A lot of people coming to Salignac wonder what are the buildings called the MFR? I get lots of questions on the topic and it is quite difficult to explain. Firstly it means “ Maison Familiale Rurale” a centre for training, and it is also a holiday residence. It was set up in 1974 as a unique platform for teaching children who found the “normal” school difficult to deal with. It is a private organisation under contract to the Ministry of Agriculture and is directed by the parents of the children. They can accommodate up to 130 children who will study up to college level and for the famous baccalauréat. Training courses are offered outwith this to young adults in tourism, agriculture, languages and childcare. I went along some years ago to a Café Linguistique which was set up for us expats to learn conversational French in an informal situation. Surrounded by English people, I had to fight to be heard as a Scot!

The other part of the MFR, is an International residential centre, welcoming people from all parts of the world , where groups of teachers come in the summer months to immerse themselves in the language for two weeks. A few of our students have stayed there in the past and one notably, an Australian girl, who was too tired to concentrate after a long lunch there with several courses with wine, true French style!

The reluctant French Icon

Françoise Hardy is 72 and still wowing the music scene and the world of “la mode”. Born in Paris and growing up with parents that were cold and absent, she was a shy teenager that found singing a help in overcoming her loneliness. Her father was absent so often that she grew to believe that her parents had divorced, but in reality he had another family that left a mark on her and her sister’s lives forever. The  first song she composed was “Tous les garçons” which was such a huge success, showing her walking along the banks of la Seine, looking a bit sad – she already had a certain quality. Her look that comprised of a very fragile but beautiful face peeping out over a long fringe and a long thin body that clothes looked marvellous on.

She developed a style that she still has today. Her hair is short and grey now but her elegance and quiet determination is apparent. David Bowie , Mick Jagger and many others have all been influenced by this look.. She married another well known singer Jacques Dutronc, and had a son Thomas who is a fantastic gypsy guitarist and also singer. Becoming an icon she says was a problem for her. She doesn’t like the limelight particularly, preferring to be at home reading a book. She lives in Paris alone and her husband lives in Corsica but apparently this works for them! She is a composer for others and for the younger generation she is still an inspiration. She has just released a new album called “l’amour fou” crazy love. After a battle with cancer she is in remission and has become a fan of psychology and astrology, which is also her passion.

More French Expressions

The French for butterfly is “papillon” and is also the name for a bow tie because of its shape. We found this lovely specimen outside our house one evening and tried to rescue it. So unusual with lovely markings , I hope it survived?

I have been astounded that I am now singing, in my head, in French. This is new. The expression for this is “chanter en yaourt” literally meaning singing in yogurt! It’s when you get the sound right, maybe not the exact words but close. When French people sing in English, this is what they do.

That’s all for this month, catch you next time.

Fifi’s story from” France Profonde” May 2016.

www.salignacfoundation.com

Dance and film courses in the Dordogne.