NewsletterNovember 2004

Plottes Remembers

This November 13th, 2004 at 10:30 am the village of Plottes (near Tournus in the Saône-et-Loire) will hold a dedication and memorial celebration to the crew and passengers of a US B-26 bomber that crashed near Plottes on November 13, 1944. Click here for more information about the US B-26.
Also taking place in Plottes during November 11th to 14th will be a memorial celebration honoring those that fought in WWI and WWII. Anyone interested is welcomed to attend.

Halloween

When I first lived in France in the middle 90's there were few if any signs that Halloween even existed. I recall seeing the 'Day of the Dead' once on Arte (A French/Germany cultural channel) but nothing more than that. Then once during a trip back in the late 90's I saw a coffee shop with the employees all dressed up in Halloween clothes, but nothing that would stand out.
Oh how times have changed! Over the last five years or so France has taken to 'celebrating' Halloween. I can't seem to pass a bakery, hair salon or store that have Halloween decorations. Halloween now seems to be everywhere in France during October. Mostly it's through decorations, so far there aren't any children dressed in costume saying "trick or treat" and I haven't been invited to any Halloween parties. It seems that France celebrates Halloween and doesn't really understand why.
Last year French Television reported there was a backlash to the commercialization of October 31st. One bakery was selling a 'Day of the Dead' cake to counter bakeries selling Halloween pastries. The Catholic Church also weighted in on this debate and now holds an October 31st prayer night in Paris.

English in Schools

A law purposed in France would make it mandatory that all students learn English starting in the 4th grade. In theory this is a good idea, the earlier someone starts learning a language the better. The problem in France is finding enough English teachers, especially those that are native speakers. Right now there is a shortage of English teachers in France.

The Da Vinci Code

I recently read Dan Brown's thrilling bestseller The Da Vinci Code. I loved its depictions of some of Paris best-known monuments, notably the Louvre and Jardins des Tuileries. The DA Vinci Code also featured some lesser-known monuments: Saint-Sulpice Church. The church has a 'pagan' Obelisk and the Arago Rose Line, the original prime meridian line that runs through Paris and the Obelisk in Saint-Sulpice church. For photos of locations featured in The DA Vinci Code click here.