French Traditions
This long, thin bread is famous in France.
baguette
This French greeting means both “hello” and “good day.”
bonjour
This 14th‑century saint famously led French troops during the Hundred Years’ War before being executed in 1431.
Jeanne d'Arc (Joan of Arc)
The capital of France
Paris
In soccer, this striker scored a record 51 goals for France before being surpassed by Olivier Giroud.
Thierry Henry
This thin pancake is often eaten on "La chandeleur"
crêpe
Meaning "pardon me "
Excusez-moi / Pardon
This French general crowned himself Emperor in 1804.
Napoleon Bonaparte
France’s second‑largest city, this Mediterranean port is famous for bouillabaisse and its Old Port.
Marseille
This soccer club from Paris has dominated Ligue 1 in the 2010s and 2020s.
Paris Saint‑Germain (PSG)
This month is when French children put shoes out for Père Noël.
Decembre
Literally “already seen,” it describes that eerie feeling of having lived a moment before.
déjà vu
Napoleon’s disastrous retreat from this country in 1812 cost him hundreds of thousands of troops.
Russie
This northern region is home to the chalky white cliffs of Étretat it is also know for its cheese "Le camembert"
La Normandie
This annual cycling race first began in 1903.
Tour de France
This chocolate-filled pastry is a typical French breakfast treat.
pain au chocolat ou chocolatine
French for “please,” this word also translates to “if it pleases you.
s’il vous plaît
Dying childless, this French king’s demise in 1328 helped spark the Hundred Years’ War.
Charles IV
At 4,808 meters, this Alpine peak is the tallest mountain in Western Europe.
Le Mont Blanc
Completed in 1903, this velodrome was used for early Tour de France finishes
Parc des Princes Velodrome
On July 14th, France celebrates this national holiday marking the storming of a famous Parisian fortress.
Le 14 juillet in English called the Bastille day (no French person called it Bastille day since the prison was destroyed - the stones of this prison were used to build other buildings)
This French term for “meal of the day” often shows up on café menus
plat du jour
Invented in France in 1829 by Louis Braille, this system helps visually impaired people read.
Le braille
This French territory in the South Pacific is spread over five main islands including Tahiti.
La polynesie francaise
The sister Maelie was a tennis player at IMG Academy,
do you know her famous brother
Gael Monfils