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"!
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...
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...
In France, a woman’s birth name appears on all official documents. While it is common for women from nations such as Ireland, Australia, UK and the USA, to change their name on passports and driving licences when they get married, in France these documents remain in the name you were born with. Upon marrying, a woman in France gains the right to use her spouse’s surname, but it never becomes her actual name. For instance, Monsieur Dubois’s wife may be known as Madame Dubois but her passport, driving licence and all other official documents remain in the name she was born with. For all administrative dealings, Madame Dubois will still be identified by her birth name, Madame Chevalier. Legally speaking – public servants are not allowed to call a citizen by any other name than the one shown on their birth certificate. In the wake of the revolution, a law was passed in August 1794 stating, “No citizen can use a first name or surname other than that written on their bir...
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