French word of the day: La rentrée
Published: September 5, 2024
Bonjour from rainy ole’ Paris! Yes, it is September, which means grey skies and giant puddles in the City of Love, just to add insult to injury to the back to school rentrée.
We had an great summer traveling around Alsace in the east of France, eating flammkuchen, exploring little canals, and drinking Reisling wines. (We even managed to cross the border for a sneaky little biergarten in Frieburg, Germany.)
And that was between various grandparent visits and other family members arriving to watch the Olympics.
But now, although the Paralympics are still on, it is back to work/school for the rest of us.
Time to dust off that to-do list and get organized. And it is not just me, President Macron took the summer off as well, declining to name a Prime Minister until now.
I mean, do countries really need a Prime Minister and a government? The Belges next door went over a year without coming to an agreement, so what’s a couple of summer months?
If you’re bored, you too can play President with this handy calculator from Le Figaro and try to form your own French government with the various political groups from across the spectrum.
Anyway Macron has now opened up the dossier, with a series of rendez-vous and realized that “merde, these are the choices!?”
And breaking news as of 4 hours ago: Michel Barnier, aka Mr. Brexit negotiator has been named Prime Minister. At 73 years old, he has decided to take on trying to calm down the raucous French parliament. Like handling a classroom of kindergarteners, no doubt!
In other news:
- Since Paris tends to host the Olympics every 100 years (1924, 2024), Parisian Mayor Anne Hidalgo is proposing to keep the Olympic rings on the Eiffel tower in perpetuity, so that the city will be ready 100 years from now. What, you don’t keep your Christmas decorations up all year long?
- I don’t know how I missed this story earlier, but a new Guinness world record has been set for the longest baguette. The new “longest baguette” measures in at 140.53 meters long (461 feet), trumping the previous Italian record of 132.62 meters (435 feet and 1 inch). Glad those French bakers claimed back our country’s honor!
- There is a new big boycott in southern France: The historic Pernod Ricard company which produces the Pastis de Marseille liqueurs, is now an official sponsor of the Paris Saint-Germain football club. The mayor of Marseille is demanding an explanation, with OM fans promising to boycott.Oh, hold on, more breaking news as of 2 hours ago, Pernod Ricard has perhaps backed out of their deal to support Paris Saint-German. À jamais les premiers. (Why is there all this breaking news when I’m trying to get out a newsletter!?)
In the blog:
22 Famous French Writers and their greatest works
Learn about the most famous French writers and authors whose books and writings that have left an indelible mark on the French language.
19 Delicious French Pastries from across France
Exploring the best French pastries so you can pick your favorite. From their flavor, shape, origin, and the delicious occasions when they are served.
Delicious and fun, these vegetarian samosas combine goat cheese and greek yogurt for a tangy and tasty dish everyone will love.