The poppy is a powerful and iconic symbol of remembrance in England, but did you know that the French have an equivalent, ‘Le Bleuet de France’, their own poignant reminder of the First World War?
Many a Bac (equivalent of A-Levels) student has quivered at the sight of Victor Hugo’s name on the test paper… how will you fare with this 19th century poem?
Toussaint, Castanyadas, Armistice 1918 and how The Unknown Soldier was chosen, and poor old ladies of over twenty-five….
This year we take the time once again to thank all those ordinary men and women who went on to do extraordinary things 100 years ago – and then again just 20 years later.
The word ‘terrorist’ actually sprung up around 1795 during the French Revolution.
How about a bit of cave magic for Christmas?
It would be understandable to assume that the word ‘bonfire’ comes from a mix of French and English……
If you go to Vernet-les-Bains, look out for the ‘Entente Cordiale’ monument next to the mairie, the only one of its kind in France.
There are still some harvests to gather in the garden – the last few marrows and gourds need to be picked before the frosts, and the rows of parsnips are now demanding to be harvested to provide winter delights such as parsnip chips and curried parsnip soup, which are practically unknown to the French.
The annual ‘trêve hivernale’ (winter truce), starts from the Ist November and ends 31st March.