"Not one of the other Stephen Clarkes you might have read about, who include an Olympic swimmer, a world-record-holding pumpkin sculptor and various criminals. I'm just the author whose new novel, Merde at the Paris Olympics, is now out." -- Stephen Clarke
If you are an expat in Paris (or not!) you must know the adventures of Paul West, The hero of A Year in the Merde and its sequels depicting French lifestyle from his personal perspective as an English man. The books became incredibly famous as many people could relate to the story. Who never had problems adapting to a new country? The language, the workplace, meeting people... many subjects tackled in the books with a great sense of humour. As a French girl, I was very amused by those books. Even if Stephen Clarke gently points out some of our weird traits, it is obvious that deep down he really loves France. As a matter of fact, I found out he lives in France! I spent a few years in…Lisa
Sing C’est la Vie by Sonny and Cher
Christmas in Paris – oh the lights!
Christmas Poem
A Christmas poem, how about two ! To wish our readers a “Merry Christmas to all et Bonne Année à tous!” One is two centuries old and the second a contemporary piece that shares the same rhythm.
The first is the famous Christmas poem thought to be written by Clement Clarke Moore "Twas the Night Before Christmas" in a bilingual version. Moore was a 19th century American writer and scholar and is mostly remembered for his Christmas poem which was originally title "A Visit from Saint Nicholas" which legend says he wrote on Christmas Eve in 1822 during a sleigh ride home from Greenwich Village (imagine riding in a sleigh in New York city!) after buying a turkey for his family (no doubt fresh from the farm). The poem is known for having defined our now timeless image of Santa Claus and for naming the eight reindeer! It was published (in English only and anonymously) the first time on December 23, 1823 by a New York newspaper, The Sentinel, one of t…Do you know these French facts…
Do you know these French facts and tidbits…
the western most point in France is the Point du Raz at the tip of Brittany. The department is called the Finistère… do you hear it? Fini-terre? The end of the earth. these town names in France that will make an English speaker giggle: Plaisir, Bitche, Les Cars, Brainville, Contest, Le Sap, Stains, Dangers, Brest, Hompes, Bard, Félines, Linge, Facture, Le Barp, Condom, Anus, Ars, Seix, Tendon, Bard, Nevers, Grouchy, Le Bugue, Saint Hilaire-ious! this jingle by British Victorian poet Erskine, c.1850:The French have taste in all they do,
Which we are quite without;
For Nature, that to them gave goût
To us gave only gout.
the Buttes-Chaumont were built on a mound of clay where …A Quatre-quarts is a Pound cake
The French use the word "cake" or quatre-quarts (four quarters) or sometimes even fondant for what English speakers call a pound cake. Like muffins it can be either savory or sweet. The sweet version is in fact four ingredients (eggs, flour, butter and sugar) in equal quantities measured by weight (the French cook using weight not volume), so each is a quarter of the total, hence the name quatre-quarts. It is best to start with the eggs because you can't use just part of an egg! So whisk and weigh your eggs (4 - there's that number again - will make an average loaf) then weigh out the same amount of each of the other ingredients as you have eggs. Whisk the sugar into the eggs for 4 (!) minutes, then gently mix in the flour and lastly the melted but cooled butter. Some people like to add a sachet of levure chimique as well for a fluffier loaf. Add a bit of vanilla, rum, lemon peel, orange flower water to the batter... for extra style! Pour the batter into a loaf pan and pla…
A Visit to Paris’s Place des Etats-Unis
Quintessential French Objects
Do you dream of moving to France?
Do you dream of moving to France? Profiles in Franceformation is a podcast where you hear from inspiring people who have pursued their dream of moving to France. You learn about why they moved, how they overcame the challenges they faced, and what they love - and hate - about living in France.
The podcast offers interviews with entrepreneurs, retirees, language teachers, editors, dancers, authors, organizers, psychologists, trailing spouses... people from the USA, Puerto Rico, the UK, Australia... stories of immigration, househunting, wine, culture shock, bureacracy... all of those who make up our rich and varied anglo community of expats in all corners of France.
Recently Profiles in Franceformation host Allison Grant Lounes posted her 67th interview. She spoke to Lisa Vanden Bos, who has been a pillar of the American community in France, since she arrived three decades ago. Lisa is the spouse and collaborator of John Vanden Bos who is the creator of FUSAC…