Why do Americans celebrate Easter with these cute animals? This is the silly question of the week, la question bête! According to Kevin Shortsleeve, a professor at Christopher Newport University in Virginia and a specialist in children's literature, the origin of the Easter Bunny dates back to pre-Christian Germany. The Teutons (the Germans of the time) worshiped Ooutre, goddess of spring and fertility. A festival was celebrated every year on the equinox in March. The symbol

At Alliance Française de Reno, we celebrate the rich personal histories that connect our board members to France. Today, we’re honored to share the story of one of our esteemed members, J.P (Jean Pierre) Pascal who was born in the Commons of the Château de Dampierre-en-Yvelines , just a few kilometers from Paris, where his grandparents served as caretakers during World War II , while the owner, le Duc de Luynes , was staying safely in Argentina. Nestled in the Vallée de Chevr

Holiday Greeting Cards ( 'Cartes de Voeux') French people don’t send Christmas cards; they send New Year’s greeting cards instead, and one can wish 'Bonne Ann ée' throughout the month of January with a card or in-person starting a conversation with 'Mes Meilleurs Voeux' (with my best wishes). Holiday Gift Giving Étiquette 'Les É trennes' Traditionally, the word refers to gifts given to workers who provide a regular service: the mail carrier ('le Postier'), local fire

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Yes!... and No! Halloween in France is still a relatively low-key event that only really started in the 1990s, and it doesn't include any of the American glitz and glamour. It's often seen as a "commercial marketing scheme from the Americans," and local supermarkets tend to feel a bit awkward when they start putting out some Halloween costumes and candy. "It's for the children," they always say. For the French, October 31st isn't of much significance. It's La Toussaint, All S

"The Biggest Little City in the World?" Excerpt based on Alicia Barber 's KUNR Public Radio post. Some cities have nicknames that are instantly recognizable, like The Big Apple or the Windy City. Reno’s famous slogan, "The Biggest Little City in the World," also has a unique history. But how did it gain such fame? It all began in the late 1800s during the Gilded Age, a period when major cities like New York, Chicago, and San Francisco were booming with skyscrapers, electric

It's the end of the French Summer Holidays! Do you know what is the sacred French Tradition of "La Rentrée?