Finding teachable moments in France

My name is Véro and I am a teacher.

Bonjour, c’est Véro.

A few stories ago I confessed I was a professional student.

The thing is, I am also a teacher.

I teach when I facilitate discussions during French conversation classes.

I teach when I lead guided walks in my city, Tours.

I teach when I create virtual tours.

I teach when I write stories.

My name is Véro and I am a teacher.

Finding teachable moments

They are everywhere around us. Let’s spot and seize them!

A couple of days ago the TGV (high speed train) I was traveling on pulled into Gare Montparnasse in Paris, a monthly ritual since I moved to the Loire Valley in the spring of 2021.

Have you noticed how travelers start speeding up as soon as they set a foot on the platform in Paris, lemming-like, switching into full (rushed) urbanite mode?

No one looks left or right, their gaze fixed on the end of the platform in the distance, ready to dive underground to catch a Metro, or step out on the street to call an Uber or a taxi. Home, a business meeting, an expo (exhibit) or a long-awaited Parisian dream propel them forward.

A former Parisian and frequent visitor I can keep up with the best of them but now and then I refuse to play the game and wait a while for things to calm down before I head towards the exit.

That’s what happened on Friday morning. A train was waiting on the other side of the platform as I stepped off the TGV. I had plenty of time to look at it while the crowd rushed past me.

This time it was the “TER Normandie” (a regional train) known since 2020 as “the Nomad Train.”

A colorful map on the side of one of the cars caught my eye. Upon closer inspection I wondered…

Train, tourist brochure or French history textbook?

Voilà la carte. The map.

Bienvenue en Normandie

It took me seconds to realize I was looking at un petit chef d’oeuvre (a small masterpiece.) Colorful. Clever. Humorous. In short, interesting and shareable.

I almost grabbed a rushed traveler by the arm to stop him in his tracks and show him!

I refrained.

Instead I parked my rolling bag as I stood and took the time to explore the map. It dawned on me before leaving I could spin an entire class on French history and regional culture just using this map. Et voilà, a few photos (just in case.)

Trop cool !

There was the obvious, the illustration playing into stereotypes like the rainy weather Normandy is famous for.

Le rêve. A dream indeed.

There was a well-known joke about the Mont-St-Michel: It may sit in Normandy officially in 2025, les Bretons still haven’t given up on it.

The indomitable Breton: “Give.it.back!”

How about a tribute to a “courageous Parisian?” They flock to Normandy on the weekends but it takes guts after all to swim in la Manche (“the sleeve”in French,) otherwise known as “the English channel” (Why English? No one this side of La Manche knows, really.)

Training to swim in the Seine river in 2025

Talking about our favorite friends and foes across the Channel I spot our English neighbors. Could they be lured ashore by the sight of a runny wheel of Camembert (the odorous, heart-shaped Neufchâtel cheese is pictured at the top of the map with flies buzzing around it) or better yet, a hearty serving of the renowned local beef stew, tripes à la mode de Caen? Warning: this dish will challenge both your French pronunciation skills and your stomach.

Exposure to history has never hurt anyone (unlike offal.)

La Voiture 13 (car #13) reminds us of the historical ties between France and England, from the Norman conquest in 1066 to D-Day in June 1944.

And let’s not forget the Norsemen who in the 10th century, accepted a Frankish king’s offer to settle down in this beautiful part of Europe after leading adventurous, nomadic lives, thereby founding the powerful Duchy of Normandy.

Vikings knew how to dress for the weather (even if many tourists still don’t)

You’ll notice cows are a theme (as are butter and cream) when discussing Normandy. This is not to say other creatures aren’t featured as well, like a sturdy horse used to work the land (un percheron) surprised (“Heula?,” in the Norman language) to meet a sea horse (un hippocampe.)

“What kind of horse are you?!”

A big grin on my face, I was shocked by the sudden urge to return to Normandy tout de suite (shocked because we are all sloshing through one of the wettest, greyest winters in recent memory.)

Du bon boulot. Job well done, Normandy (and Heula, the Normandy-based brand at the core of this successful partnership.)

“Strong and Green:” What a slogan!

What’s next? More teaching ahead!

Later this month I’ll be leading the online winter session of my longest-running French language program “Survival French for the Traveler.” Short (4 classes,) sweet and to the point, the workshop combines essential travel French expressions and cultural tips (they go well beyond the much touted “always-say-Bonjour-in-France.”)

Best for beginners. Reach out if you are interested. Registration is capped at 8 students. First come, first serve.

In the second half of October 2025 I will be launching weeklong French immersion programs in Tours, Loire Valley. Daily activities will focus on communication as we explore Tours and the glorious area around it; meet French natives and have fun together in a relaxed environment. Two levels available: Intermediate and Advanced, up to 6 participants per group.

Very few immersion programs out there offer an opportunity to learn with an experienced native French instructor who is also a professional tour guide.

I’ll be releasing more information shortly. Hear the news first and join a special mailing list by sending a message here.

A bientôt.

PS: Looking forward to reading your comments and answering your questions. Nothing worse for a teacher than addressing a silent room! A tout de suite.