Le blog d'Inflexyon

The nineteenth edition of the football world cup will be on your screens very soon. I twill take place in South Africa, country chosen in 2004 to host the event, from the 11th of June to the 11th of July. 32 national teams qualified for the cup will be participating.

The FIFA world cup is an international football competition, which takes place every four years. This competition was created in 1928 by the ex FIFA president Jules Rimet. The first ever world cup took place in 1930 in Uruguay whose national team became world champion that year.

The world cup is the most watched sporting event throughout the world along with the Olympic games. This worldwide event is also a moment of communion and encounter as it incarnates values such as peace, union and brotherhood.

To follow your favorite team closely (dates, times and results of the games) check out the FIFA official website.

For information about the school, you can connect to the webpage of Inflexyon or download the studentguide.

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Lyon is a great place to study french and at the same time experience the french culture. It is the second largest city in France, and has several places and buildings that are listed on Unesco’s World Heritage list. Lyon is also the capital of gastronomy in France.

Learn french at Inflexyon and meet other students from all over the world! We have classes from beginner to advanced levels. The culture and cooking class are very popular among our students. There you learn about the french culture and history, and make the most delicious french meals in our kitchen. We arrange cultural visits for the students twice per month where we do different things like visit museums, or try a french activity, like playing the petanque.

New courses start in the beginning of each month. What about taking french classes during your holiday? Study for one, two or three weeks, and get our special summer rate. (july and august)

Inflexyon can also offer accommadation service. We cooperate with many host families and student recidences, we can search and book a place for you.

For more information about the courses, go to the homepage of Inflexyon or download our studentguide.

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Auguste and Louis Lumière were among the earliest filmmakers in history. They were born in Besançon, France, in 1862 and 1864. In 1870 they moved to Lyon, where both attended La Martiniere, the largest technical school in the city. Their father ran a photographic firm and both brothers worked for him. Louis made some improvements to the still-photograph process, which was a major step towards moving images.

It was not until their father retired in 1892 that the brothers began to create moving pictures. They patented a number of significant processes leading up to their film camera - most notably film perforations as a means of advancing the film through the camera and projector. The cinématographe itself was patented in 1895. Their first public screening of films was held in December 1895 in Paris. This history-making presentation featured ten short films, including their first film, Sortie des Usines Lumière à Lyon (Workers leaving the Lumière Factory). In 1896, the Lumière brothers went on tour with the cinématographe- visiting Bombay, London, New York and Buenos Aires.

The former Lumiére family residence is now called Institut Lumière. It is a museum dedicated to the lives of the Lumiére family and the world of cinema. It also has a cinema theatre, a library and a gift shop.

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In the 18th century, Lyon was the centre of silk manufacture in Europe. Throughout the century, many weavers settled on the hill The Croix-Rousse (The red cross). It is called The Croix-Rousse because of the reddish-brown cross of stone that the Christians put there in the 1500s.

At first the weavers were located in the old part of the city, but they lacked of space and light. From 1812, people started building at the Croix Rousse area, with very caracteristic blocks. These buildings were constructed especially for the silk weaving business; with many big windows to bring in as much light as possible, and high ceilings (up to 4m), to house the large weaving looms invented by the frenchman Joseph-Marie Jacquard.

At the end of the 19th century, the silk trade represented 3/4 of the economic activity of the city, whereas the textile industry was 25 % of the national wealth. You can see an authentic silk worker's atelier at the Soierie Vivante.

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Church Bells are a typical symbol for the easter and an important part of the traditions. It is being said that on the evening of Holy Thursday all the church bells in France fly to the Vatican in Rome. They carry with them the misery and grief of those who mourn Jesus' crucifixion on that day. These flying bells return on Easter Sunday morning and bring with them lots of chocolate that they drop into the gardens of the French towns. In keeping with the tradition, French church bells do not ring from Good Friday to Easter morning. When they have returned, all the bells ring again to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. When people hear the bells, they kiss and hug eachother.

Another French Easter symbol is the 'Poisson d'Avril' - April fish. The fish makes his appearance on the 1st of April, April fools day. The tradition is that children play a trick on as many adults as possible by sticking paper fish onto their backs and running away. In most shops in France you will find chocolate fish and bells. A traditional french feast on Easter day is roast lamb with the seasonal vegetables. For dessert they have a cake called ‘La Gâche de Pâques’, which is a very rich bread mixture, like a brioche.

To get information about the school, you can connect to the website of Inflexyon and to the forum of the French courses.

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Lugdunum, the capital of Gaul was founded in 43 B.C as, and is now known by the name Lyon. The Museum of Gallo-Roman Civilization are situated on Fourvière Hill, which was formerly the center of Lugdunum. Two of the city's major monuments were erected here : the Theatre and the Odeon, which have been classified among UNESCO's World Heritage sites. Enriched by nearly five centuries of discovery, the museum's collections cover every chapter of the public and private life of a Roman Empire capital. The collections come primarily from discoveries made in Lyon and throughout the region. They are one of the richest archaeological collections in France. A few highlights are a 2,700-year-old four-wheeled vehicle and the Claudius Tablet, which transcribes a speech made by Emperor Claudius in 48 A.D.

The Museum of Gallo-Roman Civilization now has an exhibition of funeral rites in Lugdunum. The exhibition shows the Roman funeral rites from death until burial, the ceremony later and, ultimately, the modern rediscovery and excavation of tombs. The exhibition is at the museum until May 30th.

To get information about the school, you can connect to the website of the French school Inflexyon and to the forum of the French courses.

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Guignol is a french marionette created in Lyon by Laurent Mourguet. Since its creation in 1808, Guignol has become a symbol of the town Lyon. However, in the beginning, Guignol were entirely practical. Laurent Mourguet was one of the many silk workers made unemployed by the Revolution. He started working as a dentist, pulling teeth at county fairs, and to lure in the crowds he came up with the idea of a puppet show. The main character was Gnafron, a boisterous drunkard , and Guignol was his friend, engaged to Gnafron’s daughter. Created for adults – some of the early plays had some pretty strident political satire, and were censored. Eventually the puppets became “true” child’s play, with Guignol as the hero.

Guignol belongs to the second generation of marionettes: his ancestors are the Italian Pulchinello and the English Punch and Judy. You can see them in the Gadagne Museum in Lyon amongst 2000 other marionettes from all over the world. To learn more about Guignol you can visit the museum and theater “La Maison de Guignol“, in the old part of Lyon. There you can also see spectacles for adults.

To get information about the school, you can connect to the website of the French school Inflexyon and to the forum of the French courses.

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Valentine's Day, on 14 February, is a day to celebrate the relationships between lovers, friends and family members. It is the perfect time to remind your loved ones just how much you love them.

It is said that in France Valentine's day originally came to be held in mid February because this was the time of year that birds and animals started pairing off and mating. Eventually it became popular to exchange small tokens and love letters and so the day was born. It is traditionally a day on which lovers express their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards.

Here are some french key words for Valentine's day: I love you: Je t'aime. I love you too: Moi aussi, je t'aime. I adore you: Je t'adore. To date: Sortir avec.

Happy Valentine's day! Bonne Saint Valentin!

To learn more about the french language contact Inflexyon.

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With 1.5 million visitors each year, Fourvière is one of the most popular tourist sites in France. The Basilica of Fourvière was built between 1872 and 1896 and is a typical and outstanding example of the 19th century religious architecture. Perched on top of the Fourvière hill, the basilica looms impressively over the city of Lyon, where it can be seen from many vantage points. At certain times, members of the public may access the basilica's north tower for a spectacular view of Lyon and its suburbs.

Fourvière actually contains two churches, one on top of the other. The upper sanctuary is very ornate, while the lower has a much simpler design. Fourvière is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, who is said to have saved the city of Lyon from the plague in 1643. Next to the basilica a small church was erected in gratitude, to which the gilded statue of the Virgin was added in the mid-nineteenth century. Each year in early December, the people in Lyon thanks the Virgin by lighting candles throughout the city.

To get further information about the school, you can connect to the website of the French school Inflexyon and to the forum of the French courses.

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Inflexyon offers various cultural visits in Lyon twice a month. The next cultural visit for the students is Lyons City Archives.

The City Archives in Lyon is a public office that holds original and printed records of historical significance, mainly produced by the local public offices and related to the city of Lyon. The archives collect and preserve the documents, facilitate their use by creating search tools, distribute them and make them accessible for exhibitions, publishing and school visits. These records mainly deal with Lyons area and take account of the activities accomplished by the local governement of the city, from 1294 to nowadays. Lyons City Archives also hold valuable private records from institutions, families, societies, architects and photographers, which enrich the historical heritage. The photographic records are numerous and valuable; over 100.000 photographs among which 10.000 postcards, 30.000 posters, over 100.000 maps and drawings and some miniature works.

By visiting Lyons City Archive you will get a good look in to Lyons history.

To get further information about the school, you can connect to the website of the French school Inflexyon and to the forum of the French courses.

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One local and famous speciality of Lyon is frescoes, mural painting. There are more than 150 giant frescoes all over Lyon. Most of them are depicting historical events and famous french people.

The most famous is “La fresque des Lyonnais“, painted by artists of the Cite de la creation. This frescoe covers an entire building- more than 600 square meters. La fresque des Lyonnais depicts 31 famous people through times from in and around Lyon: The Little Prince and Antoine de Saint Exupéry, the Lumière brothers, Paul Bocuse + +.

La fresque des Lyonnais - At the corner of 2 rue de la Martinière and 49 quai Saint Vincent.

For more information about the frescoes of Lyon.

To get further information about the school, you can connect to the website of the French school Inflexyon and to the forum of the French courses.

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The first Sunday in January is The Kings day. It’s the day the Three Kings are said to have presented their gifts to Jesus. In honor of this day they eat the Kings Cake, la Galette des Rois.

The most traditional cake is flat and round with an almond/butter filling. Originally they always baked a real broad bean inside the cake. Now it is a figurine that is called “la fève.“

“La fève“ can represent anything from a car to a cartoon character. Whoever gets the slice with la fève is King or Queen for the day. They’re given a golden cardboard crown to wear all day long. Their duty as king or queen is to buy or make the next kings cake.

For more information about the kings cake

To get further information about the school, you can connect to the website of the French school Inflexyon and to the forum of the French courses.

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Learn cooking while studying french!



Our new french cooking class will teach you how to make french traditionnal dish. Our students loved the "soupe à l'oignon" made this morning. They learned a lot of vocabulary as well, a little bit of french cooking history and they finally got to taste the soup.
Next week, the teacher will bring them to a supermarket in order to learn all the food vocabulary and to help them choose the products for good recipes that they can make on their own.
For more information about this class, contact inflexyon.

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It is well known : french is the language of love. Study french and be romantic...
Here are some key words,
I love you : je t'aime;

to date : sortir avec; 

to get engaged : se fiancer,
mariage : wedding,

Happy Valentine's day : bonne saint Valentin!

to learn more about french language contact inflexyon

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The best way to learn French is to be immersed in it.
Spending one year in a french speaking country is perfect. If you do not have this amount of free time, you can still live in a french speaking country for a few months, you will learn a lot. In this case, the best is to study before in your own country so that when you arrive you do not loose time learning the basics.

Once you are in a french speaking country, you need of course to enroll in a french foreign language school ( take an intensive class if you can't stay for a long time). Also, try to participate to all cultural activities that are offered to you. Meeting french native speakers and speaking is very helpful, but difficult as first because native speakers do not speak as slowly as your teachers!
Also, living with a french host family is 100% better than in a student residence where you will probably be with other foreigners : you will then communicate either in english or in your mother tongue.

If you need more advice, do not hesitate to contact us at inflexyon

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