It’s St. Valentine’s Day. What better time to learn French, the language of love?

During today’s French lesson at IS Aix-en-Provence, we dove into a treasure chest of words and phrases the French use to express their feelings of love.

Would your heart pitter-patter if your loved one called you “ma Puce” (my Flea)?

If someone said “avoir un cœur d’artichaut*” is it a compliment?

(*fall in love easily)

In today’s French lesson, I was surprised to be told that perfume tops the gift list for Saint Valentine’s Day in France, not a heart-shaped box of chocolates. Flowers are always good. Lingerie is even better –in red, of course.

Restaurants and cafes are packed for the occasion. Boulangeries are stacked with heart-shaped, chocolate-filled, cream-puffed, decadent delicacies of every description.

“Croyez-vous au coup de foudre?” Do you believe in love at first sight?

I do.

Click here for information on the French language school IS Aix-en-Provence.

Why does the Barefoot Blogger have such a hard time learning French …  The Barefoot Blogger has spent much time with new French friends over the past two weeks. Admitting that I live in France and can barely put together a sentence in French is getting embarrassing. I have Rosetta Stone and another online language program on my computer. I work on them occasionally. Two weeks ago, I signed up for a beginner’s class through a local ex-pats group. Friday was the first day of class. When I arrived for the lesson, it had been postponed. So, you see, some of it isn’t my fault. If I write down all my excuses for not learning French, I’ll shame myself into trying harder.

I’m still not learning French. Remember when I returned to France in April and promised to learn French by Christmas? Like those 20 pounds I was going to lose. It’s just not happening.