At the mention of its name, the inhabitants of Metz would flee inside their homes. The Graoully was a powerful, ugly, nasty monster that raged in and around ... Read more!
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Tracing French History with the Maps of France
I've always had a passion for geography. I'm crazy about road maps. I can't say it's a passion, but whenever the opportunity arises, I could spend hours with ... Read more!
Tracing the Remains of the Bastille Fortress in Paris
The Bastille Fortress is an ancient monument whose name spread worldwide following its storming by the Revolutionaries on 14 July 1789. This day, engraved in the collective memory ... Read more!
The Territoire de Belfort: a unique département in France
In 2022, the Territoire de Belfort celebrates its 100th birthday. This is an opportunity to take a look at the strange destiny of the smallest French department (outside ... Read more!
The Ensisheim meteorite: a divine omen for Austria?
How a falling meteorite precipitated the war between Austria and France. The Ensisheim meteorite, which fell in 1492 in front of the walls of the former Austrian capital, ... Read more!
The Douaumont Ossuary: Memorial of the Battle of Verdun
A few days before the Armistice of November 11, 1918, I propose you discover a place of memory in Lorraine: the Douaumont Ossuary. Located a few kilometres from ... Read more!
The 1356 Basel Earthquake: What Happened?
Almost 700 years later, it is still being talked about. The 1356 Basel earthquake left a lasting impression on the Upper Rhine regions of Alsace, northwest Switzerland and ... Read more!
The Cross of Lorraine: the fascinating story of a symbol
This symbol of hope and faith in victory is without doubt one of the most popular French emblems. Although the origin of the cross of Lorraine seems to ... Read more!
Queen Elizabeth II in France: What places did she visit?
Throughout her reign (1953-2022), the Queen of England expressed her pleasure at discovering France, “this beautiful country” which she first visited in 1948. On many occasions, the Queen ... Read more!
French History Trivia: How France got its name?
In a previous article, I talked about what is France in French. I’d like to continue on this topic and ask the question: how France got its name? ... Read more!
How the Eiffel Tower was saved from destruction
The City of Paris gave Gustave Eiffel a concession that allowed the tower to stand for 20 years until 1909. That year, the ownership would revert to the ... Read more!
A short biography of Napoleon Bonaparte
You may hate him or love him… but you can’t ignore Napoleon Bonaparte, the former French emperor! Born in 1769 in Corsica from the minor nobility, Napoleon rose ... Read more!
The Dome church of Les Invalides and Napoleon’s tomb
The glittering golden roof of the Dome church is an unmissable landmark in the Parisian landscape. Situated in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, the monument is the symbol of ... Read more!
Discover the original tombstone of Napoleon in Paris
Whether liked or hated, Napoleon Bonaparte still fascinates today. Since its exile to the remote island of St. Helena, many mysteries have surrounded the French Emperor. One of them ... Read more!
Secrets of the statue of Napoleon at Les Invalides
Enter in the historic Hôtel des Invalides in the 7th arrondissement of Paris and head to the main courtyard. Standing on the upper level opposite the entrance to the main courtyard, the ... Read more!
When the Jardin d’Acclimatation was a human zoo
At the entrance of the Jardin d’Acclimatation is a commemorative plaque which does not draw much attention. It was only because we were waiting for friends before entering ... Read more!
The Fountain of the Croix-du-Trahoir in Paris
Today the intersection of rue Saint-Honoré and rue de l’Arbre-Sec is part of one of the nicest parts of Paris. There, in the heart of the 1st arrondissement is a little fountain known as Croix-du-Trahoir. It ... Read more!
Fluctuat nec Mergitur: Paris’ Motto
The motto of the City of Paris is a Latin phrase “Fluctuat nec mergitur”, which has been used since at least 1358. Fluctuat nec Mergitur Paris’ Coat of arms, ... Read more!
Louis XIV, the Sun King: A Short Biography
More than three hundred years ago, Louis XIV died in the Palace of Versailles at the end of a reign of 72 years and 110 days, the longest ... Read more!
Provins: France’s third largest city in the Middle-Ages
Today we visited the medieval town of Provins situated 80 kilometres South-East of Paris in the Seine-et-Marne département. One striking fact drew our attention… Firstly, take a look ... Read more!
