Bonjour Decoded
To get the most out of your trip to France, you have to connect with the locals – and the best way to connect is to speak their language. Even if you don’t speak French, in large cities like Paris, most locals speak a good amount of English. But if you walk up and try to start a conversation in English, they’ll likely be a little less than willing to help. So, start with the one word of French you must know to speak their language! Fortunately, learning a few easy phrases makes a world of difference. It Starts With Bonjour Always, always, always start every interaction with a French person with “Bonjour”, or “Bonsoir” if in the evening. To do otherwise is considered extremely rude. Asking directions? Say bonjour! Buying a baguette? Say bonjour! If you’ve ever heard that the French can be rude, it’s probably because the person didn’t say bonjour! Oh, and resist the temptation to say excuse me (excusez moi) before you say bonjour. You’ll just make the person wonder what you did wrong! Then ask “Parlez-vous Anglais?” meaning, “Do you speak English?” Locals appreciate it when you at least attempt to speak their language, even if you’re terrible at it. Usually, they’ll answer with a smile and say yes or no. Head’s up – In smaller French cities and towns, locals often speak little or no English. In these areas, you’ll want to have a translator handy. Apps Help! Several smart phone apps are available for free downloads – Google Translate is one of the most popular. Using the app, you can download a language pack before your trip, so it won’t require data when you’re abroad. This is important because your U.S. phone plan likely charges exorbitant international data fees, and many phone apps require data. With Google Translate, you can type in anything and it will translate from English to French and vice versa. You can also use your phone’s camera to hover over signs and menus and see a translation. This feature is extremely useful when you’re at a restaurant reading through “Le plat du jour,” or the daily special. Speaking of food, you’ll want to check out these tips for eating in France. And when you’re ready to end with a thank you, say “Merci”, then “au revoir” which means “See you again!” Even if it’s someone at the train station who you know you’ll never see again! If you want to sound like a local, you can also add goodbye with “Bonne journée” (pronounced bon joornay) and wish them a good day! Where there is a plan to meet up again soon, you can really impress them with your French by casually throwing out “À plus!” (pronounced Ah ploose) which is short for “See you later.” Enjoy your trip and remember to sign up for our newsletters to receive insider travel tips and stories. Au Revoir! Blogger: Julie Snyder Julie Snyder is a professional artist and also the programs director of Workshops In France. A native of Scotland, she is a seasoned traveler who splits her time between California and France. You can learn more about her role with Workshops in France here.
Carrières de Lumières 2020
An Immersion into Dali’s Creative Mind. While 21st century technology has brought new dimensions to the world of visual art, there is nothing so breathtaking as Les Carrières de Lumières in the village of Les Baux in the South of France. CultureSpaces has created an immersive art experience in sight and sound within the subterranean space, with images projected onto the solid limestone walls. Regardless of the art selected, the experience is already somewhat surreal—but in 2020 it is being made even more so by an exhibition of the mind-bending creations of Salvador Dali. Spanish artist, Dali, has been astounding art lovers since the 1930s. From the melting clocks of The Persistence of Memory” to the floating figures of his muse Gala, and to the many other inexplicable visions of the universe as only he could see it, Dali’s art continues to mesmerize fans from all over the world. Now Dali’s art is presented in “Daliesque” ways that were never before possible, and that would thoroughly delight Dali himself. Dali, The Endless Enigma In this exhibit, you will actually be immersed in Dali’s works, in a digital exhibition entitled Dali,The Endless Enigma. You will walk through an enormous cavern, while Dali’s art is sharply focused beneath you on the floor, on the ceiling, and on the walls, accompanied in surround-sound, appropriately, by the music of Pink Floyd. Also on the bill is a short program of Antoni Gaudi, known as “the architect of the imaginary.” Gaudi was a great source of inspiration for Dali, and in fact his works from the beginning of the twentieth century were defended by Dali. The immersive exhibition will pay tribute to this ingenious architect through his modernist buildings that have now been listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. About Les Carrières de Lumières This unique art experience is known as the Carrières de Lumières, meaning the “Quarry of Lights”. While music plays through the surround-sound system, enormous masterpieces are projected onto the 64,583 square feet of quarry walls and floors from over 100 projectors, literally enveloping you into the paintings. It is an artistic, sensory adventure like no other and it has brought us to tears with its beauty. The program is really is one of those things you have to experience to appreciate, but it is guaranteed to blow you away. Carrières de Lumières is the brainchild of a Belgian named Bruno Monnier, and his company Culturespaces. The company developed and trademarked the technology they call AMIEX (Art & Music Immersive Experience). Since the launching of Les Carrières de Lumières in 2012, they have since opened similar exhibitions in Paris (Atelier des Lumières) and South Korea (Bunker des Lumières). Due to the outstanding success of these venues, several others are now in the planning stages as well. We include this visit to Les Carrières de Lumières as part of the workshops and retreats program in Southern France. CultureSpace: Throughout our workshops, we have included a trip to Les Baux and Les Carrières de Lumières for our artist-guests. They have experienced tributes on separate years to Gustav Klimt with Egon Schiele (again they were influenced by the Japanese Style), Marc Chagall, The Spanish Masters – from Goya, Sorolla to Picasso and the Giants of the Renaissance featuring Michaelangelo, Raphael and Leonardo da Vinci. Les Baux de Provence Did you know that Les Baux de Provence is arguably one of the most beautiful villages in France? Phenomenal buildings and intricate facades make this village rich in historic architecture. Culinary minds can explore the delicious cuisine, quality wine, and fab company. Les Baux de Provence has been home to Carrières de Lumières since 1976.