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!

Soon la Fête de la musique in Paris!

Soon will come the amazing experience of walking around Paris surrounded by music for 24 hours non-stop!  This is something to do, at least once in a life time...
You will hear all types of music from jazz to classical, songs and dances in the streets, on the squares, on the river banks, in local mairies, cafés, gardens, concert halls and all for free!

Look out in the days to come for more information in this blog about our next visit on June 21st this year!

Spécialités du Massif Central

The first thought that comes to mind when Massif Central is mentioned is "cheese" (Cantal, Saint Nectaire, Bleu d'Auvergne, Fourme d'Aubrac to name but a few) and the second is "beef" either from Salers or l'Aubrac. 

This is a country of mountains, of pastures and cattle.  Not only cows and bulls people the heights but sheep, thousands of sheep as well with their traditional transhumance.  

Pigs are another source of income and the region is famous for its charcuterie. The little town of Laguiole known for its beef and its cheese is also known around the world for its unique design of steak knives.

You can find the beautiful Laguiole knives just mentioned all over France and abroad now, including via the internet of course.  Beware of counterfeits...  You might be interested to hear about the controversy surrounding the so-called "stealing" of the name "Laguiole" for commercial purposes by a Parisian industrialist . This is very upsetting for the people of the village but a very interesting issue to ponder about in our time of globalisation.  What is equally interesting is the almost ceremonious making of the local aligot.  The recipe is simple as all true mountain based recipes are with wholesome local ingredients.  I am sure it can be adapted to any place with good potatoes and good melting cheese at hand without incurring any legal pursuits.The Massif Central is also a land of weavers, with a very developed textile industry in the past.  Millau (where the viaduct is) was the capital of gloves and Mazamet is still known for the making and commerce of wool.

A la découverte du Massif Central

"one of the loveliest spots on earth... a country without roads, without guides, without any facilities for locomotion, where every discovery must be conquered at the price of danger and fatigue... a soil cut up with deep ravines, crossed in every way by lofty walls of lava and furrowed by numerous torrents"

This is how George Sand described the Massif Central in the middle of the 19th century. It has since become more accessible but it has retained its vast and stunning landscapes.

Covered by thick forests and sliced by numerous rivers and lakes, these once volcanic uplands are geologically the oldest part of France and culturally one of the most firmly rooted in the past. Nature rules there and the air and the water remain unpolluted, thus attracting families who enjoy both the winter or the summer months during the school holidays and spa lovers all the year round. It's not only the favourite place of hikers, campers and skiers but an attraction to scientists, ecologists, historians or first or second generation farmers.

The Massif Central has been settled by humans probably longer than anywhere in France.  At its core lies Auvergne, an historic region and former province of central France, whose name is derived from a Celtic people whose leader was Vercingétorix, chief of the Gauls who defied Julius Ceasar and was defeated by him.

The region has cultivated its traditions and language with a

passion. The ancestral language is occitan; it was widely spoken in the southern half of the territory from Italy to Spain and is still understood and spoken by five million people south of the river Loire.
The inhabitants are said to be reserved, serious and close to their money.  Lots of jokes are made about the Auvergnats' legendary tightfistedness, not unlike the Scots'reputation for being cautious with their money.
This is a country of landscapes rather than cities.  The best known places apart from Auvergne and its spectacular extinct volcanoes (called puys)   are

the Cévennes and R.L.Stevenson's trails,  the Rouergue and l'Aveyron.  The Ardèche  in the east and the Tarn in the south offer canyons and rapids to the most adventurous.
However the culture of the past is embedded in a few towns and villages worth a detour: Le Puy-en-Velay famous for its green lentils and delicate laces) spiked with gothic pinnacles of lava, steep streets and churches perched in the air, Clermont-Ferrand, the capital built in volcanic stone and some of the most beautiful villages of France: Saint Cirq Lapopie, La Couvertoirade, Conques or Cordes-sur-ciel.

"Le petit monde de Pagnol" on your plate!

 








Right before the residential weekend at Madingley Hall, Christine and I held a French on your plate workshop at Cook's Barn. Here are a few photos of the fantastic evening that we enjoyed learning about Marcel Pagnol's Provence followed by a 4 course meal (see details in below post with delicious recipe!)

Participants learned about Pagnol's films, provençal culture and language, see details in blog post about Madingley.     

Also a reminder that our next workshop is on Saturday 23rd March 2013 from 4.30pm - 8.30pm.                  
This month we are visiting the Brittany region of France, filled with music and tradition. To find out more you can email us or you can also book online.

"Le petit monde de Pagnol"

A group of over a dozen of us gathered last weekend in the cosy wood panelled King’s Room overlooking the beautiful grounds of Madingley Hall.  Participants joined TWTF to enjoy another residential course that took us all to a new part of France in space and time, to “Le petit monde de Marcel Pagnol”.   Marcel Pagnol’s name is linked to the two films mostly shown in this country:  “Manon des sources” and “Jean de Florette” which are set in Provence.  Daniel Auteuil’s remake “La fille du puisatier” is soon to be released in UK cinemas. All three are good yet, to my mind, a far cry from the originals directed by Pagnol himself. The remakes all have the merit of keeping Pagnol’s name alive, providing one doesn’t get distracted by that of some more contemporary famous (or infamous) actors.  English students may stumble over the “provençalisms” of “La Gloire de mon père” and “Le Château de ma mère", but very little is known of the man behind the stories, Marcel Pagnol, his life, the immense success he had in his time and the “little world" he created around him.  Pagnol, member of the prestigious Académie française since 1947, is looked upon as classical writer. 

Pagnol is not only highly celebrated in Provence and in Marseille, the European capital of culture for 2013, he is internationally renowned. Pagnol is known for doing a lot for his region.  The “marseillais” accent ceased to be mocked once Pagnol’s films were shown! He made the place and the people endearing, funny and lovable in his films such as “Marius”, Fanny” and “César”. The scene of “La partie de cartes” in “Marius” is as much cult as Cézanne’s painting of a similar card game in a South of France little café. These films were the first French “talkies”.  Pagnol directed the films himself, surrounded by his team of actors and technicians in his own little “Provençal  Hollywood” as it was known, hence the name of  “le petit monde de Pagnol”. The films were inspired by his own plays and other Southern topics and stories. He was criticised by his peers for being too theatrical but the public didn’t care and actors such as Fernandel, Raimu, Pierre Fresnay or Orane Demazis became immortalised on film.

Pagnol was very attached to his roots, his family, and the memory of his childhood holidays in the scented hills covered with “garrigue” and lulled by the song of “cigales”.  Provence made him the man he was and in turn he celebrated this part of France beautifully. The two are indissociable. He was fascinated by the people, the ordinary people around him, the way they spoke, their daily activities, their idiosyncrasies and their destiny. It was quite touching to see that this little boy of simple origin reached the summit of wealth and fame through “working hard and well” at school as recommended by his father who was a school teacher in awe of “l’école de la république”. 

Pagnol bears witness to the “making of France” into the “hexagone”  as we know it today through the educational system where the teaching of the French language was made compulsory for all. Of course there remained a touch of accent but Fernandel told us above how meaningful that is and Gilbert Bécaud sang it for us.  The whole group took pleasure in the discovery of the little world of Pagnol and their comments were almost unanimously impressive.This was one of the most enjoyable weekends so far.... See you next time...  Finger on the calendar button!

Îles Flottantes à la crème de lavande recipe for "French on your plate"

We can't believe it's already mid February. How time flies. 

We wanted to let you all know that our ever popular "French on your plate" workshops are BACK next Thursday 21st February 2013!!!! Join us next week at Cook's Barn in their beautiful Lacanche kitchen for another tasty "French on your plate" workshop.    

4 hours of French conversation and a full meal including wines for only £65. The menu is as follows:  

• Apéritif - Pastis et Canapés Provençaux
• Velouté de pommes de terres au bacon
• Tatin aux tomates et oignons caramélisés
• Îles Flottantes à la crème de lavande
• Vins du Pays

By way of wetting your apetite and practising your French, here is the recipe for our desert:

POUR 6 ILES PARFUMEES

Ingrédients:

• 75 cl de lait entier
• 1 cuillier à soupe de fleurs de lavande alimentaire + 1 pour la déco
• 160g de sucre semoule
• 6 jaunes + 6  blancs d'oeufs extra frais
• 1 pincée de sel

Accessoire:La lèchefrite du four

Recette:

1. Portez la lait ébullition, infusez les fleurs de lavande 10 minutes et passez au tamis.
2. Battez les jaunes d'oeuf et 130g de sucre. Versez dessus le lait chaud en continuant de fouetter. Remettez la crème dans la casserole sur feu dour et, sans cesser de remuer à la cuiller en bois, surveillez l'épaississement. Elle est cuite quand elle nappe la cuiller.Versez la crème dans un compotier, remuez encore quelques minutes et placez au réfrigérateur .
3. Chauffez (thermostat 1) la lèchefrite remplie d'eau. Montez les oeufs en neiqe, avec 1 pincée de sel, incorporez le reste de sucre et continuez de les serrer.
4. Plongez-les à l'aide d'une écumoire dans l'eau de la lèchefrite, cuisez-les sur toutes les faces environ 3 minutes puis égouttez-les dans un plat. Servez sur la crème de lavande avec un
   filet de caramel et décoré de lavande.

Enjoy speaking French while discovering Marcel Pagnol and Christine's homeland of Provence at our first workshop of 2013.
Reserve your place TODAY by clicking this link. 

Dates for all other "French on your plate" workshops and other events throughout 2013 are on our 2013 calendar.

Do check for regular updates and to find out more about upcoming activities and trips to France! 

Christine & I look forward to seeing you next week and kickstarting the new year in style with you all.