The English who belong to France...a little!

We've just spent another splendid weekend at Madingley Hall! What a privilege it was to be there once again surrounded by beauty and sunshine in total peace and quiet. Participants gathered in the Stuart room with book-lined walls and an upright piano which became quite tempting to some, to the greatest pleasure of others!

The topic took us away from the usual study of French literary figures, although the names of Victor Hugo, Baudelaire or André Maurois were mentioned as translators of Shakespeare's or other English writers’ works. The people we studied are no less worthy of our interest: they are part of a long list of English nationals, not all very well-known who have had an impact on French culture. Among them are artists, actors, historic figures, entrepreneurs, gardeners, sports people, architects, all of whom contributed through their talent and passion to some aspect of France's artistic, architectural or even gastronomic greatness. 

The French owe the creation of the Riviera to the English and quite rightly there is an avenue named La Promenade des Anglais to commemorate the fact. It is thanks to people like Geoffrey Winthrop Young and George Mallory, who were actually Cambridge students, and Sir John Ruskin that "alpinisme" (rock climbing in the Alps) has become one of France's most important sporting and tourist attractions. Many peaks and passes bear English names in honour of these first climbers. In Chamonix there is a plaque where John Ruskin used to sit to contemplate the Alps. It's called "La pierre à Ruskin".

Closer in time to us is Norman Foster’s magnificent Viaduc de Millau, which is the highest bridge in the world; also James Priest,  ex gardener of Elizabeth II, who artfully tends Monet's beautiful garden in Giverny and  David Ridgway, sommelier "extraordinaire" of the Tour d’Argent in Paris. The French honour these English people for contributing to their national and international fame.  There’s also the enjoyment provided to the French public by numerous actors past and present; from Terry Thomas to Rowan Atkinson alias Mr Bean, comedians such as  Eddie Izzard (performing in French in Paris theatres), Hugh Laurie the actor and jazz musician; as well as sportsmen like Jonny Wilkinson and David Beckham. There are singers and actors like Jane Birkin and Petula Clark who are still as popular in France today as they were in the Sixties and who shape recent culture.  More recently the French public has "adopted" cinema icons such as Kristin Scott Thomas.

Throughout the weekend, we explored many more areas over all ages and observed how important the role of the English was in making a success of some of France's world renowned national assets such as: Bordeaux wines, eau Perrier, fashion or Faïence de Gien among others. The most intriguing discovery was that the Tour de France sacro-saint “contre-la-montre” race was invented by a cycling club in Huntingdon at the turn of the XIXth century.  We also looked at moments in history and the use of the language that bound the two countries. The group had fun listing some puzzling “faux-amis” and listening to Charles Aznavour’s singing “For me, for me, formidable”.  

The aim of the weekend was to thank our English cousins for all the treasures they have bestowed upon their closest neighbours, the French. Our next meeting at  Madingley Hall will be on July12th where we will look at French society and their approach to holidaying.  And if you feel your French needs brushing up do not hesitate to join in “In at the deep end” of this entertaining, interactive and challenging weekend designed to give you the confidence to speak more fluently on August 30^th!