Bonjour everyone,

While here in Scotland the school bags are already coming back out, across France, les grandes vacances are still in full swing!

French children don't go back to school until the end of August, and August remains the holiday month par excellence for many French families.

I don't think I'll ever quite get used to seeing children here heading back to school in early August while, in France, everyone is still very much in holiday mode!

So, while summer isn't quite over yet, here is some news about what's coming up at Real French Classes, plus a little French language and culture to keep your French going before la rentrée.

September enrolments are now open

Our new term starts 21 September, and enrolments are now open.

What's new this term?

• New Advanced French class — for confident learners ready to take their French further.
• New daytime classes — more options for those who prefer to learn during the day.
• New classes forming in Dunbar (West Barns) — I'm currently gauging interest, so please register your interest online if you'd like to join a class there.
• Enrolment is also open for all existing classes and levels.

For levels, locations, times, prices and registration:

realfrenchclasses.com

Christmas get-together

I'm planning a Christmas get-together for students, with the date to be confirmed.

Expect a relaxed atmosphere, lots of fun and, of course, plenty of real French conversation!

I'd also like to offer more opportunities to enjoy French outside the classroom, with:

• French social events
• real conversation practice
• French culture
• relaxed opportunities to use what you're learning in class

More details coming soon!

Your summer French challenge

Before we broke up for summer, I gave my students a little challenge:

Watch a film or series in French over the summer.

Even better if you can find one with a summer or holiday theme, and summer isn't over yet!

Don't worry about understanding every word. Instead:

• listen to the rhythm of the language
• notice words and phrases you recognise
• pick up one new expression
• write down a new word or two

When we're back in September, tell me:

What did you watch? Did you enjoy it? What new French did you learn?

Even one new expression counts!

Speak French like the French

Holiday expressions worth packing in your suitcase

Here are some useful and fun expressions you might hear when French people talk about holidays, relaxing and getting away.

Prendre la route

Literal translation: “To take the road.”

Meaning: To set off on a journey.

English equivalent: To hit the road.

On prend la route demain matin. ▶

“We’re hitting the road tomorrow morning.”

Changer d'air

Literal translation: “To change air.”

Meaning: To go somewhere different and escape your normal surroundings for a while.

English equivalent: To have a change of scenery / get away for a while.

J'avais besoin de changer d'air, alors je suis partie quelques jours en Bretagne. ▶

“I needed a change of scenery, so I went to Brittany for a few days.”

Se la couler douce

Literal translation: “To let it flow gently.”

Meaning: To relax, take it easy and enjoy yourself.

English equivalent: To take it easy / live the easy life.

Pendant les vacances, on se la coule douce ! ▶

“During the holidays, we take it easy!”

Partir en vadrouille

Literal translation: “To go off wandering.”

Meaning: To go off exploring or travelling around, often without a strict plan.

English equivalent: To go off exploring / roam around.

Demain, on part en vadrouille dans la région. ▶

“Tomorrow, we’re going to explore the area.”

Faire le plein de soleil

Literal translation: “To fill up with sunshine.”

Meaning: To enjoy and soak up as much sunshine as possible.

English equivalent: To soak up the sun.

On part dans le sud pour faire le plein de soleil. ▶

“We’re heading south to soak up some sun.”

Faire la grasse matinée

Literal translation: “To have a fat morning.”

Meaning: To stay in bed and sleep later than usual.

English equivalent: To have a lie-in / sleep in.

Demain, pas de réveil : je fais la grasse matinée ! ▶

“Tomorrow, no alarm — I’m sleeping in!”

Here, grasse carries an older sense of something abundant or prolonged, the idea of indulging in a lovely long morning in bed.

A little French holiday culture

Are you a juilletiste or an aoûtien?

Did you know that the French have words for people depending on when they take their summer holidays?

• Un juilletiste takes their main summer holiday in July.
• Un aoûtien takes their main summer holiday in August.

When the juilletistes are returning home just as the aoûtiens are setting off, it's known as:

Le chassé-croisé des juilletistes et des aoûtiens. ▶

And it usually means one thing: very busy French roads!

Faire le pont

Faire le pont literally means “to make the bridge.”

When a public holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, people may take the Monday or Friday off too, creating a “bridge” between the public holiday and the weekend.

Jeudi est férié, alors je fais le pont vendredi. ▶

Thursday is a public holiday, so I'm taking Friday off and making a long weekend of it.

A very useful French expression and perhaps an even better French tradition!

Le mot du mois

Beginner — la rentrée

Meaning: the return to school or work after the summer break

La rentrée is much more than “back to school”. It describes the period when France gets back into its normal rhythm after the summer holidays: schools, work, politics and cultural life all start up again.

La rentrée est en septembre. ▶

Elementary — se dépayser

Meaning: to have a change of scenery

It comes from pays, meaning country or place. Se dépayser is about leaving your familiar surroundings and experiencing somewhere different.

J'aime voyager pour me dépayser. ▶

Intermediate — farniente

Meaning: the pleasure of doing absolutely nothing

French borrowed farniente from the Italian far niente, literally “to do nothing.”

A perfect word for les grandes vacances!

Pendant les vacances, j'adore le farniente. ▶

Advanced — villégiature

Meaning: a holiday stay or a place where someone stays for leisure

The word comes from the Italian villeggiatura, originally referring to spending time at a country villa.

You may come across:

Un lieu de villégiature — a holiday resort or destination.

La Côte d'Azur est un lieu de villégiature très prisé. ▶

Profitez bien de la fin de l'été !

Whether you're travelling, staying at home, watching your French film, faisant la grasse matinée or simply enjoying the last weeks of summer, try to keep a little French in your day.

Watch something. Listen to something. Read a few lines. Learn one new word or expression.

It all counts.

And when September arrives, we'll have plenty to talk about.

À très bientôt et bonnes vacances !
Séverine