Comments

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  Ed Wetschler June 3, 2026 at 4:49pm

  A fusion of Louisiana accordion with Afro-Caribbean rhythms, blues, and R&B, zydeco is the irresistibly toe-tapping music of the black Creole community in rural southwest Louisiana, often sung in French. And here Nat Geo takes a look at the genre in its epicenter, the town of Opelousas: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/best-zydeco-music...
  https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/presse-et-ressources/decouvrir-et...

  

  How to visit the ‘Zydeco Capital of the World’—and it’s not New Orleans

  Two hours west of New Orleans, the town of Opelousas is one of the best places to experience this irresistibly toe-tapping music genre created by Lou…
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  Paul Varmuza December 24, 2025 at 2:04pm

  Oh, là là, y´all! For a taste of France in the U.S., check out these towns and cities: https://familyvacationsus.com/french-influenced-towns-in-the-u-s-th...

  

  9 French-Influenced Towns in the U.S. That Blend Old-World Charm With American Spirit

  Across the United States, some towns carry a distinct French influence, where cobblestone streets, historic architecture, and culinary delights evoke…
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  Ed Wetschler December 23, 2025 at 5:35pm

  When we think of colonial India, most of us inevitably think of the Brits. But France, Portugal, the Netherlands, and even Denmark also established footholds here over the course of the centuries. And in the city of Ponicherry on the southeast coast, French influence can still be seen, heard, and tasted: https://www.travelandleisureasia.com/in/destinations/india/how-fren...
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  Maria de los Angeles July 18, 2025 at 1:32pm

  Several months ago, Al Jazeera took a look on the state of the French language and cultural influence in Africa in light of recent events: https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2025/1/31/with-frances-military-...

  

  With France’s military influence in Africa gone, can it rely on soft power?

  The French language and a CFA currency tying 14 countries to France’s treasury continue to have big effects.
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  Jordan Simon December 28, 2024 at 10:30pm

  

  I dip into French pop on Sporify every so often, but still, I was surprised to learn that content in French is actually a trend! https://newsroom.spotify.com/2024-09-30/listeners-around-the-world-...

  

  Listeners Around the World Are Embracing French-Language Content on Spotify — Spotify

  Across music, podcasts, and audiobooks, Spotify listeners are turning toward French-language content. In fact, more than 100 million users worldwide…
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  Helen Brown January 6, 2024 at 3:14pm

  Here´s a fascinating tidbit about an intersection between francophone and U.S black culture: https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230228-kouri-vini-the-return-o...

  

  Kouri-Vini: The return of the US' lost language

  It was born from the horrors of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and then slowly disappeared. Now, its speakers are reclaiming it as part of their iden…
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  José Balido December 12, 2023 at 11:53am

  As a language geek, I found this little tidbit about a little known corner of francophone-derived culture fascinating: https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230228-kouri-vini-the-return-o...

  

  The return of the US' lost language

  It was born from the horrors of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and then slowly disappeared. Now, its speakers are reclaiming it as part of their iden…
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  Max Pesling May 7, 2023 at 11:15am

  Language nerds love 41-year-old Canadian teacher and traveler Paul Jorgensen's YouTube channel, and here's his interesting video on Qubequois vs. continental French, including background and vocabulary difference: https://youtu.be/A9rh3lqdtT0
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  David Paul Appell April 12, 2023 at 2:09pm

  The latest, from the Toronto Globe and Mail, on the Quebec government's perhaps quixotic attempt to "protect" French against the encroachment of "franglais": https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-quebecs-top-languag...

  

  Opinion: Quebec’s top language cop targets franglais

  Jean-François Roberge has a tough road ahead, as Quebeckers’ relationship with their language is, well, complicated
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  José Balido March 11, 2022 at 12:41pm

  In the U.S. state of Louisiana, March is le Mois de la Francophonie, celebrating the state's Cajun French language and culture. There's even a state council to promote it, and thousands of students studying French across the state. But still, Francophone-culture boosters fear that ground is being lost: https://www.yahoo.com/news/celebrating-cajun-french-march-preserves...

  

  How many Cajun French words do you know? Many fear it's a dying language

  "Celebrating the French language and culture is hugely important for a state with such a rich history and connection to the French-speaking world."