Thursday, November 11, 2010

Commemoration day


The giant French flag is back under the Arc of Triumph as today we commemorate the armistice of World Word I.
For this occasion it is a public holiday in France and since its a Thursday this year, lots of people (including me) also take their Friday off which gives a 4 days weekend ! In French we call this : "faire le pont" which literally means "make the bridge" (between 2 non worked days). If you'd work in France this week  people would ask you " est-ce que tu fais le pont ?" (do you make the bridge?).
date

9 comments:

  1. VirginiaNovember 11, 2010 at 1:24 AM

    THis is a terrific image Laurent. And congratulations on yet another French holiday. You guys know how to work it! :) Maybe those protestors regarding the retirement age need to add up all the days off a year. HA
    V

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  2. Leif HagenNovember 11, 2010 at 2:35 AM

    Voila! We have Veteran's Day tomorrow, Thursday, too! And so does Australia and probably other countries as well!
    I love the new expression "faire le pont!"

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  3. Regina KNovember 11, 2010 at 3:17 AM

    Veterans Day is a holiday in my business and I have Friday off too. So yes - est-ce que tu fais le pont
    Great photo!!

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  4. cocoa and coconut November 11, 2010 at 4:35 AM

    So interesting! Thank you for the cultural information, I shall use that phrase in the future!! Keep more of that coming please :D

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  5. cocoa and coconut November 11, 2010 at 4:37 AM

    Ps. Can you use "fais le pont" phrase in any situation where you take a long weekend eg. friday off + normal weekend. Or does it have to be thurs + fri + normal weekend? Or just for commeroration week??

    Merci

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  6. HarrietNovember 11, 2010 at 5:03 AM

    I love it when you give us a little French lesson. Merci.

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  7. SRQNovember 11, 2010 at 12:11 PM

    Veterans' Day here in the U.S. -- same concept: to remember the end of WW I and honor all military veterans. Thanks for that wonderful French tutorial. Bonne journee!

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  8. LaurentNovember 11, 2010 at 1:40 PM

    @ Les rêves ...
    No you do not use the expression when you just add a day to your weekend. It's only when you add a day between 2 days off

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  9. Genie -- Paris and BeyondNovember 11, 2010 at 3:28 PM

    Laurent, I had learned of this expression from my French tutor and also experienced it first-hand when I was in Paris for Quatorze Juillet (on a Tuesday). Many people were also making that bridge over Monday as well!

    Thanks for posting this today...

    xx
    Genie

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