Really French

Fun with French Idioms

French language is very rich in idioms. Some are very well known and some do not even make sense to the French themselves. Let's see some idioms as well as their meaning and history. (more…)

A small house in the centre of Arnay-le-duc

What a great summer we've had. Most of the time has been spent in Burgundy, our only problem has been the lack of time to explore everything on the list we made. I really enjoy Burgundy, however when visiting we all tend to privilege the vine yards and better known monuments.And when doing so, we forget lesser known places such as the Morvan. The Morvan is a very wonderful place to visit, full of legends and contrasts, there is even a town called Avallon. The granite and limestone hills climb over 900 metres above sea level, there are very large forests with a mixture of pine and oak.With lakes and streams…

The Republican Calendar

One of the difficulties when studying French history and especially for the genealogists wishing to discover their French roots, is the change of calendar that occurred from the 22nd September 1792 until the 1st January 1806. Straight after of the storming of the Bastille in July 1789 during the French Revolution, some people started to mention the year 1789 as the First year of Freedom ( l'an 1 ). (more…)

The Siege and Battle of Alésia

[caption id="attachment_1142" align="alignleft" width="150"] Alésia[/caption] The Siege and Battle of Alésia (52 BC) Gaul (which approximately corresponds to today's France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland , Italy and Germany) was mainly under the dominance of Rome. When the tribe of the Eburones (certainly living around the Dutch Limburg region) rebelled against Rome and annihilated the famous XIV Legion, a feeling of rebellion spread the pacified Gallic tribes. (more…)

The Battle of Crecy

The Battle of Crecy (1346) [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="143"] Picardy[/caption] At the dawn of the Hundred Years' War, Edward III, King of England, lead a military campaign to pillage northern French provinces. In July 1346, Edward III landed in Normandy with around 40,000 men. Afraid, the cities opened their gates to the English forces who plundered the lands. (more…)

Kings, Emperors and Presidents of France Part 5: From Napoleon I to the Third Republic

Napoléon Bonaparte is elected First Consul in 1799 with Roger Ducos and Joseph Sieyès then First Consul for Life in 1802. The 18th of May 1804, the Constitution declared him Emperor of the French and it is approved by a plebiscite in November. Napoleon I is sacred at Notre-Dame-de-Paris on 2nd December of the same year. We are now in the period called the First Empire. The Senate deposed him the 3rd April 1814 and Napoléon abdicates in favor of his son. Three days later, he offers his unconditional abdication. (more…)

Kings, Emperors and Presidents of France Part 4 : The Capetian dynasty and the Bourbons.

King Henry III of Navarre, distant cousin of Henri III of France ( the last Valois King of France ) is designated legitimate heir to the French throne. Under the name of Henry IV, he belongs to the Bourbon dynasty and thus became the first King of this Capetian branch. (more…)

Kings, Emperors and Presidents of France Part 3 : The Capetian dynasty and the Valois.

With the death of Louis V, the last Carolingian ruler, his dynasty ended. It is the beginning of the Capetian Dynasty, which will be divided into several houses ( or branches ) : The direct Capetian ( main branch ), the Valois and the Bourbons. The Valois are themselves divided into smaller branches, the d'Orléans and the Angoulême. (more…)

Kings, Emperors of France Part 2 : The Carolingien dynasty

After Childéric III was dethroned by Pépin le Bref ( translated by Pepin the Short ) in AD 751, the Carolingian dynasty took the crown of France. He had no claim to the throne so he needed the support of the Catholic Church which he won with the Pope Zacharie. Childéric died in the Saint-Denis Abbey in 768. (more…)

Kings, Emperors and Presidents of France Part

1 : The Mérovingien dynasty In the History of France, the country has been ruled by four dynasties of sovereigns and by five Republics. You will find the details of all these rulers in chronological order. (more…)

Memories of the French Resistance in Burgundy

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] French resistance members[/caption] Etienne Jovignot lived in a small village along the canal in the Cote d'Or department of Burgundy. These are his memories of events that happened during the Second World War in the village and lasted a few days. (more…)

The Camargue

The Camargue is a region in southern France on the delta of the river Rhone and Mediterranean coast. Rich in faun and flora, this unique part of France has retained a long history of tradition, pride and a certain way of life. [caption id="attachment_902" align="aligncenter" width="530"] The Camargue[/caption] (more…)

Photos of Aigues Mortes

The ancient fortified town of Aigues Mortes, is a lively and worthwhile destination in the south of France, located on the coast in the department of the Hérault and the Languedoc-Roussillon region and the Petit Camargue. A once important port for the crusades, the massive walls with 6 towers and 10 doors, surround the town protecting the citizens from the sea and invasions. From afar you can see the Tower of Constance which is the tallest building within the walls. Click to view the photos and read more about Aigues Mortes (more…)

The house that Jacques built

Buy and renovating a house in France Vacant for more than 80 years I had already been living in France for a couple of years and working seasonal jobs to earn my keep. After working in the Provence in the south, then the Loire, I became very fond of the Burgundy region. I had been working in the area for a while and became attached to many Burgundian charms. The colourful landscape and varied climate, strong traditions and of course the wines. So this is the story of how I purchased my first house in France, the problems of renovating and turning it into what became my family home. (more…)

What’s in a French baguette ?

As in many countries and cultures, the French loaf of bread ("baguette") is a daily requirement of the diet. (more…)

Gilles de Rais, a horrific mystery

Gilles de Rais was a Knight of Brittany, a Marshal of France, Baron of Retz and Lord of a dozen other places in the Western France. Born Gilles de Montmorency-Laval in 1404-1405 in Machecoul ( Brittany ), he inherited a high-place in the French hierarchy. His patrimony was certainly more important than many princes and princesses at this time and Gilles de Rais' military skills during the Breton duchy succession war attributed him the favours of the Breton Duke and a place in the Royal court. (more…)

Gevaudan part II

Despite the injuries the Beast suffered, it disappeared once again. Although Marie-Jeanne Valet's lance proved that the Beast had been severely wounded, neither François Antoine nor his men were able to trace the mysterious animal. (more…)

The Beast of Gévaudan Part I : a horrific mystery.

Summer 1764, we are in the Gévaudan ( nowadays, it is in the Lozère department ). A young farm girl looking after a herd of cows is suddenly attacked by a beast which looks like a wolf, but much bigger. Fortunately, the cows come forward and protect the girl. The Beast flees and the farm girl is safe... (more…)

101 things to know about France

So you think you know France as well as the French ? Here are a hundred and one things that you should know ! Read through the list, send us your comments, your remarks, your questions and your answers. (more…)

France swings left

François Hollande is now the president of France. and France swings to the left. With an 81% turnout the results are: Francois Hollande: 51.7% Nicolas Sarkozy: 48.3%