s most famous wine regions, the world-renowned Champagne, is the tour for you. During the weekend you’ll visit Champagne Houses including Veuve Clicquot as well as smaller, boutique ones for wine tastings. Plus enjoy a VIP tour of Dom Perignon and a gourmet 4-course meal in one of Champagne’s finest restaurants. -From £401pp

Loire Valley Day Tour

Travelling through the gorgeous countryside of central France, Tour the heart of the Loire Valley, experience its history and culture….and its wines. Visit wineries and enjoy wine tastings and a delicious French lunch. -From €220pp

Full Day Provence Wine Tasting Private Tour

The lavender fields of Provence are something to behold. Discover their beauty during this full day tour as well as visiting the historic city of Aix en Provence and two wineries for wine tastings. -From €585.

This article was written by Winerist – the largest online wine and food travel marketplace. Our aim is to help create authentic travel experiences for travellers who want to discover the true culture of a place. With off-the-beaten-path tours and gorgeous hotels in over 75 locations worldwide, a trip with Winerist is a trip with the locals. For more tours in France, click here.