Celebrating French Culture in Santa Barbara

French In Our Daily Lives

The French language is so deeply intertwined into the English we speak that we hardly realize it’s there.

You and your fiancé send out wedding invitations asking the recipients to R.S.V.P. We go to a restaurant and order an hors d’oeuvre and a salad without thinking twice about the origin of the words.

French culture, too, has woven its way into our daily life. We see its influence in our food, fashion, art, music, and dance. Now in its 29^th year, Santa Barbara’s annual French Festival celebrates this beautiful and multi-faceted culture in a tree-filled park. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into the French countryside.

Bringing French Culture to Life

The two-day event coincides with Bastille Day. It offers visitors a small taste of the arts and cuisine of France. Proceeds support theater and literacy programs in Santa Barbara.

Stepping through the gates, you stroll past the booths where local artisans display their wares. You climb the stairs to the Moulin Rouge Stage. There, you’ll see dancers demonstrating everything from the elegant minuet seen in the salons of the 1800’s to the enthusiastic and sometimes bawdy can-can. Be prepared to join in when James and Cynthia from the Historical Ballroom Dance Club at UCLA teach the one-step, a simple dance which lets you express the best of yourself.

Traveling to France Without the Plane Fare

Wandering past replicas of the Mona Lisa (where you can take a selfie with your face in the painting) and a miniature Eiffel tower, you reach a tree-shaded expanse. Amidst booths offering food, drink, and factoids about the Festival, Chef Josette’s Café Normandie takes pride of place. She offers an amazing assortment of salads, sandwiches, quiches, breads, and pastries. Grab a snack or an entire meal to enjoy while experiencing a melange of musical entertainment at the Eiffel Tower Stage.

Travel back in time to the French Renaissance. Then meander back to the 21^st century by way of a 1930’s cabaret and the Hot Club of France. Artists perform tributes to Classic French music and artists but share some of their original work, and a bit of Cajun and Quebecois.

Medieval Knights Fight for Glory

A safe distance from the idyllic picnic atmosphere, gallant knights don armor to defend their castle’s honor. Armed with mace, axe, and sword, they beat each other into submission for the honor of being named the victor. But with that honor comes another battle. Others are anxious to unseat the current champion. The battles rage throughout the afternoon with the banner changing hands often. The competition is reminiscent of battles enacted today where honor is defended on the fields of football and soccer.

Expanding Your French Language Repertoire

Would you like help learning French? Contact me here or text me at 323-203-2616 for more information.

Feature photo used by permission. Courtesy of Heather Hewes

April 21, 2017May 5, 2023

French Conversation Conejo Valley

French Conversation Conejo Valley is a group of Francophiles of the area who meet regularly. Check for our next meeting in the Conejo Valley by clicking here for a fun evening of French conversation.

All those desiring to practice their French are welcome.

Just over 50 years ago all you would have found in the hills throughout would have been oak trees and cows. (No French conversation going on at that time throughout the prairies. :))

When it all came together

In fact, the oak trees are so numerous in the Conejo Valley that they gave their name to the first incorporated city: Thousand Oaks in 1964. The city proudly shows a large oak tree on its buses and lamp posts.

Then cam along the rest of the cities: Newbury Park was incorporated in 1977, Westlake Village in 1981, Oak Park is a community, Agoura Hills was incorporated in 1982.

Where French Conversation in the Conejo Valley May Happen

Many schools in the area teach French as part of their curriculum: Thousand Oaks High School, Newbury Park High School, Westlake Village High School, La Reina High School, Viewpoint School in Calabasas, the California Lutheran University and more.

What encompasses the Conejo Valley?

Below a map showing the area covered by the Conejo Valley. This is where you’ll meet rabbits galore (let’s not forget that Conejo means rabbit in Spanish).

Over the hills, northeast, you’ll find Simi Valley which was incorporated in 1969.

How long have cows live in the area?

To be honest, I don’t know and I don’t really care, but one thing that I do know, even though these cities seem young, caves in their hills show that Indian Chumash were living around and about as far back as 12,000 years ago! So much for the “New World” discovered by Columbus in 1493.

So what is new? People? No, but maybe the French language since the native language is Chumash, then Spanish came along with people from Spain and Mexico moving up the Californian coast. The good reason why Spanish is definitely prominent in the area. Per WorldPolulationReview.com 2014 figures, California had and I quote: “In 2014, estimates showed that the Latino and Hispanic population surpassed the population of non-Hispanic Whites. According to those estimates, taken in June 2014, 14.99 million Latinos resided in the state, compared to 14.92 whites. California has the largest minority population and the largest Hispanic population in the country.”

So why would French have a place in the State of California?

Well, did you know that California has around 200,000 French speaking inhabitants?

The last remaining area that I visit on a regular basis as a French Tutor, is the Moorpark area and Santa Rosa Valley. The Moorpark College does teach French and the Santa Rosa Valley is peacefully tucked away between Las Posas Hills and the Mountclef Ridge.

I’m hoping to see you for one hour of French conversation at our monthly meetings or to help you perfect your French!

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