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In The Kingdom Of The Winter Snowman

La période de Noel est ici (Christmas time is here) ! Every time I leave mon appartement (my apartment) I can hear les chants de Noel (Christmas carols) as I make my way to le marché de Noel to drink du vin chaud. While listening to la musique, I was surprised that many of les chansons (the songs) that I grew up with in English have French versions as well!

Image is “Snowman” by Toshiyuki Imai on Flickr. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

English and French versions

Hearing a song you know par coeur (by heart) in another language can be a strange experience. It’s easy to hum along, but not knowing any of les paroles (the lyrics) can be frustrating.

L’autre jour (the other day), I heard a very familiar song that I could not chanter (sing): Au Royaume du Bonhomme Hiver.

I couldn’t chanter because I only know la chanson in English: Walking in a Winter Wonderland!

After humming along and doing my best to listen to les paroles, I knew I would have to learn la chanson française.

Looking up les paroles taught me du nouveau vocabulaire (some new vocabulary) like le traîneau et le foulard (the sleigh and the scarf). It also taught me that la chanson is very different in french.

Most importantly, I could chanter the next time I heard la chanson!

Voici les paroles avec la traduction anglaise :

Au Royaume du Bonhomme Hiver / Walking in a Winter Wonderland!

Écoutez les clochettes

Du joyeux temps des fêtes

Annonçant la joie

De chaque cœur qui bat

Au royaume du bonhomme hiver.

Listen to the bells

Of the joyful holiday times

Announcing the joy

Of each beating heart

In the kingdom of the winter snowman.

Sous la neige qui tombe

Le traîneau vagabonde

Semant tout autour

Une chanson d’amour

Au royaume du bonhomme hiver.

Under the falling snow

The sleigh wanders

Spreading all around

A love song

In the kingdom of the winter snowman.

Le voilà qui sourit sur la place

Son chapeau, sa canne et son foulard

Il semble nous dire d’un ton bonasse

Ne voyez-vous donc pas qu’il est tard ?

There he is smiling in the plaza

His hat, his cane, and his scarf

Seemingly telling us in a soft tone

Don’t you see that it’s late?

Il dit vrai tout de même

Près du feu, je t’emmène

Allons nous chauffer dans l’intimité

Au royaume du bonhomme hiver.

He speaks the truth anyway

Next to the fire, I’m taking you

Let’s go warm up in privacy

In the kingdom of the winter snowman.

Blog submitted by: David at The French Property Network - Cle France.

This blog was originally posted on The French Language Blog pages.

A Christmas Carol En Version Française

There are many famous stories about la période des fêtes (the holiday season). My personal favorite is Un chant de Noël (A Christmas Carol) by Charles Dickens. Although originally in English, Un chant de Noël can help your French!

You will know how it can be useful to watch your favorite TV shows and movies either with les sous-titres français or doublées en français (dubbed in French). While it’s preferable to watch a movie or a TV show en VOST, being familiar with the characters and the story in your first language can help you stay engaged in another language.

The same idea works with les livres (books)!

If you have a favorite book in English, you can usually find it en version française.

Dans l’esprit de Noël (in the Christmas spirit), one such example is Un chant de Noël, a story that has been retold many times and in many different styles. My first memory of the story is la version de Disney (the Disney version) where Balthazar Picsou (Scrooge McDuck) plays the role of Ebenezer Scrooge and Dingo (Goofy) is le fantôme de Jacob Marley (the ghost of Jacob Marley).

The novella is most commonly known as Un chant de Noël in French, but it was also published under the names of Cantique de Noël, Chanson de Noël, and Conte de Noël. No matter the version It’s easy to recognise le thème général (the overarching theme):

Scrooge déteste Noël

« Foutaises ! » 

Bob Cratchit, le pauve employée de Scrooge

Le fantôme de Marley visite Scrooge et lui dit qu’il va être hanté par trois esprits

L’esprit des Noëls passés

L’esprit du Noéls présent

L’esprit des Noëls à venir

Scrooge se reveille, il aime Noël et il veut changer sa vie

Scrooge hates Christmas

“Bah! Humbug!”

Bob Cratchit, Scrooge’s poor employee

The ghost of Marley visits Scrooge and tells him that he will be haunted by three spirits

The Ghost of Christmas Past

The Ghost of Christmas Present

The Ghost of Christmas Future

Scrooge wakes up, he loves Christmas, and he wants to change his life

If you’re looking to practice your French during the holidays, try reading le grand classique (the great classic) in French.

Blog submitted by: Alex at The French Property Network - Cle France.

This blog was originally posted on The French Language Blog pages.

While Christmas Day may be winding down, the season isn’t really over until the New Year. Christmas has many traditions, and many of them are tied to food.

Everyone loves family meals consisting of a baked ham or turkey, savoury sides, and delicious desserts (miam ! yum!) – and we’re not even counting the sugar overdose from all those homemade cookies and fudge.

We have our traditional pies, and France, Quebec, and certain French colonies get to chow down an elaborate and historical dessert known as une buche de Noel. Called a Yule log in English, it’s simply a sponge cake rolled and filled with a chocolate buttercream and designed to resemble a log. Some cake makers will cut out branches to stick out of the log. Others will whip up meringue mushrooms, add fresh berries, make fake holly, or sprinkle powdered sugar on top to resemble snow. The cake as we know it today emerged during the 19th century, but the origins of the actual Yule log date back before the medieval era.

At this time, Gaelic Europeans and Celtic Brits believed trees held special powers and burning them to create les cendres (ashes) would increase the strength of this power. Before the winter solstice, people would search out a huge log, decorate it with holly and ivy, and burn it to celebrate days finally becoming longer. The log’s ashes would be collected and used in medicines. In addition to its healing benefits, the ashes also guarded against evil and accidents. It was also believed that spreading the ashes in les champs (the fields) would yield a nice harvest. Certaines personnes (some people) would keep charcoal or cinders from the original log because relighting them during a thunderstorm would protect your home and property from being struck by lightening.

When Christianity spread through Europe, this tradition still continued. The logs were brought in and burned in the hearth, the fireplace area. Onlookers would observe les flammes (flames) and make predictions about the upcoming year – important things like how many calves would be born that year and how many marriages would take place.

Au fil des années (over the years), heaths in houses were built smaller, and people weren’t bringing full-sized logs into their homes anymore. It’s impossible to pinpoint exactly when people stopped burning the Yule logs in their homes and created edible versions instead, but some research suggests that the cakes date back the 1600s judging from popular ingredients of the time. The traditional buche de Noel has meringue and marzipan decorations, and both of these were common treats at that time. Same goes for sponge cake –  it was mentioned as early as 1615 in Gervaise Markham’s “The English Huswife.”

Want to try one of these delicious, calorie-laden Christmas desserts? No problem. You can make it yourself by following one of the many recipes online, but make sure you have time and patience. Some of the recipes require more than 8 hours of your time!

Baking not up your alley? Just head on down to your local patisserie (bakery specialising in sweets) and order one. You’ll find more simple ones à prix abordable (at an affordable price) – about 20 euros – but you can easily drop more than 100 euros for a fancy one.

Bon appétit!

Blog submitted by: Alex at The French Property Network - Cle France.

This blog was originally posted on The French Language Blog pages.

One thing in common, that I love, about the various places I have lived in France over the years are the winter markets. They are smaller, larger, bigger and better in the varying regions of France but the one thing they all have is bundles of Christmas spirit and a sense of community, even though some of the stall holders travel the country to different markets; all the 'locals' visit the town square and share du vin chaud under des illuminations de Noel (Christmas lights).

If you are planning a viewing trip in December be sure to not only visit many nice french houses for sale, take time off and soak up the atmosphere at one of the local French winter markets.

Photo by Jean-Pierre Dalbéra on Flickr

In many pays européens (European countries) December brings les marchés de Noel (Christmas markets). These marchés are a special seasonal affaire that last all too short, but provide a nice traditional atmosphere right in the middle of town.

The tradition originally comes from l’Europe centrale (Central Europe), and as such, the most famous marchés de Noel se trouve en Alsace (are found in Alsace). But there are well known marchés all throughout France.

Dans un marché de Noel you can buy all kinds of jouets (toys) and other petits cadeaux (small gifts), or for those older kids in the crowd, du vin chaud (mulled wine). The traditional shops line the streets, creating an outdoor shopping experience, a real winter wonderland.

While enjoying du vin chaud under des illuminations de Noel (Christmas lights), you might even catch un spectacle (a performance) or two. All in all, se promener dans (taking a walk in) un marché de Noel is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit.

Blog submitted by: David at The French Property Network - Cle France.

This blog was originally posted on The French Language Blog pages.

There is nothing like a trip around some Christmas markets to get you in the festive spirit. You don’t need to be tied to only visiting your local markets this year, though, try hopping over tho France for some true Christmas magic!

There are so many beautiful Christmas markets you can visit across the Brittany region this year and, Brittany Ferries sail into Roscoff and St Malo, so you can be at the markets shortly after arriving in France.

Taking your car on the ferry or via Le Shuttle is easy these days, so you can drive to whichever Christmas markets you choose to explore; and you'll have plenty of space in your car for all the festive goodies you pick up.

There are several Christmas markets in Brittany within just an hour's drive of St Malo.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, especially in France. The French love their Christmas markets and do them very well, and they make the perfect excuse for a seasonal weekend away.

Christmas markets dotted across the country. If you are planning a trip in November or December read on for our pick of the French festive fun.

If you have never visited a French Christmas market before, these are some of the most popular. These are the Christmas markets in France that see tourists and locals revisit them time and time again. Probably because they each offer something a little different from the next, all with that familiar Christmas atmosphere.

The best Christmas markets to visit in Brittany

St Malo, Ile et Vilaine

Dates: 2 - 31 December

Where: At the foot of the Castle, on the Esplanade St Vincent

Head to the picturesque walls of Intra Muros for a variety of chalets selling food and drink such as delicious cheeses, crêpes and mulled wine as well as arts and crafts and lots of gifts. There’s also an ice rink in the town, horse-drawn carriage rides and more.

Saint Suliac, Ile et Vilaine

Dates: 2 - 3 and 9 - 10 December

Where: In the heart of the village, in the little streets at the foot of the church.

Chalets housing artists and craftsmen are perfect for artsy gifts. Musicians, horse-drawn carriage rides and Father Christmas himself add to the festive atmosphere. Be sure to try some of the food - barbecued scallops, soups, doughnuts and other delicacies tickle the taste buds. 

Rennes, Ile et Vilaine

Dates: 24 November - 7 January

Where: Mail François Mitterand

This popular market in Brittany's capital has a great atmosphere and a wealth of wooden chalets to discover. The perfect destination for your Christmas shopping, embrace the festivities in Rennes and head to the shopping streets as well as the markets for a fantastic Christmas shopping experience. Be sure to explore the city centre for more festive fun as there’s much to see and do, including an ice rink.

Dinan, Côtes-d'Armor

Dates: Awaiting dates

Where: Esplanade de la Résistance in front of the town hall

Charming medieval Dinan is a wonderful backdrop for your Christmas shopping and there are plenty of chalets selling regional gastronomic delicacies and handicrafts. To get you in the festive mood there's also an ice rink and illuminations and a Father Christmas letterbox for children.

Lamballe, Côtes-d'Armor

Dates: 1 - 3 & 8 - 10 December

Where: Held at the historic Haras National de Lamballe (national stud farm)

Les Écuries du Père Noël is an annual Christmas event. Around a hundred exhibitors make this one of the best to visit. The stables are transformed into charming stalls that house craftsmen, artists and local producers. Enjoy equestrian demonstrations, carriage rides and lots of great food and drink stalls for a cup of mulled wine and more.

The best Christmas markets to visit in Normandy

Being able to drive straight from the ferry port means you can explore the many markets of Normandy if you choose a sailing into our Norman ports.

As well as being steeped in the history of the D-Day Landings and home to the beautiful Mont St Michel, Normandy is also full of Christmas markets!

From sampling some of the best French gastronomy to finding festive gifts, the Normandy Christmas markets have so much to offer you. What’s more, all these markets are within an hour-and-half drive of Caen or within a two-hour drive from Le Havre.

Caen, Calvados

Dates: 25 November - 31 December

Where: Place de la République, Boulevard Maréchal Leclerc.

Caen's Christmas market has a wonderful selection of gifts and local products in its 60 chalets. Browse the gourmet chalets for fabulous regional delicacies to take home for your festive dinner table. You're sure to find plenty of gifts with stalls selling crafts, jewellery and much more.

Bayeux, Calvados

Dates: 15 - 23 December

Where: Place de la Liberté

Gourmet and artisanal chalets nestle in front of Bayeux's stunning cathedral selling scarves, jewellery, cosmetics, sweets and local products making a wonderful setting for your Christmas shopping. Bayeux’s shops will be open on the Sundays that the market is in town too.

Le Havre, Seine Maritime

Dates: 25 November - 31 December

Where: Place de l'Hotel de Ville

Le Havre's Christmas market is a large market selling everything you could want for Christmas. Illuminations, a Ferris wheel and a chance to meet Father Christmas on his sleigh will keep the little ones entertained! The Parade Blanche attracts thousands every year and is a beautiful Christmas parade that you won't forget.

Rouen, Seine Maritime

Dates: 23 November - 24 December

Where: Place de la Cathédrale

The Rouen Givrée is the place to go if you want lots to see and do with your Christmas shopping. Normandy's capital really knows how to celebrate Christmas! Around 50 traditional wooden chalets selling all kinds of quintessential Christmas gifts and fine local delicacies blend into the environment. The atmosphere here is one that will really get you in the Christmas mood with street entertainment and musicians, a Ferris wheel - and you may even see Santa making an appearance!

La Pin au Haras, Orne

Dates: 9 & 10 December

Where: The famed Haras National du Pin (national stud farm)

A variety of stalls will be set up in the stables with all kinds of gifts and gourmet produce. Normandy is renowned for its love of horses so this market at one of France's most famous national studs is perfect for horse lovers - there's even the opportunity for little ones to have their first ride on a pony.

With so many magical Christmas markets to discover in France, what's stopping you?

Make your Christmas shopping experience extra special this year by visiting the Christmas markets of France.

Please note, the details of these markets are subject to change. Before making any travel plans, we suggest checking dates.

Thanks to Brittany Ferries for providing the background to this blog.

For everything you need to know about French property visit www.clefrance.co.uk