Posts Tagged ‘learning french’

Postcards from Paris December 2017

12/07/17 by Paris-Travel | Blog, French Culture, Paris Newsletter, Postcards from Paris, Website | No Comments »

• The Christmas illuminations on the Champs-Elysées are always extraordinary at this time of year.
• Have you heard of the Big Wheel which will be in the Place de la Concorde? It’s a must-visit at 70 metres high, with incredible views over Paris.

Need to do some shopping?

• Check out the Christmas markets at Notre-Dame, Les Invalides and La Défense.
• When it’s time to rest your weary feet, why not grab a coffee or a wine and a bite to eat in one of the surrounding cafes and bistros?
• Taste some of the local and regional produce in the markets and find great gifts among the fabulous handcrafted piece.

Want to see some gorgeous Christmas window displays in Paris?

• Both children and adults adore the enchanting Christmas window displays in the department stores. View them at the Galeries Lafayette, Printemps Haussmann, BHV on Rue de Rivoli and the Bon Marché in the 7th arrondissement.

For a truly fabulous New Year’s Eve in Paris, head over to the Champs-Elysées on 31st December for the extravaganza light show!

---

Learning French:  Top 10 Words in French Everyday Slang (video)

Let me know which of these slang words you’re going to try :-)

---

Will you be in Paris in time for the Christmas Markets?

I’ve written about Christmas and the Yuletide season a few times, and I’d like to share these stories with you:

• Paris France Christmas Markets
• Joyeux Noel means Merry Christmas!
• Noel a Paris … means Christmas in Paris!
• Christmas in Paris

Things happening in Paris over the Holidays

• December | Christmas  |  January 2018 in Paris!

What about New Year’s Eve in gai Paree?

• Looking to find something special to do? Check out this amazing list of ideas >>

---

Where to buy a pint of beer for 4 Euros or less in Paris?

• Check out this great list!

 

Postcards from Paris May 2017

05/01/17 by Paris-Travel | Blog, Postcards from Paris, Website | No Comments »

Welcome to Postcards from Paris May 2017!

If you’re new to Postcards from Paris — WELCOME! My name is Teena Hughes, I’m an Australian who has lived in Paris several times, and I love to go back once a year and spend about six weeks feeling like a local Parisienne :-)  I catch up with my friends I met there over twenty years ago, plus I host Adventures.  I’ve also written a couple of books about Paris, and I love this city more than any other.

Enjoy the little French tidbits I have for you today, and do get in touch if you’d like to chat or ask a question. Here we go!

 

What’s on in May?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI_ueblWV2g

---

More of what’s on in May

I have a longer list of things to do in May here >>

---

Festivals and Events

20th May: Museum Night

As part of the global Museum Night event, Paris museums will open their doors free of charge for visitors until 1:00 am, as part of the global Museum Night. There will be special events and much more in many Paris major museums.

22nd May to 11th June: The 2017 French Open at Roland Garros

This is one of France’s most exciting and important tournaments. The French Open continues to host some of the world’s unforgettable matches. Buying tickets several months ahead is highly recommended.

Throughout May: le Foire du Trone (Annual Fair)

Parents and kids can look forward to the annual Paris fair (Foire du Trône), which runs through the end of the month and delivers all the traditional fun of a county fair, with Ferris wheels, roller coasters, and cotton candy included.

The Jazz Festival!

and a video:

.

11th to 22nd May: Saint-Germain-des-Prés Jazz Festival

This is Paris’ most famous annual jazz festival which is on in the St. Germain district for the 11th year running. Jazz lovers should save a day or two for this fabulous event.

• Metro: St. Germain des Prés

19th to 22nd May: Artists’ Open House in Belleville Galleries

This annual event is a fantastic opportunity for everyone to get to know some of Paris’ contemporary artists and their work, with the plus side being you also get a glimpse of Parisian life. Over 200 artists living and working in the Belleville neighbourhood open their doors to show their work, art spaces and Studios every day from 2:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

​Arts and Exhibits Highlights

Retrospective: Eli Lotar at the Jeu de Paume

Check out Franco-Romanian photographer and filmmaker Eli Lotar — a retrospective is at the Jeu de Paume National Galleries providing a fascinating look at Lotar’s perspectives on the world and his tremendous influence on artistic movements (including modernism).

• Dates: 14th February  to 28th May, 2017
• Where: National Galleries at the Jeu de Paume

Vermeer at the Louvre Museum

This much-awaited exhibition is dedicated both to Vermeer and fellow Dutch masters at the Musee du Louvre and it is highly recommended.

• Dates: 22nd February to 22nd May 22nd, 2017
• Where: Musee du Louvre

The French Spirit: Countercultures in France, 1969-1989

A recent exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London on the spirit of the 1960s drew huge audiences; and now Paris has an exciting retrospective on French counter-cultures from the late 1960s to the late 1980s.

Rock music, photography, paints, posters and multimedia are all part of the many counter-cultural movements which resulted from the May 1968 student rebellion — with similar movements in Berkeley, London and New York. The exhibition is at the Maison Rouge exhibition space which is unfortunately soon set to close.

• Dates: February 24th- May 21st, 2017
  Where: La Maison Rouge

---

Did you know Gustave Eiffel did NOT design the Eiffel Tower (la Tour Eiffel)?!

From Travelandleisure.com:

“While Eiffel earned the naming rights for the Tower, it was actually two men who worked for his company—Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier—who drew the original design, according to Live Science. The two engineers teamed up with French architect, Stephen Sauvestre, on the plans for the monument and entered them into a contest to choose the main attraction of the World’s Fair.”

Read the rest of the 12 amazing facts about the Eiffel Tower which most people don’t know >>

---

 

Learning French with Postcards from Paris May 2017

There are some great free videos and courses for learning French!

I use the Duolingo App on my laptop and iPhone every day for 5 minutes, just to keep French in my brain on a daily basis, and I’m amazed at how much this helps!

Here is a video which is very easy to understand:

 

This one makes it easy to understand as well:

---

Free Museums to Visit on the First Sunday of each Month

Timeout has a great list of museums to visit where you don’t have to pay an entrance fee on the first Sunday of the month >>

---

Restaurants, cafes and a sandwich bar I visited in the 11th arrondissement

• A Deux Pas traditional French restaurant in Paris 75011
• Les Mandibules restaurant in Paris 75011
• West Country Girl Crepes in Paris 75011

• Le Chat Gourmand patisserie and lunch bar in 75011 Paris

More info about the 11th arrondissement

Paris City Map 75011 : Map of Paris France

---

I hope you enjoyed Postcards from Paris May 2017 today!

Let me know if you have any questions or just want to share some tips about your trip to Paris.

Post a Comment below, or click the little “Say Bonjour!” tab on the right side of the screen, or pop over to the Facebook page — I’d love to hear from you!

Ciao ciao for now,

Teena

---

Not on the Postcards from Paris Mailing list?

Pop over there now and sign up so you don’t miss out!

• Follow my adventures and things I love about Paris >>

---