Indulgences

1. l'aperitiu

   Pre-dinner drinks

   Usage

   The habit of a light drink and nibbles before dinner; in the summer south it starts around 7pm at outdoor tables

   Grammar Note

   aperitiu is masculine; the ending is -iu, not French -if.

2. lo pastís

   Pastis (aniseed spirit)

   Usage

   The aniseed aperitif of Provence; cold water turns it cloudy white. It is strong, so it is always diluted. In Languedoc pastís can also mean a pie or cake

   Grammar Note

   Mind the accent on í. The same word can also mean a pastry.

3. lo nogat

   Nougat

   Usage

   A white sweet of honey and almonds; also one of the thirteen Christmas desserts of Provence

   Grammar Note

   Masculine; the spelling is nogat, not French nougat.

4. la violeta de Tolosa

   Violet of Toulouse (candied violet)

   Usage

   The flower symbol of Toulouse. Candied flowers, violet sweets and liqueur are popular souvenirs

   Grammar Note

   Feminine; the ending is -a.

5. las navetas de Marselha

   Navettes (Marseille boat-shaped biscuits)

   Usage

   A hard, boat-shaped biscuit scented with orange blossom, traditionally eaten around Candlemas in February

   Grammar Note

   navetas is the plural of the word for little boat; las is the feminine plural article.

6. un burèu de tabac

   A tobacconist (bureau de tabac)

   Usage

   Marked by a red diamond sign; sells tobacco, and often stamps, bus or metro tickets and lottery tickets. Sales to minors are banned

   Grammar Note

   Mind the accent: burèu. Composed.

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