Florida French Connection

The Eiffel Tower was inaugurated on March 31, 1889, which means the Iron Lady turns 137 years old today. It was originally designed for the 1889 World's Fair in Paris as a showcase of French innovation. When it was completed, it was the tallest building in the world.

A few weeks later, when the fair opened, crowds lined up to climb it. Nearly 30,000 people visited in the first week alone, and the tower was a raging success during the 6 months of the fair.

Despite its success, the tower was only meant to stand for 20 years. Its role in scientific research, and ultimately its use as a radio antenna, saved it from demolition. What began as a temporary structure became the defining landmark of Paris and one of the most beloved monuments in the world.

This photo shows a 𝗴𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗿𝗼𝗶𝘀 (King’s cake), a traditional pastry eaten in France every year at the beginning of January. It is linked to Epiphany, a holiday that celebrates the visit of the Three Kings.

The cake is usually made with puff pastry and filled with frangipane, a soft almond cream. What makes it special is what you cannot see. Inside the cake, the baker hides a small figurine called a fève. When the cake is shared, whoever finds the figurine in their slice becomes King or Queen for the day and wears the paper crown placed on top of the cake.

There is a strict rule when cutting it. The youngest person sits under the table and decides who gets each slice, to keep things fair. Today, most bakeries sell hundreds of these cakes, and many families eat more than one during the season.

Photo: The Good Life France

Today is the birthday of Napoleon Bonaparte, born on August 15th, 1769. To celebrate, we’ve discovered ten interesting French things we owe to Napoleon but never knew. (see comment👇)