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...
Because Strasbourg is the seat of dozens of international organisations and bodies, including the European parliament, Alsace is politically one of the most important regions in the European Union. Even though Alsace is part of France, the region boasts a very distinctive culture, in part due to its long periods spent under German influence. In 1871, following its victory in the Franco-Prussian War, the new German Empire claimed Alsace Lorraine region. The occupation lasted until 1918 when, after Germany's defeat in the First World War, the region was once more annexed to France under the Treaty of Versailles. Germany occupied the region again during the Second World War. During this time, people from Alsace became German citizens by decree from the Nazi government. A complex history to say the least. Alsace changed hands four times between France and Germany in 75 years! Although the historical language of Alsace is Alsatian, a Germanic language, today Alsatians speak Frenc...
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