Liberte, Egalite, Nationalite
Living France|January 2018

In January 2017, writer Mark Sampson shared his experiences of applying for French citizenship. Having now officially acquired la nationalité française, he explains the final stages of the process

Mark Sampson
Liberte, Egalite, Nationalite

When I awoke on the morning of my birthday this year, it was the first time I’d ever woken up as an official French citizen. Just over a year since submitting our dossiers at the Bureau de la Naturalisation in Toulouse. “Do you realise,” my wife pointed out, “we’ve changed the course of our family history?”

It’s true. The family that arrives every August to occupy the old house hidden below us are Parisians by the name of Platt. Lawrence, who retains the British spelling of his first name, can barely speak a word of English, yet his grandfather was a fully fledged Brit. I wondered whether future generations, poring over the Sampson family tree, would point to a greatgreat-grandfather who was half-French. Apparently, he could sing La Marseillaise.

Which is no mean feat. The day before my birthday was the day of my... what, my investiture? Our main preparation for the big occasion involved learning by heart the words of the first verse and chorus of our new national anthem – and, more to the point, learning to sing them. The gory words – about rousing the citizens to spill the murderous enemy’s blood in defence of the fatherland – do not scan easily.

With all the obtuse rhythms, one has to elongate the syllables to fit the music as if the words were Italian rather than French. The idea of Premiership footballers bellowing out the refrain as a mark of solidarity following the Charlie Hebdo massacre... it makes you wonder!

Being a former actress, my wife is well-versed in learning lines. So when we travelled south to the Espace Culturel at Arcambal, just east of our préfecture of Cahors, she drilled us both like the ‘very model of a modern Major General’ until we were word perfect. We could sing it with our eyes closed while doing a handstand, if absolutely necessary.

この記事は Living France の January 2018 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

この記事は Living France の January 2018 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

LIVING FRANCEのその他の記事すべて表示
Guide To: Working For A Foreign Company
Living France

Guide To: Working For A Foreign Company

If your current employer is happy to let you continue working for them after you move to France, there are a number of rules and regulations to be aware of to ensure you stay on the right side of the law, as Catharine Higginson explains

time-read
5 分  |
May 2020
On vintage soil
Living France

On vintage soil

Life in the vineyards of Aude is a dream come true for Leicestershire-born Katie Jones who now successfully exports her wines back to the UK, as Brigitte Nicolas learns

time-read
8 分  |
May 2020
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
Living France

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

What happens if you are buying a French property but can’t attend the completion meeting at the notaire’s office in person? Matthew Cameron explains how a power of attorney can be used and how it works

time-read
6 分  |
May 2020
In safe hands
Living France

In safe hands

There can be few more unusual homes than the 11th-century Château de Clérans, situated close to the Dordogne river in the Périgord Pourpre region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

time-read
5 分  |
May 2020
THE CAPTAIN'S TABLE
Living France

THE CAPTAIN'S TABLE

Robin Ellis made his name as the original Captain Poldark but a diabetes diagnosis led the Tarn-based actor to add cookbook writing to his CV, as Richard Webber learns

time-read
7 分  |
May 2020
My frugal France
Living France

My frugal France

Embracing modern technology could save you money and time on both the pleasures and essentials of life in France, says Laura Harley as she shares some of her favourite French apps

time-read
2 分  |
May 2020
Hidden Talents
Living France

Hidden Talents

Moving to France enabled these three expats to switch off from busy careers and in turn discover new creative talents, says Gillian Harvey, who counts herself among them

time-read
7 分  |
May 2020
Beauty to behold
Living France

Beauty to behold

With its legendary vineyards, charming old towns and rich gastronomy, Gironde is quintessential France at its best, as Alison Weeks discovers

time-read
8 分  |
May 2020
AS SEEN ON SCREEN
Living France

AS SEEN ON SCREEN

A Dordogne town, a Charente city and a Pyrenean village all have a starring role in three new films hitting the big screen this year, joining a long list of French locations that have gone before them, as Vicky Leigh learns

time-read
8 分  |
May 2020
A local's view
Living France

A local's view

Trish and Mark Tyler run a beautifully restored chambres d’hôtes, set in six hectares of park and woodland near StÉmilion, which has a fascinating history

time-read
6 分  |
May 2020