Language and culture

Learn French — Tips and Culture

Fascinating facts about the French language, French culture and language learning. A new insight for every topic we cover.

Intermediate

Weather

France has three distinct climate zones. The north has a temperate oceanic climate similar to the UK, the south has a Me...

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Intermediate

Time

The word for schedule or timetable, 'l'horaire', comes from the Latin 'hora', meaning hour, reflecting the deep Roman ro...

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Intermediate

Colours

Colour adjectives in French must agree in gender and number with the noun they describe. For example, 'un chat noir' (a ...

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Intermediate

Parts of the house

Traditional French architecture varies greatly by region. In Normandy, half-timbered houses called 'colombages' are typi...

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Intermediate

Furniture & home objects

Many English furniture terms come directly from French, including 'bureau', 'armoire', 'chaise longue' and 'ottoman'. Th...

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Intermediate

Kitchen items & utensils

The French culinary tradition is so influential that a whole vocabulary of kitchen techniques used worldwide is French. ...

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Intermediate

Gardening

The formal French garden style, known as 'le jardin à la française', was developed in the 17th century by landscape arch...

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Intermediate

Tools & DIY

The French word 'bricolage' refers to DIY and home improvement, and a DIY enthusiast is called 'un bricoleur'. Large DIY...

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Intermediate

Fruits

France is one of Europe's major fruit-growing nations, with different regions specialising in different fruits. The Rous...

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Intermediate

Vegetables

The French tradition of growing vegetables at home, known as 'le potager', dates back centuries. The potager at the Pala...

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Intermediate

Bread & bakery

French law, known as the 'décret pain', regulates exactly what ingredients a traditional baguette can contain. ...

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Intermediate

Herbs & spices

The south of France, particularly Provence, has a long tradition of using fresh herbs in cooking. 'Herbes de Provence' t...

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