If you are learning French, there is no escaping it: the subjunctive. You need it whenever you express a wish, emotion, necessity, or doubt. A quick refresher: When do you use the subjunctive? Wish or will – Such as: Je veux… Emotion or judgment – Such as: Je suis content que… or Il est dommage… […]
Did you know that until the 18th century, you could not visit a ‘restaurant’ in France? You could only drink a restaurant. The French in old France could restore themselves with a cup of strong and nutritious bouillon. That soup was called a restaurant, from the word restaurer, which means to restore or refresh. In […]
Martin Parr, Global Warning Jeu de Paume is hosting a major exhibition by the renowned British photographer Martin Parr. In this showcase, Parr takes an ironic look at themes such as overconsumption and mass tourism. Location: Jeu de Paume When: from January 30 to May 24, 2026 Reservations and info: https://jeudepaume.org/ Renoir and Love The […]
The passive voice allows you to shift the emphasis in a sentence. This is also possible in English using the passive form. But how does it work in French? The voix passive is used to emphasize the subject undergoing an action. This differs from the active voice, where the focus is on the person performing […]
On November 20, 2025, as on the third Thursday of November every year, wine enthusiasts worldwide celebrate the arrival of the new Beaujolais Nouveau vintage. Did you know that Beaujolais wine is deeply rooted in French history? The origins of the French wine event Beaujolais Nouveau vin primeur lie in a practical regulation from the […]
From November 1 to 11, true food lovers flock to Burgundy. That is where you will find the Foire Internationale et Gastronomique de Dijon: the largest and oldest gastronomic fair. Every year in early November, Dijon, the capital of Burgundy, is entirely dedicated to gastronomy. The Foire Internationale et Gastronomique de Dijon has a history […]
Want to impress with your French? Use idioms. Even if you sometimes have to forget the literal meaning. Do you want someone to stop bragging? Then say: arrête de te la péter! Literally: Stop blowing yourself up. The meaning in French: Stop bragging. Are you annoyed by someone? Then you can say: faire chier quelqu’un. […]
Many tourists are unfamiliar with it: Parc Georges Brassens. It is a place to stroll through, especially on weekends when there is a second-hand book market. In the southwest of Paris, you will find a charming park on the site of what was once a slaughterhouse. Today, it is a peaceful green space with ponds […]
Did you know that during a visit to Paris, you can find yourself in a completely different world in just a few steps? Located near the famous Jardin des Plantes is the Grande Mosquée de Paris. The Grande Mosquée de Paris is the largest mosque in France. It was opened in 1926 to honor the […]
In French, various pronouns (pronoms) are used to avoid repetition. They make your sentences shorter and more elegant. How do you say in French: ‘That is not my bicycle, that is yours’ without repeating ‘bicycle’? This can be achieved with pronouns! Below, we cover possessive pronouns (pronoms possessifs), demonstrative pronouns (pronoms démonstratifs), and indefinite pronouns […]
