Really French

Author: Phillip

  • First World War : 3rd of August 1914

    The day after sending the ultimatum to Belgium, Germany, continuing the development of the Schlieffen Plan, declared war on France. Both countries were expecting it since they fully mobilized days ago ( two days ago for France ) and by the web of European alliances, were bound to declare war on each other.

    Germany’s plan was to avoid a direct confrontation with French forces in the Eastern borders of France and to pass through Belgium then attack the French army behind. However, at the surprise of Kaiser Wilhelm II, by breaking Belgium’s neutrality and independence, Germany finally brought his cousin George V of the United Kingdom into the conflict, on the side of Russia and France.

  • First World War : 2nd of August 1914

    The German government’s idea was to make the people think that  they were entering a defensive war and were in no way the aggressors. With the assassination of Archduke Franz-Ferdinand, the Austro-Hungarian Empire engaged the hostilities.

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  • 1st August 1914, general mobilization in France

    With the First World War having already started in the East of Europe and Germany mobilizing its troops, France in 1914 declared the order to mobilize 3,000,000 men from the 2nd to 18th of August 1914.

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  • French slang in the trenches of World War One.

    At the start of the Great War, millions of men were gathered together to fight France’s enemies. One of the difficulty for the Army and the officers was that many Frenchmen actually did not speak French properly but spoke their own local dialects. After months spent together in the fields and trenches of World War One, soldiers created their own “ trench slang “ ( “ l’argot des tranchées “ ), mixing words from popular French, Parisian slang, languages of the colonial soldiers and other popular dialects. (more…)

  • Two movies with the French Army in the First World War

    A review of two fims

    Un long dimanche de fiançailles and Joyeux Noël

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  • The river Doubs and the town of Dole

    The river Doubs and the town of Dole

    In the department of the Jura in Eastern France, along the banks of the river Doubs is a splendid town called Dole. 

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  • Latest results 2014

    We’ll try to keep you up to date with the latest scores and results for the matches in 2014,  plus other information from the team.

    France won the world cup in 1998

    Results for 2014

    First round

    • June 15th : France vs Honduras 3 – 0
    • June 20th : Switzerland vs France 5- 2
    • June 25th : Ecuador vs France 0 – 0

    France are first in their group and move on to the final 16 for the knock out phase.

    Round of 16
    June 30th :  France vs Nigeria 2 – 0

    Quarter final

    July 4th :  France vs  Germany  0 – 1

    France has been knocked out of the cup.

     

  • A day in 1914 for Henri (a First World War soldier)

    This is a fictional story about the life a French soldier during the First World War in 1914. It is based on historical facts, names and places have been changed.

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  • Autun in the Morvan

    Autun in the Morvan

    Walking in the steps of ancient Romans along the cobbled streets of the town called “Autun”.

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  • Cycling along the canal

    Cycling along the canal

     

    A bike ride along the tow-path on the southern side of the Burgundy Canal, between the village of Sainte Sabine and Veuvey-sur-Ouche.

     

  • Ceramic art and craft

    Ceramic art and craft

    On a visit to a small medieval market town called Arnay-le-Duc, a massive oak door opens onto a paved courtyard, to reveal a very different craftsman’s workshop called “Atelier de la Closerie”.

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  • Louis XV Part I : Childhood and early reign

     

    Louis XV “ le Bien-Aimé “ ( the Well-Beloved ) was King of France and Navarre from the 1st of September 1715 until his death in May 1774.

    Louis de France, of the Bourbon house, was born during the reign of King Louis XIV, his great-grandfather. Louis, titled Duke of Anjou at his birth the 15th of February 1710, is the son of the Petit Dauphin, also named Louis de France and Marie-Adélaïde de Savoie. The future Louis XV is the fourth in line to the succession ( after his grandfather, father and older brother ). (more…)

  • The mountains in France

    The mountains in France

    The French mountains give eternal snow, deep valleys, gorges with rapid rivers, sleepy volcanoes, mountain peaks over 4000 metres above sea level in the Alps and 3000 metres in the Pyrenees to the south on the French-Spanish border.

    The Auvergne

    In the Auvergne sleeping volcanoes with a coating of autumn snow.

    Midi-Pyrénées mountains in the south west of France

    South in the Midi-Pyrenees home to sheep and also bears.

    Alpes de Haute Provence, hills and mountains

    Alpes de Haute Provence in the late summer, a few miles from the Mediterranean sea

    Lure and Monges

    Summer in the high hills of the Lure and Monges, Haute-Provence in the southeast of France.

    The Alpes, the highest mountains in France

    To the east, the Alps mountains will peak at Mont Blanc at 4807 metres.

  • Along the coast

    Along the coast

    From the Atlantic ocean to the Mediterranean sea, the variations and contrasts along the coast lines are stunning.  Soft sandy shores to striking cliff edges.

  • Bienvenue

    Bienvenue

    Welcome to ReallyFrench.com

    We would like to offer you a unique view of France and the French.

    cussy

    With ReallyFrench, you’ll travel to places far off the beaten track and  hidden from all.  Mountains for explorers, beaches for romantics,  waterways for boatmen, gastronomy for foodies and so much more.

    stained-glass-autun

    Travel back through the centuries of towering cathedrals, stone ramparts and arched bridges to comprehend the diverse history.

    You’ll meet unusual  characters and folk,  learn about their life styles and fascinating events.

    fresh vegetables

    Discover dishes and culinary delights, forgotten flavours and  uncommon ingredients. Mix them all together and revive  your taste buds with a drop of wine.

    As the days go by, join us on a journey through the country,, from the north to the south, up the hills to snowy peaks then down to meander along lazy rivers and canals heading towards the coasts. and shores of two oceans.

  • A visit to the capital

    A visit to the capital

    Oh Paris !

    tower-3

    The tower is a must, but what about the rest ? (more…)

  • Heading South

    Heading South

    The beauty of the Camargue is not only the climate and beaches, but the diversity, the differences, the influences and the strong grasp on traditions.

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    The white Camargue horse, one of the oldest known races, totally adapted to their own natural environment of marshes and salty wetlands .

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    Working on the “Mas”, a Camargue black bull farm. The herd is called a “Manade” and the horsemen are called “gardians” who ride the beautiful white Camargue horses.

  • Hidden in Burgundy

    Hidden in Burgundy

    You know that Burgundy is proud of it’s wines.
    However, did you know the about the Charolais cattle farming

    Charolais calf
    A Charolais calf, born on this January,  resting in the hay before taking to the greener pastures in March. (more…)

  • Historical Normandy

    Historical Normandy

    From Rollo to King William the Conqueror.

    The two regions of the Haute-Normandie and Basse-Normandie once formed a single province, known as the Normandie ( Normandy in English ), the land of the North Men.

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  • Cruises on the rivers and canals

    Cruises on the rivers and canals

    Discover the canals and rivers with hotel barge and boat rental vacations with HotelsAfloat in France.
    They offer a wide choice of destinations in all the French regions, with boats and barges for couples, families or groups of friends, from 2 to 22 people.