Day 800 (Sunday) 18th August 2019
It was another gorgeous sunny day and the thermometer in the balcony read 44 degrees – phew! So we decided to spend the day on the beach. The main beach, which is closer to us, is always too packed at the weekends so we walked down to La Darse. As always on a Sunday there was a market in Market Square and we were quite amused to see this poster for sale.
I’ve mentioned the tourist boats that go by all day and every day saying the same spiel, ‘look at the colours of Villefranche, they are all similar but different. This is the old port where many films have been made including jamais plus jamais (never say never again) with Sean Connery and Kim Bassinger and that’s the Welcome Hotel.’ We hear this speech at least seven or eight times a day and it drives me nuts that they can’t find anything more interesting to say about this gorgeous little town.
It was another gorgeous sunny day and the thermometer in the balcony read 44 degrees – phew! So we decided to spend the day on the beach. The main beach, which is closer to us, is always too packed at the weekends so we walked down to La Darse. As always on a Sunday there was a market in Market Square and we were quite amused to see this poster for sale.
I’ve mentioned the tourist boats that go by all day and every day saying the same spiel, ‘look at the colours of Villefranche, they are all similar but different. This is the old port where many films have been made including jamais plus jamais (never say never again) with Sean Connery and Kim Bassinger and that’s the Welcome Hotel.’ We hear this speech at least seven or eight times a day and it drives me nuts that they can’t find anything more interesting to say about this gorgeous little town.
The beach was lovely and not packed and there was no horrible music and we spent
a lovely afternoon basking in the sunshine and reading.
We called in for a beer at
We called in for a beer at
La Joyeuse Baleine (the jolly whale) and enjoyed watching
the small boats come in and out of the harbour.
The walk back into town was as lovely as ever
We called in Le Phare and had a beer with Andy and Andrea, the lady who runs the
second hand designer shop next door, her tiny dog had to be separated from two
larger dogs because he was going for them – he’s minute!
French expression of the day: Pendaison de crémaillère
If you are invited to a pendaison de crémaillère, you may be surprised to find out this has nothing to do with cream of any kind.
Why do I need to know pendaison de crémaillère?
If you just got a new place, you might want to plan a pendaison de crémaillère by inviting your friends and family - and why not neighbours - to celebrate you moving in. Or if you've fully integrated into your local community, you might be invited to someone else's.
So, what does it mean?
The expression pendaison de crémaillère is French for housewarming party, literally translating to 'trivet hanging'. It tends to be shortened to crémaillère only, so you might hear 'Je fais ma crémaillère ce soir!' - 'My housewarming is tonight!'
The phrase originated in the Middle Ages and is still being used to this day. Many French people do not know where the expression comes from though, so this may be your time to shine.
If you are invited to a pendaison de crémaillère, you may be surprised to find out this has nothing to do with cream of any kind.
Why do I need to know pendaison de crémaillère?
If you just got a new place, you might want to plan a pendaison de crémaillère by inviting your friends and family - and why not neighbours - to celebrate you moving in. Or if you've fully integrated into your local community, you might be invited to someone else's.
So, what does it mean?
The expression pendaison de crémaillère is French for housewarming party, literally translating to 'trivet hanging'. It tends to be shortened to crémaillère only, so you might hear 'Je fais ma crémaillère ce soir!' - 'My housewarming is tonight!'
The phrase originated in the Middle Ages and is still being used to this day. Many French people do not know where the expression comes from though, so this may be your time to shine.
In former times, once the construction of a house was done, it was tradition to invite
everyone who participated in building the house for a meal. Hosts then cooked a
meal in a heavy pot they would hang on a notched trivet or rack in the chimney.
This cooking mechanism was the last thing to be set up in the house and turned it into a home for good.
What does a pendaison de crémaillère look like today?
Housewarming parties are usually thrown within three months of moving in, and are either a party or a dinner in the form of a barbecue or drinks and buffet.
In this type of situation, there are two types of people: those who wait to have furnished and decorated entirely their new home, and those who rather have
their pendaison de crémaillère among cardboard boxes - because you know, after- party cleaning can be a pain.
If you are invited to one, know it is customary to bring a present to the host, like a candle, a plant or small decorative items, kitchen utensils or simply a nice bottle of wine.
This cooking mechanism was the last thing to be set up in the house and turned it into a home for good.
What does a pendaison de crémaillère look like today?
Housewarming parties are usually thrown within three months of moving in, and are either a party or a dinner in the form of a barbecue or drinks and buffet.
In this type of situation, there are two types of people: those who wait to have furnished and decorated entirely their new home, and those who rather have
their pendaison de crémaillère among cardboard boxes - because you know, after- party cleaning can be a pain.
If you are invited to one, know it is customary to bring a present to the host, like a candle, a plant or small decorative items, kitchen utensils or simply a nice bottle of wine.
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