Monthly Archives: June 2007

[youtube]SAMAr8y-Vtw[/youtube] Parkour (sometimes abbreviated to PK) or ‘l’art du déplacement (English: the art of displacement) is a physical activity of French origin, the aim of which is to move from point A to point B as efficiently and quickly as … Continue reading →

Here’s the first part of this weekend’s articles about France and the French: Streisand given French Legion of Honor medal (MSNBC) Barbra Streisand performed her first-ever concert in France this week — and was rewarded with a medal of the … Continue reading →

I don’t think this is a healthy development: French gendarmes have begun training to use the controversial crowd control weapon, the Taser. The gun fires two wires which penetrate clothing. They deliver 50,000 volts, which briefly paralyses the nervous system. … Continue reading →

It looks like they can’t get rid of them: Are you dying to wave the French flag? Get one on Amazon. For just $2.99 you get a 3 x 5 ft Polyester flag with 2 brass grommets. That’s $17 off … Continue reading →

French kids can’t wait for the translation: Three weeks before the release in Britain of the very last Harry Potter book, a publisher in France has released a special English to French dictionary to help French Potter-buffs plough their way … Continue reading →

[youtube]FhSXbVm9E8c[/youtube] Even if you have no idea who Ravel was and what Bolero is, you’ll recognize the music when you hear it. French composer Maurice Ravel wrote this magical piece of music nearly 80 years ago, and even today it … Continue reading →

BBC Correspondent says ‘Au revoir’ to Paris After four years on the job, BBC’s Caroline Wyatt leaves Paris behind her. On the BBC site, she expresses her feelings, and writes about her experiences with the French public service. A quote: … Continue reading →

The 18th century facades of Bordeaux center. Since yesterday, Bordeaux has become a World Heritage site The World Heritage Committee has just inscribed 22 new sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. After the additions made this year, UNESCO’s World Heritage … Continue reading →

The world’s oldest running car is a French one – and it’s for sale The catchy-sounding De Dion-Bouton et Trapardoux was built in France in 1884. Among its many credentials, “La Marquise” is a steam-powered four-wheeled car that is believed … Continue reading →

Out of luck: Sarko wants your money. Each time a new president is elected, the French expect to get amnesty for their traffic fines. No luck this time. Nicolas Sarkozy has decided to break with the tradition and insists that … Continue reading →

If you can’t stand the crowing stay out of the French countryside The French cockerel (or coq gaulois) is more than a national symbol, it is an emblem of rural life in La France Profonde. So the nation watched with … Continue reading →

The Wimbledon dress code is strict – to some degree French tennis star Tatiana Golovin caused a stir at Wimbledon, when she showed that she wore a pair of shocking red knickers. The Wimbledon dress code specifies that all players … Continue reading →

Scene from the movie Ratatouille, copyright Disney/Pixar. As Disney film arrives, this vegetarian delight is easy to put together Perhaps this is the year we credit an animated rat with teaching us how to spell ratatouille (pronounced ra-ta-TOO-ee). Remy, a … Continue reading →

Intensive agriculture is taking its toll: Nitrates in drink water The European Commission is planning to punish France hard for not doing enough to stop polluting drink water sources in Brittany. They’re looking at a 28 million euro fine. For … Continue reading →

Irish-born cookery writer Trish Deseine sells her books in France like hot cakes. Now, she’s written her first cookbook in English, for a British audience. The title “Nobody Does it Better” refers to French women in the kitchen. Each chapter … Continue reading →