St Valentine’s Day in France is celebrated widely. From silly gifts to flowers/chocolates/jewelry to exotic get-aways, the fête succitates joy, fun, and romance.

Romantic dinners in restaurants abound, travel agents post signs of couple’s cruises, and lingerie shops have a field day. Whether one waits for it with great expectations (“What’s s/he going to do?”) or with trepidation (“What should I give him/her?”), St Valentine’s has a special meaning for each of us. The advice one gets in magazines in France is to not worry about it but…just participate. Here are a few paraphrased suggestions:

First of all, they suggest knowing what the other wants/expects. If you’re coupled up, one should be attentive to the needs and wants of one’s partner. Find out ahead of time what the expectations are; don’t be caught up short. It’s a bit like a mirror; one should reflect what the other is thinking/desiring.

There are always the classic gifts: perfume, jewels, flowers or plants, but also trendy gifts such as cooking or wine-tasting classes. It’s also an opportunity to take time out for the couple, to organize something you can do together…a nice dinner together in a special restaurant, a romantic couple’s massage, a spa day or weekend. And the small details count, as well: breakfast in bed, your turn to do the cleaning up or take baby out.

Most of all, St. Valentine’s should be fun and spontaneous. According to a recent survey, only 40% of French couples celebrate the day; the other 60% know that St. Valentine’s Day happens all year long.

Some recent figures:

• 58.4% of French live together as couples
• 39.5% of French couples celebrate la Saint Valentin;
• 30% of French men intend to offer a gift of between 60-100 E for Valentine’s Day ($85-$140)
• 8,7 = the number of times per month the French have sexual relations (both men and women)

Vive l’amour!

La Chandeleur: February 2^nd

It’s crepe time in France! On February 2^nd Americans have Groundhog Day; the French have…. la Chandeleur, or the fête des chandelles (candles) which translates as Candlemass in English, referring to the blessing of candles which traditionally took place on this day. For Roman Catholics, it’s the feast of the Presentation of the infant Jesus at the Temple, occurring forty days after Christmas. But the origin of the holiday is in fact pagan and today many traditions and superstitions are associated with it. Here are some fun things you can do to celebrate la Chandeleur with your friends and family (or French teachers: with your students!)

• Have a crepe party and try your hand at flipping crepes ! Faire sauter des crêpes is something of an art form in France. For good luck, hold a coin in one hand and with the other, toss the crepe into the air when it’s time to cook it on the other side. If you manage to catch the crepe in the pan you will have good fortune in the coming year!

• Enjoy the crepes with sugar, jam, chocolate, or Nutella.

• The traditional drink to accompany crepes is hard apple cider (which can be replaced by sparkling apple cider sans alcohol!)

• Create ambiance for this fête de la lumière by lighting candles around your house.

• Learn the French rhyme: “Quand la Chandeleur est claire, l’hiver par derrière; Chandeleur couverte, quarante jours de perte!” (If February 2^nd is clear, no more winter to fear; if the Chandeleur is overcast, forty days of winter to last).

Bonne fête et bon appétit !

The Mysteries of French language: The Subjunctive

If you’ve been struggling to learn French and master its many grammatical rules, take heart. You’re in good company. French can be a tricky language to learn, and even French natives make mistakes. There are rules, of course, but there exist so many exceptions that rules usually only apply about….80% of the time. Just when we think we have mastered, say, the order of multiple object pronouns, adverb formation, or how to form a question in French we discover, to our chagrin, a whole slew of exemptions and exclusions. What is a French learner to do?

Case in point: when to use the French subjunctive, le subjonctif? All agree to use the subjunctive after il faut que (it’s necessary that) and il n’est pas clair que (it’s unclear that) to convey obligation and uncertainty, respectively. In other cases, however, the answer is not so clear-cut.

For example, what about il semble que (it seems that) and il est probable que (it’s probable that)? Grammar books would say that while the former expression takes the subjunctive; the latter does not. But ask two native French speakers and you might get two different responses.

Avant que (before doing) and après que (after doing) seem to solicit the same confusion. The first expression is followed by the subjunctive; the secondis not. However, time and time again the subjunctive can be heard after the expression après que, by native French speakers! On French television! Ciel!

To both native speakers and French-learners alike, many of these “rules” seem downright illogical. (Why on earth would the verb “to wish” in French take the subjunctive, but not the verb “to hope”?)

Since we are in the same boat, so to speak (dans le meme sac), perhaps we should simply appreciate this beautiful language for what it is: un mystère, and enjoy the journey.

Besides, you’ll find that the French will very much appreciate your attempts to speak their language, for they know how slippery it can be. And when you find yourself stumped over a certain “rule” in French, you might just look around, grin unashamedly, raise your shoulders and exclaim: C’est français!

You can learn more about subjunctive and various conjugations by reading here.

Christmas is a very special time of year for Francophones around the world. Les marchés de Noël date back to the

Marche Colmar (Alsace)

fourteenth century in Germany, also in what is now known as the German-speaking region of France. The market was first called Le Marché de la Saint Nicolas. As far back as 1434, documentation regarding the Christmas market has been found from King Friedrich II de Saxe. One of the very first of its kind was a “Striezelmarkt” which was named after a dried fruit cake that was sold during this era. Later, during the sixteenth century, a reformation of these markets brought about a change in the market name to “Christkindlmarkt”, or “The Infant Jesus Market”, bringing even more religious reverence to the market’s meaning. These aptly named markets developed in eastern France, particularly in Strasbourg (in Alsace) in 1570.

Given the profound history of these markets, they have become well-known as places to find artisanal treasures, fine food, and festive celebrations. Christmas markets abound throughout France, found in most cities large and small, often on a main street of town or on a central city square. These markets are typically organized by a commune, and they may open as early as the middle of November, running all the way through the beginning of January. In a typical market, visitors may find vendors, Father Christmas, activities for the children and often an evening light show, an illumination of the town or city that takes place around nightfall.

Vin chaud

A typical staple of any good marché is a vin chaud, that hot mulled wine concoction flavored with a bit of orange, cinnamon, star anise and occasionally a bit of ginger. Served in tents or market stands, in shops and restaurants and even street corners throughout France, it is as much a part of the holidays as Père Noël. One can also find those delicious honey-and-spice cakes known by their Alsacian name of lebkuchen, often dipped in chocolate or powdered sugar, another tradition from the northeastern part of France.

Christmas markets are steeped in rich, historical traditions and unusual gift items, giving the visitor a perfect reason to make a December trip to France.

With a week left to go before Christmas, for those of you who are still scratching your heads for ideas for gifts, here are a few suggestions to give a French touch to your Noël.

1. French music: how about the First Lady’s new album? Carla Bruni’s “Comme si de rien n’était” is soft and easy listening, or for a different style, try pop singer ZAZ, (album of the same name) whose sassy original sound has taken France by storm. Both available on Amazon.
2. The best French umbrella made in Cherbourg: Available in different colors and styles, designed to totally protect from wind and rain, made in the Normandy seacoast town that starred in the 1964 film Les Parapluies de Cherboug. www.parapluiedecherbourg.com.
3. Escape to France vicariously every month with the stunning France Calendar 2012. 14 glossy photos of different towns and cities across the country. Days and months in both languages; French school and public holidays noted; forward planner for 2013. www.gbmags.com/calendar.
4. A subscription to France Magazine (www.francemag.com) or France Today (www.francetoday.com) to keep up with French life and style every month; available in both online and in print format.
5. Signature French cocktails: try a French martini made with the incomparable black raspberry liqueur crafted at the Château de la Sistière in the Loire Valley. Mix 15 ml of Chambord, 50 ml vodka, 60 ml fresh pineapple juice. C’est merveilleux! www.chambordonline.com
6. Or try Armagnac, the oldest brandy distilled in France. Originating in the 15^th century, this unique eau de vie is produced through a single distillation of white wine and then left to age in oak barrels. www.armagnac.fr. Mix a Christmas cocktail: 50 ml Blanche d’Armagnac, 1 kiwi, liquidized; 1 TBL spoon honey; 2 spring mint (including stems). Pour over crushed ice, garnished with slice of kiwi. Mmm, c’est si bon!
7. You can’t go wrong with a film starring one of France’s most popular actresses, Audrey Tatou: Venus Beauty Institute (1999); Amélie (2001); Dirty Pretty Things (2002); Priceless (2006); Coco Before Chanel (2009; Beautiful Lies (2011). www.amazon.com.
8. Gift a week’s vacation in the south of France! Reserve time at a private furnished townhouse with sweeping views of the Gorges du Loup near the French Riviera or an apartment in the quintessential Provençal town of Aix-en-Provence. www.greatfrenchrentals.com
9. Alphabet chocolates from St-Rémy-de-Provence. Specialty chocolatier Joël Durand sends you the flavors of Provence—almond, lemon, orange, thyme, rosemary, chestnuts, honey, violets, even olvies—crafted into each letter of the alphabet and six punctuation marks. www.chocolat-durand.com.
10. Any of the delightful gifts available from the boutique of the newly renovated Orsay Museum. www.boutiquesdemusees.fr