Learn French in Nice during the Carnival

The 'Carnaval de Nice' is on its way! This year, the 'Nice Carnival' will be from 12th to 28th February. Giant, colourful parades will take place day and night, with entertainment provided by over 1,000 musicians and dancers from across the world.

The theme of the Carnival this year is "the Blue Planet".

Check out the programme for the Carnival on www.nicecarnaval.com

Learn French in Nice

Our partner school in Nice is located about 10 minutes walking distance from the Place Massena where most of the entertainment will take place.

The school in Nice offers the standard course, the intensive course and the combined course.

The school is offering a 15% discount on course fees on all courses taken before the end of May 2010.

Bon Carnaval and Happy Learning!

'Mon chou' et 'Ma puce'!

What do a cabbage and a flea have in common? Well, believe it or not, both of these words are commonly used by the French as terms of affection for children: 'Viens ici, ma puce', 'C'est l'heure de manger, mon chou'!

Other terms of affection are (ne vous moquez pas, s'il vous plait!): ma choupinette, mon coeur, mon trésor, mon roudoudou, mon chaton, mon lapin and many more.

As for the children they like to call their parents 'maman et papa' as well as 'mamounette et papounet'.

The 'Galette des Rois'

If you visit friends in France in January, it is very likely that they will bring out a 'galette des rois' (cake of the kings). The 'galette des rois', at its origin, was a cake eaten on the day of the Epiphany to commemorate Twelfth Night when the Three Kings visited baby Jesus in Bethlehem. Over the years, it has become so popular that it is now eaten on any days throughout January.

What makes this galette so popular? Eh bien, the 'galette des rois' contains a 'fève' (a lucky charm). The person who finds the 'fève' in their slice of galette becomes the King or Queen and gets to wear a crown. The Queen or King must then buy the next galette and the game continues.

You can buy 'galettes des rois' at the boulangerie or any supermarkets in France throughout January.

La "galette des rois".

La France - Top Country to Retire!

L'herbe est-elle donc toujours plus verte ailleurs?

According to a US magazine, France is the country with the best quality of life in the world. The magazine, International Living, produces every year a quality of life index. This year they ranked 194 countries using the nine following categories: Cost of Living, Culture and Leisure, Economy, Environment, Freedom, Health, Infrastructure, Safety and Risk, and Climate. France scored high marks across the board.

Interesting are the comments made by French people on Le Monde's blog. Some totally disagree with the results and in fact say they are ridiculous. However quite a few who happened to have lived in other countries admit that France is not so bad after all. Is it a case that the grass always appear greener on the other side?

Le Monde's Blog - article and the comments.

Learn French in the Alps and Spend the Weekend Skiing!

This winter, why not enrol on a French and Skiing course in Chambery or Annecy? It is a great course combining French lessons during the week and two full day ski trips over the weekend.

You can enrol on the French and Skiing course on any Monday from early January to early April and for a duration of two weeks or longer.

French and Skiing courses.

Teenage Easter Camp in Gréoux - 100 EUROS OFF!

Easter Camp in Gréoux / French Immersion in Gréoux

Book before the end of Feb 2010 and get a 100 Euros discount on the Easter Camp in Gréoux for 15 to 18 and the Immersion Course for 12 to 14 years old. Two options: horse riding or skiing trip and sledge hike with sledge dogs!

The camps take place from 6th to 16th April 2010.

Easter courses in Greoux.