An other fascinating French idiom! "Tomber dans les pommes" literally translates as "to fall in the apples"! - What it actually means is to "pass out/to faint"!
Le Vendredi Treize Friday the 13th has always been the source of many superstitions and legends! What are the origins? Pagan? Greek and Roman? Biblical? Knights Templar? Although there are many theories, many French see the origin of this significant day in the New Testament that links Friday the 13th to the Last Supper and Jesus’ Crucifixion. Twelve of Jesus’ disciples attended the Last Supper, bringing the numbers of participants obviously to 13. Jesus’ last meal took place before his Crucifixion on the Friday of the Holy Week Is Friday the 13 th lucky or unlucky? In spite of all the suspicions and stories, Friday the 13th is considered a Lucky day by many French people, especially by those gaming. Figures show that there are 3 times more gamers on Friday the 13th than on any other Friday! The “ Française des Jeux ”, the official operator of France’s national lottery games , is taking full advantage and , the official operator of France’s national lotte...
The b lue plaque commemorating the stay of the Emperor Louis Napoleon III in King Street (St James) is the earliest surviving plaque in London . The use of the colour blue was rare and not often repeated at the time as it was expensive to produce. It is actually the only blue plaque installed during the recipient's lifetime. Following the fall of the Second French Empire in 1870 and exiled from France, Napoleon III (Bonaparte’s nephew), his wife Eugénie and their son the Prince Imperial sought refuge in England. The family eventually took residence at Camden Place in Chislehurst where the Emperor spent the rest of his life. He was consequently buried at St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Chislehurst. Following the death of the Prince Imperial at the age of 23, the grief-stricken Empress Eugénie set about to establish a monument to her family and founded St Michael Abbey in Farnborough as a mausoleum for her husband and son. The abbey featured an Imperia...
The world’s most famous cycling race began this weekend but did you know there is more to the Tour de France than bikes and Lycra! Surrounding the race itself is a carnival atmosphere of floats, live music and free products from sponsors. The towns, villages and hamlets on the route will spend months preparing for their 30 seconds of fame as the riders race through and then spend years talking about the day the Tour came to town. I still remember, at Junior school – only a few years ago…, being allowed to line the pavement outside the school to watch the tour go by! The stages often pass through some of the most spectacular and often rarely seen parts of France. So even if you aren’t into cycling, it is worth watching the race to enjoy the stunning scenery. Want to find out more about the race itself? Then read on! The Tour de France was created in 1903 by Henri Desgrange, a cyclist and journalist. The famous race attracts thousands of enthusiastic cycle followers and usua...
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