Marie-Antoinette never meant to be Queen of France?
How much do you know about Marie-Antoinette’s Austrian childhood? That she was a bit of a tom boy? That she was a bad student? That all...
top of page
Virginie Paradis
May 16, 20144 min read
Are the French really miserable?
You must have been reading it all over the newspapers and magazines: France is the most miserable nation of the world. Oh non!!!...
Virginie Paradis
May 11, 20142 min read
What did 1900’s Provence look like?
Marcel Pagnol (1895 – 1974) was a French Provençal novelist, playwright and filmmaker. I admire him for being bold, daring,...
Virginie Paradis
Apr 1, 20141 min read
Poisson d’avril! No kidding!
In America, just like in France, April 1st is the day for jokes! But we have something extra in France! We call it “Poisson d’avril”! =...
Virginie Paradis
Mar 27, 20147 min read
French impressionism is coming to Seattle! April 17th!
Artist: Valerie Collymore – please scroll down to read her interview! Modernism and impressionism are the results of the famous...
Virginie Paradis
Jan 27, 20142 min read
Has the French romantic nature died?
For some it has. The French live today in a society of pleasure and control. We agree to love each other but certainly not to suffer. ...
Virginie Paradis
Jan 21, 20142 min read
What French man said: “I do not like women. Love must be reinvented”?
“I do not like women. Love must be reinvented.” Qui veut réinventer l’amour? Who wants to reinvent love? A young French man. A genius. A...
Virginie Paradis
Dec 30, 20131 min read
Happy New Year, Saint Sylvestre!
Bon Réveillon de la Saint Sylvestre à tous! If you ever look at a French calendar, you will notice that each day corresponds to a Saint....
Virginie Paradis
Dec 28, 20132 min read
Why is French Christmas different?
In France: -We don’t go for the super festive Christmas lights outside our houses -We don’t have Christmas carolers -We don’t eat gravy...
Virginie Paradis
Dec 2, 20132 min read
How about 13 desserts in Provence for Christmas?
The 13 desserts are the traditional way to celebrate Christmas in Provence! They represent Jesus and the 12 apostles and remain out for...
Virginie Paradis
Nov 20, 20132 min read
French chauvinistic?
Here is what I found in the Lonely Planet Discover France guide: “Arrogant, bureaucratic, chauvinistic, and stylish… France is a country...
Virginie Paradis
Oct 21, 20131 min read
How is French writing like prostitution?
Ask Molière! He will tell you! But before he does, have you ever heard of him? Molière is our French Shakespeare ! One of the greatest...
Virginie Paradis
Oct 15, 20132 min read
French Cabaret the Four Seasons’ way!
Like a lot of other fine things, Cabaret was born in France! Who doesn’t know this poster? Well this is how it all started in 1881… In...
Virginie Paradis
Oct 4, 20132 min read
The French invented Love!
Les Français ont inventé l’Amour… l’Amour Courtois! (“courtois” comes from “la court” because this new kind of love was only to be...
Virginie Paradis
Sep 30, 20131 min read
Fromage is serious business
The rules of the Fromage! We all agree, le fromage est délicieux. But it doesn’t mean you can jump on your platter without knowing what...
Virginie Paradis
Sep 1, 20134 min read
La France rebelle!
One of the French personality traits is that we are rebels! It is not just a stereotype! We are a people of riots and revolutions! ...
Virginie Paradis
Aug 25, 20133 min read
When Algeria was French…
The French colonies The “First French Empire” operated from the 17th century to 1814, when most of it was lost. The “Second French...
Virginie Paradis
Jul 14, 20132 min read
What do we celebrate on Bastille Day?
Happy Bastille Day tout le monde! But exactly what do French people celebrate on July 14th? Of course, everyone is going to say the...
Virginie Paradis
Jun 30, 20132 min read
Séraphine Louis: Magical French Female Painter
Most people had not heard of the painter Séraphine Louis (AKA Séraphine de Senlis) before this beautiful movie came out in France in...
Virginie Paradis
Jun 16, 20131 min read
Bonne fête Papa!
Aujourd’hui (dimanche 16 juin) c’est la fête des pères en France! On dit: “ Bonne fête Papa! ” Today (Sunday June 16th) it is Father’s...
%20(6).png)
bottom of page