Where Charles de Gaulle's story started

Bonjour, c’est Véro

The French language instructor is back with a new story en français, complete with an English translation and an audio recording (to brush up on your listening and pronunciation skills.)

Last time I used a similar format, I had just returned from Marseille. Remember that story about la pétanque? (It also involved a young lady’s derrière as you may recall.)

It’s almost March, my birthday month, and I just launched several French language programs. Just around the corner, an online class, Survival French for the Traveler, starts on March 17 on Zoom - ideal for beginners and those who want to be able to say more than “Bonjour !” on their next visit. The French always appreciate it!

Then in September and October, Season 2 of my weeklong French Immersion workshops in Tours, Loire Valley. These are not your traditional, structured French language classes: We focus on communication and exposure to local history and daily life while exploring the city and area and interacting with French natives.

Both October programs are sold out (blame returning students who had a great time last year.) I still have a few openings in the September workshop. Head to the website where details await then reach out if you are interested in joining us.

Here’s a peek at last year’s workshops:

Back to the man some refer to to as “le Grand Charles,” Charles de Gaulle (1890-1970.)

Fifty six years after his death, de Gaulle continues to cast a giant shadow over French politics and institutions. Many are familiar with his long career as an officer, founder of the Free French Forces during WW2 and politician. De Gaulle was the first president elected under the 5th Republic in 1958.

A visit to his native home in Lille, northern France, may help shed a new light on his formative years and showcases a bourgeois family’s lifestyle during the Belle Epoque.

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A Lille, rue Princesse, une rue résidentielle aujourd’hui (jadis plus animée avec de nombreux commerces) se trouve un portail, surmonté d’un grand drapeau français. Sur le mur, à gauche de l’entrée, une plaque rappelant aux visiteurs qu’ils sont devant la maison natale de Charles de Gaulle. Le musée a ouvert en 1983 et a été restauré en 2020.

Une confidence: J’ai eu un coup de coeur pour la maison, entre autres son superbe jardin d’hiver que nous allons visiter.

De Gaulle est né en 1890 dans la maison de ses grands-parents maternels, Jules-Emile et Julia Maillot que tous les enfants de la famille surnommaient “Bonne Maman.” Il y a passé de bons moments pendant son enfance notamment avec ses cousins, même si ses parents, Jeanne et Henri de Gaulle, vivaient à Paris. De Gaulle restera attaché au nord de la France toute sa vie.

Visitons maintenant quelques pièces de la maison, le superbe jardin d’hiver et observons certains des objets qui s’y trouvent, la plupart issus du 19ème siècle. Notre visite sera festive: Elle a lieu quelques jours après Noël.