Nevermind that many of us eat these very cute and cuddly animals, Pigs in France is a new website specifically for smallholders who raise pigs in France. (Though, I’m going to come to the site to see the adorable piggy pix. Look! The one on the right looks like he’s smiling.)

Dedicated to keeping rare and endangered breeds of pigs from extinction as well as advocating proper methods of raising pigs in a natural, comfortable environment, Pigs in France features news and articles related to pigs, including information and news on regulations for pig keepers in France, pig feed and more. Smallholders (owners of 50 acres of land or less for agribusiness) with pigs can also submit questions to be answered online in their Q&A section or participate in the forum.

Pigs in France

Dashang Kagyu Ling (also called Temple of a Thousand Buddhas) is a Tibetan Buddhist Temple located in the heart of France, among the rolling green hills of the South Morvan Forest in Burgundy. You might expect a clash of visuals and cultures seeing golden temples and bright primary colors, set against a backdrop of verdant flora, but the combination somehow creates a feeling of harmony and balance.

Despite the thousands of cathedrals scattered throughout all of France (and despite the quote from the Dalai Lama above), a percentage of the population (French, East Asian immigrants and expats in France) embrace eastern philosophies and religions such as Buddhism, and those numbers are progressively increasing. Buddhism is France’s fourth largest faith after Christianity, Islam and Judaism and some say that Buddhism in France is booming with an estimated 600,000 practitioners (Hundreds of Buddhist centers have opened in the last 30 years).

Under the general umbrella of Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism has a following of its own that is growing and there are already many Tibetan Buddhists temples in France, though many of them are in very remote and in hidden areas, much like the Temple of a Thousand Buddhas in La Boulaye. Tibetan Buddhism is the combination of Indian Tantrism, Vajrayana Buddhism (a branch of Mahayana Buddhism), also incorporating traditional pre-Buddhist beliefs. In Tibet, rather than rejecting folk tradition, Tibetan Buddhism embraced it and absorbed it — and in doing so, allowed a global Tibetan Buddhist diaspora.

Dashung Kagyu Ling in La Boulaye bases its beliefs on the lineage from one of four Tibetan schools of Buddhism focusing on the practice of Vajrayana Buddhism. They’ve established many temples all over France [see the list of Kagyu Ling centers in France] and people are welcome to come to the temple for teachings on Buddhism. You can also spend extended periods at the temple living there for several months to study under the guidance of experienced Buddhist masters. There are also pilgrimages to Tibet. (see their website for details)

This is the current Mandala at the temple. Briefly, a Mandala, a Sanskrit word meaning circle, community and connection, and is a symbol on which Tibetan Buddhists focus and meditate to gain spiritual freedom. It is meticulously made with dyed loose sand thoughtfully and carefully arranged within a circle, and usually depicting a palace with all shapes of the mandala symbolizing important deities or other objects with religious signficance. It is never permanent and this particular mandala will be dismantled next month.

Dashang Kagyu Ling
Temple des Mille Bouddhas
Chateau de Plaige – 71320 La Boulaye France
Tel: 03.85.79.62.52 / 03.85.79.62.53
Email: dashang.kagyu.ling@wanadoo.fr
Admission: 4 Euros
Hours: Open every day 2pm – 5pm; Weekends 2:30pm – 6pm; July/August: 10am-noon and 2pm – 6:45pm
Events: Sacred Dance Festival every August

Related: Buddhist Temples in France

Book: The Good Heart: A Buddhist Perspective on the Teachings of Jesus by HH Dalai Lama
Related Links: Plum Village and the Art of Mindful Living, Kagyu Centers Worldwide
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Lulu Lundi* features an adorable Boston Terrier named Lulu somewhere in France every Monday.

Yay Spring! These Wisteria flowers are growing all around our house on long, long vines and I love them. They have a beautiful, sweet scent and hang delicately from their stems and sway with the wind. This is my favorite time of year in France. Click on the photo to zoom out.

Tags: france, french, spring, flowers, gardens, wisteria

For Weekend Dog Blogging and Friday Ark, Lulu is hangin’ with the Nettles. (see post below or click here to read all about Nettles) btw, feliz Cinco de Mayo! (Cinco de Mayo marks the victory of the Mexican Army over the French at the Battle of Puebla.)

Spring is FINALLY here. Geez, did it take long enough?? So now I feel like I have to be outdoors as much as possible to catch the warm weather. I ran into a neighbor and she pointed out all of the Nettles growing right now.

Her: “Will you be making Nettles soup? Look! They are perfect right now.”

Me: “You mean those things growing like crazy wild weeds everywhere?”

Her: “Yes! Aren’t they lovely? Nettles make a delicious soup. Just remember to handle them with care. Maybe use some gloves.”

Me: “What??! Gloves!? WHY FOR?”

Her: “They can hurt you. They are stinging Nettles…with tiny thorns.”

Me: “Tiny thorns? Cooking with gloves? Sounds fun.”

Her: “Also, try not to breathe when handling them.”

Me: “I like breathing.”

Her: “Once cooked you should be fine.”

Me: “Man. That is one high-maintenance recipe for a weed.

Her: “You shouldn’t think of it as a weed. One last thing: you must use the young leaves and don’t use them after June.”

Me: “June bugs?”

Her: “The leaves of nettles begin to have an acid (oxalic acid) which will be bad for your stomach.”

Me: “Do I want to know what happens to the stomach? No. Never mind.”

Me: “This recipe does NOT sound worth making. I mean, it’s a frickin’ weed! You need gloves. You can’t breathe. It does something bad to your stomach. Next thing you know, you’ll be telling me to make some weird dandelion dish.”

Her: “Dandelions are delicious!!”

Me: “Ah yes, what the French call, pissenlits? (Literally: Piss in bed) Speaking of which…I have to go now.”

Tags: france, french, nettles, soup

One of the last things most people think about when planning a trip to Paris is grabbing something like a falafel, but these are soooo goooOOOoooood! But now that the weather is warming up, it’s time to leave the heavy, comfort foods behind and transition on to more fresher, lighter and healthier alternatives. It’s not a bad time, either, to think about more exercise and perhaps losing those extra pounds that somehow accumulated on your hips (and butt!) during the winter. For an inexpensive, kosher, vegetarian (they have meat dishes too), delish Middle Eastern meal, L’As du Fallafel (Falafel Ace) is a must for your itinerary. I will be in Paris really soon just because I want a falafel to visit a very good friend, so I am definitely going to head over there. Nearly everyone who lives in Paris knows about L’As du Fallafel but just in case you’re new or if you think that’s something you’d pursue when visiting Paris, here it is. Nothing much to say except the falafels here are the best in Paris. They rule. L’As du Fallafel is in the very heart of Le Marais, the 4th arrondissement, which is one of the coolest districts in Paris. There you can also find excellent deli’s and funky shops (many are open on Sundays). L’As du Fallafel 32 rue des Rosiers, 75004 Paris France, Telephone: 01.48.87.63.60 Metro: St. Paul Closed on Saturdays

Tags: travel, france, french, falafels, paris, l'as+du+fallafel, middle+eastern, restaurants

Television commercials in France often leave me going, “WHA?” They make no sense and you have no idea about what is being advertised. Some start with an idea and never follow through with completing it, like they forgot what it was half way through, or, in mid project, it was more likely that someone took creative control and that person had no business doing such a thing. Sometimes it’s really funny but you still don’t know what the product in question is and sometimes it’s painfully unfunny AND you still don’t know what the hell they are advertising.

There’s a Club Internet spot where a guy doesn’t want to spend money on a phone call (because it’s too expensive) to harass (prank call) a couple, so he goes to their house and talks to them at the door as if he were on the phone. Anyway. The exceptions are, however, the PSA’s made in France. They are usually well thought out and brilliantly executed, having unmistakably solid focus on their main message. In the process, despite how serious the subject matter or theme, they’re still able to sneak in lots of creativity, humor, and lightheartedness. It’s amazing. These virals for AIDS Awareness, by Wilfred Brimo, are perfect examples. He’s managed to superbly combine fun and serious. Note: Some would consider these NSFW. Click on the photo to view the video. There’s another excellent brand new viral video ad here: Sugar Baby Love (quicktime .mov) which focuses on the gay community. Btw, the ad’s message: “Live long enough to find the right one. Protect yourself.” Links: The First French Organization Against HIV: AIDS (in French)

Often in conversation, I want to stop and remark about the differences of words chosen in French versus what would be used in English. French seems ultimately more friendly, relaxed and sensual. I love this. It would be too disruptive and geeky to interrupt with, “hey! that word is way more descriptive in French! English can be so boring sometimes.” – so I  usually stay quiet with a big smile on my face. I know, it must look silly, what can I say. It’s the little things. For the following conversation, I’d say that in English, one would simply say, “shrank.” The French version is much cuter. Me: “You look like you lost a little weight.” Thinking, if you would just pull up the boxers, pull the saggy pants down a little, I’d hand you a rapper’s mic. but instead… S.O.: “Yeah, I think I lost a few pounds.” Me: “I only say that because your pants are baggy…in the back.” S.O.: “Are you looking at my butt?” Me: (silence) S.O.: “You’re right. My butt melted.”

Tags: french, language, linguistics

The way the soft yet bright sun bounces playfully with color in the south of France is an addictive experience and it’s not surprising that it attracts so many people, from artists to tourists and wannabe residents. When coupled with the awe-inspiring beauty of the coastline, you can almost say you’re in heaven in Roquebrune Cap Martin. (a commune made up of the village of Roquebrune and the peninsula beach town of Cap Martin)

When along the French Riviera, the view from the medieval village of Roquebrune is one of the most amazing sights to grab when traveling in the south of France, as you have a breathtaking view of Monaco to the west, the peninsula, Cap Martin just below and Menton to the east.

The 10th century chateau of Roquebrune perched boldly atop a granite outcrop provides a wonderful playground for exploration and views for taking in the landscape. The chateau weathered many sieges after its completion and had to be restored in the 13th, 15th and 19th centuries. (Entrance fee: 6 euros)

Tidbits:
1. There’s a beach at Cap Martin, and part of it is a dog beach! (Many beaches in the south of France do not allow dogs)
2. Next to the school just up from the chateau, is a children’s playground. From the school, access the playground by taking the buried pipe tunnel!
3. In 1355, Roquebrune fell under the control of Monaco’s Grimaldi Family and remained so for five centuries. It came under French possession in 1793 but was returned to Monaco in 1814. After the revolution in 1848 Roquebrune was declared independent along with Menton. Then, by referendum in 1860, it was finally ceded to France.
4. Roquebrune is not far from Eze, France.
5. The website: Roquebrune-Cap-Martin
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Lulu Lundi*- features our favorite Boston Terrier, Lulu, somewhere in France every Monday.

Tags: travel, france, french, riviera, roquebrune, cap+martin, menton, monaco, lulu

How could I not join my fellow Francophile bloggers who are writing about France’s Labor Day? Bonne Fête du 1er Mai! Happy May Day! 1er Mai, Fête du Muguet (that rhymes btw) is a non-working national holiday and celebrated every May 1st in France with the fragrant and delicate Muguet (Lily of the Valley) flowers. The French tradition is to give your loved ones bouquets of these adorable flowers to wish them happiness and to celebrate Spring’s arrival. (even though it still feels like winter but I digress.) If you don’t want to follow the original tradition of finding your own Lily of the Valleys in the forest (wait. shouldn’t they be in the valleys?), you will not have any problems finding someone selling them. It is the only opportunity and day in France to sell something without needing a license to sell. The only requirement is that you must sell your flowers at least 100 meters away from a flower shop. So, lots and lots and LOTS of people are out there pushing their goods in the form of cute little bell-shaped flowers. Prices will vary wildly.

Tags: france, french, traditions, La+Fête+du+Travail, Fête+du+Muguet, Lily+of+the+valley, flowers, may+day, may+1