Introduction of French Language and Culture (Part 1)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key people, institutions, places, cultural concepts, and iconic works from the lecture notes on the history, geography, and culture of France.

République Française

France's official name in French; literally the French Republic.

Paris (ville lumière)

Capital and most important city of France; nickname means 'City of Light'.

Georges-Eugène Haussmann

Urban planner who modernized Paris in the mid-19th century with broad avenues and a regular street plan.

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (Roissy)

Largest international airport in France and one of the busiest in Europe.

L’Académie française

Institute founded in 1635 by Cardinal Richelieu to regulate the French language; members are called 'les immortels.'

les immortels

Nickname for the members of L’Académie française, revered French intellectuals and public figures.

Villers-Cotterêts Ordinance (1539)

Law that established French as the official language for judicial acts, contracts, and legislation.

Francophonie

Global community of French-speaking countries and cultures seeking solidarity and dialogue.

Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF)

International organization representing Francophone countries; 88 member states/governments; motto égalité, complémentarité, solidarité.

Égalité

Equality; one of the core values in the French motto and Francophone ideals.

Liberté

Freedom; one of the core values in the French motto Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité.

Fraternité

Fraternity/brotherhood; one of the core values in the French motto Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité.

Cajun French

A French dialect spoken in Louisiana with the largest number of speakers in the U.S.

Boeuf bourguignon

Beef stewed in red wine with garlic, onions, mushrooms, and broth.

Coq au vin

Chicken braised in Burgundy wine with lardons, mushrooms and onions.

Baguette

Long, thin loaf of French bread; iconic symbol of French cuisine.

Haute couture

High-end fashion designed and sewn by hand; Parisian fashion houses epitomize this craft.

Louvre

One of the world’s largest museums in Paris; houses famous works like the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo.

Mona Lisa

Portrait by Leonardo da Vinci housed in the Louvre.

Venus de Milo

Ancient Greek statue housed in the Louvre.

Eiffel Tower

Iconic Paris landmark and symbol of modern architecture.

Monet

Claude Monet, leader of French Impressionism; known for works like Water Lilies; gave rise to the term Impressionism with his painting Impression, Sunrise.

Impressionism

Art movement emphasizing light and perception; named after Monet’s Impression, Sunrise.

Les Misérables

Novel by Victor Hugo exploring social injustice in 19th-century France.

Victor Hugo

Prominent French author who wrote Les Misérables and is a key figure in French literature.