Pyrenees Exploration Enriches French Language Studies Last summer I was granted the
opportunity to discover the French side of Basque Country and the Midi-Pyrenees region. For 12 days I crisscrossed this
southwestern area of France, so rich in
offerings. Despite rainy weather during Dominique Bernard
my journey, I was impressed with this
beautiful, mountainous area – its lakes, its
cities and its talented, artistic people.
One does not usually go to the Pyrenees to visit its cities
but rather to hike, ski, stroll around it lakes and experience the
rural life. Yet I greatly enjoyed discovering
I also enjoyed discovering several lesser
Toulouse, Pau,
known museums in small cities, including
and Biarritz – all
France’s oldest museums.
Bayonne, Lourdes
the Musée des Jacobins in Auch, one of
beautiful cities that retain their historic features and never
fail to seduce visitors. I was particularly impressed with the Resistance
and Deportation
Museum in Toulouse, which offers a great collection of items from World War II. I also enjoyed
discovering several
lesser known museums in small cities, including the Musée des Jacobins in Auch, one of France’s oldest museums, and the Musée Historique in Biarritz. I found it interesting, too, to sojourn in several quaint villages, becoming acquainted with local residents to better understand their rich culture and heritage.
I thank the Browning Parents Association for this
generous stipend, which allows me to share this unique experience with all my students at Browning through
animated discussions and projects about this French-speaking part of the world.
By Dominique Bernard, French
Spring/Summer 2018
51