la gauche caviar – the left caviar. In everyday French, la gauche means ‘the left’, but la gauche also describes the left wing of the French Parliament and all the liberals in general. The expression la gauche caviar is slightly derogatory and underlines the paradox between being a liberal – often a socialist in France – and still having a privileged and cozy way of life. I’ve heard a limousine liberal in English. And Colin, a student had this translation of ‘a champagne socialist’ that I find wonderful. Thank you, Colin.

« Comment veux-tu qu’elle comprenne ce que les SDF vivent ? Elle a deux maisons de campagne. Elle est une gauche caviar. »
- “How do you suspect she could understand what the homeless are going through? She owns two vacation houses. She’s a limousine liberal/champagne socialist.”

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Prepositions of Places – Today’s French

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Today's French

Ordering in a café – Today’s French at FrenchHour

By Anne on July 18th, 2018

Un Café Suspendu I Photo Juliegoldstone.com

Ordering in a café

Commander dans un café

Ordering in a café – Today’s French – Download the audio file and print this worksheet. Learn French and listen to Anne, a French native, say it at FrenchHour.com.

You’re just about to Order a cup of coffee in a café in France. How exciting! Here is a little dialog to help you with that. When you’re done, study the extra vocabulary.

Petit dialogue

S.Bonjour madame.
F.Bonjour monsieur. Je vais prendre un petit noir.
S.Voilà madame.

F.L’addition s’il vous plait.
S.Bien, voilà Madame. Cela fait 9,40 €.
F.Vous prenez la carte ?
S.Oui, bien sûr.
F.Voilà !
S.Bien, merci Madame. Au revoir. Bonne journée !

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eau dans son vin – French expression

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About France

Bastille Day at FrenchHour

By Anne on July 14th, 2018

Bastille Day at FrenchHour

Le 14 juillet à FrenchHour

What are Anne’s worksheets about Bastille Day? How can I study French and learn about Bastille Day at the same time?

Take the Quiz – Faites l’interro

The Origins of Bastille Day

What do the French say and do on Bastille Day?

What’s Bleu Blanc Rouge?

About the French flag

La Marseillaise – French National Anthem

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Blogue

Having a blast – Le Blogue

By Anne on July 12th, 2018

Listen to Anne in French and get lots of freebies to learn French better this week

On s'éclate – Le Blogue

Did you know?

The French are having a blast today ?

The Blues have reached the soccer World Cup final. That’s what dominates the news today.

The Tour de France racers are in Brittany. They’re cycling right now between Lorient and Quimper.

But do you know what a “Blue” or “a Quimper” are, or how Lorient got its name?

A Blue is a player on the French national soccer team, Lorient – or L’Orient – is named that way because of the beautiful West – Orient – Sun you can admire there, and a Quimper is an earthenware known to all in France.

Here are some strands of French trivia. I’m thinking you could challenge yourself with the quiz below and see how much French trivia you know.

The way to do it is to get at least 90% three times in a row.

Tell me how much you got, I’m interested: -)

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Today's French

French Faux Pas to Avoid – Today’s French at FrenchHour

By Anne on July 11th, 2018

French Faux Pas to Avoid

Des Faux pas à Éviter en France

French Faux Pas – Don’t make French blunders!

Don’t make faux pas in France. Avoid being culturally insensitive with a French person. Learn French at FrenchHour.com

Here is a list of what the French do and don’t do.

5 DOs and DON’Ts – A French Etiquette

Oui – Accept that kiss – or these kisses – a friend is about to give you to greet you ‘Bonjour’ with.
Non – Don’t bring chrysanthemums to a dinner party – they’re the ultimate death flower.
Oui – Try to avoid money and age topics in a casual conversation
Oui – Drink water or wine with your meal. Don’t ask for a soda or a hot beverage.
Oui – Learn how to say “Bonjour, Au revoir and Merci’. It will go a long way, I promise! And learn a bit of French with my Beginner’s course before you go to France. You’ll love it.