The Architecture of Nancy: A Mirror of a Thousand Years of History

The architecture of Nancy tells the history of the former capital of the Dukes of Lorraine.Nancy is the city where I was born. My city of the heart, ... Read more!

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The Vosges Farm Inns: A Meal with the Taste of the Mountains

The Vosges farm inns may not ring a bell if you’ve never travelled to this corner of north-eastern France, yet they are among the most authentic and heart-warming ... Read more!

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Place Diana in Paris: How a Flame Became a Memorial

Many people visiting the Flame of Liberty at Place Diana in Paris think it was built in memory of Princess Diana. I used to think that too. After ... Read more!

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Henri IV: A King Assassinated in Rue de la Ferronnerie in Paris

Henri IV may have been one of France’s most popular kings, but Paris hides his darkest secret in plain sight. Take the Rue de la Ferronnerie, for instance. ... Read more!

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Célèbre vs Fameux: The False Friend That Will Trip You Up

When I was living in Australia, I often found myself saying, La France me manque — I miss France.It was one of those little French sentences I repeated over and over, ... Read more!

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Flames of Faith: Molsheim and the Counter-Reformation in Alsace

Molsheim and the Counter-Reformation tells the story of a small Alsatian town that rose to prominence as a Catholic stronghold in the shadow of Protestant Strasbourg. In the ... Read more!

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Southwick, Hampshire: The Red-Door Village with D-Day Secrets

Nestled beneath the northern slope of Portsdown Hill, at the southern end of the Meon Valley, Southwick looks like something straight out of a picture postcard: half-timbered cottages, thatched ... Read more!

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The French Word “et” That Refuses to Link

Ahh... the French word "et" and the mysterious French liaison.It all started with a question from my French student, Janis.“You said et — and there was no liaison. Is that ... Read more!

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Molsheim, Alsace: Where History and Speed Collide

My last visit to Molsheim in Alsace was back in December 2018.It was that kind of crisp, dry cold that nips at your cheeks and makes you want ... Read more!

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French Verbs in Near Future (Futur Proche)

When I was living in Australia, I often found myself saying, La France me manque — I miss France.It was one of those little French sentences I repeated over and over, ... Read more!

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The French Travel Verbs That’ll Send You in Circles

When I was living in Australia, I often found myself saying, La France me manque — I miss France.It was one of those little French sentences I repeated over and over, ... Read more!

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Appeler, épeler, épiler–beware the confusion!

When I was living in Australia, I often found myself saying, La France me manque — I miss France.It was one of those little French sentences I repeated over and over, ... Read more!

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Longest Bench in the World? I Sat Down to Investigate

I've got a 'petite devinette' for you: who really has the longest bench in the world? Well, I went to Geneva to find out...It was during my most ... Read more!

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“Tour” in French — One Word, Two Genders, Many Meanings

When I was living in Australia, I often found myself saying, La France me manque — I miss France.It was one of those little French sentences I repeated over and over, ... Read more!

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Visiter vs. Rendre Visite: Don’t Visit Your Grandma Like a Museum!

When I was living in Australia, I often found myself saying, La France me manque — I miss France.It was one of those little French sentences I repeated over and over, ... Read more!

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Supporter or Soutenir? Don’t Let This French False Friend Fool You

When I was living in Australia, I often found myself saying, La France me manque — I miss France.It was one of those little French sentences I repeated over and over, ... Read more!

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Terroir or Territoire? Which Word to Use in France?

Let’s set the scene.You’re in a picturesque French village. There’s a sign pointing to a route des vins, someone is explaining the magic of the local soil, and you ... Read more!

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French Adjectives: The Secret Word Order You Need to Know

Imagine this: you’re strolling through a charming French village, admiring une maison blanche. You turn to your friend and proudly say, “Look! A white house — une blanche maison!”Well… not quite.In English, ... Read more!

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Être vs Avoir in the Past Tense: A Quick Learning Guide

Picture this: you’re sitting at a little café in Lyon, chatting to the waiter about your day.You want to say: I arrived this morning, we went to the cathedral, she stayed ... Read more!

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Mastering Manquer: The French Verb That Tricks Every Traveller

When I was living in Australia, I often found myself saying, La France me manque — I miss France.It was one of those little French sentences I repeated over and over, ... Read more!

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