Category: French Culture
Affair Of The Diamond Necklace, Swindle That Ruined An Innocent Queen
Mention the name of Marie Antoinette and many people will credit her with the haughty citation, “Let them eat cake!” The frivolous queen allegedly uttered these words upon learning that French peasants had no bread to eat. Yet, Marie Antoinette never made this pronouncement nor was she indifferent to the…
Camus’ Letters to a German Friend, a Warning for Our Times
Sunday, November 7, marks what would have been the 108th birthday of Nobel Prize winner, Albert Camus. During World War II, Camus joined the French Resistance, a movement dedicated to overthrowing the Germans. Camus lent his genius to the clandestine effort by working as a journalist and underground newspaper editor.…
October Potpourri: Criminals, Choreography, Coronavirus, and more
There’s an App For That: Hexatrek’s Breathtaking Route Across France
Many years ago, when my husband Andy and I were visiting Mount Rainier National Park, we encountered a young couple who had come there to hike to the summit. Upon learning that they enjoyed backpacking, we recommended that they return someday to circumnavigate the mountain on the Wonderland Trail. They…
Little Red Riding Hood, An Insanely Popular Tale from France
September Potpourri: Arches, Ambassadors, Elections, and Addidas
Evacuating Kabul: French Ambassador Narrowly Escapes, Fears Future
Since last month’s calamitous evacuation from Kabul, I’ve wondered what happened to the French journalists, NGOs, citizens, members of the military, and diplomatic corps that were stationed there. This week I came across an eye-opening interview with the French ambassador to Afghanistan, David Martinon, printed in Le Monde. Rather than…
Affair Of The Diamond Necklace, Swindle That Ruined An Innocent Queen

Mention the name of Marie Antoinette and many people will credit her with the haughty citation, “Let them eat cake!” The frivolous queen allegedly uttered these words upon learning that French peasants had no bread to eat. Yet, Marie Antoinette never made this pronouncement nor was she indifferent to the…
Camus’ Letters to a German Friend, a Warning for Our Times

Sunday, November 7, marks what would have been the 108th birthday of Nobel Prize winner, Albert Camus. During World War II, Camus joined the French Resistance, a movement dedicated to overthrowing the Germans. Camus lent his genius to the clandestine effort by working as a journalist and underground newspaper editor.…
October Potpourri: Criminals, Choreography, Coronavirus, and more
There’s an App For That: Hexatrek’s Breathtaking Route Across France

Many years ago, when my husband Andy and I were visiting Mount Rainier National Park, we encountered a young couple who had come there to hike to the summit. Upon learning that they enjoyed backpacking, we recommended that they return someday to circumnavigate the mountain on the Wonderland Trail. They…
Little Red Riding Hood, An Insanely Popular Tale from France
September Potpourri: Arches, Ambassadors, Elections, and Addidas
Evacuating Kabul: French Ambassador Narrowly Escapes, Fears Future

Since last month’s calamitous evacuation from Kabul, I’ve wondered what happened to the French journalists, NGOs, citizens, members of the military, and diplomatic corps that were stationed there. This week I came across an eye-opening interview with the French ambassador to Afghanistan, David Martinon, printed in Le Monde. Rather than…