Having just returned from Paris in June, I really couldn't help myself when I saw this challenge pop up over at Bookbath and Thyme for Tea. The event runs from July 1st through the end of the month, and you can do a wide variety of things to celebrate. Really though, all you need to do is blog about Paris or France throughout the month of July. Here are a few things that were suggested:
- Reading a French book - fiction or non-fiction
- Watching a French movie
- Listening to French music
- Cooking French food
- Experiencing French art, architecture or travel
- Or anything else French inspired you can think of...
Watch some these...
Read these...
Listen to...
Sadly, I haven't joined hardly any challenges this year. When the new year rolled around, I was feeling way too overwhelmed to start anything new, so this will be a fun time. I'm eager to get started. Once 4th of July celebration stuff settles down, I can jump back in and try to enjoy a little Paris in July!
What are some of your favorite French films, books, music, food, or other things you might suggest?
I really want to see Midnight In Paris, and read Anna and the French Kiss. A Moveable Feast might be a good read for this challenge, too, even though I hate Ernest Hemingway.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to check that out! Are you joining in this challenge?
ReplyDeleteI LOVED Midnight in Paris... want to see it again!
ReplyDeleteYour readers may not be aware that Texas enjoyed a special relationship with France between 1839 and 1845.
ReplyDeleteThus, 2011 marks the 16th year that the Alliance Française d’Austin offers its annual Bastille Day Party featuring live music, dancing, pétanque and other games, food, a silent auction, and more on Saturday, July 16th, from 7pm until 11pm, in the gardens of the French Legation Museum.
The Republic of Texas was an independent North American nation bordering the U.S. and Mexico from 1836 until December 29, 1845, when U.S. annexation took effect, bypassing a territorial phase. During Texas' sovereign nation status, France granted Official recoginition on September 25, 1839, appointing Jean Pierre Isador Alphonse Dubois de Saligny to serve as chargé d'affaires.
The French Legation was built in 1841 and still stands in Austin as the oldest frame structure in the city. It remained in private hands until 1949 when it was purchased by the State of Texas and opened to the public as a museum in 1956 under custodianship of the Daughters of The Republic of Texas.
Y'all are invited! Tickets are $8 (advance) or $10 (at door).
Why not host a Bastille Day Party where you live?
I was fortunate one year to celebrate this national holiday in France while I lived for a month in Normandy.
Carla
P.S....Film Suggestions with trailers:
ReplyDelete“Angelique, Marquise des Anges” (1964) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpK2OlayWvg
“Brotherhood of the Wolf” (2001) http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi1728775961/
“Camille Claudel” (1988) http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi3501981977/
“Children of the Century” (1999) http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi26607897/
“Cyrano de Bergerac” (1990) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgbygwrsJwY
“The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec” (2010) http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi4041710873/
“The Horseman on the Roof” (1995) http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi2121728793/
“Indochine” (1992) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xJQPuY3G7k
“Marcel Proust’s Time Regained” (1999) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGpcZJ8obEI
“Queen Margot“ (1994) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17CL22j1qOU
“Sarah’s Key (2010) http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1186176025/
“The Story of Adele H” (1975) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvH77u47d7k
“Vatel” (2000) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGIp_NZX00c
“The Widow of Saint-Pierre” (2000) http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi2784755993/
Carla
I might go see _Midnight in Paris_ tomorrow! And I want to read the new David McCullough book _The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris, 1830-1900_. Probably won't get to it in July though...
ReplyDeleteI'm so jealous of you only just having got back from Paris Becky - it seems like so long ago that I was there now. You have some wonderful choices for the month - looking forward to reading more!
ReplyDeleteJust reading Fodors travel book on Paris is nice enough!
ReplyDeleteJoAnn--Yay! I'm so glad to hear that Midnight in Paris is so good. I'm hoping to go this week!
ReplyDeleteCarla--Thanks for all the great info! How lucky that you got to live in France for a time. Also, I love all the movie recommendations! It's not always easy to know what is out, because we don't hear about them. I usually depend on the Oscar nominations or what has been recommended to me on Netflix. Thanks for giving me some suggestions. :)
Gretchen--You'll have to tell me what you thought of the movie. I actually saw that McCullough book and have it on hold at the library. It's not going to be in soon though.
Karen--Thanks! I'm looking forward to it all. :)
Mystica--I hadn't thought of that! I'll have to check that out. Thanks!
Becky.....
ReplyDeleteYou also might wish to watch American films "Gigi" (1958), "Le Divorce (2003), and "The American (1998, PBS version of the Henry James novel) as well as read Paula McLain's novel "The Paris Wife" (released February 22, 2011) about Hemingway's life with first wife Hadley Richardson.
Carla
Okay... I loved Midnight in Paris. It was kind of hard to take Owen Wilson seriously in that kind of a role, but I loved it anyway. :)
ReplyDeleteI tried to see Midnight in Paris last weekend and it was sold out in two theaters!!! I'll definitely try again. You have some great movie and book ideas.
ReplyDeleteI also recommend Bon Voyage, a 2003 French movie about Parisians on the eve of WWII. It stars Isabel Adjani and Gerard Depardieu and I really enjoyed it.
Becky~Yes, naturally I'm joining the challenge. :)
ReplyDelete