(asked by Anne from DC and – probably- currently in France) The other day when I was visiting a friend in Paris, I noticed that one of the names listed on the interphone in her building was the Comtesse de Something (I can’t remember what). So what’s the deal? France […]
French Revolution
7 posts
The Monument aux Girondins (also know as the Colonne des Girondins) is one of the landmarks of the city of Bordeaux. Located on the western end of the Place des Quinconces, it stands at 54 meters high. It was built between 1894 and 1902 to commemorate the Girondists. It’s […]
I guess that July 14th is the perfect day to tell you a little bit about Bastille Day, especially because there are a lot of misconceptions about it in the English speaking world, or rather about how Bastille Day is celebrated in France. So, here are a few debunked misconceptions, […]
I’ve recently come upon a French cultural personification called “Marianne.” My simple assumption is that she is somewhat of an analogue to “Lady Liberty”, “Uncle Sam”, or “John Bull.” For the purposes of illustration, what symbols/posture/demeanor/etc. denote a female figure as Marianne? What visual symbols/posture/attitude/etc. are not acceptable, […]
I may have mentioned before, but during my last two years in Paris I had an amazing job that allowed to go places that most French people will never go to. For example, a private visit of the Palais Bourbon, the seat of the French National Assembly. As […]
So Bastille Day is around the corner. Months ago, I had planned a couple of posts about it, unfortunately I’m so busy this week that I’m afraid I won’t have time to post any of it before July 14th. In the meantime, here is a tip for you. […]
During my last two years in Paris, I pretty much had the most amazing job one can imagine in Paris (well, except for the money). I got to see and visit things most French people will never see. One of them is the Iron Closet in the National Archives. […]