Michael Stevenson, aka Dai Bando, Johnny Foreigner, Monsieur Pas De Merde, is a blogger of French and British culture. His blogs "Pas De Merde" and "The Hobbledehoy" have been called "marvelous" by some, and "meh" by others.
In France, the insects are associated with summer and sun.
By Rick Noack
LE BEAUSSET, France — The five-foot blue iron cicada dangles upside-down from a metal branch, bulging eyes staring at the sky. It appears ready to launch itself at any moment at cars moving through the traffic circle below.
The $34,000 statue was inaugurated last year as a proud defense of the seasonal insect, after complaints from tourists who had dared to ask if the din emanating from the trees could be stopped with an application of insecticide.
The chorus of cicadas, or “cigales,” as they are called here, is an annual and generally beloved phenomenon in southern France, especially in the region of Provence. And the village of Le Beausset, with a population of about 10,000 people and an unknown number of cicadas, is the self-proclaimed cicada capital.
Across the region, visitors can buy cicada postcards and cicada tablecloths and ceramic cicadas in more than three dozen colors. For the biggest fans, shops in Le Beausset’s neighboring town of Le Castellet sell versions that release their deafening sounds whenever anyone comes close.
And so as residents of Le Beausset and across France’s south await the annual chirping of the insects — expected later this month — many here have watched reaction to the U.S. “zombie cicada invasion” with a mix of bewilderment and surprise.
The cicadas often remain on the town’s pine trees, where their colors merge with those of the trunk. (Sandra Mehl for The Washington Post)
They understand that the cicada species dominant in southern France emerge in lower density than the 17-year periodical cicadas that have roiled the East Coast this summer. But few here would think of the insect as an edible snack. Or something worthy of 911 noise complaints.
You probably already know that the French word “quoi” means “what”… but did you know that it has other meanings, too? Especially in modern spoken French! There are so many ways that you can use this simple French word. In today’s lesson, we’ll explore the different meanings and uses of the word “quoi”. I’ll also introduce you to some popular expressions you can use to sound more authentically French when speaking. Take care and stay safe. 😘 from Grenoble, France
Géraldine
La talentueuse JEANNE CHERHAL (chanteuse, auteure / compositrice / interprète et pianiste française). Le programme est constitué d’une interview par Coralie Biolay, suivie du concert « féerique » (avec des surprises sonores) de Jeanne, accompagnée de Marc Chouarain au theremin, celesta et Cristal Baschet.
The group’s first album, the self-titled Nouvelle Vague, was released in 2004. Explaining how the project came about, leader Oliver Libaux later said: “Marc Collin and I were both musicians and producers in the French music industry when, in 2003, Marc called me with this very strange idea of covering Love Will Tear Us Apart in a bossa nova version. I thought this idea was absolutely crazy but very exciting. So we decided to get into the studio and try it out as soon as possible. Then we did Just Can’t Get Enough and Guns Of Brixton. We put the album together in just eight months.”
I’m a huge fan of France and was ecstatic to hear the reopening news. Naturally, I hopped on one of the first flights to Paris (CDG) that arrived just hours after the new regulations went into effect.
Here, I’ll give you a look at my experience entering France under the new coronavirus entry restrictions.
I’ll start with a quick overview of what Americans need to bring for entry to France and then discuss my travel experience, from checking in at New York-JFK to clearing customs at Paris (CDG).
Let’s get started!
Overview of France’s entry requirements (and what to bring)
Vaccinated Americans can now visit France for tourism. (Photo by Clint Henderson/The Points Guy)
Today, France implemented a “stoplight” system for tourists entering the country. There are three different colors: green, orange and red. Those coming from green countries can enter without restriction if vaccinated, while those in red countries are mostly barred from entry except for essential purposes.
(Image courtesy of the French Government)
Orange is the largest category and contains most of the countries outside of the Schengen area. This includes the U.S., U.K., Canada and Mexico, among others.
Entry requirements are very straightforward. According to the French Government (PDF link), vaccinated Americans (and vaccinated travelers from other orange countries) can enter France with the following:
Proof of your vaccination — the following vaccines are accepted:
Note that you must wait a set amount of time after your COVID-19 vaccine in order to enter France. The wait time depends on which vaccine you received:
Two weeks after the second injection for two injection vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca)
Four weeks after the injection for single injection vaccines (Johnson & Johnson)
Unvaccinated persons coming from orange countries are not allowed entry to France unless he or she has a “compelling reason” for their visit or is a French citizen, EU national or holds one of a handful of French visas.
Additionally, unvaccinated travelers are subject to tougher restrictions:
Proof of a negative COVID test, either:
PCR within 72 hours of boarding
Antigen within 48 hours of boarding
Antigen test on arrival
Mandatory seven-day self-quarantine
In other words: if you’re coming from an orange country, you can only visit for tourism if you’re fully vaccinated.
Many COVID-19 restrictions in France have been eased alongside the border reopening. That said, there are still some restrictions in place that you should be aware of if you plan to visit France immediately.
There is an 11 p.m. curfew, with a fine for breaking it
Indoor dining at cafés and restaurants around the country have resumed indoor dining at 50% capacity, with a maximum of six people allowed per table
Outdoor dining has resumed at full capacity
Museums are open, albeit with capacity restrictions
Many of these restrictions are set to be lifted at the end of the month. So if you’re a night owl, consider pushing your trip back a few weeks [ . . . ]
C’est bien! C’est bon! C’est… délicat. These two French words may have very similar meanings, but learning to use them the way we do in everyday spoken and written French can be tricky. Are you using them properly? Let’s find out! In today’s lesson, we’ll explore the core differences between “bon” and “bien”, including what role they play in a sentence, how they’re used in common French expressions, and whether or not you can use them interchangeably.
