When we think of France, we can't help but associate it with ideas like love and romance. That's why, for many of us, Paris is the ultimate capital of lovers. Moreover, the French art of living, a clever mix of refinement, culture, and respect for gastronomy, enjoys a worldwide reputation and is one of the things other countries envy most. It’s no surprise that literature, cinema, and everyday language are filled with phrases or words related to love and life. Finally, love and life are inseparably linked and are nothing without each other. Two people in love are essential for creating life, but love cannot exist without two living beings.
Whether they are writers, artists, or scientists, great men have often highlighted the concepts of love and life in their works. We all know the famous definition of Saint-Exupéry: "To love is not to look at each other, it is to look together in the same direction." Building a life project (such as having a child) involves pooling energies towards a shared goal.
Love makes life more beautiful, transforms our daily life, and gives us a reason to exist. All the great actions that have been accomplished in the world were the work of passionate people. Likewise, loving someone opens the doors to happiness. Edith Piaf declares in her famous song that Love makes us see "life in pink" and brings "a piece of happiness" into our hearts. Love makes the little daily troubles seem insignificant. I don’t care about the problems / My love, sinceyou love me, can be heard in The Hymn to Love.
Of course, the loss of our loved ones or our beloved condemns us to be unhappy. We know how painful the death of her beloved (the boxer Marcel Cerdan) was for the artist. But what is the point of living if love is absent from our existence? That’s why we agree with Hervé Bazin, author of the famous autobiographical novel Vipère au poing, when he says, "A life without love is a life without sunshine."
Love does not only make life more beautiful, it allows us to surpass ourselves and achieve what is extraordinary. In general, only those who love manage to accomplish what seems impossible to others. The love for one’s country, profession, or family pushes our limits and leads to heroic actions. This is surely what Marcel Proust meant when he wrote in In the Shadow of Young Girls in Flower, "Life is full of miracles that can always be hoped for by those who love."
Finally, we cannot repeat enough that life is the most precious thing. "One must love life, even in its least attractive forms," famously said the renowned oceanographer and filmmaker Jacques-Yves Cousteau. Today, we forget that the world of the living should never be destroyed under any circumstances, while our capitalist society often prioritizes material goods and immediate profit. Unfortunately, wildlife and flora are being mistreated, and we are all responsible for it.
"C’est la vie!" (That’s life!) – who among us has not uttered this short phrase at some point in our lives? We all know that life is made up of a series of good and bad moments. Most often, this phrase is used to express our resignation in the face of events that we cannot control. In this regard, there are many idiomatic expressions about
romantic feelings and existence.
Some are quite well-known and can be easily understood. Others deserve a little more explanation. "Avoir le coup de foudre" (to fall in love at first sight) means falling in love very suddenly. If you have a "coeur d’artichaut" (artichoke heart), it means you fall in love easily. "Déclarer sa flamme à quelqu’un" means expressing your feelings to your partner. "Avoir le cœur qui bat la chamade" is also a
French expression about love. It means your heart beats very fast every time you see your lover. The word "chamade," which comes from the Italian "chiamare" (to call), originally referred to the act of besieged military troops calling for help or asking for a ceasefire. At that time, trumpets or drum rolls were used as signals.
But, by the way, how do you commonly refer to the one you love in France? What are the endearing terms that the French use every day to talk about their loved ones? Everyone knows terms like "mon amour" or "mon chéri," which have equivalents in other countries around the world. In reality, in this area, those who want to find a sweet nickname for their partner have plenty of options. "Mon ange", "ma belle", "ma biche" (Louis de Funès' favorite endearment), "mon chou", "mon canard", "ma puce", "mon lapin", "mon trésor", ...: the options are many! Of course, calling your loved one "mon canard" or "ma puce" might surprise many of you, and we can understand that!
Finally, French cinema is a rich source of unforgettable quotes about
passionate love. Among them, the famous "t’as d’beaux yeux, tu sais" is one of the classics. This line by Jean Gabin to Michèle Morgan in the film *Le Quai des brumes* by Marcel Carné remains one of the most famous lines in French cinema. This masterpiece of the seventh art (whose dialogues were written by Jacques Prévert) features Jean, a deserter, who meets Nelly, a mysterious and melancholic young woman. Yet another work that places Love at the heart of our existence!
If you want to learn even more about the French language and culture,
French courses in France for adults are the perfect opportunity. You will dive deeper into the world of French cinema, enrich your vocabulary, and understand all the subtleties of famous quotes while practicing the language in an authentic and dynamic setting.
