On 16 March 2020, the French government announced strict measures to control the spread of COVID-19, including total confinement for 15 days. Anyone leaving their home must show a signed copy of this document upon request. I've turned it into a reading comprehension exercise with side-by-side translation. Updated 20 March 2020
On Monday, 16 March 2020, French president Emmanuel Macron announced that the entire country would go into lockdown the next day. Watch his historic address in this video with interactive subtitles.
In French election years, newspapers are filled with an array of specialized words and phrases you might not be familiar with. Here's some essential vocabulary to help you make sense of everything.
News in Slow French is a weekly podcast aimed at intermediate-level French students. Native speakers report current events at a reduced but not unnatural pace, making it easier for you to understand without being overloaded by rapid-fire French.
Depending who you're talking to, those lovely little pastries filled with chocolate might be called pains au chocolat or chocolatines. This tasty debate has finally been settled once and for all - at least in theory. Find out more in this short, fun video with interactive subtitles.
Everyone loves a good public holiday, n'est-ce pas ? France has 11 of them, but they're not always paid days off from work. Learn about jours fériés in this audio article.
For better or for worse, demonstrations and strikes are an important part of French society. Here's some vocabulary to help you understand the news as well as links to further information.
Fun for your French class! This video combines music with current events (French President Emmanuel Macron talking to gilets jaunes) and includes interactive subtitles.
Actualité et informations
The normally innocuous word gilet is all over the news lately, so this French word of the day is free! 