Tag Archives: France

Private French Tutor Online: Embrace the French Lifestyle!

August 8, 2020 Virginie the Frenchie Leave a comment

Bonjour, my name is Virginie the Frenchie. I was born and raised in France in a beautiful region called Auvergne : famous for its volcanoes, its beautiful cheese, Michelin and so much more! I studied Foreign Languages (English, German and Spanish) as well as Marketing at the university and performed all my internships abroad so I know what it is like to learn and practise other languages. I also lived and worked many years in Paris and then moved to Montreal in Canada (French speaking region), London in UK, and finally I settled in Adelaide in Australia where I am living the dream! So if like me you have a passion for foreign languages (French), an interest for the french culture, history, food and lifestyles overseas you came to the right place! If you have the project of traveling or living abroad in a French speaking country (like in the popular Netflix TV show: Emily in Paris) or just enjoying practising your French with a native, you will find here plenty of reflexions and ideas to make this new chapter of your life fun, memorable and overcome (nearly) any kind of situations even when “lost in translation”… Learning a new language is a wonderful way to experience, to discover, to grow, to meet and to connect with amazing people from all other the world. Now my friends are from France, USA, UK, Canada, Italy, Germany, Brazil, Turkey, Spain, Iran, Morocco, Mexico, Peru, Venezuela, Colombia, Japan, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia… and it is good fun to speak French together with so many different and lovely accents! I really enjoy helping others to learn French! I am dynamic, patient and fun. I think communication is the most important aspect in teaching a language. For this reason, I organise interesting and fun conversations lessons and I can adapt them to your needs. À bientôt j’espère 🙂

I am available for online lessons anywhere in the world or in-person private lessons in the following areas: By Blackbird French Bakery Café, 231 Hutt St, Adelaide SA 5000 / Hutt Street Library, 235 Hutt St, Adelaide SA 5000, so if you love everything about France and you are willing to practise your French with your favourite blogger 😉 don’t hesitate to contact me via the form below and we can discuss about your needs and expectations and start from there!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest way to learn French in Adelaide?

I really enjoy conversations sessions as I believe practising in real situations with a native is the key to progress in a foreign language. I also like to work in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere as I believe it is important to feel at ease when learning and comfortable making mistakes as I am here to help. I am also very positive, creative and adaptable so I can find the best ways for each students to help them to learn, progress and meet their needs.

Is French easy to learn?

Been there done that. Any language is relatively “easy” to learn as long as you have the passion, a strong interest for it and a huge willingness to learn and of course if you are ready to give it plenty of time and effort… there is no secret! Practising is essential that is why I believe in conversations classes! Besides French and English do share many similarities and roots so having so much common vocabulary helps a lot!

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australia, france

Here come the blues brothers…

June 18, 2019 Virginie the Frenchie Leave a comment

When you think of the blues music, you often think about dark moments, misfortune, pain, betrayal and regrets. And while it is true that Blues lyrics often deal with personal adversity, the music itself goes far beyond self-pity. Jimi Hendrix used to say “Blues is easy to play but hard to feel” because precisely self pity is the easy way that anybody can choose but if you really feel the blues, the music, the beat, the notes, the intensity, you will understand that it is about overcoming bad luck, opening up, freeing yourself of frustration, letting your hair down, owning your feelings and simply having fun. From intense joy to deep sadness, no form of music communicates more genuine emotions than the blues.

Robert Lee Johnson, an itinerant performer, a master of the blues, a legend and its song 32-20

And one of the most beautiful way to connect and really feel the blues is to listen to a Blues Band playing live. Thirty Two Twenty, will take you on an amazing and very unique musical journey. Because with the blues it all comes first with its deepest roots and history as the blues grew up in the Mississippi Delta just upriver from New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz. Blues and jazz have always influenced each other, and they still interact in countless ways today. Some even says that Jazz is like the big brother of the blues… And let’s not forget that the blues gave birth to rock ‘n roll so it is like a big musical family. And it is exactly what the band Thirty Two Twenty is all about : Blues but not only, it has also this jazzy vibe and defintely this rock’n roll touch and the best part is that it also has this funky family spirit since the band is leaded by two brothers: Lee (bass and composer), Russ (vocal and guitar). So definitely a must see if you are willing to experience something a bit different that will blow your mind away!

Call it faith or happily coincidence, but their next show is on Friday 21th June which happens also to be the Fête de la musique in France (Music day). A very special celebration in my country as it is summer time and the longest day of the year, when we honour the diversity and spirit of music with thousands of free events around the country including choirs, DJ sets, classic music, rock and pop… Every single person, professional or not, is welcome to go on that day in the street, balcony, rooftop and play an instrument or sing. As for me, I will be celebrating my own fête de la musique enjoying the Thirty Two Twenty’s gig at the Wheatsheaf Hotel, with a bunch of friends, on that very same day ❤

Great music, great atmosphere in the room, on the stage and on the dancefloor!

australia

A generous arts and antiques buff!

June 17, 2015 Virginie the Frenchie 7 Comments

“Art is the only way to run away without leaving home” – Twyla Tharp

What if I told you that I know a place here in North Adelaide to travel the world, escape the routine and embrace history, would you believe me?!

The Pratts called this type of pottery their “Etruscan” ware.

The David Roche Foundation is an impressive arts collection gallery featuring two centuries of European designs. His founder, David Roche, was passionate about antiques and fine arts. He devoted his whole life traveling the world and acquiring unique objects. When it came to arts he had absolutely no limits and he adored everything: furnitures, paintings, sculptures, porcelains… His home was filled with treasures from the past to be cherished and kept secret! But David Roche had a dream: he wanted to leave a legacy to Australian people! His foundation is his last gift so visitors can enjoy his legendary collection and learn more about history through unique and original pieces.

Patinated bronze statue of the Madonna: Mother of Mercy

I really recommend to visit this art gallery. It is fascinating to gaze at all these original objects and hear about their origins. It is like traveling to the past: it is a beautiful journey from the early rococo of France to Faberge in Russia. Furthermore David Roche is quite an intriguing character and it is interesting to hear about his life. The gallery is run by an amazing Lady called Ann, she is absolutely fabulous and I could honestly listen to her for hours presenting each item of the collection: so fascinating! Besides she speaks English beautifully (crystal clear) so for foreigners like me, it is a really good practice! In my opinion, she speaks the “Queen’s English” and it is absolutely divine! I think she really adds something to the whole experience!

As for me, thanks to Ann explanations, my favourite piece was actually a Napoleon dessert service depicting views of Paris. It was made with delicate and finest porcelain and it looked really precious. The emperor offered this set to his beloved sister Pauline! And if you paid a closer look to the dessert plates, you could see on one of them the “Jardin des plantes” and 2 kangaroos as part of this beautiful scenery! Actually the French emperor was fascinated by Australia: in the 1800s it was considered as the most exotic, exiting and unexplored place of the world! No wonder that at that time an expedition was orchestrated by Napoleon himself! He appointed the French explorer Nicolas Baudin and instructed him to bring back to France typical Australian plants and animals! It is nearly a miracle that the kangaroos survived the 6 months journey on the ship (when I can hardly cope with the 21 hours trip by plane from Adelaide to Paris) and could be seen in the famous Parisian botanical garden. So as you can easily imagine I really enjoyed gazing at this beautiful Napoleon dessert service, it is more than an object, it is all the (hi)story it represent and what Australia means to France and French people ❤

So next time, you happen to visit the fancy Melbourne street on North Adelaide, pop by the lovely cafe E for Ethel for a nice lunch or a latte and then head to The David Roche foundation and don’t leave the gallery before having found a favourite piece to remember so you can tell me all about it in the comment section 😉 I’m really looking forward to hear from you!

VIEWING GALLERY

237 Melbourne Street
North Adelaide SA 5006

(08) 8267 1755

Entry by donation of $2 per person

Tuesday to Thursday: 10am to 3pm – Friday to Monday: Closed

http://www.rochefoundation.com.au

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Here are some informations about the antiques presented on the different article pictures:

The pair of moulded and carved terra cotta figures are allegories of Spring (with the posy of flowers) and Summer (with the buch of grapes) and are in the style of Charles Percier (1764-1838) and Pierre-François-Léonard Fontaine (1762-1853). They are from France, early 20th century.The silvered and parcel-gilt electrotyped copper wall plaques are referred to as “Chargers” and were made by Elkington & Co. in England in 1869, from French designs.One is “January-June” signs of the zodiac, the other is “July- December” and each has a different season portrayed in the centre.

The black and white earthenware Pot-pourri Vase is by Pratt & Co. of Fenton, England and was made circa 1880. It is in perfect condition, and is in three sections with a domed lid, an inner lid pierced with holes and a base with two handles attached from the shoulders to the rim, decorated in black over white with painted and transfer printed classical pattern borders and figural designs and gilding. The Pratts called this type of pottery their “Etruscan” ware.

The patinated bronze statue of the Madonna is by British sculptor, Nic Fiddian-Green who was born in 1963. It is titled ‘Mother of Mercy’ and was produced in England circa 1999. This sculpture was created for the new millennium as an edition of only three – the first is in the Vatican in Rome. On completion of the third and final cast, all moulds are to be destroyed by the artist.

australia, food

A slice of France

May 13, 2015 Virginie the Frenchie 4 Comments

Don’t you love the smell of a French baguette, still warm from the bakery shop? As I am walking back home, I can’t resist biting in it and feel it crunching under my teeth. I like this particular sound and the taste of it, promise of a delicious breakfast with butter, jam, pains au chocolat and croissants!

Sometimes I miss home and I need to reconnect with familiar flavours. It is not easy to find bread or croissants that have the same texture and taste as in France. You would think it is because of the unique technique or maybe a special oven…etc but actually the explanation is way more simple: it is the flour! It is too expensive to import French flour that is why bakeries use local flour to bake their baguettes. Don’t get me wrong, I have tried many kind of breads at the Adelaide Central Market and I liked them a lot: I mean they are good but different! And when you are experiencing home sickness, you want to bite into a piece of bread that would remind you of the nice mornings at your family home, beautiful pastries at the corner of your street, the intoxicating smell of the warm and fresh bread from the oven… you see?!

As for the perfect croissant, it is not easy to find it either! I tried a few places but so far, the one I enjoyed the most was at Cannelle French pastries! When I bit into it, it took me back for a couple of minutes to Paris ❤ The flavour was definitely here and I had croissant crumbs all over me which is how it is supposed to be 😉 The baker is a sympathetic French man who felt in love with Adelaide and has been living here for many years! So if you are a croissant lover, try to get to Cannelle bakery early in the morning as these little treats don’t last very long!

Cannelle French pastries

123b Magill Road

Stepney SA 5069

http://www.cannelle.com.au